Integration of a newly acquired company is one of the most important parts of an overall acquisition plan. It brings functional areas, HR and policy together to be managed such that the newly formed organization is reading from the same book, so to say. However, the best place to begin integration is at the beginning of any potential transaction. Once an accord has been reached and due diligence is under way, any existing or potential problem areas (or deal killers, if incurable) need  be identified and planned for rationalization once the transaction is complete.