Enterprise applications are an invaluable component of every computer-based information system. They are developed using enterprise architecture, meaning they are designed specifically for functionality within the corporate environment. When utilized correctly, enterprise application software can significantly enhance your organization’s productivity. So what is the best route to take when it comes to enterprise application integration?
Why is EAI important?
The average modern organization is comprised of applications within a legacy system that are custom built and acquired by a third party. These custom applications operate via multiple different platforms of operating systems. Seamless data integration across diverse applications is imperative to supporting business processes. Since this field of data science has proliferated, there is a lack of industry standards for different application integration. To ensure your organization is genuinely operating at its most total capacity, you must consider your particular integration scenario.
Generally, enterprise application integration comes into play when an organization has many different software applications within its network. While business intelligence applications are helpful to business processes individually, it can become complex to manage them efficiently within a network, slowing down overall workflow and bogging down productivity. EAI standardizes integration techniques across application portfolios.
Point-to-Point Integration
Point-to-point integration is a simple form of integration; however, it is tightly coupled to your applications, so the methods cannot be reused. They may be challenging to monitor, so if data governance is a potential issue for your organization, it would be better to examine your other options. A scenario that would benefit from point-to-point integration is one wherein the application software developers have the capacity to deliver integration as part of their application. In this case, developers can redeploy solutions more easily when change is inevitable.
Exact, Transform and Load (ETL)
This approach automates data flow between systems. ETL helps maintain data synchronization with minimal human intervention. This form of integration works best when your organization has a high volume of data to sift through. A downside to the ETL approach is that it transfers data in groups on a daily or hourly basis. This timeframe may be detrimental to businesses that require real-time processes. If your integration needs are not time-sensitive, ETL could be the perfect integration solution for your business.
iPaaS
iPaaS (or Integration-Platform-as-a-Service) is a prime choice for organizations with no existing data integration platforms in place. For companies with an on-premise data integration infrastructure and utilize on-premise integration tooling, iPaaS can act as an extension of that system. iPaaS can evolve your existing integration portfolio into a hybrid integration platform, or HIP. Since this integration model is cloud-based, it is a fitting solution for organizations looking to position their application portfolio towards the cloud. However, one of the main features of iPaaS is its ability to build connections and facilitate free data flow across applications with differing host locations. Suppose your company has various niche or customized applications, or all the target applications are within your data center already. In that case, iPaaS is likely not the best choice.
Managed Platform Integration, Enterprise Service Bus, Integration Brokerage, and Custom Code Integration are just a few other integration practices your company may want to consider. TIBCO, the industry leader in data science software, houses many integration system resources and comparisons on its website. To ensure you are looking towards the best-fitting solution for your existing network of applications, you may consider consultation or professional advice. As the data science field continues to grow, staying on top of the latest trends in software development can help your business remain highly productive, competitive, and efficient. Building a network of highly efficient software applications is step one. If you haven’t coupled that with a complementary integration system, though, your portfolio is incomplete.
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