This article will examine the various technologies and methods that exist to combine different pieces of software and/or hardware into one ecosystem.
What is system integration? When do you need it and what are the benefits?
System integration refers to the joining of software and hardware modules into a single cohesive infrastructure that allows all parts to work together. It is often referred to as IT integration or software integration.
Benefits of system application integration services
Productivity increases.
Integrated systems enable central control of daily operations, which improves efficiency. Employees can access all the apps and data they require from one point, which allows companies to do more work in a shorter time.
More reliable and accurate data.
All components are updated simultaneously. This keeps all departments on one page.
Faster decision-making.
To perform analytics, data is no longer scattered across siloed storage. You can instead get a complete view of all information to extract valuable business insights faster.
Cost-effectiveness.
System integration is often cheaper than replacing disjointed parts with one system. It can be difficult to implement new computer infrastructures.
Types of system integration
We'll be listing the most popular types of system integration that can meet different business goals and requirements.
1. Integration of legacy systems
Goal: Integration of modern applications in existing, outdated systems
Many companies still use outdated software for their core business functions. It is not possible to replace it with newer technology because it is essential for a company's daily workflow. Instead, legacy systems may be modernized through the establishment of a communication channel using newer information systems or technology solutions.
Example: Connecting a legacy CRM system with a data warehouse, or a transport management system (TMS),.
2. Enterprise application integration (EAI)
Objective: Unification of subsystems within one business environment
Companies are integrating more business applications as they grow to improve their back-office and front-office processes. Many of these applications do not share common points and can accumulate large amounts of data independently. Enterprise application integration services (EAI), combines all functions into a single business chain and automate data exchange between applications.
Example: creating a single ecosystem for accounting, human resource information, inventory management, and enterprise resource planning (ERP) systems.
3. Integration of third-party systems
Goal: expanding the functionality of the current system
When your company needs new functionality, but cannot afford custom software development, or does not have the time and resources to build it from scratch, integration of third-party tools can be a great option.
Example: Integrating an existing application with online payment systems (PayPal and WebMoney), social networks (Facebook, LinkedIn), video streaming services online (YouTube), and other online media.
4. Business-to-business Integration
Goal: linking systems between two or more organizations
B2B integration, also known as business-to-business integration, automates document exchange and transactions between companies. This facilitates trade and cooperation with customers, suppliers, and partners.
Example: Connecting a retailer's purchasing system with a supplier's ERP system.
No matter what the circumstance, system integration has one goal: to bring together disparate pieces by building a cohesive network. Let's take a look at the architecture and technologies that enable integration to happen.
Connecting systems: There are many ways
Many system integration options are available to suit the needs of every organization. There is a solution for every business, no matter how complex or simple it may be to improve internal and external communication and data sharing.
There are many ways to connect different systems. In this article, we will briefly review the most popular "connectors".
1. API
The Application Programming Interface is the most popular integration process. There are many API subcategories. These include partners, private, and public. However, all of them use application integration technology.These interconnections can be established using common code language so that data can flow seamlessly between solutions.Advantages
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Flexibility: The API method is able to handle almost all data variations by using the product code language.
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Smooth Operations The links between the systems enable providers to manage individual connections without disturbing third-party software.
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High Availability API is the most popular integration strategy. It can be used for almost any integration project.
Disadvantages
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Supplier Dependability- Suppliers are responsible for setting up an API and making their business partners dependent on that API's data access schedule.
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Coding intensive - Although APIs are code-based, it makes them more functional. However, programming the code can be time-intensive and overwhelming.
2. Webhooks
Webhooks are also known as HTTP callbacks. They link applications, but they are not code-based. Instead, they are event-based. This means that webhooks require programming modules to be included in each subsystem. Management is not notified when an event occurs or if there is a change.Advantages
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Real-Time Data - Management can access real-time data from any location by not using a request-based approach.
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Automation - Businesses don't have to plan data collection times in the integrator, since information is automatically updated when an event occurs.
Disadvantages
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Limited data control - HTTP callbacks rely upon the systems to recognize an occasion for data to be transferred, while APIs allow users to alter and create data without activating the software.
3. ISC
Integration Services Components are not code-based, but rather live on a server to be connected with local management tools. This allows system integrators to gain access to data without having to import large files.Advantages
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Increased Function - ISC is able to connect and integrate systems as long as it has cloud-access data from the web service.
Disadvantages
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A deep understanding of databases and local servers is required in order to properly set up ISCs.
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Exclusive Access to Applications - Often, businesses don't have back-end access, which makes it difficult for the ISC system to integrate.
4. Orchestration
Orchestration systems, which can handle the scheduling of tasks among several solutions, are the most advanced integrators. This system consolidates repetitive processes to improve production and information flow. Users can connect to any service by automating multiple processes and software together.Advantages
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Complete Automation- Total automation across all platforms simplifies data sharing and increases transparency in operation.
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Manage Multiple Solutions - Orchestrations allow users to manage all systems at once.
Disadvantages
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Code-Intensive: This method is similar to APIs in that it requires extensive knowledge of programming for software development.
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Time-consuming: The integration of multiple systems' schedules makes orchestration very difficult. This requires additional staff and extra time.
How to approach system integration
System integration can be multifaceted. There are many architectural models that can be used depending on the nature and number of components to be linked.
Model from point-to-point
P2P (point-to-point) architecture is where every system is directly connected with all other systems and applications it needs to work together and share information. This model is possible via webhooks, APIs, and custom code.
Data can be extracted from one system and modified or formatted before being sent to another. Every application implements the logic of data translation, transformation, and routing taking into consideration the supported data models and protocols of other components.
The pros and cons of point-to-point integration
One of the biggest advantages of point-to-point integration is that an IT team can quickly build a small-scale, integrated system. The downside is that the model can be difficult to scale and it becomes more challenging to manage all the integrations as the number of applications increases. For example, to connect six modules, you would need to do 15 integrations. This is the star/spaghetti interconnection.
When to Use It: This approach is best for companies who don't have complicated business logic and are able to run their operations using a handful of software modules. This approach is ideal for companies that want to connect to SaaS apps.
Model of hub-and-spoke
The hub and spoke model is an advanced form of integration architecture. It addresses the problems of the point-to-point approach to integration and avoids the star/spaghetti mess. A central hub (message broker) handles all connections among subsystems. They don't directly communicate with one another.
The hub is a message-oriented middleware that acts as an integration engine. It translates operations into a single language and routes messages to the correct destinations. Each subsystem is managed by its spokes (adapters).
The pros and cons of the hub-and-spoke model:
This model is a better alternative to P2P. It offers a lot more benefits, including greater scalability. The simplicity of architecture and security is enhanced by the fact that each system only has one connection to the central hub. The centralization of the hub could be a problem in this model. As the workload rises, the infrastructure depends on a single integration engine.
When to Use It: The hub-and-spoke structure is widely used in e-commerce and financial operations as well as payment processing. It's also a preferred architecture for highly regulated industries that are subject to significant security risks.
Enterprise Service Bus (ESB model)
The ESB architecture includes the creation of a specialized subsystem, an enterprise service bus, that acts as a common user interface layer between subsystems.
The ESB is a collection of middleware services that connect multiple systems and serve as a messaging backbone. Unlike hub-and-spoke systems that have a single centralized integration engine. ESB provides each system with its own integration engine and adapter. This allows for the translation of messages into the appropriate format and back to the destination-supported format. ESBs were originally designed to connect large enterprise systems. However, they can also work with cloud solutions.
The pros and cons of ESBs:
One of the greatest things about ESBs is that each subsystem can be decoupled from a "messaging bus," which allows it to be replaced or modified without affecting other subsystems. This allows for high scalability. These projects are also reliable and easy to design. The spread of integration tasks between systems makes maintenance and troubleshooting more difficult.
When to Use It:
An ESB Model is a great way to implement large projects like enterprise application integration (EAI). This allows them to scale as needed. If a company wants to integrate it on-premises, it's a great fit.
Options for deploying system integration
Although we have described the most common architectures, it is not enough. One integration strategy may not suffice, especially for enterprises that use a variety of technologies. Companies often have to use all three patterns in one ecosystem. They can also use different types of middleware or API layers between IT components. The cloud platform is becoming more popular for complex integrations. Here are two options for deployment.
Integration platform as a service (iPaaS).
Integration Platform is a Service, a collection of cloud-based integration tools that are used primarily for building and deploying cloud-based integrations.
iPaaS is an all-inclusive service that connects systems, processes, and data. It makes them available through a single interface. It provides a collection of connectors that allow dissimilar applications to communicate with each other regardless of where they are located. iPaaS manages data transformation and shipping to and from applications.
The pros and cons of iPaaS: It is a great tool in many ways. It is flexible, multifunctional, and scalable. iPaaS automates integration activities, making it easier to connect systems and databases in any environment. This facilitates faster project delivery and enables you to make more informed decisions. There might be security issues as with any public cloud.
When to Use It: iPaaS allows for real-time integration and supports a wide range of scenarios such as enterprise application integration (EAI), Data Integration, cloud apps, B2B integrations, API management, Internet of Things, and many others.
Hybrid Integration Platform (HIP).
The hybrid integration platform, or HIP, is a more general version of iPaaS. This is a collection of integration software that combines cloud-based and on-premises solutions into one unit.
Integration platforms are the intermediary between legacy systems that run on hardware, applications, and databases in a private and public cloud. These platforms need minimal configuration. They integrate with all systems using two components: protocol connectors to handle communication protocols like HTTP, TCP, and JMS, and message formatter for handling various data formats such JSON, XML, and so on.
The pros and cons of HIPs: HIPs offer a variety of perks, from cloud-based managed APIs to reusable templates for common uses. This model offers companies high security, a reduction in integration costs, time and maintenance effort as well as increased security. However, many integration platforms are still in the development phase. This makes it difficult to find a solution that is right for you.
When you should use it: HIPs are focused on the digital transformation of legacy systems. This framework is great for companies that need to allow connectivity between cloud and on-premise solutions.
The key steps to system integration
By joining enterprise data and systems together, companies can automate their business operations and gain complete transparency. There are some crucial steps you need to follow if you want to achieve effective app integration and quickly return your investment.
Planning and feasibility analysis
The first step in any integration is to assess the systems that need to be integrated. Next, you must map out a realistic strategy. Draw a detailed picture of your current software, and its technical specifications, and determine all integration requirements. Also, define the scope and costs of your integration project. It is a good idea to include all potential risks and how to deal with them in your plan.
Architecture modeling
This involves either choosing from one of the models mentioned above or creating a custom architecture that meets your needs. Also, you will need to have detailed plans of how the systems will interact with other systems. This phase, which is the most labor-intensive, is crucial as it details the integration model, processes, and overall process. This stage is where preliminary and physical designs are made.
Implementation
To ensure that the new integrated system works seamlessly, all modules have been thoroughly tested. It can then be implemented and presented to users. To avoid any problems arising from possible changes in the integration process, it is recommended that the implementation phase be kept short. Agile project Management is available during and after this phase. This will help companies adapt to the changing landscape in integration systems.
Maintenance
Routine maintenance should not be neglected. It is a good idea to schedule performance diagnostics in order to ensure that all modules work flawlessly and there are no errors.
System Integration: The pros and cons
Pros
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Enhanced Productivity - Data integration's most important advantage is its functionality. This allows for greater operational efficiency and productivity. To ensure successful operations, communication between internal and external parties is essential. A large staff of employees can spend a lot of time and effort managing the supply chain manually. Application integration solutions reduce the time and errors involved in data formatting by automating translation and transfer. This allows employees to spend their time on other business operations or project management.
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Optimized data Management - Software can be used to improve operational functions within a company. Without a system integrator, however, businesses spend a lot of time analyzing each solution individually. A common data format allows users to cross-examine different software, which gives management a better view of their overall performance.
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Lower labor costs - An integrated system that automatically handles data generation, which would otherwise require more labor, lowers labor costs.
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Improved Customer Services - A customer service system that integrates information eliminates the need to navigate through multiple steps.
Cons
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Security Risks - System integration handles all business data. Therefore, it is important to take extensive security precautions during application development. Hackers can gain access to sensitive information if there is no protection.
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Complex Upgrading - Even though a system integrator connects all software, each one must be upgraded separately. This can take time and require multiple IT workers.
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High Initial Cost - Although integration can help businesses save money on maintenance, they still need to invest in each program. This can be costly.
What's the role of system integrators
Even though you may have the most advanced integration technologies, without human knowledge, they won't be of many benefits to you. You can hire a software integration company to help you design and implement the integration project. They have the necessary experience and resources.
A system integrator (SI) is a person or company that assists clients in connecting disparate computer subsystems from different vendors. They also ensure that these subsystems work together. Systems integrators are responsible for many tasks, including planning, regulating, and testing, as well as maintaining computer operations.
If you are looking to save time and money, system integrators could be the best option. Instead of spending time searching for vendors and communicating with them, you can hand the project to experts who have the connections and knowledge to help you approach system integration. A system integrator offers a wealth of knowledge and resources that customers may not have.
Software Application Integration Services
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