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App Integration: Different Approaches and How to Choose the One for You

Running a business these days means the involvement of at least a handful of systems, such as CRM, SCM, etc., to keep the business running. However, because these are individual systems, it can be incredibly challenging to ensure sync between these systems, and without this sync, companies stand to lose a lot. Thankfully, the answer to this quandary is found in application integration, which essentially forms a bridge between two or more solutions. This helps companies to ensure a smooth flow of data and information between different systems, streamline processes that rely on different software, cut down the level of IT complexity, etc.

Data Integration refers to the process of combining data from different sources that helps data managers and executives to analyze it for making smarter business decisions. And, this process involves a person or system locating, retrieving, cleaning, and presenting the data. The data managers and/or analysts could run queries against the merged data for discovering business intelligence insights. And, with so many potential benefits, businesses must take the time to align their goals with the right approach.

Now all this is great but how does one go about it? Well, there are plenty of different approaches one can take for application integration. Some of the most common and popular ones have been listed below for your benefit:

Point-to-Point Integration

Decidedly the simplest approach to app integration, point-to-point integration refers to a very tightly paired integration between two or more endpoints. While they are admittedly simple, the truth is such integrations can be very restrictive because are coupled to the apps for which they have been built. This means such integrations cannot possibly be reused. Oh, and did we mention that every single integration increases the complexity of the overall integration portfolio linearly.

Extract, Transform, and Load

The extract, transform, and load integration approach helps automate the process of transferring data within systems while ensuring the data is synchronized without necessitating extensive human intervention. However, this approach is only suited for those companies with business analysis skills and capabilities, deal with significantly high-data volumes, etc.

Embedded Integration

An advanced cloud-integration mechanism, a new-age embedded integration solution includes B2B tools along with abilities that allow companies to connect their systems no matter if they are located in the cloud or on-premise. One of the primary benefits of this approach is to help companies manage the growing number of challenges they face when trying to integrate with a multi-faceted portfolio of partners and customers.

Integration Platform as a service

This particular form of app integration is another example of the hub-and-spoke approach but fortified with other approaches’ capabilities in the form of a multi-tenant cloud service. Based on the companies’ unique requirements, one can either straightaway buy the service or embed the Integration Platform-as-a-service (iPaaS) in their products in place of developing individual point-to-point integrations. Like any other SaaS service, iPaaS’ costs too will depend on your business requirements.

While the concept of application integration seems complex on the outside, the fact remains companies must persevere through these apparent challenges to gain the true value their solutions have to offer. This is because such integrations not only help address some grave complexities but also help sync data across the organization, empower employees with seamless access to data anytime and anywhere, make sure that each system’s provisions are accounted for, etc. Suffice it to say that with the right application integration tool, all of that is possible and fairly easy to execute. Now, all you have to do is take a closer look at all the application integration methods available in the market and decide which one works better for you. Or you can also engage the services of an expert to help you navigate the process of app integration.

Written By

A professional and security-oriented programmer having more than 6 years of experience in designing, implementing, testing and supporting mobile apps developed. Being techno geek, I love to read & share about the latest updates in technology including but not limited to IoTs, AI, application development, etc. In my free time, I like to play football, watch movies and explore new places. I have been learning mobile app development since 2012. With having a good understanding of programming languages, I develop native as well as web apps for both iOS & Android using latest tools & technologies. I am also having experience in both front-end & back-end development.

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