Types of Data Integration

Applications have been developing at a lightning-fast speed in recent years. Many modern organizations employ multiple separate applications to cover each of their business needs. Some of these applications may be on-premise, and some hosted on a cloud. These conditions have resulted in an increased demand for efficient data integration platforms and improved business intelligence practices.

There are several different types of data integration at your organization’s disposal. That said, it can be difficult to tell which one will be the most lucrative. Leading data science software companies like TIBCO provide several resources like webinars, blog content, and even trial periods of iPaaS (Integration Platform as a Service) via their website to help you make your decision. Before committing to a service, it is a good idea to build a solid foundation of understanding regarding the techniques behind each of these data integration platforms.

Why is data integration necessary?

The primary need for data integration stems from the lack of effective communication and data-sharing capabilities across different applications. If your company uses one application for payroll and another for employee scheduling, data integration between these two applications can help make paid time off requests, year-to-date salary calculations, and employee access to tax documents much more streamlined. The ease of access is typically facilitated by making critical data available in a centralized location. Instead of switching between multiple systems to obtain the information they need, the members of your organization can save time and effort by utilizing a collective database.

SaaS

SaaS stands for Software-as-a-Service. It is one of the most mainstream business technology platforms for data integration today. Accordingly, SaaS allows data access through an internet connection and web browser. A software vendor hosts and maintains the servers, data warehouse, and code that makes up an application. SaaS models are popular with business users because they do not require extensive hardware, and the service operates via a subscription model. This distribution of cost over time allows smaller businesses to utilize effective modern technology without having to shell out the up-front cost. The lack of need for extensive hardware in SaaS platforms means that organizations can outsource many IT responsibilities rather than retain additional employees for software maintenance.

aPaaS

Application-Platform-as-a-Service (or aPaaS) primarily functions as a solution to the bogged-down process of application development and delivery. While many platform-as-a-service providers can streamline application provisioning, they may not address the slow process of coding applications. When you think of aPaaS, think of automation of the complete application lifecycle. Long-winded projects that previously required a large team of software developers can be streamlined using aPaaS. This improved workflow method can allow further innovation and collaboration between business and IT, resulting in better, more qualitative applications.

iPaaS

Over the last few years, interest in iPaaS has skyrocketed among tech-savvy organizations. This investment is partly due to the enormous amount of data that businesses need to analyze and manipulate to automate their most arduous business processes. The use of multiple applications within a single organization is beneficial only when these applications are compatible. Suppose you have built the perfect combination of applications to complement one another and streamline your workflow, but none of them work harmoniously together.

Lack of data synchronization may be due to application hosting from different data sources. For example, if one application is hosted on a cloud and another is not, some data integration platforms will struggle with data flow between them due to incompatible hosting locations. iPaaS solves this problem by compiling each of your incompatible applications into a single cloud platform. An excellent way to visualize iPaaS is by thinking of it as a universal translator among applications. Universal translation and centralized storing facilitate easy access from any device in any location across your organization. For larger or mid-size companies, iPaaS may be the best solution. It lowers the cost of IT operations by increasing analytical efficiency through synchronization.

No matter what integration approach your organization decides to employ, industry leaders like TIBCO can support your decision by helping your organization analyze its unique requirements. Digital transformation of your organization’s infrastructure will help ensure your organization utilizes valuable data in the most efficient way. By saving time, money, and IT human resources through integration tools, your organization can focus its efforts on innovation and increased customer satisfaction.