Featured article by Vanessa Friedman, Independent Technology Author
Application integration is crucial in modern business. This is an extremely beneficial but yet challenging process. Keep reading to learn what advantages it carries and how to solve main integration challenges!
What is Application Integration?
According to IBM specialists, application integration is a process that allows separate programs, each designed for their own purposes, to work with each other.Â
Application integration helps fill in the gap between existing on-premises systems and fast-growing enterprise cloud applications. This is a way for companies to manage various functions in all their infrastructures, and work more efficiently and effectively.
Benefits of Application Integration Implementation
So what are the benefits of robust integration strategy? Astera’s experts suggest 5 following advantages:
– Eliminate Data Silos
– Information Sharing
– Process Automation
– Reduced IT Complexity
– Increased Agility
Top 3 Application Integration ChallengesÂ
Complexity
App integration is more than just connecting one app to another, it’s about enabling new business processes or automating existing ones. You need to understand exactly what happens to your data and what can be the consequences every time when you change to the status quo. No matter if that includes creating new integrations, editing or deleting them, or transferring ownership. This is not easy and even frustrating.
Inaccessible DataÂ
For most businesses, digital transformation is a constant journey, rather than a quick fix. Even for the most tech-savvy of companies, some information is likely still stored in a way that is inaccessible to those who could benefit from it. This happens for 2 reasons:
1. Cloud apps are not adequately connected to each other, leaving business data spread across different islands in the cloud.
2. Some data is still stored on-premises in legacy databases or older apps.Â
Lack of Information
Sometimes, business applications have been integrated, but not all users are aware of the integration or how to take advantage of it. Or some businesses find it necessary to change their integration solution, due to business process changes, the addition of new record fields, or a change in an API. Whatever the case may be, it is difficult to change an integration if detailed documentation has not been maintained.Â
Tips on How to Overcome Application Integration Challenges
Use the TIBCO Cloud Integration
Tibco is the solution that addresses the majority of the challenges above. Features of TIBCO Cloud Integration include:Â
– Pre-built connectors for most common applications.Â
– Easy-to-use, web-based, graphical integration design that business application owners can drive on their own.Â
– Self-documenting interface with the ability to track changes and restore old versions if something goes wrong.
– Collaboration is facilitated for colleagues and consultants alike.
Automate as Much as Possible
Take some time to work out how to avoid human intervention when building your integrations. This is how you’ll get the work done faster and with fewer errors. The less depends on a human, the better.Â
Opt for Multiple, Smaller Integrations over Large, More Complex Ones
Simpler, smaller integrations are often more robust and create fewer dependencies than huge, complicated solutions.Â
Conclusion
Application integration is becoming increasingly crucial. No matter how much you want to carry out all your work using a single application, it’s almost impossible. A wisely implemented app integration helps eliminate data silos, reduce IT complexity, increase agility, etc. Having learned about what challenges may await you in-app integration and ways to overcome them, you now can cope with the task with minimal effort.
