Capturing new opportunities to drive businesses forward
With a number of software applications running simultaneously, it’s easy for a business environment to grow complex and unmanageable. The role of enterprise application integration comes into play here.
Enterprises Application Integration (EAI) simplifies business processes by integrating applications and systems across many ecosystems. It gives rise to a flexible architecture that is more secure, efficient, and cost-effective.
Enterprise Application Integration
For enterprises to function properly, a cohesive business operation is required. They must be able to integrate myriad data sources as well as business processes within their business ecosystem.
Enterprise application integration allows organizations integrate myriad applications (that are present either in-house or in the cloud) and helps them manage business processes to maximize business outcomes including, revenue and growth.
Quite often, users confuse enterprise application integration with service-oriented architecture and enterprise service bus. But, truth is, there are subtle differences between all three. To gain a better understanding of EAI, let us know the difference in detail.
EAI vs. SOA vs. ESB
Though one can find a lot of similarities between enterprise application integration and service-oriented architecture (SOA) along with an enterprise service bus (ESB), there are many differences as well. Let us find what these differences are.
To begin with, an ESB is apparently one model of a service-oriented architecture, in the same way, an SOA is one way to achieve EAI. To understand it fully, we need to key characteristics of SOAs and ESBs.
Service-Oriented Architecture (SOA)
As per Gartner, an SOA is a design paradigm that allows IT meet business demands. Basically, SOA comprises a specific service design that is based on business processes, includes myriad interaction models, and relies on the reuse of existing infrastructure.
With easy-to-configure components and flexibility to collate different services, SOA allows services to be reused and reconfigured. Consequently, it brings applications to market faster, lowers the total cost of ownership of integration, and increases business agility.
Enterprise Service Bus (ESB)
ESB involves a set of rules and principles that helps companies integrate myriad applications over a “bus-like” infrastructure. In other words, ESB is an integration platform allows organizations establish connection and coordination among a large number of heterogeneous applications with transactional integrity. It is a platform that can be used for building a communication link between various software applications in a service-oriented architecture (SOA). It streamlines the movement of tasks that are based on structural and business policy rules and various other integration capabilities.
Now, that you know what enterprise application integration is and the difference it shares with SOA and ESB, it’s time to determine the benefits.
Significance of Enterprise Application Integration
EAI offers several benefits.
- Improved Data Management and Data Exchange: EAI instils a major improvement in interoperabilitybetween various departments of an organization. As a result, organizations can easily access information from myriad sources or applications, thus eradicating data processing responsibilities.
- Automated Workflow: Enterprise application integration technology streamlines the business process and delivers financial flow transparency. For example, EAI can be used to integrate data from CRM with an email marketing platform for delivering targeted messages to end-consumers. This effort can be combined with analytics to gauge the success of the email campaign. Subsequently, the data involved can be integrated with an ERP system, which helps companies readily invest in resources.
- Reduced IT complexity: A majority of companies experience difficulties in finding new technology effectively. The time taken to learn these technologies is also high. A fresh application may not function well with systems already in place. EAI platform helps organizations overcome these challenges to simplify business processes by merging functionality as well as information into a single, easy-to-use interface.
- Improved Efficiency: With reduced time and effort, improved control and functionality, and transparent communication, EAI increases the overall efficiency and performance of organizations. EAI platform allows companies capture new opportunities in the age of digital disruption – from a single interface.
- Enhanced Customer Experience: EAI platform allows organizations onboard new customers faster, thus offering delightful experiences. Companies can easily acknowledge customer queries and meet their requirements without delay. As the number of satisfied customer increases, the number of sales and ultimately revenue increases.
To conclude, if you want your business to grow at a faster rate and increase market share, you must deploy an enterprise application integration platform as early as possible.
