Data integration models continue to experience innovative growth and development. One of the most efficient modern application integration tools is an iPaaS or Integration Platform as a Service. An iPaaS provides digital transformation in different environments through the use of connectors. Many business owners may be asking themselves what benefits an iPaaS can provide that conventional API management systems can’t. First, it is vital to understand the differences between each data integration system on the market today.
Compare & Contrast: Cloud Computing Categories
An aPaaS solution ensures rapid facilitation of application development. The acronym aPaaS stands for Application Platform as a Service. Similar to iPaaS, it operates via a cloud environment. However, the primary function of an aPaaS is to manage the management, maintenance, and deployment of business applications. In other words, it automates the application lifecycle. The core difference between SaaS and iPaaS is that a primary vendor hosts SaaS.
This vendor involvement means that the applications or service is accessible through a network, typically the Internet. The applications on-site then have improved integration ability due to free data flow allowance.
In contrast, iPaaS is cloud-based. Applications on-premise or on the cloud can enjoy free data flow and integration without download requirements—the deployment is immediate. iPaas is a unique integration solution because it can bring on and off-premise applications together regardless of their hosting methods.
Efficiency
An iPaaS facilitates greater efficiency in business processes because the API management process becomes streamlined. With a conventional API management system, developers have to monitor each API to ensure safety from security threats. If an issue arises, developers may not notice it until something goes wrong or the API breaks.
The centralized collection of information that an iPaaS coordinates contributes to a more effective workflow within an organization. This organization is necessary because it can help pinpoint which API has a problem and where it resides within the system. By simplifying the data governance process, your organization can spend less time and effort on API monitoring.
Informational Hub
Organizations without an iPaaS may have a dedicated team of employees that work to provide custom application integrations. These employees may spend a considerable amount of time switching between systems to retrieve valuable information—an iPaaS stores all pertinent data on your organization’s private cloud.
The organization members with permissions will gain access to all the information they need in one centralized location. Since this location is on a cloud, members can pull data from anywhere on any device. This streamlined workflow model is an exceptionally revolutionary practice for enterprise-level businesses.
Network Integration
Modern businesses have the good fortune of being able to utilize efficient applications for every area of expertise. For example, your organization may use one application to handle operational logistics and a separate application to track transactional data and finances. By implementing an iPaaS, your organization can knit your network of applications together so that they can share, translate, and transfer data to one another.
The SaaS system can effectively accomplish data transformation; however, due to its vendor operation, it may struggle with cloud-based and non-cloud-based application integration. Operating on a cloud is the key benefit of an iPaaS because it can act as a universal translator for all your applications regardless of their hosted location.
How can I implement an iPaaS?
Every organization is different, so it is imperative to research which iPaaS solution is the right one for your business model. Data science experts like TIBCO offer free trials of iPaaS integration tools so that you can test out which ones are most beneficial to your workflow. Then, you can utilize a customized kit for modernizing legacy applications. This personalization can ensure that your integration platform covers all your organization’s most prioritized functions.