Что такое интеграционная платформа?

Have you ever tried to get one software application to work with another one? Was it challenging to get them to exchange data even though that was important to improve your team’s productivity or your organization’s efficiency?

You are not alone! The quest for getting software to work with one another is not new.

Traditionally, developers would use a software’s API when they wanted to get it to work with other software. Consider wanting to integrate Microsoft Dynamics with another tool, say SAP. The developer would code the integration using both Microsoft Dynamics and SAP’s API.

Однако, using the API has two downsides to it:

• Firstly, every API has its quirks and intricacies. Developers need to wade through extensive documentation, and initial attempts often lead to missteps.
• Secondly, APIs evolve. Especially with software from major vendors, updates roll out frequently. While the intent is to improve the software, API updates are a nightmare for software integration. Developers often scramble to revise their pre-existing code in response to an API update.

It is to attempt to solve these problems that integration platforms came to be.

An integration platform is an intermediary layer between integration software and the target system, designed to make developers’ efforts more efficient. Developers interact with the platform rather than the API directly. The coding is cut down to the minimum while achieving the same or better results.

In short, a software integration platform makes it straightforward to get applications working with one another. It enables multiple software components, both new and legacy, to communicate and share data or files between them so that they no longer function in isolation.

Integration platforms help businesses connect their disparate systems and applications so that they can:

• Break down siloed systems to enhance communication 
  When different systems operate in isolation and cannot communicate with each other, we say they are siloed. These data silos can lead to data duplication, inconsistencies, and inefficiencies. For example, you can have the updated customer address in one system and the old one in another. How can a user with access to both decide which is correct? Integration platforms break down these silos by connecting the different systems and allowing them to communicate with each other. An update of an address in one can be propagated to another.
  
  
• Boost business efficiency by optimizing processes
  Integration platforms can help businesses optimize their processes by automating tasks, eliminating manual data entry, and providing real-time visibility into data. This enhances communication and collaboration between different departments and teams, which can lead to significant time and cost savings.
  
  
• Deliver real-time data access
  Integration platforms can deliver real-time data to businesses so that they can make informed decisions based on the latest information. This is essential for companies that operate in fast-paced environments, such as retail and financial services.
  
  
• Offer end-users an integrated experience
  Integration platforms can help businesses offer end-users a seamless experience across all platforms. For example, customers can see the same information on a company’s website, mobile app, and customer service portal, which can improve customer satisfaction and loyalty.

Have you heard about Connect Bridge? Created by Connecting Software back in 2014, this is an API integration platform. This means it is a software integration platform that uses the target system’s API to communicate with it.

An API integration platform is a software layer that sits between the integration software and the target system API. It provides a pre-built connector for each API that handles part of the work and saves developers much time.

When you start using Connect Bridge, it’s like you just gave your developers a secret potion. Why? When using Connect Bridge, developers keep coding in their favorite language (e.g., PHP, Python, Ruby), but now they interact with target systems using SQL statements (SELECT, UPDATE, INSERT, DELETE).

Middleware: Software that is placed “in the middle” of two applications so that they can exchange data. An integration platform is a middleware.

Learn more about it in the article Повсюду Middleware

Connector: Small software built to communicate with a specific business software using its API. It is used in conjunction with the corresponding integration platform.

For example, if you want to exchange data with Microsoft Teams, you must use the integration platform and its connector for Teams.

• Diverse connectors: Covering a multitude of software, ready to get to work.
• Error-reduction: Using the built-in Query tool, you can test your SQL statements before placing them in your code.
• Maintainability: Whenever there are software updates for the target system, all you have to do is get the updated connector. All existing code will remain exactly as it was.
• Language versatility: Whether it’s PHP, Python, or Ruby, you can use Connect Bridge in any language that can use ODBC, JDBC, or web services.
• Масштабируемость: Grow without hitches; Connect Bridge can handle connections to other systems, growing data volumes and increasing processing demands.

• Sharing Data and Files: Like magic, data and files instantly teleport between applications.
• Unified Data View: No more jigsaw puzzles; see the complete picture effortlessly.
• Производительность: Minimize manual interventions and those pesky human errors.

From SMEs to giants, many have used Connect Bridge to tackle their integration challenges.

• Автоматизация репликации разрешений: Решения Connecting Software улучшают доступ к документам в компании Liebherr
• Автоматическое получение данных в Microsoft Dynamics 365
• Обеспечение совместной работы Microsoft Dynamics 365 отдела продаж и обслуживания клиентов, SAP и Gmail.
• Ведущая швейцарская энергетическая сервисная компания строит расширенный обмен данными на базе Connect Bridge.
• Американский производитель оборудования оптимизирует бизнес-процесс с Connect Bridge
  
  

Ready to up your integration game?

Contact the Connecting Software team to learn how this can work for your organization and your team.

You can schedule a live demo, ask technical questions, or get your free trial to test it out yourself.