Cloud-based integration
Cloud-based integration is a form of systems integration delivered as a cloud service that addresses data, process, service-oriented architecture(SOA) and application integration use cases.[1]
The most common cloud-based integration service model is iPaaS (Integration Platform as a Service), which is a suite of cloud services enabling customers to develop, execute and govern integration flows between disparate applications.[2] Under the cloud-based iPaaS integration model, customers drive the development and deployment of integrations without installing or managing any hardware or middleware.[1] The iPaaS allows businesses to achieve integration without big investment into skills or licensed middleware software. iPaaS used to be regarded as integration tool for cloud-based software applications, used mainly by small to mid-sized business. In the meantime, however, a hybrid type of iPaaS,[3] i.e. iPaaS that connects cloud to on-premise, is becoming increasingly popular. Additionally, large enterprises explore ways of integrating iPaaS into the existing IT estate.
Emergence
Prior to the emergence of cloud computing, integration could be categorized as either internal or business to business (B2B). Internal integration requirements were serviced through an on-premises middleware platform and typically utilized a service bus to manage exchange of data between systems. B2B integration was serviced through EDI gateways or value-added network (VAN). The advent of SaaS applications created a new kind of demand which was met through cloud-based integration.[4] Since their emergence, many such services have also developed the capability to integrate legacy or on-premises applications, as well as function as EDI gateways.
Identification
While the features regarded as essential in order to classify a cloud-based integration service as such are debated, the following are commonly accepted:[1]
- Deployed on a multi-tenant, elastic cloud infrastructure
- Subscription model pricing (opex, not capex)
- No software development (required connectors should already be available)
- Users do not perform deployment or manage the platform itself
- Presence of integration management & monitoring features
Impact
The emergence of this sector has led to new cloud-based business process management tools that do not need to build integration layers - since those are now a separate service.
References
- 1 2 3 Gartner; Massimo Pezzini; Paolo Malinverno; Eric Thoo. "Gartner Reference Model for Integration PaaS". Retrieved 16 January 2013.
- ↑ Gartner. "Gartner IT Glossary". Retrieved 6 July 2015.
- ↑ "Hybrid IT and iPaaS (integration Platform as a Service)". Enterprise Real-time Integration. 2015-11-12. Retrieved 2016-11-21.
- ↑ Stefan Reid. "B2B meets cloud based integration (CBI)". Retrieved 19 January 2013.