Complex IT infrastructures, scattered systems, increasing pressure to digitalise: perhaps your company is also facing the challenge of efficiently sharing data and connecting applications or business processes – without using extra resources or launching long integration projects. iPaaS services offer an elegant solution in the cloud for B2B integration needs.
In this article, you’ll find out what iPaaS is, how it works, and what advantages it offers for companies that switch to a cloud integration platform.
What Is iPaaS (Integration Platform as a Service)?
iPaaS (Integration Platform-as-a-Service) is a cloud-based platform for integrating applications, systems and various other data sources. In an iPaaS environment, cloud integration is used to connect locally distributed systems in a central overview to optimise data exchange and efficiently manage data and applications.
How Does iPaaS Work as an Integration Solution for Companies?
An iPaaS solution acts as a central enterprise integration tool that connects all data and processes within a business, helping to simplify data management while increasing the efficiency of business operations. Integration specialists can combine and manage all systems, data, applications, and workflows, as well as orchestrate integration flows in a single overview.
How much technical knowledge is required for this task depends primarily on whether the iPaaS tool is a low-code or no-code solution, which means that either only a small amount of programming code needs to be created manually (low-code) or no programming knowledge is required at all (no-code). No-code solutions in particular offer the advantage that they make the application and data integration process, the automation of workflows, and even the creation of apps accessible to less tech-savvy employees within a company.
To ensure data compatibility and quality, iPaaS capabilities include converting different data formats, protocols, and standards needed to connect and enable communication between various system components.
Other Common Features of iPaaS Solutions.
- Application Development and EAI (Enterprise Application Integration): Includes capabilities to facilitate the development, integration, and deployment of enterprise applications.
- EDI (Electronic Data Interchange): A more traditional integration approach that helps companies standardise the electronic exchange of data with business partners and public institutions.
- Real-Time Data Processing: Processes, transforms, and analyses data as it’s generated, enabling data-driven decisions and quick responses to new situations.
- Connectivity and API Management: Provides connectors and templates to integrate and manage APIs, ensuring compatibility across different applications and systems.
- Process Automation: Automates recurring tasks and business processes easily.
- Support for Different Data Integration Architectures: iPaaS provides the necessary infrastructure and tools for architectures such as ESB (Enterprise Service Bus), service-oriented architectures (SOA) or modular microservices architectures.
- Data Governance and Compliance: Comes with monitoring and control functions to ensure that data transfer and storage complies with legal regulations and that protection measures against unauthorised access are implemented.
- and much more…
iPaaS vs. IaaS vs. PaaS vs. SaaS.
All four terms originate from the Cloud world and ultimately describe various cloud-based services that are provided by third-party providers as a “managed service” over the internet for a fee. You’ve already learned what iPaaS is – here’s a brief overview of the other models.
IaaS (Infrastructure as a Service).
IaaS refers to a hosted IT infrastructure that offers pre-configured virtual machines and servers, storage systems, and networks such as VPNs (Virtual Private Network) or WANs (Wide Area Network). However, IT teams must install applications, operating systems etc. themselves and also ensure the flow of data across different systems.
PaaS (Platform as a Service).
PaaS refers to a ready-made cloud platform for developers, including operating system, runtime environment, and databases. It enables software developers to code, test, deploy, and manage applications without having to worry about the associated setup.
SaaS (Software as a Service).
SaaS is the model that we probably use the most in our everyday lives without even thinking about it. From Office 365 applications to streaming services and messaging apps: Users can easily access software applications via the internet without having to install or program anything.
Benefits of iPaaS software.
A key advantage of iPaaS is that users don’t need to develop new application programming interfaces (APIs) for new integration activities or integration scenarios to connect the systems involved. Good iPaaS vendors provide a library of ready-made connectors and tools that enable fast and flexible connections between a wide variety of data sources. And there are more advantages:
Easy & Centralised Management.
All integrations, APIs, applications, workflows, and complex business processes are accessible within the central dashboard of a single platform. With no-code solutions, users can even develop integration flows and other integration mechanisms without any programming knowledge. This promotes accessibility, especially for less tech-savvy employees.
Fast Implementation.
iPaaS offerings require very little time to provide integration services and tools and can be used almost immediately. With the help of ready-made connectors, companies can also connect data and applications quickly and with little effort, and automate recurring processes.
Flexible Data Integration.
Since many iPaaS solutions offer a high level of connectivity with both modern software and legacy systems, users can make adjustments as soon as integration requirements change – even at short notice. What’s more, iPaaS simplifies the integration of different (server) locations, from on-premises to hybrid infrastructures to multi-cloud environments – from anywhere in the world, in your own browser.
High Scalability.
By connecting to the cloud, integration software can easily grow with a company’s requirements. New systems, applications, and data can be quickly connected or removed. (Server) resources, bandwidth, and computing power can also be added or increased dynamically as required, so that even complex integrations are no problem.
Lower Costs.
As there is no need to develop your own integration methods or introduce dedicated hardware – after all, iPaaS solutions are hosted in the cloud – the costs for acquisition, implementation, and maintenance (for example installing updates or backups) are considerably lower than for traditional integration solutions and services. In addition, iPaaS can help to reduce manual work by automating processes, which in turn lowers operating costs.
Implement Application & Data Integration Requirements With Ease. With Lobster's iPaaS Platform.
Imagine having a centralised, digital ecosystem for all your use cases, allowing you to complete your data tasks in real time – from data integration to workflow orchestration and process automation. And everything is hosted in the cloud, highly available, easily scalable, and completely secure, so you can focus solely on data integration flows across your entire IT environment…
Welcome to the Lobster Data Platform! Our iPaaS solution acts as middleware that brings together data from various sources (databases, IoT devices, cloud services, applications, ERP (Enterprise Resource Planning) and CRM (Customer Relationship Management) systems, and much more). Integrate your data. Automate entire business processes. Visualise your data and processes. You are in control. And it’s all easily implemented via drag & drop!
Are you unsure whether iPaaS is the right type of integration for you and your company? No problem! We also offer our data platform as an on-premises solution so that you retain maximum control over your infrastructure. Or you can choose a hybrid version of on-prem and cloud deployments – anything is possible.
Considering Lobster as your iPaaS provider?
Then don’t hesitate to get in touch and book your demo today!
