Integration as a Service (IaaS) is a relative baby among the wide range of cloud-based platforms, tools and applications that are readily available for use by customers. It can be used by a company looking to integrate all their disparate applications and data. This includes everything on-site, on the cloud or accessed as SaaS.
The usual cloud benefits are available, including fast and easy deployment without any need for in-house IT resources. The usage based subscription system eliminates all the upfront costs of integrating and building up redundancy for future growth requirements. The system is highly scalable and can be expanded or reduced as required based on the company's growth.
The development of IaaS is part of an ongoing evolution of cloud-based services, as companies look around for ways to maximize the advantages. Right now, a lot of them are struggling to deal with data silos which are isolated and cut off from other systems the company uses. The applications are scattered around, with some of the critical data still locked up in-house while the rest has been outsourced to different cloud providers.
Since the basic reasoning behind using these tools is to reduce IT infrastructure, it makes no sense to add more in order to integrate data and applications. Not to mention that developing a company-wide integration connector from scratch will be expensive and requires a time-consuming process. Small and medium scale organizations are unlikely to be able to devote the expertise, time and money required for this endeavor.
The same tool can be deployed quickly and cheaply using an IaaS provider, who is also likely to have a more powerful and well-tested solution. There is simply no point in trying to reinvent the wheel, when the provider has a better one on the rack and is willing to install it on the vehicle and get it up and rolling for no cost. This means the customer gets a ready-to-use integration tool without paying for its development.
The provider takes responsibility for upgrades and maintenance. They ensure login protocols, encryption measures and security are maintained as data moves through the tool. The provider also handles the actual process of integrating the company's applications and data.
Once it's over and done with, the data-centric benefits of Integration as a Service start piling up. It reduces the need for duplicate data entry and increases system-wide accuracy, since human errors, delays and oversights are eliminated when data is moved or copied between systems. Users start becoming more productive because there are no geographical or other limitations on when and from where data can be accessed.
The usual cloud benefits are available, including fast and easy deployment without any need for in-house IT resources. The usage based subscription system eliminates all the upfront costs of integrating and building up redundancy for future growth requirements. The system is highly scalable and can be expanded or reduced as required based on the company's growth.
The development of IaaS is part of an ongoing evolution of cloud-based services, as companies look around for ways to maximize the advantages. Right now, a lot of them are struggling to deal with data silos which are isolated and cut off from other systems the company uses. The applications are scattered around, with some of the critical data still locked up in-house while the rest has been outsourced to different cloud providers.
Since the basic reasoning behind using these tools is to reduce IT infrastructure, it makes no sense to add more in order to integrate data and applications. Not to mention that developing a company-wide integration connector from scratch will be expensive and requires a time-consuming process. Small and medium scale organizations are unlikely to be able to devote the expertise, time and money required for this endeavor.
The same tool can be deployed quickly and cheaply using an IaaS provider, who is also likely to have a more powerful and well-tested solution. There is simply no point in trying to reinvent the wheel, when the provider has a better one on the rack and is willing to install it on the vehicle and get it up and rolling for no cost. This means the customer gets a ready-to-use integration tool without paying for its development.
The provider takes responsibility for upgrades and maintenance. They ensure login protocols, encryption measures and security are maintained as data moves through the tool. The provider also handles the actual process of integrating the company's applications and data.
Once it's over and done with, the data-centric benefits of Integration as a Service start piling up. It reduces the need for duplicate data entry and increases system-wide accuracy, since human errors, delays and oversights are eliminated when data is moved or copied between systems. Users start becoming more productive because there are no geographical or other limitations on when and from where data can be accessed.
About the Author:
Peggie K. Lambert loves learning and studying the world of data integration. If you are looking to learn more about integration as a service then she recommends you refer to Liaison.
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