Software Integration
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
Software Integration also known as:
Enterprise Software Integration,
Enterprise Application Integration,
EAI,
Enterprise Service Bus,
ESB,
ESB Software Integration,
Service-Oriented Architecture,
SOA,
SOA Software Integration,
Web Services,
Software System Integration,
Business Application Integration,
Software Integration Architecture,
Software Integration Solutions,
Business Software Integration,
Software Integration Methodology,
Application Integration Software,
Business Process Integration,
Software Systems Integration,
ESB EAI,
Business Process Execution Language,
BPEL,
EAI Software,
Electronic Data Interchange Integration,
EDI,
EDI Integration,
Definition Software Integration,
Custom Software Integration,
Business Software Integration Technology,
Data Software Integration,
Hardware Software Integration,
Integrate Software,
Integrating Software,
Inventory Software Integration,
Software Development Life Cycle Integration,
Software Integration Consulting,
Software Integration Methodologies,
Software Integration Programming,
Software Integration Testing,
Software Integration Life Cycle,
Software Integration Lifecycle.
Longevity is supposed to be a great thing for businesses. And it can be, if
your business has been going for years, and you have a solid client
base and steady income.
But the longevity of your software is another matter: if
you haven't updated your software—or your
hardware—since your doors first opened for
business, now is the time.
Time to think about hardware and software integration.
Want a bit more information before starting the software integration
process?
Software integration, also known as enterprise application integration
(EAI), is a
process or series of processes in which various applications and servers are
scaled so that all software in a system has full integration. By combining data
and business logic from separate systems or separate applications, business
capabilities are enhanced.
In other words, software integration means that systems are organized so that
they work together. Essentially, it's a "two heads are better than one" philosophy.
Or, how to make three, or four, or more heads better than one.
But software
integration doesn't mean that your business will become a many-headed beast that
you'll have to struggle to tame. Rather, each head—or
each application in the integration of your software—will
still be able to function independently.
All businesses should be concerned with business process integration. Both
the quality and the function of software architecture are ever more integral to
smooth business process integration.
Probably, your enterprise already uses a
software solution for some aspect of your business processes.
Possibly, you've
already added a newer software solution on top of a previously installed
application.
And possibly, you've noticed that there's a slight—or
a major—disconnect between the two. They
function, but there could be more communication between them. That's where
software or system integration comes in.
Okay—but what does system integration
mean in practical terms?
You want software integration—because
without it, you can't maximize electronic data interchange. You can't maximize
product integration. You can't count on knowing what the right hand of your
business is doing, because your application only lets you see the left hand.
You need software system integration to allow your various business programs
to communicate better. You need to co-ordinate your business's left and right
hands. So that instead of having one hand try to turn pages and grope for the
baton while the other hand is firmly clamped down over your eyes, you've got
both hands in the air, conducting a perfect score.
Don't go over a software waterfall!!
Depending on your needs, it could be better for your business to consider an
iterative approach to the application development of your software integration
solution.
The software waterfall approach goes methodically and sequentially
through the software development phases of requirements, analysis, design,
implementation, testing and maintenance. Each stage must be completed in detail
before moving on to the next.
The problem?
Solutions, including those for software integration, are not created as they
are needed. And worse, the software waterfall model doesn't allow for
modifications to be made to requirements, once the process has moved on to
another phase.
The iterative model, on the other hand, is more flexible and allows for a
software integration solution that is a better match for the user's needs.
Don't get stuck in a software integration stovepipe!!
Even if you have a limited budget, don't go for half measures that address
problems only in the short term. Don't try to piece together solutions bit by
bit, without thinking of the long term needs of your business. This "point"
solution to software integration will jam your business processes in a software
integration stovepipe. And you don't want to have to tear down the whole house,
just to fix a problem in one small piece of the architecture.
Come up with definitions for your integration needs!
Define your needs. What do you want your business software to do that it
isn't doing now? And prioritize your needs, to facilitate your iterative
software integration process.
Software integration, or enterprise application integration, needs several
basic components, including
- business rule components, including business logic modules and
transformation tools
- a data acquisition component (data source and target interfaces; also
known as "adaptors" or "connectors")
- a data cleansing component
- a system development component
- a system access component, including a Web-based portal and a Web
application server
SOA
Employing a service-oriented architecture, or SOA, can help you with your
business process integration. SOA allows loosely linked yet autonomous and
reusable components in order to achieve software integration.
Find out more about SOA and what it can do to integrate your
software with helpful
articles about SOA written by knowledgeable professionals.
Web Services
Web services is actually one way to benefit from SOA. It also helps a
business stay in better touch with its clients, partners, and employees. Web
services permits database integration and computer integration. It allows
communication across platforms and operating systems, no matter what programming
language was used.
In both cases, collaboration and interoperability are vital results.
Finally, get some professional help! Approach an organization specializing in
software consulting. Ask what steps you need to take to get started integrating
your software.
Yes, you can.
You can combine the functions of your business software to achieve a
specialized hybrid, resulting in a business integration software that addresses
the individual needs of your enterprise.
Do you need one? Possibly, after doing some research and consulting with
experts, you'll find that an off-the-shelf software integration solution is
right for you.
Or you may prefer to design the integration of your own bespoke software, or
custom software.