Integration Patterns: Matching Requirements to Solutions Beth Gold-Bernstein VP Strategic Services, ebizQ

Agenda One size does not fit all Integration Options Lots of technology, different styles, different business requirements, need to match them Integration Options Choosing Your Solution

One Size Integration? Integration platforms Tactical integration Expensive Long implementation May not need an entire platform Tactical integration Can increase maintenance costs over time Need to balance tactical business requirements with long term viability

Integration Options Point-to-point hard coding Screen Scraping Data Integration Functional Integration Process Integration B2B Integration

Point-to-Point Hard Coding The alternative to integration technology PROS: Don’t have to evaluate or purchase additional software CONS: Difficult to change WHEN TO USE: When integrating 2-3 applications and none of them will ever change.

Screen Scraping Accessing an application through the presentation layer PROS: Relatively fast, easy, and low cost CONS: Not adaptive to change; a business process may involve multiple screens WHEN TO USE: When there is no other effective way to integrate with the application.

Data Integration Direct integration to data sources PROS: Easier and cheaper to implement than an enterprise integration architecture CONS: Target application logic is by- passed WHEN TO USE: When integrating just a few systems; when data synchronization is the primary business driver

Functional Integration EAI, Integration brokers. Non-invasive application adapters connect to target application through application API PROS: Adaptive integration infrastructure CONS: More difficult and expensive to implement WHEN TO USE: When integrating transactions across 3 or more systems; or when applications may change

Process Integration Integrate end-to-end business process at the process level PROS: Enables better management of end-to-end processes, enables business agility CONS: More complex and expensive WHEN TO USE: When the business needs real time visibility into business processes that cross multiple application and organizational boundaries.

B2B Integration Enables electronic interchange with suppliers, partners and customers. PROS: Reduces business cycle times CONS: Can be complex to implement WHEN TO USE: To reduce cycle time and cost in the supply chain, increase customer satisfaction, decrease B2B transaction costs.

Integration Architecture

Poll Question How would you characterize your integration efforts?

Choosing Your Solution Implement tactically, but plan strategically Understand the overall plan Build to manage

David Inbar, Vice President-Sales and Business Development