Cloud, mobility, the Internet of Things (IoT), and digital disruption – these are much more than buzz words to the average CEO today.
Enterprise has been irreversibly changed by the new digital landscape, and business leaders have to oversee rapid integration of new capabilities and systems if their business is to stay competitive.
Suddenly your organisation has multiple applications, sensors, mobile devices and partner organisations that must work together to fulfil business objectives, and optimise current and future processes and systems.
Unfortunately it’s not a simple ‘install-deploy-go’, as each new element brings with it a wealth of new challenges for your IT shop, particularly network and solution architects who must oversee integration of new and existing processes and systems.
Access to quality Integration Platform-as-a-Service (IPaaS) middleware solutions – often referred to as “software glue” – can simplify the delivery of complex and costly enterprise-scale integration, whether it be needed on-premises or in the cloud.
“Enterprise integration solutions are a great tool for organisations seeking to re-platform, or to extend or upgrade their existing platforms in order to harness the full enterprise potential of new digital capabilities,” said Dean Robertson, CEO with Mexia – a leading integration solutions provider.
“A carefully selected integration platform can reshape, consolidate, and refine your processes, so your business never skips a beat.”
The use of ‘middleware’ reduces the complexity and disruption of new systems by connecting them to an additional layer of software. This software assimilates it with existing enterprise cloud technologies, applications, digital tools and legacy ERP systems and can be cloud-hosted, deployed on-premises or a combination of both.
And there’s never been a greater need for integration solutions, starting with the explosion of new applications in the workplace. Whether enterprise-approved or ‘shadow IT’, new apps may improve productivity but typically don’t talk to legacy systems, or each other, leading to silos of information and a management nightmare.
Customers also now want integrated, seamless mobile experiences, while suppliers and staff expect to be able to connect and transact with you from any device at any time. As multiple devices, software and the use of sensors create deeper insights into assets, customers and staff, managing these vast flows of information is also a considerable challenge.
Subsequent roadblocks cost the business time and money, hindering efficiency and losing any real benefit associated with new trends and capabilities.
“The expansion of the API economy, the burgeoning Internet of Things (IoT), and an industry-wide trend towards bi-modal IT means that anyone who isn’t seriously considering a modern integration platform now will face significant obstacles to their business in the coming years,” said Dean.
Integration ensures all new digital functions meet the needs of your enterprise business units while still maintaining your legacy environment, functioning as a single and seamless service.
“Ultimately, digital disruption is the key to any successful transformation, and business leaders hoping to take advantage of new trends and business channels can simply enhance existing processes, instead of replacing them,” said Dean.