The bigger your business, the greater number of services you will need to keep things running smoothly. Different software applications offer different business services-and it is up to you to find the ones that suit your purposes. The problem? It can be difficult to get all these applications to get on the same page and function in tandem. Enter enterprise application integration solutions.
They are here, offer manifold benefits for any organization, and are going to be around for quite a while. In spite of all this, many people are still in the dark about how they can help their business. So, let’s walk through a few advantages of enterprise application integration.
What is Enterprise Application Integration?
Enterprise application integration or EAI involves unifying the databases of different software applications and systems. In other words, it connects applications to simplify and automate business processes without implementing major application or data infrastructure changes. This allows for automated intercommunication between various enterprise applications in an organization.
Why do businesses need this? For starters, different applications have their own ‘languages’. They do not share data or follow the same rules or protocols. Some of them are tied to legacy systems that no longer work properly. EAI solves these issues by offering data integration; so that information on the different systems is accurate and consistent, along with a simplified user interface, making it easy for everyone to use the different applications and systems.
5 Key Benefits of Enterprise Application Integration
These are the key benefits of enterprise application integration.
Greater Agility
Disruptions within your own supply chain? Trouble brewing in the industry? A global pandemic? New technological developments on the horizon? The one thing that these have in common is that they require a quick response from businesses.
This is where EAI will massively benefit your enterprise, as they enable a high degree of flexibility and agility, so your business will be able to instinctively respond to internal and external changes affecting the operations.
As a result, your organization won’t just withstand disruption. It will be able to capitalize on new opportunities and revenue streams, giving your enterprise an advantage over the competition. And in turn, this will give your organization a stronger footing and greater visibility within the industry.
Information Made Accessible
Integrating different systems and applications in a business reduces the issues posed by data silos and makes the data easier to access by employees, investors, and stakeholders. This exchange of information has a plethora of benefits, especially when it comes to transparency, accountability, and collaboration.
In addition, it saves time and improves overall efficiency as IT and other staff won’t have to spend hours sifting through data, searching for relevant or up-to-date information. It also makes it easier to weed out redundant, outdated, or incorrect pieces of data. All this is a result of integration as it enables data consolidation and the creation of a single point of access to data for the people who need it.
Automation
Another way in which enterprise application integration can assist businesses is through the automation of workflows and processes related to data. This allows you to divert time, resources, and manpower to other operations of the business that need it more. Unnecessary and repetitive tasks can be left to automated processes and large-scale tasks can be simplified and streamlined, adding to the ease and efficacy.
Cuts Down Costs
Legacy systems and other ineffectual technologies can end up costing your business thousands of dollars. For instance, integrating older systems with the new means that you will not have to remove the legacy system, or replace it with something more updated, which saves money and other resources.
Moreover, integration makes it easier to implement new tools and services into an already existing framework. This also helps cut down on costs, and the money can be used for other, more important areas.
Manage IT Complexity
One of the biggest issues facing businesses today is the overwhelming complexity of IT systems and infrastructure. This complexity often makes it very difficult for businesses to adapt to newer technologies. Integration streamlines and simplifies various company processes regardless of IT complexity or whether there are different applications that are synchronous or asynchronous with each other.
In a Nutshell
It is plain to see that the advantages of enterprise application integration can take your business to new heights. Whether you crave stability during times of disruption, the agility to take on new opportunities, or just want to reduce costs, chances are you just need a rock-solid integration solution. And if you aren’t sure how to navigate your way through your EAI, PlektonLabs will be glad to help you transform your business.
