Every business has different needs, and thus it will use different applications to meet all of these needs. The main challenge that arises is that managing several applications, all with their nuances and different data, can be challenging. Application integration is the obvious solution here as it helps businesses manage and maintain all their applications. This ensures they are utilized to their fullest, there is no data repetition and there is assured redundancy. Understanding all this then, what other reasons support the importance of application integration?
It Allows Businesses To Bring Products to The Market Faster
Delays in the deployment of technology can cause a business to miss opportunities to generate the ROI they need to keep going. Application integration removes the bottlenecks that hinder business processes, helping reduce the time it takes to get products on the market and boosting the return on investment.
Additionally, the use of API integration tools allows businesses to convert data into and consume it in formats that are most useful to them without the need for manual conversion.
It Allows Process Automation
Business procedures vary depending on the business in question. Application integration allows for easy and smooth transfer of data between different business processes, workflows, and systems. Doing so allows for increased productivity and better process automation.
It Eliminates Data Silos and Allows For New Data Use Cases
Two applications from different vendors are unable to talk to each other unless we introduce additional technology. The integration middleware used in this instance is seen as the glue that joins different enterprise applications together, whether these applications are running on-premises or in the cloud.
Data silos that are caused by the use of different enterprise applications slow vital business operations while also hindering effective sharing of this data, as well as the ability to take full advantage of it. Because of this, data remains isolated in either system with no way to bring it together or make it work together.
Integration solutions eliminate data silos and give us new and more productive ways of working with data. For example, the integration of a voter database with a text messaging platform makes for more effective campaigns and fundraising. Political parties seeking to use NGP VAN text messaging for targeted campaigns integrate Tatango for streamlined SMS campaigns.
Better Data Visibility
Data visibility is important because it allows businesses to measure and embrace the data they have. Application integration facilitates data integration which in turn enhances this data visibility.
One Caveat
Even with how important and beneficial application integration is, there is one caveat you should know about when going about doing it. Challenges can arise when integrating differently–coded solutions, especially older applications. The issue that arises more often is a mismatch, which causes connectivity issues.
The numerous applications used in the enterprise space also make creating customer integrations not only tedious but also time-consuming and costly.
Application integration through APIs is highly beneficial for businesses as it makes it easy to take advantage of the applications and make better use of the data a business has. Modern technologies and tools make this process a lot easier, even though some challenges still exist.
