Enterprise Data Integration Solutions

What difference can enterprise data integration solutions provide?

Here we cover how to seamlessly bring data together by first understanding the importance of combining data together and then integrating the right data to make the best decisions.

Combining data from multiple systems

The best way to bring disparate data together is to use one of the new and ever-improving data integration solutions that are available on the market. These data integration tools are designed to combine data from various sources into a unified view, giving you easier access to valuable performance information and analytics you can use to improve how you work.

Data integration tools function by identifying the different data sources that need to be connected, including databases, cloud services, applications, or even program files like spreadsheets. Integration tools collate and combine this data, from across all the systems in which it resides. Finally, you can get a good look at all of the knowledge and records you have in your software systems!

 

 

 

How do enterprise data integration solutions work?

Data integration solutions for an enterprise business carry out a variety of processes to combine and align data. An enterprise data integration tool will carry out these activities to improve your data:

  • Data extraction - the solution extracts data from each source. This can be done in real-time or through scheduled batch processes, depending on the system you are using, and your requirements.
  • Data transformation - once the data is extracted, it often needs to be transformed to ensure consistency. This may involve cleansing (removing duplicates, correcting errors), formatting (changing data types), and enriching the data (adding additional information).
  • Data loading - after transformation, the integrated data is loaded into a target system, such as a data warehouse or a unified database. This step is sometimes referred to as ETL (Extract, Transform, Load).
  • Data mapping - during the integration process, the solution may also map data fields from different sources to ensure that similar data is aligned correctly. This means defining how data from varying structures can fit into a single model.

Case study enterprise data integrations

In recent years, we’ve seen more and more enterprise organisations that have a need to embark on change projects and digital transformations. It’s so easy for an enterprise business to become inundated with information from various sources, including CRM systems, marketing automation tools, ERP software and more.

Enterprise businesses need to evolve for a number of reasons, which can include taking advantage of the changing nature of supply chains, shifting markets, or a need to respond to technological improvements. Many businesses come to us seeking to dismantle ineffective software, and streamline and modernised their fragmented IT systems.

These organisations are dealing with a challenge that many encounter today: data fragmentation. We’ve worked with enterprise businesses such as Fix Convenience and Gerard Lighting to bring order to problematic data. We support companies who have data in different formats and scattered across multiple systems, making it challenging to consolidate, analyse, and draw insights from.

At Stimulus, we deliver customised data integration solutions to ensure your data is consistent, secure, and readily accessible for real-time decision-making.

When two organisations need to integrate data

The need to combine data from two separate organisations is becoming more common. This situation typically arises during mergers or acquisitions, where data from both companies must be combined. Other instances of enterprise data integration include partnerships, where multiple companies collaborate under a shared business entity, and in integration among various business units within a large corporation.

Bringing together the data from two different businesses can be done. Regardless of the context, successful enterprise data integration hinges on a blend of organisational responses, robust data architecture and adaptable data integration methods.

Role of cloud technologies in data integration

Cloud computing refers to the delivery of various computing services over the internet, including storage, processing power, and applications, enabling on-demand access to a shared pool of resources. Cloud based integrations services are available in different types, including Infrastructure as a Service (IaaS), Platform as a Service (PaaS), and Software as a Service (SaaS).

Cloud services can easily scale to meet demand, providing resources as needed, whether for computing power, storage or applications. Typically, the service provider manages the infrastructure, while users can focus on deploying and using applications.

iPaaS in integrations

Integration Platform as a Service (iPaaS) is a specific cloud-based platform that facilitates the integration of different applications, data and systems allowing seamless data flow between them. The functionality of iPaaS work through the provision of tools and services to connect applications, automate workflows and ensure data sharing across cloud and on-premises environments.

  • iPaas is typically used by organisations to integrate various software applications, such as CRM, ERP and other enterprise applications, improving operational efficiency. Like cloud computing, iPaaS solutions can scale to meet the integration needs of businesses as they grow and add more applications.
  • iPaaS offers a user-friendly interface for creating integrations, and it handles the complexities of data synchronisation, transformation and governance.

IPaaS technologies for integration

While it is possible to achieve enterprise data integration through point-to-point connections, doing so will likely lead to increased time and costs to reach your desired outcomes. Often, the long-term operational and maintenance expenses will be higher. To ensure agility, data security and a solution that is both scalable and flexible, it's essential to base your enterprise data integration on an IPaaS (Integration Platform as a Service) foundation. An IPaaS solution is your best bet in a successful and sustainable enterprise data integration project.

Modern iPaaS solutions accommodate a wide array of data standards (and communication protocols (including AS2, FTP, and HTTP), enhancing integration capabilities with greater depth and flexibility. Some platforms, like Pimcore’s Enterprise Edition also offer pre-built connectors and adapters for numerous business systems, ensuring seamless data transfer across your infrastructure.

Open source integration solutions

Open source data integration solutions provide organisations with flexible, cost-effective ways to connect various data sources, applications, and systems. It makes sense to consider open source integration solutions because they are:

  • Cost-effective: being open source, these solutions often come without licensing fees, reducing overall costs for companies while still providing robust functionality.
  • Flexible and customisable: organisations can modify and customise the software to meet their specific needs, allowing for tailored integration processes and workflows
  • Supported by the community: open source solutions typically have active communities that contribute to the development and improvement of the software, providing users with access to a wealth of shared knowledge, documentation and assistance.
  • Compatible with other tools: many open source data integration tools support various protocols and standards, enabling seamless integration across diverse environments, including cloud and on-premises systems.
  • Scalable: these solutions can easily scale to accommodate growing data volumes and the addition of new data sources, making them suitable for businesses of all sizes.
  • Transparent: with access to source code, organisations can better understand the inner workings of the solution, allowing for more informed decisions about security, performance and compatibility.

Popular open source integration tools

Some well-known open source data integration tools include Apache NiFi, Talend Open Studio, Pentaho Data Integration (Kettle), Apache Camel and Pimcore, among others. Each offers unique features such as data transformation, data quality management and various connectors to third-party applications. You can read user reviews of these and other open source solutions on software site G2 or Australian Capterra.

Open source data integration solutions offer a compelling alternative to proprietary tools, providing flexibility, community support and cost-savings while enabling organisations to effectively manage and integrate their data across multiple platforms.

Compliance in data integrations

Ensuring data security is essential for successful data integration. While digital tools that facilitate virtualisation enhance the usability and dynamism of data, it is important for enterprises to restrict data sharing to only those parties that genuinely need it. Establishing a robust data privacy and security framework is crucial to safeguarding access and protecting sensitive information.

Enterprise data integration systems have extensive monitoring and logging capabilities that track and audit integrations, guaranteeing adherence to regulatory standards and trading partner agreements. Advanced monitoring tools facilitate proactive error detection and alerting; if an issue arises—such as a failed transaction or a data validation error—the system can automatically notify the appropriate personnel to take corrective measures, minimising downtime and ensuring consistent service quality.

Pimcore - exceptional integration capabilities

Pimcore is a powerful data handling and record management system that enables businesses to effortlessly connect and consolidate data from diverse sources into a unified system. With Pimcore’s advanced capabilities, organisations can efficiently manage, process, and synchronise data across various platforms, ensuring both consistency and accuracy.

This integration framework is compatible with a wide array of data formats and protocols, making it adaptable to different business requirements. A major benefit of Pimcore’s integration capability is its ability to easily connect with other services and applications. This provides a user-friendly interface and pre-built connectors that facilitate the connection of Pimcore with various third-party systems, including CRM, ERP, and marketing automation platforms. This automation helps businesses enhance operational efficiency by reducing manual data entry and optimising workflows.

Pimcore offers a versatile data transformation engine that enables you to map, filter, and modify data to suit your requirements. You can set up custom transformation rules using either the graphical user interface or scripting languages such as PHP. Contact us to learn more about what Pimcore can do for you.

How to deploy Pimcore for data integration

Pimcore is a robust tool that enables you to seamlessly connect and manage various data sources. As your Pimcore data integration partner, we will take the time to get a clear grasp of your data requirements and the specific sources you wish to integrate.

Pimcore is then installed and configured on your server, ensuring that all necessary dependencies are in place. We will take care of deployment activities such as:

  1. Identification and connection of your data sources (such as databases or APIs)
  2. Configuration and data mapping,
  3. Creation of transformation rules
  4. Scheduled automated data imports and exports

How to handle legacy data

As you embark on the process of data integration, another consideration has got to be your legacy data. Handling legacy data during integration requires careful planning and execution to ensure a smooth transition and maintain data integrity. To effectively manage legacy data, we can assist you with:

  • Data assessment - we recommend conducting a comprehensive assessment of the legacy data. Understanding its structure, quality, and relevance is key. We can identify which data is critical for integration and which can be archived or discarded.
  • Data cleansing - we can assist you in cleansing legacy data by removing duplicate records, correcting inaccuracies and standardising formats. This step is crucial for ensuring that only high-quality data is migrated at the point of integration.
  • Mapping and transformation - we’ll support you to create a mapping strategy to translate legacy data formats into the required structure for the new system. This may involve transforming data types, renaming fields or combining datasets.
  • Data migration strategy - they key to effective integration is developing a clear migration strategy, outlining how the data will be extracted from the legacy system, transformed and loaded into the new system.
  • Testing - we recommend conducting thorough testing of the data migration process. It’s important to validate that the data has been accurately migrated and functions as expected in the new environment. This includes checking data integrity and running sample transactions.
  • Documentation - documenting the entire process, including mapping rules, data transformation logic, and any issues encountered will serve as a reference for future integrations and data management.
  • Ongoing monitoring - after integration, we’ll show you how to monitor the performance and usage of the migrated data. Be prepared to make adjustments based on user feedback and any performance issues that arise.

 

 

Related questions

Does Pimcore work with other data systems?

Absolutely, Pimcore is capable of integrating with numerous third-party systems, such as CRM, ERP, and marketing automation platforms. It supports both REST and SOAP APIs, along with various other standard data exchange protocols.

How to integrate Pimcore and Magento 2?

A Pimcore Magento 2 Integration pertains to the seamless connection between these two robust open-source platforms. This integration enables businesses to synchronise product data and enhance content while efficiently managing digital assets across both platforms. The Pimcore Connector for Magento 2 serves as a link between the Pimcore instance and Magento 2. It offers robust features for mapping attributes and managing categories, ensuring a consistent flow of information from Pimcore to Magento 2.

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