A 10 Minute Guide To Hybrid Integration Platform (HIP)

Are you interested to know what the newest thing in integration is? The answer to your question is Hybrid Integration Platform, better known as HIP. This integration approach is fast becoming the new wave in integration.

By 2022, Gartner predicts at least 65% of large organizations will have implemented an HIP to power their digital transformation

This article is a step-by-step explanation of what HIP is, why you should consider it, what will you need to implement it, and how to choose the right implementation approach according to your business reality.

So, let’s start by explaining what HIP is.

What is HIP?

A Hybrid Integration Platform or HIP is a framework for system integration that was developed by Gartner, and considers the following four dimensions.

1. Constituents: are stakeholders in the integration project.
2. Endpoints: are where the systems to be integrated reside.
3. Integration models: are the entities to be integrated.
4. Deployment models: are the different connection environments.

Now, let’s see each dimension in detail.

Figure 1: An HIP example

Constituents

One of the most important characteristics of HIP is the inclusion of new stakeholders, who are now involved in integration. Together, they join forces by forming a “facilitation team” that assists and performs the integration task. This team is composed of the following roles:

1. Integration specialists: people with technical knowledge involved in the integration project.
2. Citizen integrators: people that participate in the integration project, but are not technically strong. For example, business unit managers, people from marketing, etc. This group participation will increase in the future.
3. “ad hoc” integrators: people who participate in the project without a specific role.
4. Smart machines: their importance is increasing, and will increase even more with the advances in IT. Typical examples are delivery trucks, production machines and pool cars.

Endpoints

The endpoints define where the systems reside. HIP innovates, when compared with other integration approaches, in that it basically includes all possible hosting methods. These are:

• On premises devices: includes systems that are available on site. An example is custom made legacy systems.
• Cloud: includes systems that are available through the internet, usually as a service. A typical example is Salesforce.
• Mobile: includes systems that are available on mobile platforms, such as Android.
• IoT: includes systems used to manage things, such as security cameras and automobiles. With the advance of IoT in recent years, systems integration will increasingly consider including these elements.

Integration models

An important aspect of HIP is that it considers not only the integration of data, but a vast range of entities. These are:

1. Applications: applications that need communication with each other.
2. Data: data available on databases and generated by different systems.
3. B2B: systems across different businesses.
4. Processes: business and operation processes.

Deployment models

Similarly, HIP connects systems residing on different deployment settings. The main ones are:

1.  
1. On-premises: systems residing on site.
2. Cloud: systems hosted on the cloud.
3. Hybrid: systems on the cloud and on site.
4. Embedded: systems embedded in IoT devices.

Now that we know what HIP is about, we can move to the next important question: why you must consider HIP in order to survive in the present competitive market?

Why HIP? Breaking the boundaries

In today’s world of hyper-competition, businesses need a powerful competitive edge to survive. In order to have it, businesses cannot fall behind in the quality of their software systems. They need the best software available, development speed in custom software, and data sharing among different systems.

In order to achieve this, technology ecosystems are converging more and more towards using a common data source, which is administered in an efficient and focused manner, according to the priority needs of the businesses.

In these ecosystems, operational, transactional and analytical apps feed from and contribute to the same pool of data sources. For example, apps such as Salesforce, which are used by the Marketing and Sales department, draw data from the same pool that BI and analytics do.

This unified data source results not only out of the need to reduce data silos, but also from the necessity for updated information that prompts the right business decisions and thus, increases in sales and profits.

  

Figure 2: Apps connected to a unified data source

Now that you are aware of the importance of HIP, let’s analyze how to implement it. In order to do this, first we need to consider what factors are important when deciding on an HIP approach.

3 Implementation key factors

The main points to consider when implementing an integration implementation are:

1. Business priorities: functional and timing requirements, considering the better ROI for your business. Based on these priorities, integration should be considered as a “product” that drives business value.
2. Available skills: certainly a very important aspect, as integration specialists are a scarce resource.
3. Allocated budget: particularly important for the small and medium enterprise.

Figure 3:  Implementation factors

How to implement HIP

There are three main ways to implement HIP. How to choose among them depends mainly on the size and level of homogeneity / heterogeneity of your business.

The first one is Centralized. It includes a single implementation and a centralized governance. The implementation is done by a centralized team. Thus, it is best for small to medium enterprises that, due to their size, are highly homogeneous.

The second implementation method is Shared. This method also has a single implementation and a centralized governance. However, it is implemented by several teams, usually located at the different business’ subsidiaries. Therefore, it is ideal for large and global organizations that are homogeneous in nature.

Finally, there is the Federated model. It involves multiple HIP implementations, a federated governance (from which its name derives), and it is implemented by several teams. Thus, it is the characteristic implementation model for large, global and heterogeneous businesses.

Table 1: Implementation approaches

DBSync and HIP

HIP is the future in integration, and DBSync is already there. Our three main products are: Cloud Workflow, CDM and Replication.

Cloud Workflow lets you connect two or more apps via connectors. A typical example would be reading data from Salesforce and feeding it into a database or another app.

CDM and Replication are two powerful tools that help you create snapshots of your Salesforce data and replicate it. There is an on-premises version and a recently released cloud version.

There are several characteristics that define our tools as hybrid. First of all, their user friendliness that basically creates an environment that does the job for you. Secondly, the capabilities to work both, on the cloud and on-premises. And finally, the capacity to create custom connectors and thus, to basically connect anywhere.

The benefits of these tools are legion: reducing admins’ and developers’ wasted time, reducing data duplication, reducing storage needs, creating continuous workflows that can run from lead to sale, coordinating data sources for Analytics and AI, and many more.

Table 2: DBSync main connectors

Conclusion

There are many reasons to understand what Hybrid Integration Platform is about. In this article, you have seen some key concepts that define HIP, and which can also help you analyze how you can apply this approach.

Ready to learn more? Check out our website at http://www.mydbsync.com/ which features many more knowledge resources, and try hybrid integration with our product for free.

9 Netsuite Benefits For fast-growing companies

What is NetSuite – The Leading Cloud Solution

NetSuite is widely regarded as the first cloud computing software company, founded in 1999. And nowadays is the leading cloud solution on the market, offering consolidated ERP, CRM and e-commerce features.

As a cloud-based software, it enables companies to manage important business processes in a unified system. It is highly efficient thanks to its modular approach and cost-effective because it doesn’t involve hardware, upfront license fees or maintenance fees and it’s easy to set up.

These are only a few of the benefits of NetSuite for growing companies, and in this article we’ll dig deeper and expound the most important for accelerated growth.

Benefits of the Cloud

But before tackling NetSuite, it makes sense to understand why its underlying technology is so great for businesses.

Everyday, more companies are turning to the cloud when looking for a solution to track their financials, manage inventory, improve their customer relationship management (CRM) system and even implement e-commerce stores.

The cloud technology gains adepts every moment and is a technological trend that grows stronger among small and mid-size companies due to its lower cost and among larger enterprises because of its high power and efficiency.

NetSuite in a Nutshell

According to NetSuite, users can run their company from the point the customer touches the organization right through the journey of ordering, managing, delivering, invoicing and accounting the products. The whole business process is managed within a single system.

An ERP System for Growing Companies

NetSuite works under a subscription model which many small companies find appealing because they can pay per use only. Thanks to this, users can reduce initial investments and reduce the effort on maintaining the software.

Businesses can implement the standard software suite which includes the core functionality for both ERP and CMR. However, companies that require other specific, more advanced modules, can license them on demand.

In general, companies can obtain a bundle of modules specific for their industry, or cherry-pick only the ones they need the most.

9 NetSuite Benefits

1. Richness of features

NetSuite fits well across different industries as well as company sizes. It provides rich functionalities for Manufacturing, Software, Wholesale Distribution, Professional Services, Nonprofits and Retail/Ecommerce companies out of the box. All included in a single ERP product.

2. Pricing approach

Also worth mentioning is the modular approach of NetSuite. Essentially, it enables users to select and license only the modules they need. This empowers the user and reduces the costs.

3. Ease of NetSuite Integration

One of the major benefits of NetSuite is that it provides robust APIs that make possible the integration with other important software application. It can be done directly or through an integration platform (iPaaS). For example, one of the most popular integrations is Salesforce and NetSuite integration because many users want to continue using Salesforce CRM system but also implement NetSuite ERP in their businesses.

4. Improved visibility

Real-time visibility is crucial when it comes to making informed decisions. Data can be accessed instantly and users don’t have to waste time extracting and tying data from various sources. This allows for more accurate and timely reports, which translate into quicker decisions. Additionally, NetSuite pools data across the whole organization, as opposed to silos of data, which leads to more powerful insights.

5. Speed-up growth

Having an integrated software in place makes it possible to expand to multiple locations and establish new sales channels much faster. These are the benefits of unified order and accounting management processes and data.

6. Centralized information about your company

NetSuite offers a software system that cover your whole business. One single, integrated system translates into information flowing seamlessly throughout all departments. This way, employees avoid having to manually input data when sending reports to a different department. Manual input often leads to errors and inaccuracies in the information as well as time spend in low value tasks.

7. Extending processes to the supply chain

Being able to collaborate closely with customers, suppliers and partners is a benefit of an extended organization. It is possible to offer self service portals that make B2B and B2C collaboration better. NetSuite includes timely notifications about partner-specific events that help speed up process cycles and keeps you positioned as a partner of choice.

8. Scalability

Fast-growing companies at some point may decide to go global and NetSuite can be easily scaled to that extent thanks to multiple currencies, multiple languages, multiple subsidiaries and related functions. If a company grows horizontally it can add more users to the subscription rather than undergoing and infrastructure change. And if it expands vertically into new operations, additional modules can be added to the ERP system. In general, business can be assured that the system won’t place any limitations to their growth.

9. Customization and extension

NetSuite is regarded as the most customizable SaaS solution in the world. The high degree of customization is possible with NetSuite’s SuiteFlex, in which the user can set up all the modular implementations with some clicks rather than coding. Also, with help of the industry specific modules you’ll be able to tailor the business processes to meet the particular requirements of your company.

 NetSuite Integration

Netsuite can be integrated with other applications by using an iPaaS solution like DBSync. This platform provides a NetSuite connector that is highly customizable, and has the ability to connect your NetSuite account with many other applications such as Salesforce, SkuVault, and MSCRM. It also lets you connect your NetSuite account to several databases, such as Oracle, MySQL and MSSQL. These apps can be on-premises or available as SaaS.

The NetSuite connector exposes all standard and custom objects available within the NetSuite instance of the connected user through the use of a trigger and one or more rules. The trigger defines the reading components, which are then related to the receiving apps via a rules that contain mappings. These mappings are highly customizable and easily defined by way of a drag and drop mechanism.

Each NetSuite connector instance represents a single NetSuite account, including login credentials. If a user wishes to connect to multiple instances of either a sandbox or production data, he can create a separate connection for each of them, and configure each URL and login credentials accordingly.

Added to this, another nice feature of the DBSync platform is its online updater, which enables customers to automatically acquire all the product’s different features available in new releases.

How to assess if your E-Commerce business needs Ipaas

e-Commerce is something in vogue. You cannot imagine your life from shopping a paperclip to Mac Book Pro, without hitting that “buy now” button. And if you’re an owner you just keep your finger-crossed to see an over-filled cart every morning.

Whether you are a Startup or a seasoned one, you must be aware of the challenges to run a successful e-Commerce business.

A typical e-Commerce business usually includes handling these major activities right from vendor management, inventory management to customer management. There are more or less 10 main features to consider while maintaining an online retail business which generates revenue. Here are the features:

Key business features to manage in an e-Commerce business

• ·         Vendor Management
• ·         Order Management and Delivery
• ·         Warehousing
• ·         Customer Support or Customer Relationship Management
• ·         Inventory Management
• ·         Website Management
• ·         Legal Compliance
• ·         Employee Management
• ·         Accounts Management
• ·         Marketing and Sales Management

Now, to manage all these features, you must be using the best-in-class software available for each feature. This means handling multiple APIs, data management, reporting, maintenance and a lot of technical stuff which will make you paralyzed. Moreover, all these software are not really talking to each other — that is they are not fully integrated.

Now you are trapped.

Well, there’s a way out. What you need is an efficient and seamless integration platform — the tech world calls it Integration-Platform-as-a-service (iPaaS).

It’s the latest kid on the block of Cloud integration platform and growing popularity every day.

Let’s take a look what Gartner stated —

“The iPaaS segment is still a small part of the overall market, topping $1 billion in revenue for the first time in 2017 after growing over 60 percent in 2016 and 72 percent in 2017. This makes iPaaS one of the fastest-growing software segments.”

It will make all of your software solutions to be friends with each other and work together to create a harmony between all the business features I mentioned above.

And in the process this will make your business processes and workflow smoother.

You will thus be able to concentrate more on your core aspects of business saving your time and strengthen your skill set in which you’re passionate.

By now, you are very curious to know more about iPaaS.

Probably want to know how to assess the right vendor along as well. Whether there will be security issues to integrate.

Here is a smart checklist to ease your mind.

1. Assess Your Needs

Before you move to iPaaS integration, think hard and spend a great deal of time to understand your organization needs. In case, if you have really the urgency to have one as soon as possible, then you need to identify;

• ·         What are the challenges?
• ·         How this integration will solve those?
• ·         How much time it will take to complete the integration?
• ·         How much budget you will consider initially?

iPaaS is a highly customizable platform to suit different business needs.

2. Technical Expertise

Before you go on scouting around for vendor, make sure that your technical team has the expertise to understand and help you through the entire cycle of integration.

Also, your tech team will need to maintain and support the system once it is up and running.

They should be involved right from the start. After all, your tech team knows best about the installations and issues in your company.

3. Scalability

After you finish your assessment, you have a complete understanding of how you want to move forward.

You are about to start your vendor hunt. Take a pause and once again think about the scalability of the integration and how this will shape your business in the long run.

When you have a blueprint of your assessment, it will be easier for you to match the expectation with the platform features and finally take an informed decision. In fact, as IDC forecasted, the Retail industry will be spending at 22.8% CAGR for the next five year on Cloud services.

4. Vendor Research

Now comes the next step, where you start searching for your integration partner aka vendor who comes to your rescue and all the problems go away.

Well, the integration takes time and worth the waiting.

But if you choose the wrong vendor who does not understand your pain points and the type of business solution you require, it can ruin all the efforts. You can ask for the following points for starters.

• ·         Projects they handled in your industry — use cases which can be compared to assess your challenges.
• ·         Team size they have for such integration
• ·         Time frame to complete the integration
• ·         Their project management process
• ·         How they will communicate with you
• ·         After delivery support system
• ·         Payment options/ cycle

5. Budget Planning

Initially, you started your iPaaS integration journey with a budget on your mind. You are now at the consideration stage of your purchase cycle after you get some idea from the vendor search.

It’s time now to dive deeper into the information collected from the research and come out with a definite budget plan to accommodate the technical overhaul.

Your budget plan should consider all the stages and payment plan that will suit you most in the days ahead.

That’s it. You have reached the destination of your iPaaS research journey for your e-Commerce business. You have selected the vendor, your strategy to integrate everything is in place. You have moved your choice to the cart. Now is the time to click that “Buy Now” button. Or if you want to procrastinate a little bit, it’s up to you. Your competitors might not though.

Good luck with your integration!

Looking for a e-Commerce integration solution – Talk to us first.