In the rapidly growing technology landscape, we have witnessed the rise of Software-as-a-Service and its effect on how businesses both large and small operate. Businesses have adopted multiple software services that empower them to create and manage everything from their eCommerce, to their internal communications. But with several applications being utilized, integrating them becomes a tedious and costly task on its own.
Integration is the key to creating and maintaining seamless backend information flows to efficiently and effectively meet customer demand. Unfortunately, creating inter-platform connectivity of this nature has never been a straightforward process – but this will change going into the new year.
iPaaS technology: The next big thing
Integration-Platform-as-a-Service technology is the cloud-based response to the ever-expanding SaaS marketplace. iPaaS technology is being provided by vendors and used by businesses to avoid the common frustrations that legacy integration techniques face.
Going into 2020, iPaaS is going to overtake Enterprise Service Bus and XML as the preferred method of integration by organizations that want to connect their expansive network of frontend and backend systems.
Companies are beginning to realize the benefits of this robust yet flexible combination of digital and physical tools and services in transforming their integration experience and handing off those benefits to their consumers. Faster real-time integration and server security helps organizations meet ambitious backend configuration targets and make accurate judgments to improve customer experience.
iPaaS technology will quickly be adopted in the coming year as the premier way to integrate software as its benefits to retailers and consumers becomes more well known.
The importance of integration
Though not considered a new technology, the forecasted increase in popularity for iPaaS is directly correlated to the new awareness of the importance of integration in creating an efficient business.
IPaaS technology has been especially beneficial for eCommerce. Combining the backend ERP and the frontend functions that customers will be interacting with allows businesses to effortlessly meet customer demand. Without the two ends working together, a business could be left with an inadequate amount of inventory, frustrating customers who believe a product is readily available as shown online.
How iPaaS works
To understand how this technology differs from legacy integration techniques and other middleware available, HubSpot has broken down how iPaaS works into three easy to understand steps:
- 1. Once a business identifies a need for a superior integration tool, they will rely on iPaaS technology or a provider to supply the infrastructure for creating connections.
- 2. They will set the parameters for the connections – which are allowed and which are denied along with other data rules.
- 3. With these rules, iPaaS will create a central, ever-changing hub that will manage and modify data.
It’s also important to note that this technology does involve cloud computing usage, though its powerful set of hardware, software and services allow eCommerce companies of any size to utilize its power. There’s no need for a company to build out more services, iPaaS can expand an organizations’ offerings through integration.
While this is incredibly useful for ERP and eCommerce integration, HubSpot also points out how iPaaS technology can streamline the sales and marketing process by improving the communication between different data silos.
Being able to share data in real-time enhances the consumer experience and enables businesses to make informed decisions to improve their bottom line.
Trust the experts to avoid a costly mistake
Due to its unique offerings, implementing iPaaS can be complicated for businesses without an IT department well versed in eCommerce. While there are some best practices for integrating any ERP and eCommerce systems, it’s highly recommended to seek out help from an expert.
Considering that both the front and backend of a business handle numerous amounts of customer and operational information, including credit card and personal data, it’s critical to create a strong and secure path to integration.
Last year, Akamai reported 30 billion credential stuffing login attempts, where attackers try to breach credentials to access customer accounts. If there’s any weakness in your cloud caused by integration, hackers will take advantage of it to access users private information.
Pixafy is a leading ERP + eCommerce Integration expert that understands the importance of utilizing a flexible and secure integration method. Moving into 2020, our highly experienced team is ready to help you achieve seamless integration with iPaaS technology, contact us today to find out more.
