If you work in enterprise IT, you probably use many abbreviations. You may be able to easily explain a PaaS, iPaaS and IaaS - but can you explain what makes an eiPaaS different?

Enterprise Integration Platforms (EiPaaS) have a number of components and features that make them unique and different from self-service iPaaS solutions. They are also easily misunderstood. Let’s go through everything you need to know.

What is an enterprise integration platform?

An enterprise integration platform is a centralized solution that connects and integrates various software applications and data sources within an enterprise IT landscape to streamline processes and improve operational efficiency.

At its core, an enterprise integration platform serves as a central hub that allows you to synchronize various applications and data across your enterprise, regardless of whether they are on-premise or cloud-based apps or systems. You can say it acts as the glue that holds your enterprise IT ecosystem together, ensuring that all parts communicate effectively and work in harmony.

What’s the difference between eiPaaS and iPaaS?

The abbreviation “EiPaaS” was coined by Gartner to describe the unique integration needs of enterprise businesses. More recently, Gartner has started to use the abbreviation iPaaS more consistently to describe the integration needs of all businesses. 

You should not use EiPaaS and iPaaS interchangeably. Instead, you can see EiPaaS as a subsection of the $6.5 billion iPaaS market tracked by Gartner, where the broader iPaaS market also includes self-service tools and mid-market solutions. 

Key components of an EiPaaS include:

• Application Integration:
  This allows different software applications within your organization to connect and share data seamlessly.
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• Application Programming Interfaces (APIs):
  APIs enable your applications to interact with each other using defined protocols, making integration more straightforward and scalable.
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• Event-Driven Architecture:
  This design allows your system to respond in real-time to events or changes, improving responsiveness and agility.
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• Messaging Systems:
  These handle the exchange of messages between different systems, ensuring reliable and efficient communication.
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• Enterprise-grade security:
  An eiPaaS will usually come with strict and comprehensive data and user security controls.
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• Service Level Agreements (SLAs):
  Enterprise integrations are typically offered with more extensive service levels, controls and support response times.

What makes enterprise integrations needs different

Large enterprises have integration needs that differ significantly from smaller businesses due to their scale, complexity, and diversity of operations. According to research by Netskope, the average enterprise business uses 1295 different cloud apps or services(!) 

Most enterprise businesses need to deal with a larger number of disparate systems—including legacy applications. They also often require integration solutions that can handle high volumes of data across multiple departments, locations, and even countries, all while ensuring robust security, compliance with stricter regulatory standards, and the ability to collaborate with a wide range of external partners and stakeholders. Enterprise-scale needs require enterprise-grade solutions.

Common use-cases for enterprise integration

One key aspect that makes enterprise integration platforms different from other integration solutions is their configurability to different jobs to be done. While there are self-service integration tools for connecting different cloud-based apps and solutions, an enterprise integration solution typically adjusts to the unique needs of enterprise businesses.

Data integration

Data integration involves consolidating information from multiple data sources into a unified view. This process handles various data formats and ensures efficient data transmission. By integrating your data, you improve information retrieval and ensure that everyone in your organization has access to accurate, up-to-date information.

Application integration

Application integration connects different enterprise applications, enabling them to work together seamlessly. Utilizing API integration and enterprise application integration techniques, you can eliminate data silos and ensure consistent information across all platforms. This is crucial for maintaining efficiency and consistency in your business processes.

Service integration

Service integrations are a common enterprise business challenge that requires deep speciality and flexibility. Many large enterprise businesses have a network of both internal and external stakeholders involved in solving complex problems like IT service management. 

B2B Integration

Another aspect that makes enterprise integration needs different from smaller businesses is the need for inter-company B2B integrations. It is very common for larger businesses to have external service providers or outsourced business partners that need to be securely aligned with key enterprise services and processes.

Process integration

Process integration focuses on streamlining workflows and enhancing system interconnectivity. By integrating processes, you can automate sequences of tasks across different systems, reducing manual effort and minimizing errors. This leads to more efficient operations and faster response times.

You can always make a self-service integration tool mold to some of the above needs, but rarely do self-built solutions cater to the size and complexity of enterprise-level integration platforms.

Common challenges in enterprise integrations

While there are many clear use-cases for enterprise integration platforms, it's important to be aware of some of the potential challenges to finding and implementing any eiPaaS solution.

• Compatibility with legacy systems - older systems may not support current integration standards, making seamless connectivity difficult. This is an important aspect to cover in the discovery phase of your vendor identification process. 
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• Integration complexity - managing centralized integrations while maintaining data integrity can be complex. There's a risk of operational disruptions if integrations aren't handled properly. 
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• Data security and compliance - You’d be surprised how many large business IT leaders lack visibility on what data is shared and where. Additionally, compliance costs can increase if data governance isn't meticulously maintained. 
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• Swivel-chair processes - Another key challenge is that enterprise businesses focus too much on data and system integrations, without focusing enough on process integration. As a result, it is not uncommon for many service and back-office teams in large enterprise organizations to face a lot of copy-paste manual work unseen by IT leaders. 
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• Shadow IT - many enterprise companies have a preferred software vendor, but these days it’s quite typical for different business units or teams to go with point solutions outside of the control of IT. You need to be ready to integrate both the essential enterprise systems and some tactical business apps if you want to serve the full needs of today’s business reality.

These are not new challenges. Most enterprise businesses have been tackling digital transformation for decades. An eiPaaS can’t remove all your challenges, but it can help you keep ahead of your ever-changing enterprise integration needs and requirements.

Key benefits of enterprise integration platforms

As you can expect, enterprise integration platforms typically require a bit more strategic thinking and resources to set up than a self-service iPaaS tool. However, for larger businesses, the benefits often outweigh the costs. 

Here are a few of the common benefits of an EiPaaSsolution.

1. Reliable data connectivity

Whereas self-built integrations can be difficult to scale or maintain, an EiPaaS enables seamless data interactions and data streams across various systems within your enterprise. By integrating disparate applications, you can ensure that information flows freely and securely between departments and with external partners. This improved connectivity facilitates partner integration, allowing you to collaborate more effectively through preconfigured B2B connections.

2. Streamlined and automated processes

Automation is one key enabler of operational efficiency. With an EiPaaS, you can automate workflows that were previously manual and time-consuming. This not only reduces the likelihood of human error but also frees up your team's time to focus on more strategic tasks. By streamlining processes, you're better positioned to offer personalized service to your customers, enhancing their overall experience.

3. Source of data you can trust

Another key benefit of enterprise integration platforms is the reliability of data. An EiPaaS consolidates data from various sources in a safe and secure way, providing you with real-time insights into your operations. This holistic view can help you to identify trends, forecast outcomes, and adjust strategies proactively.

4. Regulatory compliance

If you’re working with customer or personally identifiable data, you need a platform that has unwavering compliance. An EiPaaS simplifies this by centralizing data governance, ensuring that your data management practices align with industry standards and regulations. This not only reduces compliance costs but also mitigates the risk of penalties associated with non-compliance.

A final and personal benefit for enterprise IT leaders is peace of mind. With a suitable integration solution in place and a partner who understands the needs of enterprise businesses, you’re more likely to sleep well at night without worrying about your point-to-point integrations falling apart.

What implementing an eiPaaS solution could look like

Implementing an enterprise integration platform typically requires a structured approach that can be divided into three critical phases: planning, execution, and ongoing management.

Planning Phase

Begin by conducting a thorough assessment of your current IT landscape to understand your existing systems and integrations. This involves identifying all the applications in use, the data they handle, and how they currently interact with each other. With this information, you can define a comprehensive enterprise integration plan and strategy that aligns with your organization's objectives. This plan should outline your integration goals, the scope of the project, required resources, and a timeline for implementation.

Execution Phase

In the execution phase, you apply enterprise integration patterns to guide the design and development of your integrations. These patterns provide proven solutions to common integration challenges and can help streamline the process. Setting up your integration architecture is a crucial step, as it forms the foundation for how effectively data flows between your different systems, and how quickly you can adapt to change.

Ongoing Management

After the integration platform is up and running, ongoing management becomes essential to ensure it continues to meet your organization's needs. Regularly engage with users to gather feedback and identify areas for improvement. Update data mappings to reflect any changes in data structures or business processes and make platform enhancements as necessary. Monitoring performance is also critical; by keeping an eye on key metrics, you can identify issues early and make adjustments to maintain optimal operation. This proactive approach helps ensure that your integration platform remains efficient, secure, and aligned with your business goals over time.

We may be simplifying things a bit by describing the implementation of eiPaaS in just three steps. The key point is that you approach the challenge with a clear integration strategy.

Bottom line on enterprise integration platforms

An enterprise integration platform is a strategic investment that can significantly impact your organization's success. 

Before you make your choice, do your homework. We have a related guide on integration platforms and a long list of ITSM integration tools that can help you understand all your other options.

Ultimately, the case for an enterprise-grade integration platform is pretty substantial. By adopting an EiPaaS, you can enhance operational efficiency, support digital transformation initiatives, and improve customer satisfaction. Reach out if you’ve got questions about how to get started!

About the authors: At ONEiO we’ve helped enterprise leaders orchestrate integrations across on-premise and cloud platforms for over 15 years as a trusted integration as a service partner. With this background we can give you an executive view on hybrid integration examples and key benefits.