Nowadays, there are many different technologies, applications, and platforms that help streamline business processes for optimal performance. The most successful businesses leverage technology to create viable connections between their teams, customers, and data. These connections are vital for delivering consistent customer experiences.
Unfortunately, building integrations between applications and data requires a lot of time and resources. Thankfully, an integration Platform as a Service (iPaaS) solution can help deliver positive outcomes from data integration. Continue reading to find out all the benefits an iPaaS solution can offer.
iPaaS Defined
iPaaS is a popular acronym for integrated Platform as a Service. The term refers to a cloud service that helps businesses connect and integrate their applications for seamless synchronization of data. According to Gartner, iPaaS is a cloud integration service for connecting applications, data, and processes deployed in an environment. An iPaaS solution offers a centralized management platform for data integration across different applications and databases. Users can leverage iPaaS to develop, deploy, and execute integrations in the cloud without installing any middleware or hardware.
With the way SaaS applications have become more prevalent, many businesses seek innovative self-service integration methods to synchronize and manage their data. iPaaS offerings feature all the characteristics of the cloud. Users can access the iPaaS platform from remote locations using a browser and internet connection.
A robust iPaaS solution offers many integration capabilities. It features a library of connectors for specific applications like Salesforce. When choosing an iPaaS vendor, opt for one that provides the necessary connectors you need to integrate your data, applications, and processes. This allows you to move data between various data sources and applications using connectors.
With an iPaaS tool, you can achieve digital transformation. More so, you can create an integration workflow and manage actions between applications using the intuitive user interface of the iPaaS solution. Aside from managing integrations, iPaaS allows users to monitor running integrations.
Advantages of iPaaS
The advantages of iPaaS are often understated. The following are some of the business benefits of the iPaaS solution.
- Reduced Complexity
Unlike other data management solutions, an iPaaS solution doesn’t require you to have years of programming experience to use it. More so, you don’t necessarily have to hire highly skilled specialists to integrate your data. Nine times out of 10, the iPaaS provider handles all the technicalities of the integrations. All you need to do when implementing an iPaaS solution is configure your connections to suit your business needs and start integrating.
- Data Consistency
With an iPaaS tool, you can deliver consistent data in your business. Essentially, the solution updates data in real time in every synced application. For example, if a customer unsubscribes from your mailing list, the iPaaS tool reflects the change in your marketing application. That way, your marketing team stops sending customer communications to that customer.
- Fixes Data Silos
One significant advantage of iPaaS is that it removes and fixes data silos. Keep in mind that a data silo is a collection of data that is difficult to access. This ultimately reduces efficiency, transparency, and trust within the organization. Data silos are cost-intensive to maintain because of the extra data storage. Eliminating or fixing data silos improves data integrity and alignment between team members.
- Improved Collaboration
iPaaS enhances collaboration among various teams for better efficiency and productivity. Additionally, business users can leverage iPaaS tools to get more from their tech stack. This is because iPaaS enables effective communication and collaboration between SaaS apps. For example, you can sync your CRM tool with your customer support app.
- Enhanced Cost-Efficiency
Not many businesses have adequate resources to support their systems. Fortunately, iPaaS eliminates the need to hire an in-house IT team or outsource to a data analytics firm to create integrations and complex application programming interfaces (APIs). More so, you don’t have to spend a considerable amount of resources on buying and maintaining expensive on-site hardware.