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iPaaS

  • Glossary

「iPaaS」

This glossary explains various keywords that will help you understand the mindset necessary for data utilization and successful DX.
This time, we will explain "iPaaS," which will be the key to future cloud and data utilization.

What is iPaaS?

iPaaS is an abbreviation for Integration Platform as a Service. It refers to a cloud service that provides a platform for integrating and connecting systems and data.
In promoting the practical use of IT, it is inevitable to have to combine and utilize the wide variety of data that tends to be scattered here and there, as well as various systems and cloud services. This refers to cloud services that are provided to solve such "connection" needs.

[Kumo Radio] What does it mean to use the cloud? What is "iPaaS"? (3 minutes 41 seconds)

Vtubers Kumoko and Haruka deliver the latest IT information in an easy-to-understand way. In this video, we'll explain the difference between using the cloud and utilizing it, and what exactly is "iPaaS."

A History of Cloud (or Why We Need iPaaS)

iPaaS is a cloud service that "connects" various clouds and systems. It enables data integration and processing integration. It is a very important service when utilizing the cloud, but it is sometimes difficult to understand why it is necessary.

The term iPaaS has only recently become popular in Japan, perhaps after 2020. However, the term itself has been around for quite some time. For example, it first appeared in a report by Gartner, a global research company, in 2011.
In 2011, the cloud itself was not yet widely accepted by the public, and it was still in its infancy, with people debating whether it was safe to use the cloud for business systems. At that time, iPaaSwas already considered an important element for utilizing the cloud, and the concept of "such things will become widespread in the future" was already in the form of a term.

iPaaS is the other half of cloud computing

In the early days, iPaaS was sometimes introduced in conjunction with the term "aPaaS." In Japanese, it was sometimes written as "Integration PaaS (iPaaS)" and "Application PaaS (aPaaS)."

The term "aPaaS" never took root, but when we hear "cloud (or PaaS)" today, what we generally imagine is a service similar to "aPaaS." This is a very rough explanation, but

  • "Normal Cloud" (Application PaaS)
  • iPaaS (Integration PaaS): A cloud for "connecting"

In other words, when we say "we need iPaaS," it simply means that in order to fully utilize the cloud, we need "one more" element in addition to what we normally call cloud services, and we have decidedto call this iPaaS.

iPaaS is not a specialized or marginal service, but rather is about half of the two major elements of cloud utilization.

Cloud utilization requires "connection"

So why is connecting so important?

When utilizing the cloud, you use services that are already provided. For example, Google provides Gmail, and there are services that allow you to use machine learning via the cloud. You use what is already provided. (Basically) it's not like, "I have these requests, and I want a system built to meet them."

If the sales department introduced Salesforce and implemented a cloud-based sales management system, and the user support department introduced another service to digitalize customer support, then there's no problem.
However, what you really need to do is "support your company's entire business with IT." Since no single cloud service is perfectly suited to your company's circumstances, you will inevitably need to combine and use various cloud services.

  • Individual services: Salesforce, kintone, Gmail, etc.
  • Connect and combine them to create the IT infrastructure you need

The cloud service that "achieves the latter" is iPaaS.

Without iPaaS

What would happen if you used the cloud without iPaaS?

Humans often perform manual tasks to replace iPaaS. For example, they often have to extract sales department data from Salesforce and import it into other systems. Are you struggling with manual cloud tasks?

Or maybe you have developed your own program to connect to the cloud, but every time you want to change the way you use the cloud, you have to modify the program, which can be a hassle, or you just put up with the inconvenience and continue using the cloud.

Since the cloud was introduced, it has been said that Excel, which was conveniently used on-site, should be discontinued and the cloud should be unified, which has resulted in a decrease in work efficiency. Why is there no idea of using both Excel and the cloud?

People often give up on these issues, thinking that they are just the way they are, and don't even realize that a problem is occurring.

Resolved by "connecting" with iPaaS

The problems with cloud usage mentioned above are caused by a lack of "connections."

  • Use of individual cloud applications
  • Connect and combine using iPaaS etc. (This is lacking)

Although "connectivity" is often forgotten, it is a very important element when utilizing the cloud. For example, what would happen to the concerns above if the following cloud services were available?

  • You can "connect" various systems and clouds using just a GUI
    (No need to do something difficult and time-consuming like writing code and programming)
  • Simply place an icon on the GUI to connect to various clouds and data.
  • By "connecting" the flow of processes and data with lines, linked processing is possible.

With this, you can instantly create a collaborative process that "connects" clouds by simply placing an icon to connect toSalesforce, placing an icon to connect to kintone, connecting the data flow with a line, and setting up data conversion as needed.

If you have introduced a cloud service but one department wants to use Excel, you can solve the problem in the same way by creating a process that reads Excel and data integration to the cloud.

This allows you to quickly and flexibly create not only cloud integration processes but also business automation as needed. This allows you to quickly respond to situations such as introducing a new cloud or revising IT based on real-world business insights.

What is needed for business use of iPaaS?

There are a variety of iPaaS services available. Some are inexpensive for individuals to use, while others are professional. What qualities are required for a solid iPaaS that can be trusted to handle your business?

Performance and reliability to serve as the foundation for your business

It functions as part of the IT system that handles business operations and supports the business itself. If the link processing stops, business operations will be affected, so it needs to be a professional-grade product that can provide the reliability, safety, and security required.

In addition to stable operation, it is also necessary to be able to properly recover from unforeseen events such as abnormal termination due to a cloud service or internet communication failure. For example, there is a risk with unstable integration methods, such as many RPAs.

Ability to link with a wide variety of systems and data

It is required to be able to link with a wide variety of systems and clouds. In particular, when used in the IT systems of Japanese companies, it is necessary to support not only major clouds, but also traditional IT products (such as domestic packaged products and mainframes).

High development productivity and high processing power

Naturally, it is required to be more productive than regular programming. Also, when used in business, large amounts of data processing may be required, and high processing response times may be required. It would be a disaster if the system became unable to process data as full-scale use progressed and the amount of data increased.

Depending on the development platform and development language of the cloud service, it may be difficult to achieve high processing performance in the first place. It is necessary to build it using a platform and development methods that can deliver solid performance.

Easy to use and well-designed for the workplace

"Connecting" products are most effective when the people at the business site (or the "IT departments" close to the business site) can use them themselves. This is because the people at the business site know best what needs to be done withIT.

If the workplace can develop its own software, cloud utilization will progress rapidly. However, there are problems if ease of use is prioritized. While "simple integration tools" that can only create simple processes are often easy to use, they often run into problems where they are unable to create the processes required for business. A good balance is needed, where the tool can be used on-site but also has the ability to create full-scale systems.

Related keywords (for further understanding)

  • EAI
    • It is a concept of "connecting" systems by data integration, and is a means of freely connecting various data and systems. It is a concept that has been used since long before the cloud era as a way to effectively utilize IT.
  • ETL
    • In the recent trend of actively working on data utilization, the majority of the work is not the data analysis itself, but rather the collection and preprocessing of data scattered around, from on-premise to cloud. This is a means to carry out such processing efficiently.
  • Cloud integration
    • Using the cloud in conjunction with external systems and other cloud services. In order to successfully introduce and utilize cloud services, achieving cloud integration is often as important as introducing and utilizing the cloud itself.
  • Excel Link
    • Excel is an essential tool in the use of IT in the real world. By effectively linking Excel with external IT, you can make the most of Excel's strengths while smoothly promoting IT use.
  • No-code/Low-code

If you are interested in our "Connecting" initiative,

The ultimate "connecting" tools: data integration software "DataSpider Cloud" and data integration platform "HULFT Square"

"DataSpider Cloud" and "HULFT Square" provided by our company are iPaaS cloud services developed in-house.

Another feature is that development can be done using only the GUI (no code) without writing code like in regular programming, so business staff who have a good understanding of their company's business can take the initiative to use it.

Try out DataSpider Cloud / HULFT Square 's "connecting" technology:

There are many simple collaboration tools available on the market, but this tool can be used with just a GUI and is easy enough for even non-programmers to use, while still providing "high development productivity" and "full-fledged performance that can serve as the foundation for business (professional use)."

It can smoothly solve the problem of "connecting disparate systems and data" that is hindering successful IT utilization. We offer a free trial version and online seminars where you can try it out for free, so we hope you will give it a try.


Why not try a PoC to see if "HULFT Square" can transform your business?

Why not try verifying how "connecting" can be utilized in your business, the feasibility of solving problems using data integration, and the benefits that can be obtained?

  • I want to automate data integration with SaaS, but I want to confirm the feasibility of doing so.
  • We want to move forward with data utilization, but we have issues with system integration
  • I want to consider data integration platform to achieve DX.

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