Key points to consider when choosing data integration middleware

What should you look for when choosing middleware for data integration? The functionality required and the cost tolerance vary widely from company to company. Here are some points to keep in mind when selecting data integration tool.

1. Gather information thoroughly before selecting data integration middleware

When looking for data integration middleware, it is likely that the underlying reason is due to issues or problems with existing systems. Each company has a variety of issues and challenges, such as "The performance degradation of the on-premise system is causing a bottleneck, slowing down business operations," "The existing system can only be operated by specialists, so we want to simplify it by adding functions," or "We are considering introducing cloud computing, but are unsure how to integrate it with our existing systems." There may also be cases where multiple issues are intertwined.

First, it is important to identify the problems with the current system and prioritize how to solve them. By comparing the current situation with the desired future, you will be able to see what data integration method you should use. data integration middleware you should choose will depend on which issue you prioritize: reducing costs and labor, or cloud integration.

2. Points to consider when choosing data integration middleware

Balance of cost and functionality

Each company offers data integration middleware with its own strengths and areas of expertise, and there are a variety of products, including multi-functional ones and ones that specialize in certain functions.Prices vary depending on the product, with some being packaged as a complete set and others priced according to the number of users.

Check whether the required functions are covered, and also check whether the cost is acceptable based on the scale of use, such as the number of users. Also, if the implementation requires a huge amount of work, the cost performance will decrease. In actual data integration, it is possible that unexpected data will be sent and received, so you should also check whether additional development costs will be incurred to avoid this.

Can cloud integration be performed smoothly?

Many data integration middleware have adapters that enable cloud integration, but you should carefully determine whether they are capable of handling the unique behavior of the cloud, which can sometimes result in unstable data transmission.

If you are currently using or considering adopting a cloud platform, it is important to check whether it can accommodate its unique characteristics and quirks. For example, the Salesforce API imposes limits on the total number of SOQL queries that can be issued, and errors will occur if the limit is exceeded (governor limits). It is a good idea to check in a practical environment whether the tool can absorb and clear these limits.

Can it be used by business personnel rather than the system department?

There are many data integration middleware that claim to be non-programming or non-coding, but one thing you should check in advance is whether they can actually be used by business personnel rather than specialized system personnel.If a trial version is available, it is recommended that both system personnel and business personnel use it and evaluate it.

Some tools have help features such as a "reverse reference" that allow you to search for methods based on what you want to achieve. When it comes to practical use, whether a tool has a comprehensive set of help features is also an important factor when selecting a tool.

Extensive implementation track record and areas of expertise

Not just for data integration middleware, but the number of product implementations and the types of companies in which it is accepted are important indicators when selecting a tool. The number of product implementations is a measure of a tool's reliability, and it can also be considered a sign that feedback from many companies who have actually used it has been incorporated into the product. It's also important to pay attention to whether the manufacturer is providing updates and other information in a timely and optimal manner.

summary

With the wide variety of data integration middleware available today, choosing the right tool is an important issue for many companies. It's important to determine the characteristics of the middleware, whether it's a good fit for your company, and whether it will be usable for the long term.

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Key points to consider when choosing data integration middleware