Data transfer middleware makes your work more efficient

Make your work more efficient with "Data Transfer Middleware"!

What method does your company use to link data between different systems?
Until now, common methods have been to "send files in bulk via FTP" or "enter data twice."
However, both of these methods had problems such as lack of immediacy and inefficiency.
Instead, what is currently attracting attention is "data transfer middleware," which can efficiently link data in real time.
In this article, we will explain what "data transfer middleware" is and how data integration using "data transfer middleware" differs from existing data integration.

1. What is "data transfer middleware"?

1-1 What is "middleware"?

"Middleware" is a type of software that sits between the operating system (OS) and application software.
Typically, functions that are likely to be commonly used by many applications are provided as OS functions.
However, there are certain functions that are not general enough to be included in an OS, but are always commonly used in certain fields.
Since it would be inefficient to develop these functions individually, they are provided in the form of "middleware."
Many types of "middleware" are designed to be compatible with multiple operating systems and hardware, so that applications do not need to worry about differences in operating systems.

1-2 What is "data integration middleware"?

"data integration middleware" refers to middleware provided for the purpose of linking data from various business systems and cloud services running on different operating systems.

2. Differences between "Data Transfer Middleware" and other data integration methods

Before the advent of "data transfer middleware," two main methods were used to data integration between different systems: "file transfer" and "double data entry."

2-1 Difference between "file transfer" and "data transfer middleware"

(1) What is "file transfer"?
"file transfer" refers to sending and receiving files over a network.
A communication procedure called FTP (File Transfer Protocol) is often used for "file transfer."

"file transfer" can be used immediately without installing any special software, so it is used by many companies.

(2) Data processing method for "file transfer " "file transfer" uses a bulk processing method called "batch processing."

"Batch processing" is a method of writing a certain amount of data to a single file and then transferring the data all at once.

(3) Difference between "file transfer" and "Data Transfer Middleware" The "batch processing" used in "file transfer" is suitable for processing that does not require real-time performance, such as sending employee payroll data to a bank at the end of the month.

However, it is not suitable for processes that require immediacy, such as "When one unit of product A is sold in the sales management system" ⇒ "Deduct one unit from the inventory management system."

In contrast, "data transfer middleware" can perform data integration processing as soon as the need arises.

2-2 Difference between "double data entry" and "data transfer middleware"

(1) What is "double data entry"? "Double data entry" refers to a person manually entering the same data into multiple systems.

"Double data entry" has been used as an operational method when it is not possible (or difficult) to data integration via "file transfer" due to differences in data formats between systems, such as between an "quotation/billing system" and an "accounting system."

Because it was a manual process, there were no system costs involved, but it was time-consuming, there was a high chance of errors, and it was very inefficient.

(2) Data processing method for "double data entry" Since it is manual entry, it is basically processed one record at a time.

However, processing cannot proceed without human intervention, which creates a time lag.

Although it is possible to handle multiple data formats, as mentioned in (1), the possibility of human error is very high.

(3) The difference between "double data entry" and "data transfer middleware" By utilizing "data transfer middleware," it is possible to link data in different formats and, unlike human processing, it is possible to process data instantly and without error.

For reasons such as 2-1 and 2-2 above, an increasing number of companies are introducing "data transfer middleware."

summary

Now that multiple databases, file systems, business systems, cloud services, etc. are mixed within a single company, a major challenge is how to efficiently and safely connect the data held by each system.
One solution that is attracting attention is "data transfer middleware."
"Data transfer middleware" not only links data from different systems, but also includes functions for detailed linking processes, such as handling transfer errors and automatically starting applications after files arrive.
Compare the functions, features, track record, etc. to select the one that is best suited to your company.

• Download "80 HULFT Use Cases," a collection of use cases for HULFT, an intra-enterprise and inter-enterprise communications middleware, and DataSpider, data integration tool

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