An embedded integration platform for SaaS companies is a relatively young proposition and not one that everyone is familiar with.
This step-by-step guide explains how an embedded integration platform (also known as an Embedded iPaaS), would sit invisibly within your SaaS. As well as how the roles are split between the embedded integration platform, the SaaS (that’s you) and your customers/end-users.
What is an embedded integration platform?
An embedded integration platform is a software solution that enables SaaS vendors to create, manage and deploy integration workflows for their clients in-app. As a result, a SaaS has a full white-labelled embedded integration system at its disposal and its clients aren’t shipped off to a third party.
We’ve gone into the weeds about what is an embedded iPaaS (integration platform as a service), so head there if you are unfamiliar.
But if you have some understanding of an embedded iPaaS and are curious about how it would work with your SaaS stay right here!
Why do SaaS companies use Embedded Integration Platforms?
SaaS companies often utilise embedded integration platforms to enhance the value and functionality of their products. These platforms enable seamless integration with other software applications which allow SaaS companies to offer their customers a more comprehensive and connected experience.
By integrating with commonly used tools and services, SaaS companies can attract a wider customer base and increase user engagement. Embedded integration platforms also streamline development efforts. This is because they provide pre-built connectors and APIs, reducing the time and resources required for building and maintaining integrations. Ultimately, these platforms empower SaaS companies to deliver more robust, interconnected solutions. These solutions cater to the evolving needs of their customers in an increasingly interconnected digital landscape.
What Kinds of Enterprise Integration Problems are Solved by an Embedded Integration Platform?
An embedded integration platform can solve a variety of enterprise integration problems. It does so by providing a set of tools and capabilities that enable seamless connectivity and data exchange between different systems, applications, and services within an organisation.
Here are some common enterprise integration problems that can be addressed by an embedded integration platform:
- Application Connectivity: Many enterprises use a diverse set of applications and systems that may not natively communicate with each other. An embedded integration platform can facilitate the integration of these applications, ensuring that they can share data and functionality effectively.
- Data Synchronisation: Data is often stored in multiple systems or databases, leading to data silos and inconsistencies. An embedded integration platform can automate data synchronisation processes, ensuring that data remains consistent and up-to-date across all systems.
- Workflow Automation: Enterprises often have complex business processes that require coordination between different systems and departments. An embedded integration platform can automate these workflows, streamlining processes and reducing manual intervention.
- Real-time Data Streaming: In industries where real-time data is critical (e.g., finance, healthcare, IoT), embedded integration platforms can facilitate the streaming of data from various sources. As a result, it enables real-time decision-making and monitoring.
- Cloud Integration: As organisations adopt cloud services, they often need to integrate their on-premises systems with cloud-based applications and services. Embedded integration platforms can provide connectors and tools to simplify cloud integration.
- Legacy System Integration: Many organisations still rely on legacy systems that lack modern APIs or integrations. An embedded integration platform can act as a bridge, enabling these legacy systems to communicate with newer applications and services.
- Partner and Supplier Integration: Enterprises often need to exchange data with external partners, suppliers, and customers. Embedded integration platforms can facilitate secure and efficient data exchange with external stakeholders.
- Scalability: As businesses grow, their integration needs become more complex. An embedded integration platform can offer scalability to handle increased data volumes and the connectivity of additional systems and applications.
- Monitoring and Analytics: Embedded integration platforms typically provide monitoring and analytics capabilities, allowing organisations to track the performance of their integrations, detect issues, and optimize processes.
- Security and Compliance: Data security and compliance with regulations (such as GDPR or HIPAA) are paramount concerns for many enterprises. Embedded integration platforms often include security features like data encryption, authentication, and access control to ensure compliance.
- Cost Reduction: By automating integration processes, reducing manual data entry, and minimising data errors, embedded integration platforms can help organisations reduce operational costs.
- Time-to-Market: Rapid automation and connectivity capabilities provided by embedded platforms can shorten the time it takes to launch new applications, services, or business initiatives.
Overall, an embedded integration platform is a versatile tool for addressing a wide range of connectivity and automation challenges within an enterprise, helping organizations improve efficiency, agility, and competitiveness. The specific problems it solves will depend on the organisation’s unique integration requirements and goals.
Respective Roles In SaaS Integration
The basic premise on which an embedded integration platform is built is that the creation of integrations is split into two parts, the code and the solution.
‘The code’ is where you create the capability for application A to communicate with application B. Every SaaS company that wants to self-create a direct integration starts by understanding the third-party application ‘B’ and coding the communication capabilities.
An embedded integration platform takes away the need to code because it creates and maintains the building blocks. As a result, this part is ‘out of the box’.
‘The solution’ is where APIs are instructed to interact to achieve a real-life objective. For instance, data movement or trigger-based action. At this point, an embedded iPaaS powers the creation of the solution using a GUI interface. You, the SaaS company, own and create the solution itself.
Working with an Embedded Integration Platform in Steps
Step 1:
An embedded iPaaS creates connectors (APIs) to enable communication between applications and list them in an API marketplace or library.
Step 2:
You, the SaaS request the connectors you need for creating integration workflows. Did you know some platforms allow you to build your own?! Cyclr has a custom connector builder tool you can use!
Step 3:
An embedded iPaaS creates connectors (APIs) to enable communication between applications and list them in an API marketplace or library.
Step 4:
The system will also provide the environment and toolkit, typically a GUI interface, for quick integration creation using the installed API connectors.
Step 5:
You’ll build and manage the integration workflows in the embedded iPaaS to ensure everything is running smoothly for your customers.
Step 6:
The platform will handle the user authentication process between applications (lucky you!)
Step 7:
But, you’ll need to manage all end-user data errors.
Step 8:
You’ll also manage end-user queries in relation to any authorisation-level issues.
Step 9:
The embedded iPaaS will also provide the tools for you to deliver these solutions to your end-users in various UI forms.
Step 10:
This means you are able to customise the UI interface, so you can jazz it up and be in line with your SaaS branding.
Step 11:
As well as building and delivery environments, an embedded iPaaS will also provide a place for handling and responding to data errors.
Step 12:
In the environment just mentioned it means you’ll be able to easily provide support to your end users.
Step 13:
An embedded system will provide an account management and monitoring dashboard to check the overall health of integrations, usage and errors.
Step 14:
Finally, an iPaaS will provide you, the SaaS, with all the support you need to get the most value from the platform and achieve your integration goals.
Your Integration Toolkit
In short, an embedded iPaaS owns and manages the ‘tools’ and you own and manage your customers and the integration workflows required to meet their objectives.
This type of platform enables you to rapidly deliver more direct integrations in an agile fashion. Thus you can adapt and change them quickly.
One of the main benefits of using an embedded iPaaS is that it requires a lot lower engineering overhead than you would require to deliver them directly from scratch. But you must still manage them, the solution is after all the magic sauce that keeps your clients happy.
Want to learn more about Cyclr and Embedded iPaaS?
Get in touch and choose whether you want a demo, a free trial or just ask questions our team are ready and waiting to get your integration journey started!
