How to choose an enterprise integration solution?

Integration service providers offer many types of services. Some create custom point-to-point integrations between specific applications. Others offer fully automated, cloud-native integration platforms (like ONEiO) that help businesses grow and scale their IT service management (ITSM) systems with less manual effort.

Some providers act more like project managers, handing off the actual integration work to developers who build each connection manually. Others work on top of iPaaS platforms, building the integrations themselves. 

At ONEiO, we offer something different. We are an integration solutions company that built our own automation platform using our own proprietary technology. 

Our service combines advanced tech, a DevOps mindset, and years of ITSM experience to give you a smarter way to manage integrations.

Our platform connects instantly with widely-used tools like ServiceNow, Zendesk, and Jira. If your tool isn't already supported, we can usually add it within two weeks (no heavy coding or custom projects required). 

Everything runs in the cloud, and we maintain 100% uptime, so your integrations are always active and reliable.

Our standardized approach follows a clear lifecycle:

First, we work with you to map out your service delivery landscape and identify the systems and processes that need to communicate.

Next, we prioritize the integration of systems that have the most impact on your service delivery to kickstart your ecosystem.

We then automate the communication process using our rule robot, which establishes the correct communication rules based on the processing logic we agree on.

The result is a fully integrated ecosystem, with real-time monitoring of communications. Customers can add any tool or service to the ecosystem, equipped with the knowledge that it will work seamlessly with their existing systems.

What are the best practices for enterprise integration? 

An effective enterprise integration doesn’t need to be detailed to be impactful.

It balances the key elements of people, processes, and tools in harmony in a way that aligns with your business objectives.

Consider including the following elements in your enterprise integration strategy:

1. Define clear integration objectives

A smart enterprise integration strategy starts with defining the problem you are trying to solve.

• Do you have specific enterprise management tools you’re looking to integrate?
• Do you have multiple internal and external service providers that you need to align?
• Do you need to combine information from legacy or self-built tools with your service desk or CRM?
• Do you need more visibility on service levels or vendor performance?
• Do you get flooded with an influx of integration requests from your business?

Whatever your data integration objectives are, make them clear as the goals in your enterprise integration strategy in a way that communicates their value to the business.

2. Assess your current integration landscape

Take a hard look at your existing services and technologies. Identify what’s working well and what’s not. Your strategy is a good framework for driving change.

Many service functions are burdened with technical debt. Make sure your enterprise integration strategy gives a forward-looking view of which services will better serve your customers now and in the future.

This evaluation will serve as your foundation, helping you pinpoint gaps and areas for improvement.

3. Choose the right tools and platforms

It’s not difficult these days to find tools or platforms for enterprise integrations. On the software comparison website Capterra, there are profiles on over 750 integration software solutions, including ONEiO.

When you’re evaluating options, keep in mind how flexible they are for enterprise integration needs and how many resources you plan to commit to maintaining the integrations. 

Here are common service integration solutions:

• Point-to-point integrations
• Integration platforms as a Service (iPaaS)
• Integrations through ITSM portals
• Integrations as a Service

Not all enterprise integration tools are created equal. 

Some might excel at cloud integration but falter with legacy systems. Do your homework and select tools that align with your objectives and technological environment. 

4. Prioritize scalability and flexibility

Business needs evolve, and so should your integration strategy. An effective enterprise integration strategy should consider the vendor landscape and business requirements of your business today and in the future. 

5. Foster a collaborative culture

Integration is not solely a tech initiative; it's a business strategy. Ensure all stakeholders, from IT to marketing, understand its importance and contribute to its implementation. As an IT leader, it’s your job to sell this fact to your organization.

When you update enterprise integrations, you may change the way people work. Be sure to consider change management and training to ensure your service delivery is not disrupted.

6. Iterate and improve

Finally, remember that perfection is a moving target. Continuously monitor your strategy’s performance and be ready to tweak it as your business grows and new technologies emerge.

A strategy is not a to-do list. It can be improved over time as business value drivers develop and your capabilities improve.

What is an alternative to an enterprise integration platform? 

Instead of buying and configuring these platforms yourself, with all the service complexity that entails, consider a managed integration service like ONEiO that delivers Integration Operations as a complete solution.

This model removes:

• Licensing and setup costs
  
• The need for in-house experts
  
• Daily management and support
  
• Risks from system changes
  
  

Companies using managed services see:

• 50%+ lower integration costs
  
• 80% faster setup times
  
• 99.9% uptime
  
• Flat, predictable pricing

Our conclusion 

Choosing the right platform depends on what you use today and what you need tomorrow.

• ONEiO is best for organizations wanting automated, managed integrations, especially IT service providers needing B2B connectivity with predictable costs
• IBM is best for hybrid systems: connecting legacy and cloud environments
• Oracle is great for Oracle users: deep integration within Oracle ecosystems
• SAP works best with SAP products: comprehensive SAP-centric integration
• Microsoft and AWS are strong in their own clouds: native integration within their respective platforms

But here's the bigger question: should your team be managing enterprise integrations at all?

With tech talent in short supply, many leaders are choosing managed services. This helps their teams focus on innovation, not fixing connections.

f you are looking for ways to keep your tools and people up to speed, contact us for a free 15-minute assessment to see how we can help you reach better integration outcomes. With a 100% success guarantee!