You know that slow, resource-heavy integrations can stall onboarding and reduce profit margins.

That’s also the main reason why you’re searching for “What is Workato”. Right? 

In this article, our expert will talk about Workato’s core features, what it is used for, and compare some of the best alternatives on the market, including a popular integration as a service option.

What is Workato?

Workato is a cloud-based tool that helps businesses connect their apps and automate tasks. It works with both cloud and in-house systems. With Workato, companies can link their software, keep data in sync, and create automatic processes. The best part? You don’t need to be a coding expert to use it.

Are you struggling with complex IT integrations, time-consuming manual processes, and disconnected systems? Streamline your enterprise IT automation with ONEiO.

Key features of Workato

Workato delivers some key features you need to connect your applications:

• API management platform:
  Workato has an API management platform that allows you to create, manage, and monitor APIs for integrated communication between different software systems. The platform supports REST and SOAP APIs and offers tools for building, deploying, and securing APIs. It includes pre-built connectors and templates to facilitate low-code integrations.
  

• Data orchestration:
  Workato supports synchronization of data across multiple systems in real-time or through scheduled batches. It supports a wide range of data sources, including databases, cloud services, and on-premises systems. Users can map, transform, and cleanse data to ensure accuracy and consistency.
  

• B2B/EDI integration:
  Workato allows your business to exchange electronic documents with trading partners using standardized formats like X12 and EDIFACT. It offers pre-configured EDI templates for common documents such as orders, invoices, and shipping notices.
  

• Pre-built connectors:
  Workato's app integrations include popular SaaS applications like Salesforce, NetSuite, and Shopify. The platform includes a drag-and-drop interface and automated workflows between different apps.
  

• System integration: Workato can integrate a wide array of enterprise systems, including ERP, CRM, and HR platforms. Workato provides tools for data transformation, error handling, and monitoring, facilitating seamless data exchange and process automation across systems.

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How does Workato work?

Workato applications are built on three interconnected foundations that work together to deliver automation solutions to your business: 

Data storage layer:
The data storage layer utilizes data tables to house application information, accessible through Workato's native connector system.

User interface component:
The user interface component combines Workato's automatically generated elements with custom Pages that developers create to tailor the user experience in the Workflow apps portal.

Business logic layer:
The business logic layer operates through Workato recipes that define how the application processes workflows and integrates with other systems.

This architecture enables fast application development while keeping a cohesive user experience across all components.

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An example of Workato’s Workflow App.

Workato runs in the cloud using AWS and Google Cloud. Many clients share the system, but each one’s data stays private. 

It also keeps your data safe with strong security. They lock your data when it’s stored and when it moves. They also control who can see what and keep track of all actions.

Another detail about how Workato works: It uses what they call “recipes”.

Recipes are visual maps of how your work flows. You can build and test them without knowing how to code. Each recipe shows the steps between apps in a simple way. You can create complex tasks with a simple drag-and-drop tool.

What is Workato used for? 

Here are some examples of Workato use cases:

• Connecting business tools:
  Workato links your sales, HR, and finance apps to work as one system. 
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• Building simple workflows:
  With Workato, you can make apps that do tasks for you without writing code. 
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• Moving data between systems:
  Workato moves your data from one place to another and keeps it up to date. 
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• Chatbot automation:
  Workato adds bots to Slack and Teams that can run tasks when you chat with them. 
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• Customer support:
  Workato can link your support desk to other apps. 

Workato’s endpoint integration

Why choose Workato?

Here are some reasons why you should consider Workato: 

• Process automation:
  Workato combines API-first integration with a simple, low-code interface. This lets both IT teams and business users build end-to-end workflows without relying on fragile screen-scraping bots. For example, if you visit a suspicious domain, Workato can trigger a security workflow that creates an alert in Splunk, checks the domain using VirusTotal, and sends a Slack message with a one-click remediation option if malware is found. In another case, employees can refer job candidates through a chatbot in Slack or Teams. The workflow then adds the candidate to the applicant tracking system and keeps everyone updated as the status changes. These automations are flexible, scalable, and built to support both system logic and human interaction.

• AI Integration:
  Workato includes artificial intelligence in its integration platforms. Through innovations like Workato Genies, the company continues advancing generative AI capabilities, making it a good choice in case you’re seeking AI-enhanced development tools and intelligent automation workflows.

• Comprehensive Platform:
  Workato's orchestration platform allows your organization to tackle diverse integration challenges from a single solution. Workato broadened its scope in 2024 with enhanced support for business-to-business integrations, master data management, robotic process automation, and intelligent AI-driven workflows.

• Good User Satisfaction:
  Most users are actively endorsing the platform to their industry colleagues. Users consistently highlight the platform's intuitive design and responsive support team as advantages that set it apart from competitors.

Workato can be a solid choice if you're looking for an automation-focused integration platform that combines iPaaS capabilities with workflow automation. 

5 Workato alternatives