What is Cloud Integration? Types, Strategies & Tool

New systems, software, hardware, and other applications are routinely released to the market in the current corporate sector, which is fast-paced and continually expanding. The migration of many IT-related apps and activities to the cloud has been one of the most significant advances in recent years. The cloud can bring you to the world of new possibilities for collaboration, including DevOps, communication, and more.

Most businesses employ a variety of IT technologies, and it’s often critical that diverse systems and applications work together to provide better overall experiences. So, how does cloud-based integration work? When considering cloud integration for your business, what benefits can it provide, and what hurdles will you face?

What Is Cloud Integration?

Cloud integration is the method of connecting a vast range of processes, systems, data repositories, applications and other IT environments (using different tools and techniques). As they are connected, the end-user can utilize multiple devices to access these components in real-time. This can be done over the internet or the local network. Cloud integration was created to help you streamline and improve procedures both within your company and with your partners. It also improvises functionality, access, connectivity, and visibility. It also assists in breaking down the issues connected with the data silos. 

When only one set of people has access to certain data, this is referred to as a data silo. Poor system planning, competition between internal departments, like the Salesforce team and production team, or even hatred between various staff groups can contribute to this. Data silos may wreak havoc on your company’s efficiency and productivity.

To eliminate data silos, custom cloud integration combines all your information components. And as more businesses use a mix of XaaS and actual on-site tools and software, having a mechanism to connect all these services becomes not just useful but also critical to how your company functions.

Why Use Cloud Integration?

Cloud connection enables quick and dependable data synchronisation, as well as the elimination of redundant data and increased operational efficiency. By combining services and data, your company will have the tools to automate a variety of similar operations that can be completed and changed at any time and from any location. Cloud integration improves corporate performance, but only when done correctly. We’ve seen a quick shift from on-premise apps to a hybrid mix of software-as-a-service(SaaS) and on-premise apps in recent years, as well as integration between different cloud providers and platforms.

How Does Cloud Integration Work?

When it comes to cloud integration, there is no one-size-fits-all solution. Which path you take will be determined by the nature of your business, the tools and apps you employ, and the degree to which your existing systems and processes are fragmented. The cloud integration works on the three technologies, which are:

• Cloud to cloud integration
• Cloud to on-site integration
• Hybrid system or combination of the two

Benefits of Cloud Integration

The most obvious benefit of cloud integration solutions is that they synchronise all your data and apps. As a result, they – and your staff – will be able to work more efficiently and communicate more effectively. Some of the most crucial benefits of the cloud integration are listed below:

• Improvements in the operational efficiency of your business 
• Increases scalability and flexibility
• Faster and quicker to get your products and services on the market
• Improve the internal communications in the cooperates
• Better customer support, experience, increased retention and service
• Financial gains
• System reliability 
• Competitiveness

Types and Methods of Cloud Integration

The IT team of an organisation can set-up the cloud-to-on-premises, cloud-to-cloud, and hybrid of the above-mentioned types of integration. It entails applications and the data, but it might also consist of the systems and the services.

Cloud Data Integration makes the connection which is wholly related to the data. It also allows the data flow between various repositories.

Cloud application integrations bring a variety of applications together and guarantee their functioning and interoperability. In addition, it helps in exchanging requests and other tasks which are necessary to start the business.

What Is a Cloud Integration Platform?

There are numerous cloud integration platforms available, and it is very difficult to decide which platform is better than the others. Still, some of the cloud integration platforms are listed below:

• JitterBit
• PieSync
• Zapier
• MuleSoft Anypoint Platform
• IBM App Connect
• Dell Boomi

Cloud Integration Strategy

• Adopt a business-oriented mindset.
• Focus on the significance of data quality.
• Consider the company as a whole.
• Take into account external requirements.
• Create a well-defined governance framework.

Challenges of Cloud Integration

Every day, new risks emerge, and existing threats develop, making it difficult for cloud providers and their clients to keep ahead of the security landscape. This is especially true when DevOps and rapid development approaches grow, as traditional security standards and processes may fall short in these settings.

Some of the most common challenges of the cloud integration are:-

• Breach of personal information, Loss of system availability, DoS attacks, tampering with data, Unauthorised entry, Insecure physical infrastructure.
• As many firms are shifting sensitive data to the cloud, where retention durations are longer, threats are compounded.
• As a result, when it comes time to mitigate concessions, they might be even more detrimental.

Why Sharing Data via Cloud Integration Is Crucial?

Cloud integration platforms could assist your small business in streamlining and simplifying application management. More crucially, they can aid in the dismantling of operational silos by allowing teams to cooperate and connect irrespective of how, where, or when company data is used. Your team will be able to give meaningful insights for making most of the cloud-based apps at scale as a result of this.

Cloud Integration Tools

Hevo Data

Hevo Data is a No-code Data Pipeline that enables you to transport data from 100+ sources to your selected Data Warehouse/destination and display it in a business intelligence tool. 

Dell Boomi

Dell’s Boomi is an integration tool that is based on cloud technology. Boomi has the potential to person a wide range of exciting functions for all the businesses of any size.