Azure Integration Services
Microsoft offers a solution for Integration Platform as a Service (iPaaS) and calls it Azure Integration Services: A cloud-based integration technology that enables users to connect new integrated solutions, applications and services on-premises and in the cloud. Azure Integration Services facilitate the consistency and scalability of business processes and provide the ability to publish APIs for developers to create new business models. Read on to learn about the components of Microsoft's modern integration technology, as well as the challenges and benefits.
The Components of Azure Integration Services
Azure Integration Services comprises six main components that work together to simplify data flows and automate processes.
Azure Logic Apps: Create workflows and orchestrate business processes to connect multiple services in the cloud and on-premises.
Azure Service Bus: Connect on-premises and cloud-based applications and services to implement secure messaging workflows.
Azure API Management: To securely publish your APIs to internal and external developers connecting to backend systems that can be hosted anywhere.
Azure Event Gr id: A fully managed event routing service with a publish-subscribe model that simplifies the development of event-based applications.
Azure Functions: To simplify complex orchestration problems with an event-driven serverless compute platform.
Azure Data Factory: For visually integrating data sources to construct ETL and ELT processes and accelerate data transformation.
These services provide a robust platform for the integration of applications, data and processes that is essential for a modern business landscape. A distinction is made between:
Business process-driven integration (Azure Logic Apps)
API-driven integration (Azure API Management)
Event-driven integration (Azure Event Grid)
These can be integrated natively and seamlessly. They can also be used individually. Business processes that need to communicate with multiple systems in a heterogeneous landscape are often the first step. In this case, logic apps are the first step.
Azure Logic Apps offers a variety of integrated connectors that enable users to seamlessly integrate data and processes between different services and applications. Logic Apps can be seen as the big brother of Power Automate on the Microsoft Power Platform can be seen as its big brother.
Features and Benefits of Microsoft Logic Apps
Integration with various services: Logic Apps offers a wide range of integrated connectors for multiple services such as Office/Microsoft 365, Dynamics 365, Salesforce, Twitter, Dropbox and many others. These connectors facilitate the integration of data and processes between different applications.
Automation of processes: With Logic Apps, users can automate complex business processes by defining multiple steps and conditions in a workflow. This can help reduce human error and improve the efficiency of business processes.
Easy configuration: Logic Apps offers a graphical user interface that allows users to configure workflows without writing or programming skills. It is also possible for users with technical skills to create and edit workflows in Visual Studio. This combination facilitates the creation and management of workflows for users with different technical skills.
Scalability: Logic Apps is a scalable solution that enables users to react quickly and easily to changes in business processes. Users can flexibly add new connectors and workflows or adapt existing workflows to respond to changing business requirements.
Overall, Azure Logic Apps provides a simple and effective way to automate and integrate business processes. It is a scalableysolution that can help organizations improve efficiency and productivity.
Challenges of the Logic Apps
Although Azure Logic Apps offers many advantages, there are also some challenges and disadvantages when using it.
Complexity
While Logic Apps has a graphical user interface to create workflows, configuring the integration with heterogeneous systems can be complex. Configuring and maintaining workflows with Logic Apps can therefore be a challenge for less tech-savvy users.
The cost
Logic Apps is a cloud-based service and its costs depend on the number of workflows executed and the resources used. This can be confusing when planning costs for companies that run a large number of workflows.
Limited flexibility
Although Logic Apps offers many built-in connectors, users may not always be able to find the necessary connectors to meet specific requirements. In such cases, users may need to resort to customized connectors or other access options to meet their needs.
In general, managing a large number of Logic apps is a challenge. This also includes support during operation if a workflow runs faulty or a system is unresponsive.
Do you have questions about the Azure Integration Services?
The Solution: Middleware Management with OneEAI
The OneEAI product from Arvato Systems can provide a remedy here. EAI stands for Enterprise Application Integration and is a middleware that handles data exchange and communication between systems. OneEAI has many different additional building blocks that make the challenges of Azure Integration Services look like an easy hurdle:
Proactive testing of the interfaces
Uncovering optimizations
Comprehensive free text data search
Monitoring of message processing and communication channels
Automatic generation of tickets and ticket resolution
Support and takeover of routine and support activities
OneEAI is the perfect complement to start iPaaS. This also applies to the integration services of the SAP Integration Suite.
Conclusion
Let's summarize: Data brings decisive added value. However, data is only valuable if it is complete, up-to-date and accurate. Data has a context. Data is the basis for good low-code and AI applications. Merging data no longer has to be a challenge - thanks to iPaaS platforms. Data forms the basis for automation, low-code applications and AI-based solutions.
Written by