Modern business leaders understand that storing data and running applications in the public cloud can optimize costs. Many also embrace a multicloud approach to minimize downtime, heighten simplicity and satisfy various enterprise needs. Taking the next step and working with a cloud integration service can help your business simplify the management of your entire cloud ecosystem and fully utilize your platforms.
Key Takeaways:
- Cloud integration improves an enterprise’s ability to easily access systems in their cloud environments and increases the visibility of all data and applications.
- Cloud integration platforms should prioritize scalability, automation and the protection of data.
- The ideal service provider is a constant source of support when issues arise surrounding security, compatibility and compliance during the integration process.
Learn everything you need to know here about the role an integration service should play in strengthening your company’s cloud strategy.
What can cloud integration services do for you?
At the fundamental level, cloud integration refers to combining multiple clouds into a single environment, often a hybrid multicloud environment.
Cloud integration services provide the tools, technologies and expertise necessary for connecting applications, systems and entire IT environments. These services ultimately enable improved data exchange and faster deployments. Once your organization can deploy processes and workloads entirely in a cloud or hybrid environment, you have a successful cloud integration strategy.
Based on your businesses’ personalized needs, your service provider can assist in the integration process by employing one or both of these distinct integration methods:
- Data integration on the syncing data between repositories and enhancing the transfer or processing of data batches.
- Application integration focuses on connecting apps for continued compatibility and interoperability through a more efficient process of issuing requests and commands to and from application endpoints.
These types of integration allow access to data within the cloud environments from multiple devices within the same network. The goal of a cloud integration service is cost-effectiveness for your business, as well as accessibility and simplicity for the end user.
When a company’s relevant data and applications exist in a single integrated environment rather than across multiple separate platforms, it is easier to get a comprehensive view of enterprise goals and customer needs.
Identify the qualities of a strong cloud integration service
When you collaborate with an integration service, the vendor typically provides an integration platform as a service (iPaaS) that automates tasks during integration. The iPaaS approach removes the burden of building a platform or training dedicated IT teams from consumer organizations.
Not all iPaaS providers offer the same suite of services. Understanding the strong points of different cloud integration service options is essential before committing to the vendor that best suits your business needs.
The most crucial consideration regards data protection, as platforms must adequately safeguard data during and after integration. A faulty platform can lead to security risks and compliance issues affecting your entire company.
Your chosen platform should also enable easy scalability. Platforms with pre-built connectors allow you to add new services with little resistance. The best iPaaS providers will empower you to do so without needing to learn or generate custom code to manage your integrated environment.
Automation is another key feature that the best cloud integration services emphasize. Employees across various teams can save time by automating simple processes within the integrated environment. You can even automate the integration of future applications and services entirely.
Acknowledge the challenges of cloud integration
Cloud integration is rarely straightforward, especially for those without an integration platform. Compatibility issues and other challenges will likely arise during the process, but acknowledging these challenges can help you decide which provider best suits your needs.
Architectural issues between the various clouds in your environment often present the most immediately apparent challenge. Poor compatibility can be difficult to overcome, such as when a system’s design prioritizes singular scalability over its ability to synchronize with external systems. You need a cloud integration service that can recognize and circumvent these issues.
Security concerns should also top your list of points to address with your service provider. Sloppy integration can result in vulnerabilities that your organization and its partners might overlook but that will be glaringly obvious to some cybercriminals.
Integration can change the circumstances under which data moves across environments, presenting challenges with compliance as well. As your cloud environment shifts into an integrated network, you must work closely with your third-party partners to ensure you adhere to GDPR and other data privacy regulations.
Explore your cloud integration service options
When you fully understand the benefits of working with a reliable cloud integration service and the challenges your chosen partner must overcome, you can take the next step by reflecting on your company’s specific needs. Keep these key points in mind to confidently explore your cloud integration platform options.
The ideal integration platform to spur your enterprise’s growth is compatible with the rest of your environment, flexible to your needs and future-proof regarding accommodating a cloud-native approach. Nutanix Cloud products provide a seamless hybrid multicloud infrastructure that enables a strong foundation for cloud integration efforts.
One survey indicates that 85% of enterprises consider the hybrid cloud their ideal operating model. As cloud computing continues to grow and iPaaS becomes the preferred option for creating an integrated environment, the enterprises that show interest in a hybrid future are likely to act on those interests.
Your cloud integration service provider should constantly support and collaborate during the processes' high and low points.
Learn more about how the hybrid cloud empowers simplified data management and why enterprises are adopting hybrid infrastructure.
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