Web integration

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(February 2017)

Web integration is a new method for application and information integration . Modern software systems often offer an HTML interface for browser- based operation. Web integration uses exactly this user interface for automated interaction with the application and in this respect represents a further development of the traditional, mainly terminal- oriented screen scraping (for host integration).

principle

With the help of graphically oriented development tools, an instruction sequence is defined (e.g. Load Page → Submit Form → Loop Table → Extract Data ), which automates an interaction typically carried out by humans in the browser.

In this way, on the one hand, data can be read and interpreted by web-based systems (for further storage in databases / files), on the other hand, functions of existing web applications can easily be reused in a new context (e.g. through transformation into a web service ), even if actually no native API exists.

Powerful pattern recognition allows the robust integration of dynamic websites, where the position of individual HTML tags, e.g. B. changed regularly through personalization or advertising banners .

advantages

  • Improved coordination between IT and specialist departments . Processes on the user interface level are traceable and visible. The same process on the application logic level (approach for classic integration) can only be understood by programmers who know the interfaces .
  • Reduction of complexity . Many departments are often involved in larger IT projects. This requires complex organizational coordination. Web integration is a non-invasive integration method that does not require any adaptation of the original applications. This avoids resource-intensive architecture changes and their influence on existing applications and infrastructures.
  • Shorter project times with reduced risk . With browser-oriented development tools, integrations can be carried out in a significantly shorter time with less development knowledge. Basic programming experience and HTML knowledge are sufficient.

Demarcation

Web integration is usually not a complete replacement for traditional enterprise application integration . Rather, it is used in addition in many projects in order to be able to implement individual requirements either at all or at least in a significantly reduced time with lower risk.