Enterprise Application Integration

DEFINITION

Enterprise Application Integration (EAI) is a process of data and application integration technologies which focuses on linking transactional applications together, typically in real time. This differentiates it from EII (Enterprise Information Integration) , which is focused on presenting a unified view of data. It is common knowledge that EII is viewed as a bi-product of EAI, because, since the application processes are interlinked, the flow of information needs to be channeled for a unified view. EAI tools are also generally focused on point-to-point application communications.

Technologies that can make up an EAI solution include web services, transaction monitors, message brokers, and message queues. Most commonly, EAI vendors discuss messaging and web services.

In today's dynamic environment, applications like supply Chain Management, Customer Relationship Management, Business Intelligence and Integrated Collaboration environments have become indispensable for any organization that depends upon continuous uninterrupted production in a solid and competitive commercial environment. And so therefore the EAI methodologies provide a consistent solution for this. Each of these applications in themselves are a mamoth effort. Enterprise Application Integration (EAI) is a step forward where it links these applications and others in order to realize financial and operational competitive advantages.

Purpose of EAI

1. Ensure that Data (information) in multiple systems is kept consistent. This is also known as EII (Enterprise Information Integration).
2. Business Process are integrated and linked across applications.
3. Business policies or rules from applications are abstracted. So a change in vendor shouldn't warrant rebuilding the application from scratch.
4. It provides a single unified consistent access interface to various applications.

EAI Advantages

1. Real time access to information access among various systems.
2. Information Integrity across various systems.
3. Streamlines business processes and thus increasing organizational efficiency.

EAI Disadvantages

1. High Cost involved.
2. EAI implementations are very time consuming and resource intensive at times.
   

Associated Terms

• Enterprise: An environment where more than one computer is used. These computers are joined by a network.
• Application: Specific programs or set of programs.
• Integration: Flow of data between various Applications in an Enterprise environment; this is what the acronym EAI means.

Types of EAI

• B2B (Business to Business)
• CRM (Customer Relationship Management)

Solution Providers

• Agilent
• Axway
• GXS
• Intel
• Microsoft
• Oracle
• Tibco
• Webmethods
• IBM Websphere Suite
• BEA Weblogic Integration(WLI)