What to look for in an iPaaS vendor - The top five criteria

Preparing for iPaaS

A mindful selection process can ensure that an enterprise’s integration needs are met effectively. Here are three aspects to consider for vendor selection:

• Set objectives: As a first step, identify your core business objectives and outcomes to achieve with iPaaS. These objectives could relate to improving data connectivity, enhancing operational efficiencies, or enabling faster decision-making. Analyze your existing IT setup and integration capabilities to gauge current pain points, challenges, and identify opportunities for improvement.
• Identify use cases: Identify which existing integrations can be modernized or replaced. Define specific use cases and scenarios where iPaaS can bring the most value. Consider scenarios like application and legacy integrations, API management and connectivity, hybrid cloud integrations, IoT integrations, event driven computing, data transformation, governance, and delivery automation. Develop a comprehensive integration roadmap that outlines the sequence of integration projects and their timelines. Prioritize projects based on business impact and complexity.
• Scalability and future-proofing: Ensure that your iPaaS solution can scale as your organization grows. Future-proof your strategy by considering emerging technologies and industry trends. Ensure that the chosen iPaaS solution complies with data security and privacy regulations relevant to your industry and region. Seek to establish resilient security measures and data governance policies.

Outcomes from the aspects above should be documented to aid the vendor selection criteria.

Evaluating iPaaS vendors

A thorough vendor evaluation leads to better data security, cost-effectiveness, and a platform integration design to support the long-term success of the business. Work with a system integration partner who understands the landscape of iPaaS and can determine the right fit for your business transformation. While there are numerous considerations associated with iPaaS vendors, we narrow it down to five essentials:

Credibility

Examine the vendor's commitment to staying current with technology trends and ensuring that the iPaaS solution remains relevant as technology evolves. Assess the vendor's partnerships and integrations with other technology providers, which can enhance the iPaaS ecosystem. Review customer references and case studies to gauge the vendor's track record and their ability to deliver on promises.

Integration capabilities

Assess the vendor's ability to handle growing data volumes and increasing demands. Evaluate the range of connectors and adapters offered by the vendor to connect with your existing applications, systems, and data sources. Evaluate the vendor's track record in terms of system reliability and uptime.

Security and compliance

Ensure the iPaaS solution meets industry-standard security measures and data compliance requirements relevant to your industry and region. Assess the availability of monitoring and analytics tools within the iPaaS solution. Real-time insights into integration processes can help with issue detection and performance optimization.

Ease of use

Consider the user-friendliness of the platform. An intuitive interface and user-friendly tools can reduce the learning curve for your team. Look for a vendor that allows for customization and flexibility in integration workflows to tailor the solution to your unique requirements.

Costs and licensing

Beyond initial licensing costs, factor in the total cost of ownership, including ongoing maintenance, training, and any hidden costs associated with the iPaaS solution. Assess the level of customer support, training, and ongoing maintenance services provided by the vendor. Responsive support is crucial for issue resolution.