Since COVID-19, cloud adoption has increased greatly. However, implementing new systems can lead to disconnected silos of information if they aren’t integrated correctly. iPaaS connects disjointed systems to provide a unified solution. It acts as a conduit between multiple systems, allowing for integration and data sharing. As organizations deepen their cloud dependency, iPaaS is the key element to keeping it all together.
Since DataBlend integrates finance and accounting applications, we don’t expect you (finance professionals) to know everything about our lingo. Here’s a quick guide to give you the 411 on all things iPaaS.
1. iPaaS:
iPaaS stands for integration Platform-as-a-Service. Sometimes, it is just referred to simply as Integration Platform. At its core, iPaaS is subscription, cloud-based software that facilitates the seamless movement of data across applications. It allows companies to collect, transform, and upload data across both cloud and on-premises/hosted applications. The beauty of iPaaS is that you can build, manage, and support all your integrations through a common platform. This eliminates managing multiple integrations through a variety of methods and user interfaces. It also can help streamline technical support and issue resolution as all the integrations are managed through a single platform.
DataBlend’s iPaaS solution is special because it was built BY finance people FOR finance people. We know exactly what YOU need and how to make it EASY enough that you don’t need IT to implement it. In most cases, we can have you up and running in a matter of days or weeks, not months.
2. SFTP:
SFTP, or Secure File Transfer Protocol, is a method that provides a high-level of security for sending and receiving files. Here’s a fun fact, you SFTP can be used to facilitate connections between applications that can produce and/or accept flat file exports and imports. – even if there isn’t a native integration built for it. So, if you have looked for an out-of-the-box integration and didn’t find it, or if it doesn’t work exactly like you want, DataBlend can help bridge the gap between despair and success.
3. ETL:
ETL stands for extract, transform and load. For many, this is performed through a manual process – running a report in an application, downloading it as a CSV, performing transformations in Excel or Google Sheets (e.g., field mappings, concatenation, or pivots) and then importing into another application. iPaaS automates this entire process eliminating the manual effort.
4. API – Application Programming Interface:
Application Programming Interfaces (API) allow different applications to “talk” or connect to each other. APIs are one of the things that have made cloud software so powerful as they let organizations choose which applications best meet their needs and in turn create their own best-in-class suite. Many cloud-based software providers “expose” their APIs and provide documentation on what can be done through the API. A standard use of an API is to “get” information from the application – like GL code or transaction details from an ERP, and to “post” data in the application – like adding a new customer from a CRM and payable invoices from an AP automation software.
5. No-Code/Low-Code:
A no-code/low-code platform is a development platform that uses a visual environment that allows anyone (including you!) to create something.
DataBlend features a no-code, low-code workflow builder. It allows accounting and finance professionals to create secure and worry-free data integrations without much technical know-how.
Why you should pay attention to iPaaS
By now (hopefully) you’ve learned the five key iPaaS terms you should know, so it's now time to learn why you should care.
So, we might be a little bit biased, but we think iPaaS is really cool. It’s not something a lot of finance and accounting professionals think about daily, but it is something that they struggle with.
We recently spoke to J2 Interactive about how they are currently using DataBlend to save time and eliminate errors for finance and accounting. One of the most powerful comments that J2 Interactive shared was that “Accountants don’t want to spend time doing manual work. We want to review and check. This happens by implementing automated processes.”
Automation is on the verge of greatness and empowerment. Deloitte released a study called: The Future of Automation in Finance where they say “Finance and accounting organizations are empowering their professionals to operate as strategic business partners more than ever before. Finance professionals are now expected to deliver expanded analytic insights to businesses. This evolution to a strategic business partner is occurring in an environment that’s also going through a rapid transformation.”
iPaaS will help you achieve the automation you never thought was economically possible and empower you to focus on higher-level tasks.
So, what are you waiting for? Let’s talk about how we can save you time, stress, and money spent on disconnect data. Join DataBlend's Integration Challenge!
Here are the details:
- Schedule a call with our integration experts to review your integration problem.
- We will provide a “best practices” scoping document for a secure, cost-effective solution that spells out the value and benefits you will receive.
- If we can’t provide a “Go-Live” integration within 90-days, we will donate $100 to a charity of your choice.
- If we are able provide a “Go-Live” integration within 90-days with a completed contract, we will donate $250 to a charity of your choice. Yes, we are that confident!
