Integration of data and business processes between systems is vital in the digital transformation journey of businesses. At this point, middleware technology enables businesses to work more efficiently and effectively by bringing together different applications and platforms. In this article, we will examine the advantages and usage areas of middleware in detail.
What is Middleware?
Middleware is a software layer that acts as a bridge between software applications and systems, providing data and process integration. Using middleware, businesses bring together different systems, organise data flow and automate business processes. It is a widely preferred component especially for businesses working in multi-cloud and on-premises environments.
Why Middleware is Important for Businesses?
Middleware enables to increase the interaction between application, systems and databases. Businesses gain many advantages by using middleware.
Application Development
Middleware allows developers to build applications more efficiently and effectively. It is frequently used in application integration processes. Businesses working in multi-cloud and on-premises environments can develop their applications at less cost using middleware. It is also used in data processing, API (Application Programming Interface), messaging and authentication services.
Connectivity to Different Backend Resources
A middleware module establishes a pool of connections to ensure quick and efficient access to back-end databases. It can create connections to message queues and manage access to cloud-based resources such as Amazon Simple Storage Service.
Secure Access to Backend Connections
Middleware servers have technologies that use high security measures. It has security measures such as access controls, passwords, advanced encryption, authentication. When the client provides this security information, the middleware uses this information to check whether the client has permission to access the data. In this way, only after verification, the data is sent securely to the client on the middleware server.
Concurrent Processing, Load Balancing and Transaction Management
Middleware balances incoming client requests across multiple cloud servers, availability zones or virtual machines. This process is called load balancing and allows the system to scale vertically and horizontally. It can also manage concurrency and transaction management issues, such as many clients accessing or updating a backend resource at the same time.
Advantages of Middleware
Some of the benefits of middleware to businesses are as follows:
- It prevents old investments from being wasted by enabling old systems to work together with new systems.
- It provides scalability according to the business needs of the business.
- Enables integrations to be created more cost-effectively.
- Quickly adapts to new technologies.
- Automates business processes by creating integration between different applications and systems.
Middleware Usage Areas
Middleware provides integration of data and business processes by acting as a bridge between different systems and applications. This software is used in various industries to increase business efficiency and optimise operational processes. Middleware is used in a wide range of industries such as e-commerce, finance and healthcare.
Middleware Usage in E-Commerce Industry
In the e-commerce industry, middleware connects the various systems of online stores, providing seamless data synchronisation between systems. For example, an e-commerce platform can use middleware to integrate different software such as inventory management system, payment processing and customer relationship management (CRM) systems. This integration enables fast and accurate processing of customer orders and facilitates stock tracking. Thus, customer satisfaction increases while operational costs decrease.
Middleware Solutions in the Finance Industry
In the financial sector, middleware enables data flow between banking systems, payment networks and customer databases. Integration of transaction data from different branches of a bank into a central database is carried out with middleware. In this way, financial transactions can be made quickly and securely.
Middleware also plays an important role in risk management and compliance processes. By using middleware, financial institutions ensure compliance with regulatory requirements and facilitate fraud detection.
MIP is a middleware software designed to integrate different applications and systems of businesses. Thanks to its on-premises or cloud installation options, it provides a workspace suitable for the needs of businesses.
Pre-built integrations accelerate the processes of creating integration between different applications and allow integration at lower costs.
MIP, Turkey’s leading distributor of our business partner, which is one of the leading distributor companies, moved their supplier integrations from MIP. You can take a look at the case study titled ‘Moving Supplier Integrations from ABAP to MIP’ to examine the benefits of this process in detail.
