Mohapi Mokoena
7 July 2022
Is there any data you regularly need access to, but it’s difficult to access, and the task to gain access is painfully time-consuming?
You need integration services, and more specifically, integration services that can integrate your data from one system to the other.
Integration design patterns are a standardised method for integrating data from one system to another. The design patterns are an effective way to avoid the expensive process of reinventing, rediscovering, and validating agnostic software artefacts. It also involves moving, transforming, and consolidating data into a specific format.
As integration specialists, we often use integration design patterns. There are dozens of patterns available. However, in this post, we’ll be discussing some of the key patterns and common uses.
Some of the key integration design patterns are as follows:
Canonical Schema Pattern
This is one of the most used patterns in SOA (Service Oriented Architecture) scenarios. This pattern helps to limit and structure the mapping code. The canonical can be defined according to enterprise business objects, which contains all the fields within that object i.e., one can have a canonical for master data, orders, employees and so forth.
Broadcast
This pattern is pretty self-explanatory. It moves data from a single source system to a multiple system destination. This can happen in real time or near real time basis. It goes hand in hand with the pub/sub model where data is published to the broker by the source system. Afterwards, all the systems interested in the data can subscribe by using triggers, which gives them access to the data as soon it’s available. The filtering of triggers is commonly used to make sure the relevant data is released.
Aggregation
This pattern aggregates data from different systems and merges them before processing the response. A common use for it is in reporting when data is located across different systems within an organization.
Bi-Directional Sync
Bi-directional sync is also known as two-way sync. The data flows from the source system to the target system. The target system sends the acknowledgement back to the source (and vice versa). This can happen either in real-time or scheduled to keep the two systems in sync.
Correlation Identifier
This pattern generates a unique identifier for each message. After receiving the message, the source obtains the unique identifier and matches it with the request and response.
Additionally, if implemented properly, these patterns enable businesses to integrate data as fast as possible and have the most stable, scalable, and maintenance-free solutions. Integrove’s own integration team use these patterns during architectural reviews and is actively improving them.
Why is it important to understand the integration design patterns?
Understanding these patterns help engineers make the right decisions when working on an integration solution. It all goes back to the understanding of the organisational landscape and the rules set by the Integration Competency Centre (ICC). Complying with SOA architecture promotes the reusability of the services. It also helps the engineers deliver timely solutions and save costs for the organisation.
Integration doesn’t have to be difficult. At Integrove, we understand the different integration problems and associated solutions. We can help you to get the foundation right on your road to digital transformation.
Let us help you plan, design, implement and sustain your integration strategy with our integration specialists.
