How iPaaS Can Address the Top Concerns of CIOs

Gartner recently surveyed hundreds of CEOs and C-level directors in the manufacturing sector. The results revealed the top five issues these leaders expect their CIOs to tackle:

• Digitalization - 11%
• Operational Efficiency - 11%
• ERP - 11%
• Data and Analytics - 10%
• Cybersecurity - 10%

So how can a modern integration Platform-as-a-Service (iPaaS) help meet these needs? Let's explore each of these five areas.

The Digitalization Imperative

The COVID-19 pandemic has prompted a business transformation across industries. As part of this shift, companies are increasingly opt for as-a-service business models. Take an office complex, for instance. Instead of purchasing monitors and loudspeakers, the company subscribes to an audiovisual service. An external provider takes care of the installation, maintenance, and replacement of the necessary equipment, all included in a single monthly fee.

Here's where Frends iPaaS comes in. In one use case, an audiovisual service provider used Frends to connect all devices into a single monitor for asset and health status. This proactive monitoring allowed the service provider to fix issues before the customer encountered a problem.

Imagination sets the only limit to digitalization. Look at the Levi Ski Resort. They implemented a "smart mountain" mobile application for their visitors. Using IoT devices and public APIs, the app provided real-time information on lift queues, snow gun temperatures, and ski bus arrival times. Frends iPaaS was instrumental in gathering this data, showing how an iPaaS can serve as the backbone of a digital transformation.

Boosting Operational Efficiency with Hyperautomation

In manufacturing, systems like MES, WMS, and PLM play a crucial role alongside ERPs. Automating processes across these systems is often achieved with iPaaS and Robotic Process Automation (RPA) tools. Adding AI to these processes can take automation to the next level, moving companies closer to a state of hyperautomation.

For example, automated forklifts in a warehouse can help improve efficiency. Gartner predicts that the future of ERPs is composable. In this modular approach, each piece of the ERP is integrated with others and can be easily changed. Frends iPaaS can play a crucial role in this integration.

iPaaS: Enabling Data-Driven Leadership

In manufacturing, data transparency is vital for informed decision-making. Data from business partners, customers, and public APIs is crucial. When process automation maturity is high, it's easier to create a data storage or lake for essential processes. This data can then be enriched with partner and public API data.

For instance, Frends enterprise iPaaS helps customers enable data-driven leadership by bringing thoroughly cleansed data together. The result is a live database of KPIs that can be viewed via PowerBI or Qlikview and similar.

Enhancing Cybersecurity with iPaaS

In our digital age, the importance of cybersecurity cannot be overstated. Data breaches and cyber attacks can lead to significant financial losses, damage a company's reputation, and even lead to regulatory fines. An effective iPaaS plays a vital role in enhancing cybersecurity, providing robust tools to ensure secure data handling and transmission.

Frends iPaaS, for instance, supports all current security standards, providing a secure environment for data and API management. Here are a few ways iPaaS enhances cybersecurity:

1. Secure Data Transmission: iPaaS platforms like Frends use encryption protocols to protect data as it travels between your systems. This ensures that even if data is intercepted, it cannot be read without the decryption key.
2. API Security: APIs are crucial for digitalization but can be potential security weak points. iPaaS can help ensure that your APIs are secure, utilizing features like API key management, authentication, and authorization.
3. Access Control: iPaaS provides robust user access controls, allowing you to define who has access to what information. This feature limits the potential damage in case of a security breach.
4. Data Masking: Sensitive data fields can be masked to protect the information during non-production processes. This is especially important when dealing with sensitive data such as credit card numbers or personal identification information.
5. Security Monitoring and Alerting: iPaaS platforms can monitor your systems for unusual behavior, like a sudden increase in data transfer or multiple failed login attempts. If anything suspicious is detected, an alert is sent to the designated administrator.
6. Regular Updates: iPaaS vendors provide regular updates to their software, patching any security vulnerabilities and keeping the system up-to-date with the latest security standards.

With the constant evolution of cyber threats, having a robust security strategy in place is paramount. By leveraging the cybersecurity capabilities of iPaaS, organizations can significantly enhance their defense against cyber attacks, ensuring their data remains secure while they focus on their core business operations.

To conclude, iPaaS plays an essential role in all five key areas: digitalization, operational efficiency, ERP, data and analytics, and cybersecurity. If you're interested in any of these topics, don't hesitate to reach out to us.