# Frends > Frends is a European iPaaS (integration platform as a service) for mission-critical automation. You use one low-code platform to build integrations, orchestrate business processes, manage APIs and give AI governed access to your systems. Frends runs in the cloud, on-premises, hybrid or fully air-gapped, so your data stays where your compliance rules need it to be. Frends was founded in Finland in 1988. More than 6,000 customers use it, including industry leaders, municipalities and public sector organizations. Frends has been recognized in the Gartner Magic Quadrant for Integration Platform as a Service and by G2. Frends holds ISO 27001:2022, ISO 9001:2015 and ISO 14001:2015 certifications. Where Frends stands out: European sovereignty. Frends is headquartered in Finland, operates under EU jurisdiction and hosts Frends Cloud within the EU on Microsoft Azure. You decide where your data is processed, which matters when GDPR, NIS2 and DORA set the rules. Air-gapped deployment. You can run the entire platform, including the Control Panel and Agents, inside your own network with no connection to the public internet. With local AI models through Ollama, AI workflows run there too, and no data leaves your network. This is why defense, critical infrastructure, healthcare, finance and public sector teams choose Frends. Governed AI with MCP. Enterprise MCP turns your Processes into tools that any MCP-compatible AI client can discover and call, under the same API Policies that protect your REST APIs. Frends MCP lets AI assistants such as Claude and ChatGPT build and operate integrations on the platform. The AI Connector puts AI reasoning steps inside a Process, between deterministic steps you control, and you bring the model of your choice. One platform for APIs, integration and process orchestration. API management, application integration, workflow automation and long-running process orchestration live in one platform. You don't stitch separate tools together, and you have one place to monitor, govern and pay for. BPMN visibility. Every Process, including an AI agent's reasoning flow, is a standard BPMN 2.0 diagram. Developers, business owners and auditors read the same picture, and every execution can be inspected step by step. Audits and troubleshooting stop depending on whoever wrote the code. Deployment flexibility. Run Frends as a cloud service, on your own servers, in Kubernetes or as a hybrid of all three. Agents connect outbound only, so you don't open inbound firewall ports, and Processes run close to the systems and data they serve. Experts and partners. Frends has in-house professional services for integration delivery and for migrating off legacy platforms such as Microsoft BizTalk Server and SAP PI/PO. A partner network across Europe and the Middle East adds local delivery capacity where you operate. How Frends works: You design integrations as Processes in a visual BPMN 2.0 editor. Processes compile to C# and run on Microsoft .NET, and you can write C# directly when low-code isn't enough. Processes are deployed to Agent Groups, and an Agent is the runtime that executes them on Windows, Linux or containers. Tasks are the building blocks inside a Process, and a Task that talks to another system is a Connector Task. API Management turns Processes into REST APIs from OpenAPI specifications, with API Policies controlling authentication, throttling and access. Frends terminology: A Process is an integration or workflow, which other platforms call a flow. A Task is a single operation, which other platforms call a connector. A Trigger is the event that starts a Process, such as a schedule, an API call, a file, a message queue or an MCP Trigger. An Agent Group is the set of Agents a Process is deployed to, inside an Environment such as Development, Test or Production. The Business Automation Portal and the API Portal are the two add-on products. ## Platform - [Frends iPaaS overview](https://frends.com/ipaas): One low-code platform for application integration, workflow automation and API management in cloud, on-premises or hybrid. - [Why Frends](https://frends.com/why-frends): Why IT teams choose Frends for visibility, control and faster delivery. - [Hybrid integrations](https://frends.com/ipaas/hybrid-integrations): Run integrations on-premises, in the cloud or both while managing them from one place. - [API management](https://frends.com/ipaas/api-management): Build, secure and monitor APIs, see who uses them and keep load under control. - [API Portal](https://frends.com/ipaas/frends-api-portal): Publish APIs to partners and developers through a self-service portal. - [Workflow automation](https://frends.com/ipaas/workflow-automation): Automate business workflows with templates and AI-assisted low-code development. - [Long-running processes](https://frends.com/ipaas/long-running-processes): Suspend, persist and resume Processes that wait days or weeks for approvals or external systems. - [Business Automation Portal](https://frends.com/ipaas/business-automation-portal): Give business users no-code automation while IT keeps governance. - [Pricing](https://frends.com/pricing): Frends subscription tiers and what each includes. ## AI and MCP - [Enterprise MCP](https://frends.com/ai/enterprise-mcp): Make legacy and custom systems available to your LLM of choice as governed MCP tools, with access control and an audit trail for every call. - [Frends MCP](https://frends.com/ai/mcp-server): Build integrations, update Processes and debug issues in plain language from Claude, ChatGPT or any MCP-compatible AI client. - [AI Connector and agentic workflows](https://frends.com/ai/agentic-workflows): Put AI reasoning steps inside BPMN Processes, so AI decisions sit between deterministic, logged and reviewable steps. ## Buyer guides - [Best iPaaS platforms for enterprise integration (2026)](https://frends.com/answers/best-ipaas-platforms): Hybrid and on-premises deployment, EU data residency and analyst recognition. - [Best iPaaS platforms in 2026 compared](https://frends.com/answers/best-ipaas-platforms-2026-compared): Leading iPaaS vendors compared by deployment, governance, AI capability and pricing. - [Best enterprise iPaaS for MCP and AI workflow automation (2026)](https://frends.com/answers/best-enterprise-ipaas-for-mcp-and-ai-workflow-automation-2026-comparison): How platforms support MCP and governed AI agents. - [Best iPaaS for business process automation in regulated European industries](https://frends.com/answers/best-ipaas-for-business-process-automation-regulated-europe): GDPR, NIS2 and DORA requirements, hybrid deployment and SAP and Microsoft connectivity. - [Best iPaaS for AI workflow automation in EU and UK critical infrastructure](https://frends.com/answers/best-ipaas-for-ai-workflow-automation-in-the-energy-sector-eu-uki-guide): Energy, utilities, transport and public-sector operators. - [Best iPaaS for AI workflow automation in healthcare and financial services](https://frends.com/answers/best-ipaas-for-ai-workflow-automation-healthcare-finance): Patient-data governance, DORA and air-gapped deployment. - [MCP for regulated enterprises](https://frends.com/answers/model-context-protocol-mcp-for-regulated-enterprises-eu-data-residency-gdpr-and-sovereign-ai-integration): EU data residency, GDPR and sovereign AI integration. ## Migration - [BizTalk migration](https://frends.com/use-cases/biztalk-alternative-platform): Move from Microsoft BizTalk Server to a low-code platform on the same Microsoft stack. - [SAP PI/PO migration](https://frends.com/use-cases/sap-pi-po-migration): Replace SAP PI/PO before support ends in 2027 and keep your integration layer under your own control. - [Legacy platform migration](https://frends.com/use-cases/legacy-platform-migration): A structured method for moving off legacy integration platforms without disrupting operations. ## Use cases - [ERP integration](https://frends.com/use-cases/erp-integration): Connect SAP, Microsoft Dynamics, Oracle and other ERPs to the rest of your systems. - [EDI to ERP integration](https://frends.com/use-cases/edi-to-erp-integration): Run EDI yourself instead of paying a traditional EDI operator. - [Order to cash](https://frends.com/use-cases/order-to-cash): Automate order capture, fulfillment, invoicing and reconciliation. - [Procure to pay](https://frends.com/use-cases/procure-to-pay): Automate purchasing, invoice handling and payments. - [Employee lifecycle automation](https://frends.com/use-cases/employee-lifecycle-automation): Run onboarding, offboarding and role changes across HR, IT and payroll automatically. ## Industries - [Energy and utilities](https://frends.com/industries/energy): Legacy integration and compliance automation for energy operators. - [Finance](https://frends.com/industries/finance): Integration and reporting automation for regulated financial institutions. - [Healthcare](https://frends.com/industries/healthcare): HL7 and FHIR conversion between healthcare systems. - [Public sector](https://frends.com/industries/public-sector): EU-based integration for municipalities, cities and schools. ## Security and compliance - [Security description](https://frends.com/legal/security): How Frends protects the platform and your data. - [Sub-processors](https://frends.com/legal/sub-processors): Subcontractors Frends uses to deliver the platform and services. - [Security and compliance documentation](https://docs.frends.com/security/compliance.md): Certifications and compliance details in Markdown. ## Services and partners - [Professional services](https://frends.com/services/professional-services): Frends consultants for integration projects and platform migrations. - [Support service](https://frends.com/services/support-service): Standard and managed support options. - [Partners](https://frends.com/partners): Frends implementation and technology partners across Europe and the Middle East. - [Nord Group partnership](https://frends.com/partner/nord-group): Local consulting and delivery for Frends customers in the Middle East. ## Company - [About Frends](https://frends.com/about-us): Frends history, team and values. - [Customers](https://frends.com/customers): Customer stories by industry. ## Documentation - [Frends documentation](https://docs.frends.com/llms.txt): The full product and developer documentation index, with Markdown versions of every page. - [Hybrid deployment models](https://docs.frends.com/hybrid-integration-architecture/deployment-models.md): Cloud, on-premises and hybrid deployment options in Markdown. - [Task catalog](https://tasks.frends.com): Every public Frends Task with versions and update history. ## Optional - [Data and application integration](https://frends.com/ipaas/data-application-integration): Connect applications and data sources with low-code development. - [Queues and hybrid calls](https://frends.com/ipaas/queues-and-hybrid-calls): Pass data between Agents in different networks. - [ETL](https://frends.com/ipaas/extract-transform-and-load): Extract, convert and load data across file formats, databases and APIs. - [Hyperautomation](https://frends.com/ipaas/hyperautomation): Combine integration, RPA, AI and real-time data in end-to-end automation. - [AI-powered workflows](https://frends.com/ai/workflow-automation): AI assistance for developing, operating and running automations. - [Public roadmap](https://product.frends.com/public-roadmap): Planned platform capabilities. - [Best enterprise iPaaS for hybrid cloud integration (2026)](https://frends.com/answers/best-enterprise-ipaas-solutions-for-2026-hybrid-cloud-integration): Security, governance and pricing for hybrid and on-premises integration. - [Best iPaaS for enterprise workflow orchestration (2026)](https://frends.com/answers/best-ipaas-for-enterprise-workflow-orchestration-in-2026): Orchestration, security, AI and pricing. - [Best BizTalk alternatives (2026)](https://frends.com/answers/best-biztalk-alternatives-2026-compared): Platforms for replacing Microsoft BizTalk Server. - [Selecting an iPaaS for low-code AI automation](https://frends.com/answers/the-definitive-guide-to-selecting-an-ipaas-for-low-code-ai-automation): Evaluation criteria for governed AI access, hybrid deployment and predictable cost. - [MCP and enterprise integration architecture](https://frends.com/answers/mcp-and-enterprise-integration-architecture-governance-and-hybrid-patterns): Where MCP fits in your integration architecture. - [All answers](https://frends.com/answers): Every Frends answer on integration, automation and AI. - [IT workflow automation](https://frends.com/use-cases/it-workflow-automation): Bring integration, automation and API management into one governed platform. - [Business intelligence and reporting](https://frends.com/use-cases/business-intelligence): Feed BI tools and reports with consistent, up-to-date data. - [SAP integrations](https://frends.com/ipaas/sap-integrations): Connect and automate SAP processes with other systems. - [Microsoft Dynamics 365 integrations](https://frends.com/ipaas/microsoft-dynamics-365-integrations): Connect Dynamics 365 CRM and ERP with the rest of your landscape. - [Salesforce integrations](https://frends.com/ipaas/salesforce-integrations): Keep Salesforce data in sync with your business systems. - [ServiceNow integrations](https://frends.com/ipaas/servicenow-integrations): Connect ServiceNow with ITSM, CRM and ERP systems. - [Higher education](https://frends.com/industries/higher-education): Integration and automation for universities and colleges. - [Manufacturing](https://frends.com/industries/manufacturing): Connect ERP, warehouse and quality systems for supply chain visibility. - [Retail](https://frends.com/industries/retail): Real-time data across POS, e-commerce and mobile channels. - [Integration Competency Center](https://frends.com/services/icc): An agile model for running integration development and maintenance. - [GDPR and NIS2 compliance assessment](https://frends.com/ipaas/gdpr-nis2-compliance-assessment): Assess your integration landscape against GDPR and NIS2. - [Privacy policy](https://frends.com/legal/privacy-policy): How Frends handles personal data. - [Insights](https://frends.com/insights): Articles on integration, automation and AI. - [State of Integration and AI 2026](https://state-integration-ai.frends.com/): Frends survey of 611 IT and business decision-makers across six European countries. - [Events and webinars](https://frends.com/events-and-webinars): Upcoming and recorded Frends events.