Discover our SmartLink solution

Information silos: every IT manager's challenge

What keeps a CIO up at night? The integration of all his systems and applications. After all, it is important that information systems can “talk” to each other so that information can move freely within (and outside) the organization. Yet the focus is still often on effective collaboration. What is overlooked is the essential role that data plays in this.

Being able to access data is important. But the information employees need to collaborate effectively tends to reside in information silos. So there is limited use of all the data that is available. Moreover, traditional integrations often don't work. Why is that?

There are isolated systems and applications that are not connected to the rest.
It is costly and complex which in turn affects the performance of integrations.
The result is difficult to manage and keep up-to-date. What if processes change or a system is replaced?

It is high time for a secure integration solution that makes quality data readily available for use.

SmartLink: your integration platform-as-a-service
Unlock information, optimize business processes and drive innovation.

The goal: the Enterprise organization

What does this mean? The Enterprise organization is the set of people, processes and systems that make up the organization into one group. And that group creates and maintains information owned by the organization.

Integrating the Enterprise organization is necessary to connect different data sets and create a holistic view of what is happening. With this view, the Operations department can run the factories, the Finance department can keep the cash flow going, and the CEO can see if the current strategy is working as it should.

So we need to start building bridges. Only then will it be possible for data to move freely through the organization and add value to the work of every employee. But how do you achieve that network of connections? With SmartLink from delaware.

What is SmartLink?

SmartLink is a cloud-based integration platform built on Azure. We also call it our integration Platform-as-a-Service (iPaaS). We designed SmartLink as a plug-and-play model with a focus on autonomous building blocks that allows you to connect applications and services both on-premises and in the cloud. That way you bring business processes together with business information. SmartLink is the entry point for every employee's information needs and offers the opportunity to improve business processes.

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SmartLink in action

In other words, it is about unlocking data to support business processes. The SmartLink platform handles all the associated tasks. But what does that look like in practice? An example:

The business process	The required information
A request for quotation comes in through the website.	The prospect's data is automatically processed in the CRM system.
A project is being created.	This is done in the ERP system.
Several documents accompany the application.	These are stored securely in the DMS.
Together with colleagues, you work on the quotation.	This can be done simultaneously in the DMS.
Then the quotation must be approved internally before it is sent.	This is done using business rules in the ERP.
Uiteindelijk tekent de klant. De offerte is binnen!	Dat betekent dat deze fase is voltooid. In het DMS gaat de offerte in het archief en in het ERP-systeem wordt dit project afgerond.

The 3 main drivers of SmartLink

1. The Business Object Connectors layer

This is the standardized communication layer of SmartLink. This is where all information about, for example, a customer, project or employee flows in and out. Based on the rights and authorization of the user. This data source is also very suitable for API-first application development.

2. The Business Rules Engine

This is a workflow system that makes all decisions on how specific data should be handled. Only then is a request passed to the Business Object Connectors layer. Those decisions are made using business rules. The Business Rules Engine is a security measure so that not just anyone can access all the data.

3. The Line of Business Connectors

SmartLink uses a Mash architecture: different systems and applications talk to each other in a standardized way. Because SmartLink deploys agnostic APIs, the Line of Business Connectors pull information from everywhere. For example, from the HR, ERP, CRM system or DMS. Regardless of the underlying programming language.

The benefits of SmartLink

SmartLink brings together data from all linked systems and applications and makes this data available live. So you always have complete and the most up-to-date information at your disposal. Other benefits of SmartLink are:

Many organizations find it difficult to implement change because of legacy systems . The biggest problem? That much data is stuck in outdated systems and scattered across information silos. SmartLink helps you unlock this data.
Harness the potential of all business information. Whether improving customer relations, optimizing operations or developing new services: SmartLink encourages innovation.
Normally, IT is in the lead when it comes to unlocking data. But with SmartLink, the business is at the wheel! A win-win situation: the business does not have to wait for IT to retrieve information and IT is not overwhelmed with work. SmartLink helps you quickly close the IT delivery gap.
To remain competitive, automation is indispensable. Especially to boost productivity. Yet integration problems keep IT from being able to improve operational efficiency. With SmartLink, you tackle integration challenges and ensure higher productivity.
Because SmartLink was developed in Microsoft Azure, it has a scalable architecture. So you can immediately scale up at peak times and, of course, scale down again when the capacity is no longer needed.
With SmartLink, you know exactly what data or content you have linked. That way, you can keep a close eye on the quality of the data so that there is no incomplete or contaminated data going around.
SmartLink uses the Zero Trust security model. Devices, users and applications requesting information are identified and based on authorization, this is allowed or not allowed. Azure is supportive of this and provides authentication and authorization models.

SmartLink features

More than 65 connectors available

These are ready-made APIs that allow you to easily and quickly connect applications and systems to the SmartLink platform. Moreover, these connectors are reusable and developed with the guarantee of Zero-Trust security and quality data.

Customized business rules

The business rules significantly reduce the complexity of the flow of data between systems and the integration platform. They also ensure that the data passed to an application is of high quality. Moreover, based on process conditions, you can specify which application owns the golden record.

Manage the application lifecycle

SmartLink supports full DTAP processes to ensure that only the best release runs in the production environment. The integration platform also provides deployment tooling with support for Azure pipelines per DTAP stage.

Development templates

Significantly reduce connector development time with templates that leverage SmartLink best practices. You can also reuse existing components with Azure building blocks.

Monitoring

SmartLink provides advanced logging events to enrich logs with details from the business. In addition, it is possible to monitor the entire business process: from incoming message to the application. To stay informed about important events, easily set up automatic notifications.

Learn more about SmartLink?

Are you curious about how you can improve data disclosure?

Find out what information does and does not come together, the quality of that data and whether it is done in a secure way.

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