Cloud App Integration .com

Zuora adds integration with NetSuite as well as additional upgrades [Press release]

Zuora this month announced integration with NetSuite. According to the release, the introduction of Z-NetSuite means subscription businesses can use Zuora to integrate mixed cloud application environments, including cloud CRM, Zuora Z-Commerce for subscription management and billing, and NetSuite ERP/Financials for order management, finance and accounting. Zuora announced other additional upgrades to its Z-Force SaaS billing platform.

Appirio introduces crowdsourcing platform for SaaS development (Press Release)

Cloud services brokerage Appirio introduced CloudSpokes, a community and marketplace that helps to match companies with developers. The company says that the platform will allow companies to crowdsource development projects in through competitions, which it believes will in turn drive innovation. ZDNet blogger Phil Wainewright takes a deeper look at CloudSpokes in this blog post.

A look at legacy integration with SaaS (Baseline)

The authors here look closely at a report from SIMS that describes how companies will choose to integrate SaaS applications. A brief summary from the article:

Organizations that have deep experience with in-house integration projects and a high percentage of functionality supported with traditionally installed applications, including custom coded solutions, are more likely to use in-house tools to integrate new SaaS applications into their environment.  However, organizations that rely more heavily on SaaS offerings are more likely to select IaaS platforms for their integration needs.

Two-tier ERP systems rising in popularity (InformationWeek)

This article takes a close look at two-tier ERP systems, wherein a preexisting system is used at a company’s main office while branch offices use alternative systems. The article specifically looks at how NetSuite and Informatica have partnered to deliver two-tier ERP that with cloud-based data integration.

SaaS APIs play significant role in cloud application integration (GetApp Blog)

An application programming interface (API) is a technology that allows for one application to interact with others. In this blog post from application marketplace GetApp, the author explains why APIs play such an important role in SaaS integration: As companies look to integrate individual SaaS applications from different providers, they will rely on APIs to make that integration as smooth as possible. If a program lacks an accessible API, integrating it with others can be challenging.

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Cloud application adoption continues despite risks (Computer World)

This computer world article takes a broad look at cloud adoption trends. The article describes, among those of other users, the integration challenges of the CIO at a radiation monitor maker. The CIO needed to integrate Oracle ERP with Salesforce CRM. She chose a cloud-based data integration service provider over on-premise appliances to save money and prepare for future cloud integrations.

Celigo integrates NetSuite with Gmail (Press Release)

Cloud software and services provider Celigo today announced the availability of Celigo Gmail integration for NetSuite. The tool allows NetSuite users to to view and manage records within Gmail and attach messages to those records that will then be visible in NetSuite.

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NetSuite adds Google Apps integration to OneSuite (ZDNet)

NetSuite today released several new features to OneSuite, its cloud ERP tool. According to the author, OneSuite is now better targeted at larger, multinational corporations, not SMBs. The OneSuite enhancements include single-sign integration on with GoogleApps, including Google Calendar and GMail. Read original press release on OneSuite enchancements.

Is it better to use pre-integrated applications or to integrate best-of-breed applications in-house? (ERP Cloud News)

This blog post looks at the advantages of using pre-integrated SaaS tools as compared to integrating best-of-breed SaaS applications in-house. The blog explains how access to platforms can allow for customization of pre-integrated systems, for example, but proprietary development tools can be unfamiliar to third-party users.

Jitterbit releases Salesforce.com integration wizard (Press release)

SaaS integration service provider Jitterbit today announced Jitterbit Connect, a software wizard designed to simplify Salesforce.com integration. The Jitterbit Connect wizard is built into Jitterbit Enterprise Edition and is aimed at helping non-IT users integrate Salesforce.com with other applications.

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MangoSpring releases 2.0 version of its social collaboration suite (Press release)

MangoSpring today released MangoApps 2.0, a new version of its social collaboration suite for businesses. New features include instant messaging, deployment support, enhanced security controls, and unified search. MangoApps 2.0 also includes integration with Google Apps and the ability to purchase individual apps in a modular way. MangoSpring positions itself as competitive with Salesforce Chatter and Yammer.

EasyAsk integrates with NetSuite cloud platform (Press release)

Search and query software provider EasyAsk today announced integration with the NetSuite SuiteCloud cloud computing platform. EasyAsk software allows users to access corporate data by entering natural language questions into the software. The application thus can provide business intelligence to business managers and other non-IT professionals. NetSuite users will be able to use EasyAsk to search accounting, ERP, and CRM data.

Highjump Software to acquire TrueCommerce (Press release)

Supply chain management tool provider Highjump Software today announced that it will acquire business-to-business SaaS integration service provider TrueCommerce. The TrueCommerce trading partner integration service will work with Highjump’s supply chain management tool to create more consistent business processes and more accurate information data is exchanged between trading partners.

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5 tips for moving applications to the cloud (Network World)

Matson Navigation, a large shipping company, is in the process of retiring its mainframes and transitioning to a SaaS-heavy application line-up. CTO Peter Weis offers five important considerations when making the move. Number 3 on the list seemed particularly important: “Take inventory and throw out apps.” Integrating new cloud apps with those that are functionally useless, after all, is a big waste of time and money.

NetSuite tackles infrastructure difficulties for printer supply and sports memorabilia shops (practical ecommerce)

In this case study, the author explains how two businesses each used NetSuite to improve sales and streamline business processes. The article has a bit of bias (“The company moved to NetSuite…. Application integration was no longer a problem” Maybe it was significantly less of a problem, but a problem no longer?). Nevertheless there’s some honest evidence to support the value of SaaS integration: InkJetSuperstore.com didn’t have the budget for an in-house IT staff, and now it doesn’t need one.

Liason Technologies by Softshare for SaaS B2B integration (Press release)

Integration and data management provider Liason Technologies today bought integration services provider SoftShare. The acquisition is said to continue Liason’s strategy of enhancing its cloud-based enterprise application integration (EAI) and B2B integration offerings. Which is to say, Liason bought Softshare to be better at SaaS integration.