INTEGRATION-BROKER

Integration broker. The architecture component that orchestrates exchanges and transformations between heterogeneous systems.

Definition

An integration broker (sometimes called message broker, ESB, or iPaaS depending on context) is an integration architecture component that orchestrates mediation, transformation and routing of messages between heterogeneous systems: ERP, CRM, WMS, third-party APIs, web services, EDI. It typically provides: an event bus, a transformation engine, connectors, and an observability layer.

Origin

The integration broker concept dates back to the 1990s with IBM MQSeries (1993, then MQ) and TIBCO Rendezvous (1994). It was formalised in the EAI (Enterprise Application Integration) architecture by Gartner and Forrester analysts. Today integration brokers include legacy ESBs (IBM IIB, Oracle Service Bus, Software AG webMethods) and modern iPaaSs (Boomi, MuleSoft Anypoint, Workato, Zapier B2B).

Example in context

A company uses an integration broker to orchestrate the Order-to-Cash flow: the ERP emits a PO, the broker receives it, triggers a mapping to EDIFACT ORDERS, sends via AS2 to the supplier, awaits the ORDRSP, maps it back to the ERP, and listens in parallel for ASNs and invoices that it propagates to WMS and accounting. The whole chronicle is traced in an event database consultable by the integration team.

Related terms

• B2B gateway — EDI specialisation of an integration broker.
• Routing rule — routing rule executed by an integration broker.
• Translator workflow — orchestration specific to an EDI Translator.