The Ultimate Integration Glossary by SEEBURGER

AI-powered integration uses artificial intelligence to optimize how systems connect and exchange data. It automates tasks like data mapping, anomaly detection, and error resolution, reducing manual effort and speeding up integration workflows. The SEEBURGER Business Integration Suite leverages AI in a number of ways, including the AI-assisted mapping manager.

Read more about our AI-assisted BIS Mapper.

An API (Application Programming Interface) is a set of protocols and tools that allow software applications to communicate and exchange data with each other in real time. It acts as a bridge, enabling systems to access each other’s functions and data without directly sharing code. The SEEBURGER Business Integration Suite manages your APIs, letting you securely integrate systems, automate processes, and enhance user experience.

Find out more on how the SEEBURGER Business Integration Suite helps you integrate and manage APIs

An API gateway is a server that acts as a single entry point for managing multiple APIs. A type of reverse proxy, it is an intermediary. It handles tasks like access control, authentication, rate limiting, and monitoring. This helps ensure secure, efficient data flow. An API gateway, such as in SEEBURGER’s API Management, simplifies management, improves security, and boosts performance.

Take a deep dive into the importance of API gateways on the SEEBURGER blog.

API integration connects internal and external systems using Application Programming Interfaces (APIs). These are machine-readable interfaces that allow real-time data exchange. APIs enable systems to communicate and to automate tasks securely.

API integration increases efficiency, accelerates digital transformation, and with the right API security, ensures secure data exchange.

Discover more about the API capabilities on the SEEBURGER Business Integration Suite

API management is the process of designing, publishing, securing, monitoring, and analyzing APIs through a centralized platform. It includes tools like an API gateway to control access, monitor traffic, and ensure secure performance. SEEBURGER’s API management supports seamless, scalable, and secure integration across systems. This enables faster digital transformation and reduces integration complexity for businesses

Discover how the API management capabilities on the SEEBURGER Business Integration Suite simplify API security and control

API orchestration coordinates multiple API calls into structured workflows, managing the sequence, dependencies, and data flow between systems. It enables real-time communication and process automation across diverse applications. The SEEBURGER Business Integration Suite performs API orchestration to reduce integration complexity, streamline operations, and drive faster, more efficient digital transformation.

Discover more about the API capabilities on the SEEBURGER Business Integration Suite

API security is the practice of protecting APIs from unauthorized access, data breaches, and misuse. Key methods include authentication (e.g., OAuth, API keys), encryption (SSL/TLS), rate limiting, and using an API gateway to control access and monitor traffic.

Strong protects sensitive data, ensures compliance, and reduces the risk of breaches, enabling secure and efficient application integrations.

Take a deep dive into API security on the SEEBURGER blog.

API-first data integration prioritizes APIs as the primary method of connecting systems. This approach enables flexible, scalable, and real-time data exchange across applications and platforms. The SEEBURGER Business Integration Suite supports an API-first strategy with inbuilt API management and API security, while also integrating seamlessly using EDI and MFT. This accelerates digital transformation and improves interoperability throughout the business ecosystem.

Discover more about API integration on the SEEBURGER blog.

API-led integration connects systems using three types of reusable APIs: system APIs for accessing data, process APIs for combining it, and experience APIs for delivering it to users or apps. The SEEBURGER Business Integration Suite enables API-led integration with robust API management and security, making integrations easier to build, scale, and secure—so businesses can innovate faster.

Discover more about the API capabilities on the SEEBURGER Business Integration Suite

An any-to-any converter translates data from one format to another, allowing systems to exchange information regardless of how their data is structured. The SEEBURGER Business Integration Suite converts to and from a proprietary canonical format, reducing the number of format-to-format mappings needed. This simplifies integration, reduces manual mapping, and accelerates system compatibility across complex IT environments.

Find out more on canonical mapping on the SEEBURGER blog.

Batch data processing collects and processes large volumes of data at scheduled intervals instead of in real time. It’s widely used for EDI and MFT-based document exchange, reporting, and consolidation. The SEEBURGER Business Integration Suite supports both batch and real-time processing to automate high-volume B2B transactions, reduce system load, and meet diverse partner requirements efficiently.

Find out more about the EDI capabilities on the SEEBURGER Business Integration Suite

B2B integration connects business systems, applications, and data flows between trading partners using APIs, EDI, MFT, or other technologies. It automates transactions, streamlines supply chains, and ensures secure data exchange. By reducing workload and errors, B2B integration improves operational efficiency, accelerates business processes, and enhances collaboration between partners.

Take a look at our white paper, The BIS Platform in a Nutshell

A B2B integration hub is a central platform that manages data exchange between systems and partners using APIs, EDI, or MFT. It standardizes, secures, and routes communication for scalable, efficient integration. The SEEBURGER Business Integration Suite reduces manual effort, simplifies partner onboarding and accelerates and streamlines processes across diverse supply chains.

Take a look at our white paper, The BIS Platform in a Nutshell

A canonical data model standardizes data from different systems into a common format, acting as a universal language for integration. This simplifies format conversions and reduces processing overhead during data exchange.
SEEBURGER uses an any-to-any converter based on a canonical model to streamline integration, cut transformation costs, and boost machine-to-machine efficiency.

Find out more about canonical mapping on the SEEBURGER blog.

In IT, the cloud refers to a network of remote servers that store, manage, and process data. It allows businesses and users to access data and applications over the internet, without needing on-premise infrastructure. There are public clouds and vendor clouds.

The cloud offers scalability, cost savings, and flexibility by providing on-demand resources and reducing the need for expensive hardware investments.

Discover the different deployment options, including various cloud setups for the SEEBURGER Business Integration Suite

Cloud-based B2B integration connects systems and trading partners through methods such as APIs, EDI, and managed file transfer via an integration platform deployed from the cloud. It enables seamless, secure data exchange without on-premise infrastructure or in-house resources. The SEEBURGER Business Integration Suite runs from the SEEBURGER Cloud or a hyperscaler, offering maximum flexibility.

Discover the different deployment options, including various cloud setups for the SEEBURGER Business Integration Suite

Compliance in data integration means ensuring that the exchange, storage, and processing of data follow legal and industry-specific regulations, such as GDPR, HIPAA, or ISO 27001. It affects how data is secured, monitored, and retained. The SEEBURGER Business Integration Suite supports compliance through encryption, audit trails, access controls, and flexible deployment to meet regional and industry requirements.

Read how the MFT capabilities on the SEEBURGER Business Integration Suite help you ensure compliance with various privacy laws.

Data mapping links data attributes from one format to equivalent attributes in another. This ensures that the information is transferred accurately and understood by the receiving system. It’s essential for formats like EDI, XML, and JSON, and supports API-based or batch data exchange. The SEEBURGER Business Integration Suite uses data mapping to ensure seamless interoperability, reduce errors, and accelerate integration workflows.

Take a deep dive into the role of mapping in EDI.

Data sovereignty means digital data is subject to the laws of the country where it’s stored or processed. This impacts how sensitive information is managed under rules like GDPR, HIPAA, or China’s Cybersecurity Law. The SEEBURGER Business Integration Suite supports compliance with deployment options in the EU, US, Shanghai, on-premise, and hyperscaler environments.

Take a look at the many different cloud deployment options for the SEEBURGER Business Integration Suite.

Data transformation converts data from one format or structure into another so systems can interpret and use it. It begins with data mapping and is essential for formats like XML, JSON, EDIFACT, and X12. The SEEBURGER Business Integration Suite uses any-to-any conversion to ensure compatibility, reduce manual effort, and accelerate integration across business ecosystems.

Take a deep dive into the SEEBURGER AI-Assisted BIS Mapping Designer

Deep integration connects systems directly at data and process level using methods like EDI, APIs, and MFT. Unlike surface-level automation such as RPA , deep integration enables secure, high-volume data exchange across applications. It is also easier to add, manage, and monitor new integrations as business needs grow. The SEEBURGER Business Integration Suite provides deep integration to securely automate business processes end to end. 

Take a deep dive into deep integration versus robotic process automation on the SEEBURGER blog

Digital transformation is the adoption of digital technologies to modernize business processes, improve customer experiences, and drive innovation. It often involves integrating cloud services, SaaS platforms, APIs, and automation to replace manual or legacy workflows. The SEEBURGER Business Integration Suite supports digital transformation by connecting systems end to end, enabling real-time data flow, and increasing business agility.

Take a look at our white paper, The BIS Platform in a Nutshell

EDI is a method for exchanging business documents in a structured, machine-readable format. It automates the transmission of invoices, purchase orders, shipping notices and more between trading partners using standards like EDIFACT or X12. SEEBURGER EDI is used in several industries to automate B2B transactions along the supply chain. It reduces manual work, minimizes errors and accelerates business processes.

Take a closer look at the EDI capabilities on the SEEBURGER Business Integration Suite

EDI-to-API integration connects traditional EDI systems with modern APIs, transforming batch-based file exchanges into real-time, API-driven transactions. It bridges structured EDI formats with flexible API workflows for faster, more dynamic data exchange. The SEEBURGER Business Integration Suite enables this hybrid approach, helping businesses modernize B2B communication without losing existing investments in EDI.

Take a look at our white paper, The BIS Platform in a Nutshell

EDIFACT (Electronic Data Interchange for Administration, Commerce, and Transport) is an international EDI standard developed by the UN that structures business data into a standardized format for seamless electronic exchange between trading partners. The SEEBURGER Business Integration Suite supports EDIFACT to automate B2B transactions, reduce manual processing, and improve supply chain efficiency through globally interoperable communication.

Find out more about the EDIFACT format.

End-to-end data integration automates the flow of data across all connected systems, ensuring consistency, accuracy, and interoperability between APIs, databases, and enterprise applications. It eliminates manual handoffs and synchronizes information in real time. The SEEBURGER Business Integration Suite enables end-to-end integration to improve data quality, accelerate processes, and support faster, smarter business decisions.

Take a look at our white paper, The BIS Platform in a Nutshell

End-to-end encryption secures data by encoding it during transfer so only authorized parties can access it. It uses methods like AES, SSL/TLS, and protocols such as AS2, SFTP, OFTP2, and HTTPS to protect data exchanged via EDI, API, and MFT. The SEEBURGER Business Integration Suite ensures compliance and reduces security risks across high-volume, sensitive transactions.

Take a look at how encryption is a critical part of IT security on the SEEBURGER blog

Event-driven integration uses architecture that triggers automated workflows in real time based on business events like order placements or inventory updates. It relies on tools such as event streams, message queues, webhooks, and APIs for seamless system responsiveness. The SEEBURGER Business Integration Suite enables event-driven integration to improve automation, accelerate processes, and boost business efficiency.

Discover more about the process engine and automation capabilities on the SEEBURGER Business Integration Suite

An event stream is a continuous flow of business events—such as order placements, inventory changes, or status updates—captured in real time. In this integration pattern, events trigger automated workflows or data processes, enabling integrated systems to respond instantly. SEEBURGER uses event streams to support real-time business integration, improve responsiveness, and streamline event-driven operations.

Take a look at how event streaming is one of many tools used in smart manufacturing, on the SEEBURGER blog

Hub-and-spoke integration centralizes data exchange through a single hub, which manages and standardizes communication between connected systems. This eliminates the need for direct connections between individual applications, known as point-to-point integration. The SEEBURGER Business Integration Suite uses a hub-and-spoke model to simplify integration management, reduce maintenance costs, and scale efficiently across complex IT environments.

Take a look at our white paper, The BIS Platform in a Nutshell

Hybrid integration connects cloud and on-premise systems, enabling seamless data exchange between legacy applications, SaaS platforms, and APIs. The SEEBURGER Business Integration Suite is hybrid by design, running across mixed environments to support flexible deployment, protect existing IT investments, and ensure scalable, future-ready integration.

Take a look at our white paper, The BIS Platform in a Nutshell

An integration method is a specific technology for connecting systems and exchanging data. Unlike integration patterns, which define architectural strategies (e.g., API-led or event-driven integration), integration methods focus on how data is transferred using standardized approaches like EDI, MFT, and APIs. The SEEBURGER Business Integration Suite support multiple integration methods, ensuring secure, scalable, and efficient data exchange across business ecosystems.

Take a look at our white paper, The BIS Platform in a Nutshell to discover the integration methods used by SEEBURGER

An integration pattern is a standardized strategy for connecting systems and enabling seamless data flow. SEEBURGER supports patterns like point-to-point, API-led, and event-driven integration. While a pattern describes the architecture, integration methods such as EDI and MFT describe the actual transport. SEEBURGER enables scalable, cost-effective integration by aligning the right patterns with business needs.

Take a look at our white paper, The BIS Platform in a Nutshell to discover the integration patterns used by SEEBURGER.

An integration platform is a software solution that connects and manages data flow across systems, applications, and environments. The SEEBURGER Business Integration Suite supports multiple integration patterns and methods for seamless communication between internal and external, cloud and on-prem systems. The SEEBURGER Business Integration Suite streamlines and automates workflows and ensures reliable data exchange across the business and beyond.

Take a look at our white paper, The BIS Platform in a Nutshell.

An iPaaS is a cloud-based platform that connects applications, data, partners, and workflows across cloud, on-premise, and hybrid environments. The SEEBURGER iPaaS supports all major integration patterns and methods, including EDI, API, and MFT. It reduces IT workload by managing maintenance, mapping, and operations—freeing resources and accelerating integration across your business.

Find out more about the SEEBURGER iPaaS and how it can help your business

JSON (JavaScript Object Notation) is a lightweight data format that stores and transmits structured information using key-value pairs. It is widely used for APIs and data exchange between systems due to its readability and compatibility with multiple programming languages. JSON enables seamless integration between applications, simplifying data sharing and enhancing interoperability in modern digital ecosystems.

Whatever the format, language or protocol, SEEBURGER can connect it. Take a look at some connectivity examples.

Kubernetes is an open-source platform that automates the deployment, scaling, and management of containerized applications. It ensures high availability, load balancing, and self-healing for critical IT services. The SEEBURGER Business Integration Suite can run in containerized environments orchestrated by Kubernetes, enabling flexible, cloud-native deployment and improved scalability across hybrid IT landscapes.

Take a look at our white paper, The BIS Platform in a Nutshell.

A legacy system is an older application that still supports core business functions but wasn’t built for today’s integration landscape. Unlike SaaS or cloud-native platforms, legacy systems often rely on proprietary formats, limited connectivity, or batch-based processing. The SEEBURGER Business Integration Suite connects legacy systems to modern environments, enabling automation without replacing existing infrastructure.

Take a look at one way to integrate legacy systems using the SEEBURGER Business Integration Suite on the SEEBURGER blog.

MFT (Managed File Transfer) is a secure, automated method for transferring large volumes of sensitive or business-critical data between systems, partners, and cloud services. It uses end-to-end encryption to ensure safe, compliant, machine-to-machine communication. SEEBURGER MFT streamlines data exchange, reduces security risks, and supports reliable, scalable integration across platforms.

Discover more about the MFT capabilities on the SEEBURGER Business Integration Suite.

Partner onboarding in B2B integration connects new suppliers, customers, and partners by onboarding master data, configuring integration workflows, and automating document validation. The SEEBURGER Business Integration Suite, with its Community Management Application (CMA), manages and streamlines onboarding across EDI, API, and MFT. With just one connection for our client, it reduces manual tasks, increases transparency, and cuts onboarding costs by up to 60%.

Read more on our B2B onboarding service and other EDI services.

Point-to-point integration directly connects two systems to exchange data without using a central hub or platform. It’s simple to set up but becomes hard to manage as more connections are added. The SEEBURGER Business Integration Suite prevents integration sprawl by replacing point-to-point setups with a scalable, centralized integration approach. This improves manageability, traceability, and long-term efficiency.

Read more on the advantages of a centralized, hub-based integration platform for your business

Process automation uses technology to automatically execute business tasks. It relies on rules and conditional logic to streamline workflows like order processing, invoicing, or partner onboarding. Automation is often triggered by events such as API calls or incoming EDI messages. Integrated systems enable seamless automation. The SEEBURGER Business Integration Suite orchestrates process automation through its native process engine—reducing costs and accelerating business operations.

Take a deep dive into process automation and the pros and cons of the various approaches.

A protocol in data transfer is a set of rules for how data is transmitted between systems to ensure secure, reliable delivery. While integration methods like EDI, MFT, and APIs define how systems connect, protocols like AS2, SFTP, OFTP2, and HTTPS define how data is encrypted and authenticated, how delivery is confirmed, and how errors are detected and handled. The SEEBURGER Business Integration Suite supports multiple protocols to ensure secure, standards-based B2B integration.

Discover some of the many standard and not so standard protocols supported by the SEEBURGER Business Integration Suite.

A public cloud is a computing environment where third-party providers deliver services like storage and applications over the internet. Hyperscalers (e.g. AWS, Azure) offer broad, shared infrastructure, while vendor clouds are operated by software providers for their own solutions. SEEBURGER integration solutions run on either, enabling flexible deployment, faster integration, and scalable operations.

Discover more about deploying the SEEBURGER Business Integration Suite from a cloud.

Real-time integration continuously synchronizes data across systems as changes occur, using APIs, event-driven integration, and modern integration platforms. Unlike traditional EDI, which uses batch processing, real-time methods support instant B2B data exchange, consistent information, and seamless system interoperability. The SEEBURGER Business Integration Suite delivers end-to-end automation and modern API integration, enabling faster decisions and greater agility across connected business ecosystems.

Take a deep dive into real time integration on the SEEBURGER blog.

A reverse proxy is a server that receives requests from clients and forwards them to the appropriate backend server. It acts as an intermediary, hiding the identity of the backend servers while managing tasks like rate limiting, security, and caching. A reverse proxy improves security, performance, and scalability by efficiently distributing traffic and protecting backend systems.

Discover more about API management at SEEBURGER

RPA uses software bots to simulate human clicks and keystrokes, automating repetitive tasks like copying data between systems. It works at surface level, interacting through user interfaces. In contrast, deep integration via APIs, EDI, or MFT connects systems directly for faster, more secure, and scalable data exchange. The SEEBURGER Business Integration Suite provides deep integration to reduce errors, eliminate manual workarounds, and support end-to-end automation.

Take a deep dive into RPA compared to deep integration on the SEEBURGER blog.

Secure B2B data exchange protects sensitive business information by using encrypted, authenticated communication methods like EDI, APIs, and managed file transfer (MFT). Protocols such as TLS, AS2, and OAuth ensure data integrity, regulatory compliance, and partner trust. The SEEBURGER Business Integration Suite enables secure integration across industries, helping businesses prevent breaches, meet compliance standards, and streamline digital collaboration.

Security is important at SEEBURGER. Take a look at our security certifications

A vendor cloud is a cloud environment managed and operated by a specific software provider to host its own solutions. Unlike public clouds from hyperscalers, vendor clouds are purpose-built for the vendor’s applications and services. The SEEBURGER Business Integration Suite deployed from the SEEBURGER Cloud offers optimized performance, strong data governance and an excellent security scorecard.

Discover more about deploying the SEEBURGER Business Integration Suite from a cloud.

Workflow automation uses predefined rules and logic to trigger tasks automatically. These include sending notifications, processing documents, or updating records across systems. It connects with integration methods like EDI, APIs, and MFT to streamline business processes. The SEEBURGER Business Integration Suite enables workflow automation to reduce manual effort, increase speed, and minimize errors in daily operations.

Take a look at our white paper, The BIS Platform in a Nutshell.

X12 is a standardized format for Electronic Data Interchange (EDI) , developed by the American National Standards Institute (ANSI). It’s widely used across industries such as retail, healthcare, and logistics to exchange business documents like purchase orders and invoices. By using X12, companies can streamline B2B transactions, reduce manual data entry, and minimize errors — helping trading partners work together more efficiently.

Take a deep dive into ANSI X12.

Zero Trust architecture is a security model that assumes no user or system is trusted by default, requiring continuous authentication, strict access controls, and monitoring. The SEEBURGER Business Integration Suite supports Zero Trust principles through features like encryption, role-based access, API security, and penetration testing. These are standard in our fully managed and iPaaS deployment models.

Security is important at SEEBURGER. Take a look at our security certifications