Integrating Business on the Cloud is a Challenge
It's a bit curious to me that a lot of firms executing cloud computing are struggling with the principle of integration, a subject that's near and dear to my heart. In addition they are doing this as if integration itself was a new topic.
The issue is one of context, more so than technology when thinking about that we have actually been doing integration well for over 15 years, and therefore it's just a matter of carrying those ideas and technology to the world of the cloud. However, as it was back in the 90s when I composed the EAI book, many firms are approaching cloud integration as if we are starting over. That's a big error.
What's vital to keep in mind about integration, cloud or not, is that it's actually about the complimentary flow of details in between systems that take care of info differently. Therefore, you need to readjust details as it's transferred in between systems, or how each offers with system semantics. For example, in moving information from SAP to ERP at some time you have to handle the various methods that each structures information around the principles of consumer, sales, stock, etc.
Many problems when handling cloud computing may be due to the fact that you might be dealing with systems that are beyond the firewall software, and not under you're direct control. Nonetheless, integrations can be well-defined and simple to make use of interfaces, or APIs, which allow access to core information or services. Certainly, I would consider it a lot easier to link and incorporate existing SaaS and IaaS clouds than traditional enterprise systems.
The core message below is that we need to learn from the past, and do not presume we're beginning from scratch when taking care of cloud computing. The patterns, the innovation, the troubles, and the options are mainly the exact same.