Integration Middleware

What Does Integration Middleware Mean?

Integration middleware is the alternate term used for middleware as the purpose of middleware is mainly integration. Integration middleware represents software systems that offer runtime services for communications, integration application execution, monitoring and operations.

Techopedia Explains Integration Middleware

Middleware is a software that links two separate applications or is commonly used to illustrate different products that function as a glue between two separate applications. For instance, there are various middleware products that establish a connection between a Web server and a database system. This lets users request data from the database by means of forms shown on a Web browser. In return, the Web server returns dynamic Web pages according to the user’s requests and profile.

Conventionally, integration middleware is classified based on domains, which are defined by the types of resources that are incorporated:

Cloud Integration: Integrates with and also between the cloud services, cloud-based applications (SaaS), private clouds, trade hubs and other typical cloud resources through Web services and standard B2B communication strategies (FTP, AS2, etc.)
B2B Integration: Integrates customer, provider and various alternative partner interfaces with various data resources and company-managed applications
Application Integration (A2A): Integrates various company-managed applications together, including cloud-based and remote systems
Data Integration: Integrates business data resources, such as databases and files, over business and operational intelligence systems

Middleware is often described as plumbing because it links both sides of an application and also transfers data between them. Some standard middleware categories include: