Enterprise Application Integration (EAI) is the practice of connecting different software applications within an organisation so they can share data, processes, and functionality. In an era where the average enterprise uses hundreds of distinct software systems, EAI is the connective tissue that makes it all work together.
The Core Problem
Most enterprises didn't plan their IT landscapes from scratch. Over years and decades, they acquired, built, and subscribed to dozens of systems: ERP platforms for financials, CRM tools for customer management, SCM systems for logistics, HR platforms, e-commerce engines, and countless specialised applications.
Without integration, these systems become silos. Data gets duplicated, processes require manual handoffs, and the organisation loses visibility across its operations.
EAI Patterns
Message-Oriented Middleware (MOM)
Applications communicate by sending messages through a central broker. This decouples systems — the sender doesn't need to know who receives the message or when they process it.
Service-Oriented Architecture (SOA)
Systems expose their capabilities as services with well-defined interfaces. Other systems consume these services through standardised protocols like SOAP or REST.
Event-Driven Architecture (EDA)
Systems publish events when something significant happens. Other systems subscribe to relevant events and react accordingly. This pattern enables real-time responsiveness.
API-Led Integration
Modern integration strategies centre on APIs as the primary integration mechanism. Internal APIs expose business capabilities, experience APIs serve specific channels, and system APIs abstract underlying systems.
Why EAI Matters in 2026
The integration challenge hasn't simplified — it has intensified. Cloud adoption means organisations now integrate across on-premise, private cloud, and multiple public cloud environments. The rise of SaaS applications has multiplied the number of integration points. And the growing importance of real-time data for AI and analytics means integration must be faster and more reliable than ever.
Organisations that invest in robust EAI foundations find themselves better positioned to adopt new technologies, respond to market changes, and maintain operational resilience.
Getting Started
If you're evaluating your integration landscape, start with these questions:
- How many systems need to share data today? How about in two years?
- What are your real-time requirements? Can you tolerate batch processing, or do you need event-driven flows?
- Do you have the in-house expertise to maintain your integration platform, or do you need external consulting support?
At KONDEVS, we've spent over a decade helping enterprises answer these questions and build integration solutions that scale with their business.