B2B Integration : A Practical Guide to Collaborative E-commerce

100 B2B Integration — A Practical Guide to Collaborative E-commerce
Internal Applications
(Java, Q C++)
Enterprise Portal
Application
Financial System
4.4. Benefits of EAI
ERP System
CRM System
EAI Solution Databases
SCM System
Figure 4.3. — The EAI solution
Legacy System
EAI is not an out-of-the-box solution, but rather an ongoing process of
creating a flexible, standardized enterprise infrastructure that allows
new IT-based applications and business processes to be easily and
efficiently deployed. The new infrastructure allows applications
throughout an enterprise to seamlessly communicate with one another
in a real-time manner.
When implemented properly, EAI can provide many benefits
including:
• Enabling an organization to link legacy systems with new systems
such as CRM and ERP to take advantage of electronic commerce
opportunities;
• Helping companies realize the benefits touted from business
acquisitions and mergers;
• Improving the speed for bringing products to market, systems to
implementation and new business units on-line;
• Allowing companies to quickly react to changes in the business
model; and
• Enabling companies to take advantage of changes in the industry and
technology.