Drupal Summit Presentation by Orchestra Team
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The document discusses the integration of Drupal with business platforms, particularly ERP systems, outlining various integration models, methodologies, and challenges. It emphasizes the advantages of a centralized platform integration approach over traditional application integration, suggesting that modern businesses should favor fewer, more efficient integrations. Key considerations include understanding the complexities of ERP systems, the importance of APIs and middleware, as well as the need for tailored integration strategies.
![ERP? I Can't Even Spell That!
Enterprise Resource Planning
The initials ERP originated as an extension of MRP (Material Requirements
Planning and Manufacturing Resource Planning[3]; later manufacturing resource planning) and
CIM (Computer Integrated Manufacturing). It was introduced by research and analysis
firm Gartner in 1990. ERP systems now attempt to cover all core functions of an enterprise,
regardless of the organization's business or charter. These systems can now be found in non-
manufacturing businesses, non-profit organizations and governments.[4]
To be considered an ERP system, a software package must provide the function of at least two
systems. For example, a software package that provides both payroll and accounting functions
could technically be considered an ERP software package.[citation needed ]
- Thank you Wikipedia
The simplified real-world term:
Business Management and
Accounting System](https://image.slidesharecdn.com/orchestrateamdrupalsummitpresentation-091023150732-phpapp01/85/Drupal-Summit-Presentation-by-Orchestra-Team-3-320.jpg)
Drupal Summit Presentation by Orchestra Team
- 1. Integrating Drupal to Business Platforms Considerations, Techniques, and Opportunities Chris Strahl Brad Windecker
- 2. What are we covering? 1. Overview of ERP 2. Traditional Integration Model 3. Platform Integration Model 4. Power of a CMS Platform 5. Challenges to Overcome 6. Integration Methodologies 7. Q&A
- 3. ERP? I Can't Even Spell That! Enterprise Resource Planning The initials ERP originated as an extension of MRP (Material Requirements Planning and Manufacturing Resource Planning[3]; later manufacturing resource planning) and CIM (Computer Integrated Manufacturing). It was introduced by research and analysis firm Gartner in 1990. ERP systems now attempt to cover all core functions of an enterprise, regardless of the organization's business or charter. These systems can now be found in non- manufacturing businesses, non-profit organizations and governments.[4] To be considered an ERP system, a software package must provide the function of at least two systems. For example, a software package that provides both payroll and accounting functions could technically be considered an ERP software package.[citation needed ] - Thank you Wikipedia The simplified real-world term: Business Management and Accounting System
- 4. How do Businesses Use ERP? Business Management & Accounting Accounting / Financials Inventory / Logistics / Manufacturing Sales Purchasing CRM Reporting / Planning / Budgeting Platform technology Modular architecture Extensible (usually an API) Typically they have a single database Typically they do not directly service customers or external users
- 5. Who builds ERP Systems?
- 6. Who uses ERP Systems?
- 7. The Traditional Setup for a Small Enterprise Traditional Approach: Centralized Data Integrated core business functions Multiple external applications
- 8. How do Businesses Use CMS? Integrated Front-End Systems Website Intranet Support System E-commerce CRM Reporting Platform technology Modular architecture Extensible (usually through an API) Typically they have a single database Typically they only service customers or end-users
- 9. The Crazy Platform Integrated Model Integrated Approach: Centralized Applications Integrated core business platforms Combined external applications
- 10. What is the Point? Back-end platforms (ERP systems) are used to fully integrate back-end processes They are at the core of any business CMS Platforms (Drupal) help manage diverse external applications These are the customer facing parts of the business Integration of similar platforms is more efficient than integration of applications Integrations are traditionally application focused - this doesn't make sense! Why integrate 10 applications when you could integrate 2 platforms?
- 11. What's the Problem? Information richness Dilution via integration What can be integrated vs. What should be integrated Requires a marketplace shift Move away from application integration Create cost justifications IT problems are often considered insurmountable Platforms are hard to integrate Complexity = difficulty Competing information flows what flows up vs. down
- 12. Smokey, This is Not 'Nam. This is Drupal. There are Rules. Integration Rules to Live By (or at least bowl): "Gravity" = what goes up vs. what goes down "Inertia" = big objects/features are more difficult to move, but often provide the needed force to provide pathways for smaller ones "Relativity" = everything must be relative to one system - unless you want the project to cost as much as the LHC
- 13. How Do I Build This? Key Components: Decide your integration points and directions Choose an integration method Develop some code Contribute it Have a plan to maintain it Work on ways to extend it Fundamentally, you're taking one database and periodically connecting it to another to share data over a long period of time. There are tons of ways to do this.
- 14. You'll Probably Actually Have to Write Some Code... One of the hardest parts about performing an integration (other than knowing how much beer to buy) is figuring out exactly what Drupal needs to do to fit within the framework of the ERP system. Typically you have to write a module or some custom code.
- 15. Your Ballpoint Pen and Paperclip
- 16. The Awesomness that is XML/RPC Awesome because: It is easier to perform bi-directional, real time integration Services / Feeds framework exists within Drupal Most ERP systems support XML export It is easier to maintain - all you have to do is update an XSLT Easy and quick to extend by just adding to the web service Easy to perform logic on the data sent / received
- 17. EDI... is This the 90's? Much like COBOL, it's hard to get rid of EDI, or even to talk about business systems without mentioning it. Spiffy new EDI tools make it not so old and busted Once it works, it almost always continues to work (unless something changes) Still allows for relatively simple bi- directional information flows in real- time Often will have some baseline pre- existing standards
- 18. Direct Access = Direct Danger In our opinion, direct database access should never be used for modification if an API exists! Still useful for one-way integrations (pulling data from a system) Typically really easy to connect to a database and get data out of it Often used for importing data that doesn't frequently change (i.e. monthly statements) Hal wouldn't open the pod bay door because someone wrote the wrong update statement...
- 19. API's Are Cryptic for Most ERPs Using an API for a system you don't really know is like trying to read Don Qixote in Pig Latin. You might be able to figure it out, but it's really silly and confusing. It may be a good idea to call in an expert to help you out. Most firms have partners that implemented their ERP systems. It is almost never acceptable to directly edit a database without using an API.
- 20. Middleware Can Be Your Messiah Middleware applications exist for most of the major ERP systems. They're typically a lot easier to learn and use than the API of the system you're trying to integrate. Many also help prevent many of the coding sins that you could commit when programming for a specific application. Middleware can work miracles...
- 21. Consider the Other Side Before You Jump In ERP Systems are complicated! Be sure that you communicate with the company that implemented the ERP Code may need to be written for the ERP to provide users or administrators with management tools
- 22. Key Points 1. Ubiquity of ERP in business 2. Influence of ERP on business processes 3. Progression to platform integration from application integration 4. Drupal/CMS as front end management 5. No single "right way" to perform an integration 6. Tailor your approach to a technology
- 23. Q&A Contact us: www.orchestrateam.com Brad Windecker brad@orchestrateam.com www.twitter.com/OrchestraTeam Chris Strahl strahl@orchestrateam.com www.twitter.com/chrisstrahl