The Integration Appliance contains pre-built connectivity to a wide variety of enterprise applications, databases, flat-files, and on-demand applications. Using a "configuration, not coding" approach for connecting applications not only enables rapid implementations, but also eliminates the need to touch the endpoints. The appliance provides a graphical user interface to transform data between source and target applications, and provides automatic completeness checks. A workflow process can be defined using drag-and-drop logical functions. And, a single web-based console provides complete visibility. Connecting SPS Commerce with other end-points using the Integration Appliance is simple because:

• No installation at the end-points: Unlike software-based integration tools, there is no connectivity software to install at the endpoints
• All connectivity included in the Integration Appliance: Unlike software-based integration tools, there is no need to purchase any adapters/connectors
• Configuration, not coding: All this connectivity is accomplished without writing any code

The Cast Iron Integration Appliance for SPS Commerce enables you to graphically map data between source and target applications. Performing data transformations with the Integration Appliance is simple because of the following:

• GUI-based transformation between source and target systems
• Automatic correctness and completeness checking (e.g. if you're mapping an alphanumeric field to a numeric field, the appliance warns you of the inconsistency)
• Drag & drop Excel-like functions (e.g. graphically concatenate multiple fields from source app into one field in the target app)
• One-click testing of data maps because the appliance automatically generates test data and cases

The Cast Iron Integration Appliance for SPS Commerce enables you to graphically define the flow of data between source and target applications (workflow). Creating workflow rules with the Integration Appliance is simple because of the following:

• Drag-and-drop integration flow creation (e.g. graphically define how a PO should go from your ERP system to your vendor)
• Data-driven business logic (e.g. determine format and transport to send a PO depending on which vendor it should go to)
• Error-checking and handling (e.g. if the PO number is blank, you can generate a notification email)

The Cast Iron Integration Appliance for SPS Commerce provides you with a single console to manage and monitor your integrations. Managing and monitoring your integrations with the Integration Appliance is simple:

• Single console view – from appliance to integrations (e.g. see the details of a PO and the status of the CPU, memory, etc. in one console)
• One-click deployment of integrations (e.g. deploy an integration project from development to production in one click)
• Remote setup, upgrade and monitoring (e.g. remotely monitor the status of transactions and perform upgrades)
• Proactive alerts on data and connectivity errors (e.g. setup notification rules on how to receive messages on data, connectivity and system errors)