Assignment 3: Integration Challenge & Use Case

Baseline Protocol Course
#99

Write down three challenges in the field of business integration and write down an example.

  • Data Integrity
  • Message exchange
  • Notification

A company chooses to outsource the calculation (tax, mandatory contributions to the state) of their payroll. However, this means information needs to be correct and given to the third party that will handle the payroll. Since the third party have a different IT system, the company’s HR having their own record needs to verify and check manually for any discrepancy before releasing the information to the third party to process the payroll. When the third party gets the information, it will then processed the information in their own system. In the event the end result will have any discrepancy from the original information they have to redo the process to correct it.

#100

Data Integrity
Message Exchange
Data Protection

Example: a company managing customers sensitive data (like health) is a constant target of malicious actors

#101
  1. Control flow
  2. Data security
  3. Information silos

For instance, a business might not want any details revealed to competitors and might hesitate to use other systems

#102
  • data integrity
  • control flow
  • changing requirements

Example: Providing valid data between different silos to control if there are changing decisions along the process.

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#103
  1. Digitization of key information
  2. Integration between different businesses that have systems of varying complexity and scale.
  3. Security.

In the field of international insurance, the processes per country are different and the systems used by various parties in these systems are different in capability and scale. Some companies use full stack ERP systems and some use a simple desktop computer with basic software. Connecting these systems seamlessly and in real time is the major challenge.

#104

:one: Data mobility
Having data be accessible and simply on-demand to any relevant stakeholder within the company is important. Many companies still push paper around and mail documents which could simply be digitalized and sent within a handful of seconds.

Systems where real-world events hit digital triggers and act accordingly allow data to be as efficiently mobile as possible. Once the systems are in place, it can be far more cost and time effective.

:two: Data trustworthiness
Data is often easily able to be manipulated through document forgery. This could be faked signatures, ‘inspect element’ jobs, or imposter documents which are incorrectly considered reputable.

The ability to manipulated data is obviously not exclusive to legacy physical documentation, however blockchain applications can help mitigate the potential for data forgery.

:three: Control flow
Retaining appropriate record of decision-making along life-cycle of a company project can be difficult and messy. And if not done properly, the side-effects can be significant.

An example of control flow issues could exist in supply chain projects, where breaking decisions are made often. When these decisions are not accounted for across the board, resources may be taken to the wrong destination, or situations where the entire organization collapses.

#105

Three challenges in the field of business integration are :

  1. Data Integration
  2. Data Integrity
  3. Data Security

An example would be the integration of Data by commercially transacting business seamlessly. being validated. verified. and secured by using an email address.

#106

Three challenges in the field of business integration:
1.) State Management: all parties being able to keep a uniform record among a multitude of active databases, and those messages being properly relayed.
2.) Changing Requirements: making changes to existing workflow when other parties join (the more that join the more complex this process becomes).
3.) Data Integrity: managing/mapping where all the data is sent to, and making sure that data is encrypted in a permissioned channel to avoid potential leaks of precious info to competitors.
Example: A challenging example I could think of lies in my third challenge listing of possible precious data becoming leaked. Because blockchain is open-sourced (most business applications being built on Ethereum Mainnet with publicity), a business might want to keep their data and interworks more private in case of a competitor trying to get ahead. They might find initial adversity with creating a permissioned channel, and will need the utmost security and encryption to guard their advancements.

#107

Three challenges in business integration are:

Security
Notifications
Control flow

Businesses can track order updates and if there’s any challenges along the way inconsistencies will be brought to light.

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#108

So many good responses;
i may concur with technically speaking:

  1. control flow
  2. modifying requirements on the fly
  3. old data bases and bad admin practices and resistance
  4. budget or cost to adapt

companies may respect the data immutability after transactions to be reliable and efficient; however certain internal process on both sides should be enabled to avoid, last minute changes that compromise trust, revenue and decrease reputation.
not all participants of the enterprise system would have the same required skills to manage or have the resources to admin; it would require a democratic funding to have all peers able to be in the enterprise blockchain.
legal practices may adjust to this new middleware to protect data.

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#109

Three challenges of business integration:

  1. Changing requirements.
  2. Data integrity.
  3. Technical integrity.

Example: If the standard operating process of any work stream changes, then the business integration needs to change across the organisation in each department rather than through a single point of control, like that of implementing a new and updated smart contract.

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#110

Convincing the business partner to use UB Framework and connector, for data exchange in his ERP system
Convincing the busines partner to pay for the Unibright Protocol in general
Change management

#111

Integrating a new system into the workflow with exsiting systems.
The concept of unibright itself might need convincing if management doesn´t see the benefits right away.
Setting up the system and challenges associated with that.

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#112

  1. Notifications: One challenge in the field of business integration for the Baseline Protocol is ensuring timely and accurate notifications about important events or changes. For example, if a company is using the Baseline Protocol to track the status of orders in its supply chain, it is critical that all relevant parties receive timely notifications when an order is placed, shipped, or delayed. If these notifications are not properly managed, it can lead to delays, mistakes, and other issues that can impact the efficiency and effectiveness of the supply chain.

  2. Control Flow: Another challenge in the field of business integration for the Baseline Protocol is managing the flow of control and decision-making within an organization. For example, if a company is using the Baseline Protocol to manage its financial reporting process, it may need to carefully coordinate the flow of information and approvals between different departments and stakeholders. If this flow is not properly managed, it can lead to bottlenecks and delays that can impact the accuracy and timeliness of the financial reports.

  3. Changing Requirements: A third challenge in the field of business integration for the Baseline Protocol is managing changes in requirements or processes over time. For example, if a company is using the Baseline Protocol to manage its product development process, it may need to adapt to changes in customer needs, market conditions, or regulatory requirements. If these changes are not properly managed, it can lead to costly mistakes or delays in the development process.

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#113
  1. Notifications
  2. Message exchange
  3. Control flow

e.g. When integrating businesses using different management systems, notification of desired parties should be acknowledged, message exchange must be available and facilitated, and the control flow should be integrated.

#114

Three challenges of business integration:

  1. Data Integrity
  2. Notifications
  3. State Management

For example, confirmation when a message has been sent and received (read) and this has been acknowledged and confirmed, keeping a record of all messages which have been sent and keeping a record of all processes and in particular if something needs to be cancelled, mapping to keep track of where all information has been sent.

#115

Cost of setting up Baseline protocol. Smaller companies may not have the budget or IT framework. They may lose business opportunities because they don’t have systems compatible with bigger companies that use Baseline protocol

Security level of different systems are different. Some may need an entire restructuring before they
Would be compatible to use an integrated system.

Automating the systems to be Baseline Protocol compliant may require costly restructuring that some companies may not have the budget for.

Unibrite connection proxy to help resolve some of the system integration challenges

Trust between businesses that haven’t worked together.
Transparency focused B2C scenarios is addressed with Baseline Protocol. Authorized persons can see the same thing and any changes being made

#116
  1. Interoperability Between Different Blockchain Networks and Traditional Systems :
  • Challenge : One of the major challenges in blockchain integration is ensuring interoperability between different blockchain networks and existing traditional IT systems. Many businesses struggle to integrate blockchain technology into their legacy systems efficiently.
  • Example : A company using a traditional supply chain management system wants to leverage blockchain for enhanced transparency and security. However, the lack of interoperability between its existing system and various blockchain networks presents a significant challenge.
  • Unibright/Baseline Solution : Unibright offers a framework that simplifies the integration of blockchain technology with existing business processes. The Baseline Protocol, in particular, enables secure and private business processes via the public Ethereum Mainnet, facilitating interoperability between different systems and blockchain networks.
  1. Maintaining Privacy and Security in Business Transactions on the Blockchain :
  • Challenge : While blockchain offers transparency, it also raises concerns about privacy, especially in business-to-business (B2B) transactions where sensitive data is involved.
  • Example : Two companies wish to execute a contract on the blockchain but are concerned about exposing sensitive contract details on a public ledger.
  • Unibright/Baseline Solution : The Baseline Protocol addresses this by enabling confidential and complex collaborations without leaving sensitive data on-chain. It uses techniques like Zero-Knowledge Proofs (ZKP) to validate data without revealing the underlying information, thus maintaining privacy and security.
  1. Standardization and Workflow Automation in Blockchain Processes :
  • Challenge : Many enterprises face difficulties in standardizing and automating workflows when implementing blockchain solutions, due to the complex and varied nature of blockchain technologies.
  • Example : A company wants to automate its multi-party agreement process using blockchain but finds it challenging to create a standardized workflow that accommodates all parties’ systems and processes.
  • Unibright/Baseline Solution : Unibright’s framework provides tools for visual workflow representation, making it easier to design and automate blockchain-based business processes. This helps in creating standardized, repeatable processes that can be integrated across various business functions.
#117
  1. Messaging
    doing business entails knowing when to send what and being able to receive as well, as handling all subsequent notifications
    ex: in the food industry you can have issues with the traceability and requests from regulators to provide information
  2. State Management
    keeping a record and log the statuses of all those messages and actions they triggered
    ex: When was the invoice sent, received, paid…
  3. Changing requirement
    adapting to businesses evolving needs and making sure the system is maleable and can change with the times.
    ex: new regulations are being introduced regularly. you need to be fully compliant always
#118

Three significant challenges in the field of business integration include data synchronization, system compatibility, and user adoption.

  1. Data Synchronization: Ensuring that data remains consistent and up-to-date across multiple systems can be complex. For instance, integrating ERP software with a CRM system requires real-time updates to avoid discrepancies in customer information.

  2. System Compatibility: Different software solutions often have unique architectures and data formats, making seamless integration difficult. An example is when a company implements new ERP software and needs it to work smoothly with their existing supply chain management system, requiring custom middleware to bridge the gap.

  3. User Adoption: Even when technical integration is successful, getting employees to use new integrated systems effectively can be challenging. For example, after integrating ERP software with project management tools, employees might resist the change, preferring their familiar legacy systems, which necessitates comprehensive training and support to facilitate the transition.
    Three significant challenges in the field of business integration include data synchronization, system compatibility, and user adoption.

  4. Data Synchronization: Ensuring that data remains consistent and up-to-date across multiple systems can be complex. For instance, integrating ERP software with a CRM system requires real-time updates to avoid discrepancies in customer information.

  5. System Compatibility: Different software solutions often have unique architectures and data formats, making seamless integration difficult. An example is when a company implements new ERP software and needs it to work smoothly with their existing supply chain management system, requiring custom middleware to bridge the gap.

  6. User Adoption: Even when technical integration is successful, getting employees to use new integrated systems effectively can be challenging. For example, after integrating ERP software with project management tools, employees might resist the change, preferring their familiar legacy systems, which necessitates comprehensive training and support to facilitate the transition.