The Complete Guide to Integration & Connectivity Platforms

What are Integration & Connectivity Platforms?

Integration and connectivity platforms enable data exchange between supply chain systems—connecting TMS, WMS, ERP, carrier systems, and trading partners through standardized protocols. These solutions range from traditional EDI providers to modern API-first platforms and logistics-specific integration tools.

Effective integration is foundational to supply chain digitization, enabling the real-time visibility and automation that modern operations require.

Types of Integration Platforms

Integration solutions serve different connectivity needs across the supply chain:

EDI Providers

Traditional electronic data interchange services for structured business document exchange. Key capabilities include EDI translation converting between X12, EDIFACT formats and internal systems, VAN (Value-Added Network) services for secure EDI transmission and mailbox routing, trading partner management handling connections and mapping for each partner, compliance support meeting retailer and industry EDI requirements like ASN, 810, 850, web EDI portals for smaller partners without EDI capability, and AS2 secure file transfer for direct partner connectivity. Best for companies with retail, automotive, or other trading partners requiring EDI compliance, and organizations with established EDI infrastructure seeking to add new partners.

API Connectivity Platforms

Modern integration platforms enabling real-time connectivity through web services and APIs. Key capabilities include REST and SOAP API management for building and consuming web services, API gateway with security, rate limiting, and analytics, pre-built connectors for quick integration with common platforms, webhook support for event-driven, real-time data push, low-code/no-code mapping for visual data transformation tools, and iPaaS (Integration Platform as a Service) for cloud-based integration management. Best for companies modernizing their integration architecture, connecting SaaS applications, building real-time data flows, and enabling self-service partner connectivity.

Logistics-Specific Integration Platform

Purpose-built integration solutions designed for transportation and logistics workflows. Key capabilities include multi-carrier connectivity providing pre-built integrations with hundreds of carriers, visibility network aggregating real-time tracking data across carriers, document exchange for BOL, POD, rate confirmation, and invoice sharing, rate shopping enabling multi-carrier quoting through unified API, load board integration connecting TMS to digital freight marketplaces, and logistics data normalization standardizing shipment data across sources. Best for freight brokers, 3PLs, shippers, and carriers needing to connect with multiple transportation partners without building individual integrations.

Key Integration Capabilities

1. Protocol Support

• EDI: X12, EDIFACT standards
• REST/SOAP: Web service APIs
• AS2: Secure file transfer
• SFTP: Secure file exchange
• Real-time: Webhooks and streaming

2. Data Transformation

• Mapping: Convert between data formats
• Enrichment: Add reference data
• Validation: Ensure data quality
• Normalization: Standardize across sources

3. Operations

• Monitoring: Track integration health
• Error Handling: Manage failures and retries
• Alerting: Notify on issues
• Logging: Audit trail of exchanges

Integration Architecture Approaches

Point-to-Point

Direct connections between systems. Simple for few integrations but complex to manage at scale.

Hub-and-Spoke (EDI VAN)

Central hub routes messages between partners. Traditional EDI model.

iPaaS (Integration Platform as a Service)

Cloud-based integration platforms with pre-built connectors and low-code mapping. Modern approach for API-first integration.

Logistics Networks

Industry-specific platforms connecting logistics participants on shared networks with standardized data models.

Selection Criteria

1. Protocol Requirements

Match platform capabilities to your integration needs—EDI for retail compliance, APIs for modern systems, both for hybrid environments.

2. Pre-Built Connectors

Evaluate existing integrations with your systems and partners. Pre-built connections accelerate deployment.

3. Scalability

Consider transaction volumes and partner count. Pricing often scales with usage.

4. Support & Expertise

Integration complexity requires knowledgeable support. Evaluate provider expertise in logistics.

Integration ROI

• Efficiency: Eliminate manual data entry and rekeying
• Accuracy: Reduce errors from manual processes
• Speed: Real-time data exchange vs. batch processing
• Visibility: Enable tracking and automation across systems

Getting Started

Explore integration solutions in our Integration Platforms comparison tool to find connectivity solutions for your supply chain technology ecosystem.