¶ Integration in eTag Fuse
Integration is the first layer of system collaboration. It focuses on connecting systems so they can communicate and exchange data — but does not guarantee shared meaning or coordination.
In the Fuse platform, integration is treated as a first-class layer — one that enables other domains such as security, identity, UI, and AI to participate in composable, cross-domain workflows. It's the entry point to interoperability, not the end goal.
¶ 1. What is Integration?
Integration refers to the technical process of linking systems, applications, or components so they can send and receive data or commands between one another.
This includes:
- API calls (REST, SOAP)
- Message queues and event triggers
- File transfers (CSV, XML, EDI, flat files)
- Database access (SQL, ETL, stored procedures)
In legacy systems, integration often stops at connection. In Fuse, integration is just the beginning.
¶ 2. Typical Integration Patterns (and How Fuse Supports Them)
| Pattern | Description | In Fuse |
|---|---|---|
 Point-to-Point |
One system connects directly to another | REST, SOAP, FTP, SMTP, SQL |
 Hub-and-Spoke |
Central mediator coordinates all system messaging | Fuse orchestrator + event bus |
 API Gateway |
Unified interface for many back-end services | API façade layering with identity + policy |
 Message Bus / ESB |
Events passed via shared pub/sub infrastructure | Message adapters, traces, retries, filtering |
Fuse supports traditional integration styles and enhances them with visibility, reusability, and policy enforcement.
¶ 3. What Integration Solves
Integration answers:
- How do I connect System A to System B?
- How do I push or pull data between them?
- How do I adapt formats and protocols?
It enables:
- Basic system-to-system communication
- Application extensibility
- Real-time or scheduled data exchange
- Event-driven workflows and message processing
¶ 4. Limitations of Integration Alone
Integration enables communication — but not coordination or collaboration.
No shared meaning — Systems exchange raw data, but lack context
Tight coupling — Fragile dependencies between endpoints
Poor adaptability — Changes in one system break others
Limited error handling — Manual retries, no recovery logic
That’s why Fuse treats integration as the foundation, not the finish line.
¶ 5. How Fuse Handles Integration
Fuse includes a robust integration layer with:
Protocol Connectors — HTTP, FTP, TCP, SMTP, WebSockets, SQL, EDI, SCIM
Format Transformers — JSON, XML, CSV, flat files, HL7, X12
Dynamic Mappings — Transform, enrich, or redirect based on runtime data
API Façade Layering — Expose modern, secure APIs for legacy systems
All integration activities in Fuse are:
- Composable — Reusable across domains and workflows
- Versioned — Track and manage changes over time
- Observable — Full tracing, logging, and token-scoped metrics
¶ 6. Integration as a Cross-Domain Foundation
In Fuse, integration isn't isolated — it’s a layer that powers other domains.
¶ 6.1 Security Domain Integration
Token-based authentication across endpoints- Federated identity integration (OAuth2, SAML, SCIM)
Secure propagation of scoped access tokens
Role- and risk-based access enforcement
Security integrations become reusable across workflows, APIs, and automations.
¶ 6.2 UI Domain Integration
Dynamic UI fragments rendered inside workflows
Human-in-the-loop steps triggered by integration events
Embedded forms and SPA wrappers with real-time validation
UI actions triggered by integrations can drive:
- Workflow decisions
- AI model invocations
- Conditional routing
Fuse allows you to integrate once and use across any domain.
¶ 7. Integration as the Foundation for Interoperability
Integration is the entry point to:
- Automation — Event-driven pipelines and reactive flows
Orchestration — Triggering long-running workflows and routing decisions
Interoperability — Enabling context-aware collaboration between domains
Fuse treats integration as semantic and secure, not just syntactic.
¶ 8. When to Use Integration Alone
You may use integration by itself when:
- You’re connecting two simple systems
- The task involves static or scheduled file transfers
- You’re calling a REST/SQL endpoint without needing workflow or logic
- You’re syncing reference data via ETL or API
But if the integration requires decision-making, recovery, identity handling, or domain coordination — use:
¶ 9. Explore Further
Domains of Interoperability — Learn how integration fits into the multi-domain execution model- Orchestration — Go beyond triggers with adaptive logic and human input
- Interoperability — Learn how integration becomes composable, explainable, and governed
¶ 10. Additional Resources
Looking to reinforce your understanding or share a quick overview with others? These resources can help deepen your grasp of integration in Fuse:
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eTag Fuse Platform
Explore how Fuse delivers full-spectrum interoperability — with integration as the foundation for secure automation, coordinated workflows, and intelligent cross-domain communication. -
Audio Summary: Integration in Fuse
This brief audio clip highlights the key concepts from this page, including integration patterns, limitations, and how Fuse elevates integration into a composable and reusable capability.
A helpful primer for architects, developers, or partners wanting a fast-track mental model.
Next: Automation — Learn how Fuse enables tasks and actions to be executed automatically based on triggers and logic.