¶ Interoperability Layer Comparison
In interoperability conversations, terms like integration, automation, orchestration, and interoperability are often used interchangeably — leading to confusion when defining architectures, team responsibilities, and platform roles.
This page compares these concepts as distinct layers in the eTag Fuse execution model — showing how each layer contributes to composable, governed, cross-domain workflows.
¶ 1. Comparing Integration and Interoperability Layers
| Category |  Integration Layer |
 Interoperability Layer |
|---|---|---|
| Purpose | Connect systems and transport data | Enable governed, contextual collaboration |
| Focus | Protocols, APIs, data formatting | Tokens, identity, policy enforcement, domain context |
| Scope | Technical (system-to-system) | Cross-domain (runtime semantics and trust) |
| Limitations | Fragile, low observability | Composable, resilient, governed |
| In Fuse | Connectors, adapters, format transformers | Domain federation, scoped execution, traceability |
Key takeaway:
Integration enables connectivity. Interoperability enables coordinated, explainable collaboration.
¶ 2. Comparing Automation and Orchestration Layers
| Category |  Automation Layer |
 Orchestration Layer |
|---|---|---|
| Purpose | Trigger and execute logic reactively | Coordinate flows across actors, systems, and roles |
| Trigger | Events, rules, schedules | Runtime state, conditions, approvals |
| Duration | Stateless and short-lived | Long-running, stateful, recoverable |
| Visibility | Input ? result | Full trace, retry logic, human-in-the-loop support |
| In Fuse | Pipelines, triggers, rules | Workflow builder, escalation logic, compensation flows |
Key takeaway:
Automation acts. Orchestration manages behavior over time and context.
¶ 3. Fuse vs. Traditional Integration Platforms
| Capability | Traditional Integration Tool | eTag Fuse Platform |
|---|---|---|
| Scope of Integration | APIs, ETL, point-to-point | Full-spectrum interoperability across domains |
| Domain Awareness |  No |
 Yes — AI, UI, Security, etc. |
| Human-in-the-loop Support | Rare or externalized |
Native with governance |
| Reusability & Composition | Low — via scripts/configs | Modular, versioned domains |
| Identity & Auth Integration | External SSO | Native tokens, role enforcement, federation |
| AI Participation | Manual API scripting | Native AI orchestration and prompt routing |
| Workflow Support | Minimal or bolt-on | Core orchestration engine |
Key takeaway:
Fuse is not an integration platform — it’s a domain orchestration and governance engine.
¶ 4. Integration Layer vs. API Gateway
| Feature | API Gateway |  Fuse Integration Layer |
|---|---|---|
| Purpose | Expose and secure API endpoints | Ingest, route, transform, and contextualize data |
| Security | TLS, keys, rate limiting | Scoped tokens, roles, dynamic runtime identity |
| Transformation | Basic (headers, JSON/XML) | Complex formats: EDI, CSV, enrichment, redaction |
| Reusability | Route-by-route | Reusable across domains, automations, and flows |
| Composability | Limited |
Participates in orchestrated workflows |
Key takeaway:
Gateways protect APIs. Fuse composes APIs into interoperable, governed systems.
¶ 5. Summary of Execution Layers in Fuse
| Layer | What It Enables | Example in Fuse |
|---|---|---|
| Integration |
System connectivity and data movement | Sync CRM + ERP via REST or file ingestion |
| Automation |
Reactive execution on triggers | Run pipeline when order is submitted |
| Orchestration |
Process coordination and flow control | Validate ? Approve ? Notify ? Log workflow |
| Interoperability |
Governance across domains and actors | Token-based AI + human decision + policy enforcement |
Next: Use Cases — See how these layers power real-world interoperability across industries and domains.