Opinions on Integration Engines?

[chrisplough]

Hello!

I'm aware of the following integration products and technologies that have been used with OTM. I'd love to get real-world feedback and opinions on what works and doesn't, to better complete this list. To my knowledge this is the available list:

Proven, though expensive:

• webMethods
• Tibco
• IBM MQ

Capable, but complex:

• IBM WebSphere Integration Server

Reliable and less expensive:

• HP Mercator
• Sun SeeBeyond eGate

Inexpensive, though reported to have volume issues:

• Microsoft BizTalk

Newer (capable) technologies, though unproven:

• Oracle BPEL / Oracle ESB
• Active Endpoints BPEL

Cheap, but limited capabilities:

• OTM Python Scripts (included w/ OTM)

Others

Let me know your thoughts on these and we can go into more depth.

Thanks!
--Chris

[rkuruba]

Re: Opinions on Integration Engines?

Chris,

Used WebMethods to integrate to OTM. We had issues with http post with error acknowledgements not coming back and not hiting the integration layer. WebMethods is going towards service oriented architecture can interact with OTM with JMS API - if OTM uses OAQ protocol.

I can provide you details regarding

JCAPS SOA/BPEL
Oracle SOA/BPEL

After certain time.

RK.

[chrisplough]

Re: Opinions on Integration Engines?

Thanks! I'd definitely appreciate the feedback. Any information that you can provide the forum regarding JCAPS SOA/BPEL and Oracle SOA/BPEL would benefit the community and would be greatly appreciated.

--Chris

[jeff.depaul]

Re: Opinions on Integration Engines?

Hi Chris,

We are integrating EBS with OTM v.5.5 CU2 utilizing Fusion 10.1.2 (moving to 10.1.3 this week). So far we have had to modify all of the pre-built integrations delievered with the EBS OTM patches to meet our requirements. Additionally, these patches create heavy restrictions to existing EBS functionality (specifically Trip modifications) - so we are having to adjust the BPEL integrations accordingly to accomodate.

We use 3rd party WMS packages which allow certain transportation related "functionality" - these transactional changes need to be dealt with back upstream in OTM since EBS will not allow. We are looking to leaverage Fusion to handle some of these cases.

Related: Is there a forum that deals specifically with EBS integration? Any plans to add one?

Thanks,
Jeff

[chrisplough]

Re: Opinions on Integration Engines?

Jeff,

Thanks for the feedback. I can definitely agree with you -- we've had to do exactly the same with the 3 clients where we had to integrate EBS and OTM.

In addition to the customizations to meet required business functionality, some of the data touch points are cumbersome -- for instance to change the delivery time on a shipment, you have to go all the way back to EBS, make the change and then reprocess the delivery to update the Order Release in OTM. This can be a difficult business process for the client, especially those that are used to the functionality and user interface of OTM.

(Note: Having worked on OTM for so long, I'm definitely biased - I like the OTM interface MUCH better than the EBS forms interface, which I found confusing. I'm looking forward to playing with EBS R12 next month, though, to see how improved it is.)

We've had to make customizations to allow data changes in OTM, which get propagated back to EBS and allow the logistics planners to remain in the OTM screens for simple operations.

I haven't had to deal with 3rd party WMS modules at any of our clients yet. Please let us know how that goes -- I'm interested if it will work with the current integration and if you'll be able to use Fusion to handle some of that functionality.

Thanks for the suggestion on the additional forum. I expect the EBS / OTM integration to become a large area of interest, now that G-Log is part of Oracle. I want to see a strong interest from the community (read: enough posts) before adding another forum. For now, it's still the minority, with the bulk of OTM customers integrating with other systems (SAP, home-grown, etc). Please feel free to post here until it reaches critical mass

Thanks!
--Chris

[spistolpete]

Re: Opinions on Integration Engines?

We too are using BPEL to integrate between EBS and OTM and have found the default packages sorely lacking. We will be modifying the existing BPEL order interfaces - the trip create seems to be working for us at the moment -, and will be creating several additional integrations with our transport mechanism TBD.

There is marked inconsistency between the Shipping and Purchasing order interfaces: items and the usage of references for example. It is as if two separate groups not communicating with each other designed them.

I "heard" through our onsite consultant that Oracle is in the process of "scoping" out a second BPEL release to clean up some of their freshman efforts. Would love to get involved in that.

Regards,
Pete

[chrisplough]

Re: Opinions on Integration Engines?

Pete,

I'm not aware of any client whose been able to use the flows out of the box -- though that's not my greatest concern. Issue resolution has been longer with Oracle than I was used to with G-Log (we weren't great - but we were often able to get quick-fixes out the door effectively).

I've also heard that the integration is being revamped, but haven't been able to get a release date, even from developers. I would guess that it'll be released with OTM 6.0, though (hopefully) something will be out sooner. I would also hope that the integration comes in at the Order Base level, instead of Order Release.

Should you hear anything - dates, specs, included updates - please post back and help keep the community in the loop Also - please share your experiences with the integration as you move forward - required customizations, requests for improvement, etc. In addition to running the forums, I'm on the OTM SIG Board and will do my best to bring these issues/suggestions to light with Oracle.

Thanks!
--Chris

[pseude]

Re: Opinions on Integration Engines?

Hi Chris,

This is Sandip here. I am new to this area of OTM. My main area of interest is OTM-EBS integration. Do we have any opinions on whether it is possible to use a third party integration product to integrate OTM and EBS rather than using the Oracle BPEL processes. Or is integration via BPEL the only way out?

Rgds,
Sandip

[chrisplough]

Re: Opinions on Integration Engines?

Sandip,

If you're looking to utilize the prepackaged integration flows that Oracle provides, then you'll have to utilize their BPEL server and integration infrastructure. However, if you're looking to utilize custom integration (as the bulk of OTM clients are), then any integration server will work and the choice should be based off of cost, reliability, technical stack, employee expertise, etc.

While most OTM clients are using 3rd party OMS/WMS applications (SAP, home-brew, etc), the same logic applies to integrating EBS and OTM. They are separate products and can be integrated using the integration engine of your choice.

Hope this helps.

Thanks,
Chris

[RPANREDDY]

Re: Opinions on Integration Engines?

Chris,
This is Rpan from Coke, in our environment we are using IBM MQ and Tibco for your integration with different Order Management systems, and please let me know what kind of information you are expecting from us.

[chrisplough]

Re: Opinions on Integration Engines?

Rpan,

How are you doing? I remember the initial setup of the integration at Coke - I believe Alpesh had worked on a great portion of it. If memory servers - you all are using IBM MQ and Tibco to integration into OTM via Oracle Advance Queuing (OAQ) -- is this still correct.

What's your experience? What parts of your integration stack are you happy with and what lessons have you learned? I'm sure the community would benefit from your experience.

Thanks!
--Chris

[ashwinrrao]

Re: Opinions on Integration Engines?

Hi Chris,
What's your opinion on Tibco vs BPEL. Is there any reliable study comparing the 2?
Regards,
Ashwin

[chrisplough]

Re: Opinions on Integration Engines?

I'm not aware of a study specifically comparing the two, but I've seen both Tibco and Oracle's Fusion Middleware being used successfully as the primary Integration Architecture for large companies.

I believe that Tibco is more proven and Oracle's Middleware is a bit more flexible and feature-rich. In the end, the choice is best made depending on a companies skillset and which product best matches up with the tech stack and long-term business goals.

--Chris

[anubagar]

Re: Opinions on Integration Engines?

Hi,

I am new to OTM, in our project we are planning to use webmethod to integrate OTM. Can anyone provide any document on using webmethod to integrate with OTM.
If possible please provide same basic idea on same.
Thanks.
Regards
AA

[chrisplough]

Re: Opinions on Integration Engines?

I don't believe there's a public document available on this, but you can integrate with OTM in two different ways:

- XML Posts via HTTP
- XML via Web Services

Start with the OTM Integration Guide first and it should answer most of your questions, then you can follow up here with more specific issues or questions.

Thanks,
Chris