Integration Patterns
Choose the right pattern based on your use case and requirements
Real-Time Sync
Immediate data updates between systems
Technologies
Webhook triggersPlatform EventsAPI calls
Best For
- Contact updates
- Deal stage changes
- Account modifications
Key Considerations
- API rate limits
- Error handling
- Retry logic
Batch Processing
Bulk data transfers and nightly syncs
Technologies
Bulk APIScheduled jobsETL tools
Best For
- Historical data loads
- Reporting sync
- Mass updates
Key Considerations
- Processing windows
- Data volume
- Transformation logic
Event-Driven
Trigger workflows based on system events
Technologies
Platform EventsChange Data CaptureWebhooks
Best For
- Compliance workflows
- Notification systems
- Audit trails
Key Considerations
- Event ordering
- Idempotency
- Dead letter queues
Middleware/iPaaS
Complex multi-system orchestration
Technologies
MuleSoftWorkatoBoomi
Best For
- Enterprise integrations
- Data transformation
- Error management
Key Considerations
- Platform costs
- Vendor lock-in
- Learning curve
Integration Architecture Layers
Build robust, scalable integrations with proper layered architecture
API Gateway
Single entry point for all API requests
- Request routing and load balancing
- Authentication and authorization
- Rate limiting and throttling
- Request/response transformation
Integration Layer
Business logic and data transformation
- Data mapping and transformation
- Business rules engine
- Workflow orchestration
- Error handling and retry logic
Data Layer
Data persistence and caching
- Integration database for staging
- Redis cache for performance
- Audit log storage
- Backup and recovery systems
Security Layer
End-to-end security and compliance
- OAuth 2.0 / JWT authentication
- TLS encryption in transit
- Data encryption at rest
- API key management
Integration Best Practices
Proven strategies for secure, reliable, and performant integrations
Authentication
- Use OAuth 2.0 for user-level access
- Implement JWT for stateless authentication
- Store credentials in secure vault (not code)
- Rotate API keys regularly
- Use named credentials in Salesforce
Error Handling
- Implement exponential backoff for retries
- Create dead letter queue for failed messages
- Log all errors with context
- Alert on critical failures
- Provide detailed error messages to users
Performance
- Cache frequently accessed data
- Use bulk APIs for large data sets
- Implement pagination for list endpoints
- Monitor API usage and optimize
- Use asynchronous processing where possible
Monitoring
- Track API response times
- Monitor error rates and types
- Set up alerting for failures
- Log all integration activity
- Create integration health dashboards
Common Financial Services Integrations
Real-world integration scenarios and solutions
Orion / Tamarac
Portfolio Management
REST APIKey Endpoints
/accounts/positions/transactionsSync Frequency
Real-time + Daily batch
Challenges
- • Data volume
- • Complex hierarchies
- • Performance optimization
eMoney / MoneyGuidePro
Financial Planning
REST APIKey Endpoints
/clients/plans/goalsSync Frequency
On-demand + Weekly sync
Challenges
- • Data mapping
- • Plan versioning
- • Goal tracking
DocuSign / Adobe Sign
eSignature
REST API + WebhooksKey Endpoints
/envelopes/templates/recipientsSync Frequency
Event-driven
Challenges
- • Webhook reliability
- • Status tracking
- • Document storage
Riskalyze / Nitrogen
Risk Assessment
REST APIKey Endpoints
/risk-scores/questionnaires/portfoliosSync Frequency
Quarterly + On-demand
Challenges
- • Score updates
- • Questionnaire versioning
- • Compliance reporting