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IMan Integration

An integration is a collection of independent transforms. Previous versions called it a 'Job'.

Transforms are split into five broad types

  1. Data Transforms
    • Used to manipulate, or 'transform', data
  2. Readers
    • These transforms extract (read) data from a source.
  3. Connectors
    • Provide connectivity with an application through its API.
  4. Writers
    • Send data out to a destination such as a file or database.
  5. Tasks
    1. Extra functions, such as file actions, FTP actions and email, that support an integration.

Integration Components

The shape of an integration, between two dashed lines. Above, the possible sources: a database, an application or a file. Between them, a reader imports the data, one or more data transforms shape it, and a data export writes it. Below, the same three kinds of destination

One read (data-source) transform

The read transform queries the external data source, such as a file, database, mailbox, webservice or application.

One or more TRANSFORMS to mould the dataset into the required shape and form

Transforms change the structure of the data, and the data itself, to meet the requirements of the integration.

They can reshape data to meet the requirements of an API or export format, or add business logic and validation.

There is usually at least one transform, such as a Map, between the Reader and the Connector or Writer. You often need to chain several transforms together to meet a specific requirement.

One or more connector or writer transforms

A connector or writer transform takes the data from IMan and outputs it to a resource such as a file, database or an application's API.