# iPaaS (Integration Platform as a Service)

> An integration platform as a service (iPaaS) is a cloud platform for connecting applications and data sources and running automated workflows between them, without building and hosting the integration code yourself. It provides prebuilt connectors, triggers, data mapping, scheduling, error handling and monitoring. The category spans small-business tools such as Zapier and Make and enterprise platforms such as Workato, Boomi and MuleSoft.

## Why it matters for your business

An iPaaS turns many integration projects from custom development into configuration, which shortens timelines and lets operations teams maintain workflows themselves. The tradeoffs are pricing that grows with usage, limits on how much custom logic or data volume a platform handles well, and dependence on the vendor's connector for each app. Pricing models differ, for example per task, per credit or per execution, so the same workflow can cost very different amounts on different platforms. Model your expected volume before choosing, and check current pricing.

## Example

A distributor uses an iPaaS to keep its ecommerce store, ERP and shipping software in sync. New web orders are created in the ERP, inventory levels flow back to the store every 15 minutes, and tracking numbers from the shipping tool update both the order and the customer email. The operations manager adjusts field mappings without filing a development ticket.

Related terms: https://www.lumeor.studio/glossary/workflow-automation/, https://www.lumeor.studio/glossary/n8n-workflow-automation/, https://www.lumeor.studio/glossary/api-application-programming-interface/, https://www.lumeor.studio/glossary/webhook/, https://www.lumeor.studio/glossary/etl-extract-transform-load/

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Source: https://www.lumeor.studio/glossary/ipaas-integration-platform-as-a-service/