SEEBURGER BIS on AlloyDB: A secure, scalable business-critical integration platform

With the technology advances of cloud-first databases, Google Cloud has become the go-to platform for companies that build software to tackle complex, business-critical challenges. This is due to its unmatched scalability, ability to handle unpredictable demand, high reliability, and its continuous innovation in modern technologies like artificial intelligence (AI). 

SEEBURGER BIS Platform is a prime example. It empowers seamless application connectivity and process automation in industries like manufacturing, automotive, banking, finance, and logistics, where billions of dollars in trade depend on a reliable and scalable data infrastructure. Recognizing the need for continuous innovation, SEEBURGER sought to maximize the benefits of cloud-first technologies to drive future growth and optimize operations.

This strategic direction aligns perfectly with a major trend in cloud computing — it's no longer just about migrating to the cloud but about strategically leveraging cloud services to transform core business processes. Trends like edge computing, multi-cloud strategies, AI and ML, and a relentless focus on security demand innovative solutions. The realm of integration is a prime example; agile, secure, and scalable integration Platform-as-a-Service (iPaaS) solutions are rapidly becoming the industry standard to meet these evolving needs.

This blog chronicles SEEBURGER's journey with AlloyDB for PostgreSQL, revealing the strict criteria that led to its selection as the cloud database of choice — from  the concrete benefits achieved to the cutting-edge AlloyDB features it harnessed — and explains how this strategic integration positions its product for long-term success.

A best practice approach for digital transformation 

The SEEBURGER BIS Platform seamlessly connects applications, people, and processes across cloud, hybrid, and on-premises environments, through dynamic deployment models, including iPaaS and fully managed services. With its BIS Platform, SEEBURGER has been offering integration capabilities such as B2B/EDI, Managed File Transfer, Application Integration, API Management, and more for over 35 years. This powerful integration platform empowers users to design, automate and manage their own integrations, helping to strengthen their digital ecosystems. Over 14,000 customers rely on integration expertise from SEEBURGER every day.

Recognizing the rapid growth of the cloud, SEEBURGER decided to optimize the BIS Platform for leading hyperscalers like Google Cloud. 

SEEBURGER was keen to select a database that would empower developers and align well with its business needs. Here are five key criteria the company considered:

1. Enterprise-grade features: To eliminate operational toil and improve reliability and scalability, SEEBURGER requires robust features for mission-critical applications like BIS, eliminating the need for complex workarounds in the code.

2. Workload flexibility: The database should handle both transactional and analytical workloads with ease, surpassing the limitations of standard PostgreSQL.

3. High availability: Uninterrupted service is essential to its operations.

4. Developer productivity: A fully managed, highly scalable database with a familiar open standard maximizes developer efficiency.

5. Cost-efficiency and flexibility: SEEBURGER seeks cost-effective solutions that avoid vendor lock-in and support deployment across multiple cloud providers, on-premises, or hybrid environments.

SEEBURGER had stringent requirements when evaluating AlloyDB for PostgreSQL. It excelled in several critical areas, including:

• Seamless PostgreSQL compatibility: This eliminated the need for code changes, ensuring a smooth adoption process.

• Enhanced scalability: AlloyDB's intelligent use of disaggregated compute and storage delivers superior scalability for larger deployments.

• Reduced operational overhead: Features like optimized vacuuming, dramatically lower replication lag, and adaptive resource management significantly reduce operational complexity and improve reliability.

• Deployment flexibility: AlloyDB Omni provides the crucial option for non-Google Cloud deployments (on-premises or other clouds), maximizing its flexibility as an enterprise applications provider.

The above diagram illustrates a standard setup of a BIS Platform architecture using Google Cloud and AlloyDB. It shows how different BIS components are implemented to process and manage workload to achieve maximum throughput, including secure data transfer, data transformation, business and technical monitoring, and integration with other services.

A successful logistics customer use case

A global logistics and shipping network hub, serving over 120 countries, streamlined operations and accelerated global services by implementing the SEEBURGER iPaaS solution, powered by the BIS Platform running on AlloyDB. 

After reviewing architectural recommendations and initial performance test results, SEEBURGER and the logistics customer decided to use Google Cloud and AlloyDB. The BIS Platform already supports PostgreSQL, which made it easier to adopt AlloyDB. SEEBURGER’s decision was further strengthened by AlloyDB being scalable and offering features such as tiered caches, data tiering, analytics, and built-in machine learning for optimizing performance and managing complex workloads, which fits very well together with the agile, secure, and scalable SEEBURGER iPaaS solution. No code changes were required, and the setup and test were executed without any issues or changes.

"Migrating to AlloyDB was incredibly smooth. We didn't have to change any code, and immediately saw a huge performance improvement. It's the perfect platform for our most business-critical deployments."— Ronald Heckendorff, Director of Integration Architecture, SEEBURGER.

An agile, secure, scalable and innovative partnership

Data drives modern business, and the SEEBURGER BIS Platform - together with Google Cloud's robust data services - provides the critical infrastructure that businesses demand. By harnessing the power of AlloyDB's advanced features, SEEBURGER has successfully fortified its BIS platform, ensuring unparalleled security, exceptional scalability, and remarkable agility. This collaboration exemplifies a shared commitment to innovation, providing businesses with a robust and future-ready solution that seamlessly adapts to evolving demands. The synergy between SEEBURGER BIS and AlloyDB empowers organizations to confidently navigate the complexities of modern business integration, ultimately driving operational efficiency and unlocking new growth opportunities.

As we look to the future, the SEEBURGER BIS and AlloyDB partnership stands as a shining example of how cutting-edge technology can empower businesses to thrive in an increasingly interconnected world. For more information, read about SEEBURGER’s partnership with Google Cloud or learn more about AlloyDB.