Developing application interfaces

The IBM Sterling Transformation Extender development environment includes a robust set of integrated tools designed to solve varied application integration problems. Except for scenarios in which the IBM Sterling Transformation Extender Software Development Kit (SDK) is used, you can use these tools to solve integration problems without modifying your applications.

IBM Sterling Transformation Extender products are designed to fit your interface architecture, whether it is hub-based or distributed. Some companies prefer hub-models with a centrally managed integration server. Other organizations choose to distribute integration servers to reside on the same platform as the applications they service. IBM Sterling Transformation Extender products can be used in either configuration.

To design an application interface, you need to understand the content of each data source and target, as well as the middleware, transports, and data services needed to communicate with corresponding sources and targets. You also need to define rules for transforming data content from inputs to outputs.

As you develop more and more interfaces, you will want to reuse metadata and integration rules. Additionally, you will want to formulate business process models: interface systems consisting of integration components that are configured to work together. These systems also need to be reusable.

Use the IBM Sterling Transformation Extender Design Server to develop new integration components and to reuse existing components so that you can leverage your development efforts across integration projects.