Separate origin and target
Receiving systems do not have to represent every peculiarity of an input channel themselves. Central normalisation mediates between both sides.
Expert topic · Data integration
Data integration through normalised metadata.
When input data differs in structure or naming across channels, assigning it to receiving systems can require additional clarification. FORCE consolidates input data and metadata, normalises their structure centrally and prepares them for ERP, workflows and other receiving systems.
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01 · Input
Different input channels
Data and metadata arrive in different structures.
02 · Central layer
Normalise & prepare
Information is consolidated and transformed into a consistent form.
03 · Receiving side
ERP, workflow & target systems
Each target receives metadata prepared for practical use.
Expert context
The target system does not define the source.
An ERP is often placed automatically at the start of an integration picture. Relevant data can instead come from very different input channels. The ERP may then be one of several systems receiving prepared information rather than the origin.
A central layer sits in between: it consolidates input data and metadata, normalises their structure and prepares them for each receiver. This keeps the information logic from being tied to a single channel or target system.
The integration model
From heterogeneous inputs to usable target information.
The three layers separate origin, information logic and receiving systems. This makes it easier to understand where data originates, how it is made consistent and which information each system needs.
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01
Capture input channels
Identify which channels deliver data, which metadata is available and where structures or meanings differ.
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02
Normalise metadata
Different structures are transformed into a consistent form that can be used centrally. The information becomes less dependent on where it originated.
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03
Deliver for each target
ERP, workflow solutions and other operational target systems receive metadata in the form and context needed for their task.
Operational context
One shared information foundation instead of isolated exceptions.
Use metadata consistently
Consistently prepared information provides a more dependable basis for workflows, operational processing and subsequent decisions.
Make data flows discussable
Separating input, normalisation and receiving systems makes dependencies, handovers and functional requirements easier to discuss.
A structured starting point
What is clarified first.
The analysis starts with the real information flow, not a premature tooling decision.
- Which input channels provide which data and metadata?
- Where do structure, naming, completeness or context differ?
- Which information do ERP, workflows and other receiving systems need?
- Which normalisation and preparation belongs in the central layer?
Frequently asked questions
Data integration, briefly explained.
The answers describe the underlying model. The actual implementation depends on input channels, metadata and the system landscape.
Is an ERP always the data source?
No. Data can originate from different input channels. An ERP may instead be a receiving target system that obtains normalised and appropriately prepared metadata.
What does metadata normalisation mean?
Normalisation transforms differently structured input data and metadata into a consistent form that can be used centrally. From there, the information is prepared for the requirements of receiving systems.
Which systems can receive prepared data?
Depending on the system landscape, ERP, workflow solutions and other operational target systems can receive prepared information. What matters is which information each target system requires.
How does an integration initiative begin?
The starting point is a structured view of input channels, existing metadata and the requirements of receiving systems. This defines a target state for normalisation, preparation and delivery.
When does metadata normalisation become relevant?
It becomes relevant when similar input data is named or structured differently across channels and repeatedly requires clarification before it can be assigned to receiving systems. Central normalisation can then make the relationship between meaning, structure and target context traceable.
Next step
Let us put your information flow into context.
In an initial conversation, we look at input channels, metadata and receiving systems. This reveals where normalisation and central preparation can provide the greatest practical leverage.