Custom Integrations: Seamless Connectivity for Strategic Insight

Maximizing strategic alignment demands data integration across all organizational tiers. While Cascade's native integrations optimize common data flows, environments utilizing specialized tools or environments require bespoke integration solutions. Custom integration addresses these unique requirements by enabling secure, tailored data ingestion into Cascade.

Cascade's custom integrations support a wide range of data types, including financial data (such as budget and spend), project metrics, employee performance metrics, and task and workflow management data.

This article offers an overview of the benefits, steps, and factors to consider when implementing custom integrations with Cascade.

Why custom integrations?

Tailored solutions: Address specific business needs by customizing integrations to align with organizational strategies.
Improved strategic alignment: Connect individual team movements with overarching corporate strategies for better alignment and tracking.
Real-time insights: Ensure up-to-date data availability for informed decision-making.
Enhanced efficiency: Streamline data flow and eliminate duplicate efforts by integrating with existing tech stacks.

Understanding Data Flow Methodologies: Pull, Push, & File Transfer

Data flow for your custom integration can be configured via several methods, initiated either by Cascade (Pull), your systems (Push), or using distinct File Transfer mechanisms. Our integration capabilities are designed for flexibility, allowing us to adapt to your specific environment and security requirements, including secure private connectivity options.

Cascade-Initiated Data Pull

Cascade can create, establish and maintain authenticated connections to pull data directly from your environment. These integrations are configured to run on a regular cadence, and can pull qualitative or quantitative data.

Clients might prefer this when their source system is a passive data store without eventing capabilities, allowing Cascade to query data at its own controlled intervals.

A few common methods for a Pull approach are:

API Connectivity: Cascade develops an integration that automatically queries and retrieves relevant data using the source system's API. This approach eliminates manual data handling, ensuring consistent and up-to-date information.

Requirements:
- - API credentials (API token, App registration)
  - API endpoint details
Direct Database Connectivity (JDBC/ODBC / Specialized Connectors):
- Cascade connects directly to your database views or tables using standard drivers or specialized connectors.
  
  Requirements:
  - Database credentials (user/service account, Key-Pair Auth)
  - Connection and network connectivity details (host, port, DB name, schema/table/views)

Client-Initiated Data Push

Your systems can be configured to establish and maintain authenticated connections to push data directly to Cascade. These integrations are often event-driven or run on client-defined schedules, and can push qualitative or quantitative data.

Clients might prefer this when real-time updates are critical, when their source system has eventing capabilities, or when security policies restrict inbound access to their data and necessitate client-initiated outbound transfers.

A common method for a Push approach is:

API Connectivity: Your source system, applications, or integration platforms can be configured to read data from your systems and then push it directly to Cascade's API endpoint. This provides your organization with full control over data submission.

Requirements:

- - Cascade API Endpoint: Cascade provides specific API endpoints designed for data ingestion, supporting both bulk data transfers and individual record updates
  - Authentication: API credentials (API Key or OAuth)
  - Trigger Configuration: Configure your system (e.g., custom scripts, webhooks, scheduled jobs) to trigger and send data

File Transfer Methods

Your systems can be configured to securely upload data files to a designated cloud storage location.

Clients might prefer this when source systems primarily offer file-based exports, for managing large data volumes, or when security policies mandate outbound file transfers over direct API connections.

File Based Transfer: Cascade pulls data files from your cloud storage (e.g., S3, Azure Blob, SFTP).

Requirements:

- - Customer Storage Location: Specify your designated cloud storage location (e.g., AWS S3 bucket, SFTP server, Azure Blob Storage, Google Cloud Storage) where your data files are exported.

- - Authentication & Access: Provide credentials that allow Cascade to securely authenticate and access this storage.
  - File Location: Specify the exact bucket/container name and file path/prefix within your storage where the files will be placed.

Steps for custom integration with Cascade:

Implementing a custom integration with Cascade involves a personalized process tailored to your specific technology ecosystem, typically involving the following steps:

Evaluation of data requirements and identification of integration objectives.
Development of a strategic integration plan outlining data sources, mapping requirements, and desired outcomes.
Creation of custom integration using the source platforms data, specifying data mapping and synchronization parameters.

Prerequisites:

To facilitate your integration planning, consider the following prerequisites:

Confirm your contract includes access to custom integration services.
Develop a clear understanding of your integration needs. This typically involves defining:
- Platforms for Integration: Identify the specific external platforms or systems you intend to connect.

- Data Flow Direction: Determine whether data will flow into Cascade, out of Cascade, or both.
- Target Data: Specify the precise data elements, metrics, or fields to be transferred.
- Export Capabilities: Identify the available methods for exporting data from the source platform.
- Access Permissions: Ensure appropriate access permissions to all intended data sources.
- Data Format & Availability: Confirm the relevant data is available in compatible formats for integration.
- Technical Compatibility: Assess the technical compatibility between Cascade and the desired integration platforms.

Limitations:

While custom integrations offer extensive flexibility, it's crucial for your organization to be mindful of potential limitations inherent in your systems or processes. These can influence the complexity, timeline, and overall feasibility of an integration:

Complex Data Structures: Integrating highly intricate or unstructured data may require additional development effort and specialized mapping.
Resource Constraints: Limited internal resources or technical expertise can impact the speed and efficiency of integration implementation.
Third-Party API & Data Access Constraints: Limitations imposed by external applications' APIs or data export functionalities can affect integration capabilities.
Security & Compliance Requirements: Stringent security, data privacy, encryption, or regulatory compliance requirements may introduce additional complexities or specific design constraints.

How do I get started?

Contact your CSM or Cascade point of contact, and they'll help organize the best next steps for you and your organization!

FAQs

What platforms does Cascade support for custom integrations?

Cascade supports custom integrations with a wide variety of platforms, including databases, project management, business intelligence, enterprise resource planning, customer relationship management systems, and more. Contact our team for specific inquiries!

Can I customize data mappings for my integrations?

Yes, Cascade allows for customizable data mappings to ensure alignment with your unique business requirements.

Is technical expertise required to set up custom integrations?

While technical knowledge is beneficial, our team provides comprehensive support throughout the integration process, from planning to deployment.

What is the typical timeline for developing and deploying a custom integration?

The timeline varies significantly based on the complexity of data structures, the number of data points, integration methods chosen, and the readiness of your source systems. Our discovery phase will provide a detailed estimate for your specific integration.

How is data validated during the integration process to ensure accuracy?

Data undergoes defined transformation and validation processes before ingestion into Cascade. This ensures data integrity and adherence to Cascade's data model. Any data that does not conform to agreed-upon formats or constraints will be handled according to predefined rules (e.g., flagged for review, rejected).

What happens if our source system's data structure (schema) changes after the integration is live?

Changes to the underlying data structure in your source system (e.g., column name changes, data type modifications) may impact the integration's functionality. We recommend notifying Cascade of any planned changes in advance to allow for necessary adjustments and re-scoping of the integration. This is all included in your custom integration!

Who is responsible for the ongoing maintenance and monitoring of the custom integration once it's deployed?

Cascade is responsible for the ongoing maintenance and monitoring of the custom integration, ensuring its continuous operation and data flow as agreed upon during the scoping phase.