What Is a No-Code iPaaS — And Which One Can You Actually Set up Without IT?
A service desk agent needs to escalate a ticket from ServiceNow to Jira, but they don’t want to lose precious time copying and pasting data between tools. A consultant managing projects for clients in Trello needs cards to stay in sync with matching tasks in Asana. The solution? An integration. But too many integration solutions require significant technical resources to set up, maintain, and troubleshoot. That’s where no-code iPaaS solutions come in.
What is a no-code iPaaS?
With iPaaS standing for integration platform as a service, these tools allow users to build and deploy integrations using pre-built connectors and APIs (application programming interface). The “no-code” portion of that term means business users can set up these integrations without any programming knowledge. They typically rely on visual, drag-and-drop interfaces to simplify their integrations.
Traditional integration solutions are either “low-code,” meaning they have some simple elements but still require some coding knowledge or give you the tools to build integrations from scratch. They’re more customizable, but they require at least some level of technical knowledge to use.
The two extremes of the iPaaS spectrum (and their problems)
No-code iPaaS platforms exist on a spectrum. One on end are platforms like Zapier, which are simple to set up, and offer simple automations. On the other end are tools like Tray.ai and Workato, which are more complex to set up but support deeper integrations.
The simple end of the iPaaS spectrum
Examples: Zapier, IFTTT
This end of the iPaaS spectrum is best-suited to organizations that want to give broad access to integrations for business users. A Zapier automation is easy to set up and manage, and they can be chained to handle more complex workflows. These platforms support a wide range of integrations, meaning they’re broadly applicable to your tool stack at large.
Problems to consider
- Simple automation: While tools like Zapier are easy to set up, their integrations aren’t particularly deep. A single automation only covers the creation of one type of work item or the updating of a single field.
- One-way: These tools typically only push data in one direction, making them best-suited to sequential workflows. Trying to make these tools move data back and forth involves chaining automations that can break over time.
- Scope creep: When integrations are so easy to build, teams might build a deluge of integrations that conflict with each other, break, or create potential security issues.
The complex end of the iPaaS spectrum
Examples: Workato, Tray.ai
Some iPaaS platforms are more complex. They give users with at least some level of technical knowledge the ability to deploy fully customized integrations for a range of tools. These platforms typically support two-way syncing, allowing for the automation of more complex workflows.
Problems to consider
- Not always truly no-code: While most iPaaS platforms offer at least some integrations in a no-code shell, many require at least some coding knowledge. Business users can technically deploy them effectively, but technical skills are required to get everything out of them.
- Wide range of functionality: Some of the more complex iPaaS platforms have a similar interface as a tool like Zapier. For many of these platforms, however, the work involved in setting up an integration can vary widely depending on the specific integration you use.
- Cost: More complex iPaaS tools tend to be on the expensive end, making them only available for organizations that have a significant budget to put towards software integrations.
What to look for in a no-code iPaaS
When looking for an iPaaS solution, IT teams should evaluate their options according to the following criteria:
- Can a business user set it up? Some organizations need an iPaaS tool that democratizes integration access, allowing users with little to no technical knowledge to set up their own integrations and troubleshoot them. Others need an integration solution that’s more technical so it’s the exclusive purview of the IT team.
- Can it sync data in both directions? Most iPaaS solutions only sync data in one direction, which can support some processes, but two-way sync can support more workflows. Two-way sync capability is usually preferable.
- Can it handle enterprise-grade complexity? Not every iPaaS solution can keep up with the needs of an enterprise organization. Even of those that do, many need developers or engineers for deployment and maintenance.
- What happens when something breaks? Does the platform you use require a developer to troubleshoot? Is maintenance so technical that the average user can’t fix their own integrations?
Where Unito fits in
Imagine escalating a support ticket to a software development platform and getting comments from developers right in that ticket, without leaving your support tool. Or, working as a consultant, you get questions and deadlines updated in your Asana projects in real-time as clients work in their Trello boards.
That’s what Unito can help your teams achieve.
Unito’s two-way sync platform builds two-way relationships between the work items in your tools, keeping them up to date automatically as you work. This is different from simple iPaaS tools that only push data in one direction.
Unito’s platform can be deployed in days, if not minutes. Most users don’t have a technical background, and can both set up and troubleshoot integrations on their own. This distinguishes Unito from iPaaS platforms that require technical support to set up and troubleshoot.
On the integration front, Unito supports over 60 tools, including Jira, Servicenow, Asana, Trello, Azure DevOps, Salesforce, and more.
FAQ: No-code iPaaS
What’s the difference between a no-code iPaaS and Zapier?
Zapier is a type of iPaaS solution, renowned for its simple automations and the breadth of integrations it offers. A single Zapier automation can usually create a single kind of work item or update a single type of field. Other no-code iPaaS solutions typically offer deeper integrations, with a single integration covering more fields and automating more tasks. Zapier can be enough for automating simple workflows, but most organizations look for more robust iPaaS solutions.
Can business users manage a no-code iPaaS without IT involvement?
This depends entirely on the no-code iPaaS solution you use. If you’re using Zapier for simple automations, you won’t need IT support to set these up or maintain them. But many iPaaS solutions have a steep learning curve, even when they’re no-code, and they need to be maintained over time, especially as your tool stack changes. Troubleshooting broken integrations can also be overly complex for business users, requiring IT involvement.
Is Tray.io a no-code platform?
Tray.io is a popular no-code iPaaS platform, but it has a steep learning curve. Integrations are robust but complex, meaning the average business user might struggle to build, customize, and maintain them. Compared to no-code iPaaS platforms like Zapier and Unito, Tray.io requires a significant investment to get working right.
What’s the best no-code integration platform for enterprise teams?
The best no-code integration platform for enterprise teams needs to meet the following criteria:
- Robust integrations, which can support even the most intricate workflows.
- Integration breadth, meaning the platform can support a wide range of tools.
- Enterprise-grade security, including security certifications and role-based access control.
- Scalability, meaning your integrations can handle a large volume of data.
- Prebuilt connectors and APIs, allowing IT teams and even business users to set up integrations without extensive development.
Platforms that meet these characteristics include Unito, Tray.io, and Workato.
How does a no-code iPaaS handle two-way sync between tools like Jira and ServiceNow?
A no-code iPaaS that supports two-way sync builds two-way relationships between work items in Jira and records in ServiceNow, automatically creating new work items to match the ones you create manually as well as updating fields as you work. For example, if you use a two-way sync platform like Unito to pair Jira and ServiceNow, Unito would:
- Automatically create ServiceNow records to match new Jira work items.
- Automatically create Jira work items to match new ServiceNow records.
- Update ServiceNow fields as you work in Jira.
- Update Jira fields as you work in ServiceNow.