This is a very generic question.
Does n8n fit for our needs? We think so, but we are interested in your feedback. Are we on the right track?
We are looking into a base platform to interface different systems with each other (“Integration Platform as a System”, iPaaS).
We would like to re-use that base platform with different projects. Either hosting it in our datacenter or, if needed, do a local on-site implementation per project.
While n8n does not provide all the integrations or interfaces we’d need out of the box, it can be the base platform for our solutions… we think.
We would like to go away from A-to-B interfaces that can only be used between A and B, towards a platform that can be re-used and only the interfaces/integrations need to developed. Data-Transformation-like activities would always happen on that base platform, i.e. n8n.
For example, in one project, we need to interface between
- (A) a HR-like system providing people related information (name, start date, department, building, etc.)
- (B) a system that provides access keys (batches) to doors (B).
We would have to write the interface (a new node “A”) to system A and another interface to system B (a new node “B”). The data need to be reformatted/enhanced/changed/transformed between A and B. We would do that in n8n.
There are other systems that need interfacing as well in this project:
- (C) a system that manages working time. Employees would use the batches from system B for that. This time information needs to be shared with system A and B. Obviously, we’d need to write an interface to system C, but all data related transformations would happen in n8n. Then forward the data appropriately to system A and B.
- (D) a system that manages meals (type, composition, etc) per person who has ordered it for specific days. This information needs to be shared with system A for cost information. Persons with emails would have to receive a message with todays ordered meal at a specific time.
In another project, we would re-use the node “A” and write an interface to system D, and so on.
As much as possible, we’d rather use RestAPI’s or Webhooks, but unfortunately, not all systems do support this. System B for example, supports either CSV files or an SQL staging table. We opt for the staging table and in this case the Microsoft SQL node would be utilized.
I guess you see where we want to go.
Is n8n a good couice for such a iPaaS?
Dan
