About NextGen ETL
About NextGen ETL Integration Platform
APM Connect uses the Boomi Integration Platform to provide NextGen Extract Transform Load (ETL) capabilities to streamline the data integration process. This Integration service provides essential tools and connections to link data and automate workflows seamlessly across your distributed environment. You can:
- Access an intuitive interface
- Automate data mapping tools
- Build process recipes
- Accelerate your process by using a library of connectors
The integration process comprises three main stages:
- Build: Create workflows to integrate data sources, apply necessary transformations based on the destination requirements, and transmit the data to the destination system.
- Deploy: Deploy the developed workflows to your runtime environment. These workflows will then facilitate data integration between the source and destination systems.
- Manage: Manage the lifecycle of your developed workflows, including manual and scheduled execution, scheduling modifications, and monitoring workflow execution logs.
Terminology
This document uses the following terminologies:
| Term | Definition |
|---|---|
| Integration process | A business process or a transaction level interface between two or more systems. An Integration process contains all the components required to run your processes from end to end, including connectors, transformation rules, decision handling, and processing logic. |
| Atom | An Atom is a minimalistic runtime environment that is remotely managed from the Boomi Integration Platform. In APM Connect, a Boomi Atom is deployed on-premise. Currently, Cloud Atom deployment is not supported. As part of an Atom deployment, integration processes are made available to your Atom. |
| Process | A workflow that integrates data between a source and a destination. |
| Execution | A workflow execution in the runtime environment. |
| Integration Packs | Content developed by GE Vernova for integrating your APM solution with specific source systems. This content contains the workflows necessary to extract data from the source system and deliver it to APM for use in your asset management work processes. The APM Connect Release Integration pack and process folders contain the following workflows and their dependencies:
|
| Extensions | Extensions are variables that are defined for each environment and Integration Pack deployment. These variables are used by the Integration Pack for a specific environment to dynamically allow an end user to configure parameters in the workflow that will be unique to their individual environment. The use of extensions in integration packs allows for standard workflow content without the need to rebuild and deploy a workflow that is unique for each environment and customer. In the APM Connect Integration packs, parameters for multiple extensions are defined and utilized. |
| Environment | Environments provide you a greater control over change management and support different connection configurations using extensions. An environment is a workspace that you create and use for testing or production purposes. When you add an environment, you must select a classification, Production or Test. |
Architecture
The following image shows the architecture for on-premises environment.
In an on-premise architecture, the Boomi Atom runs on the APM Connect server to facilitate extractions from the EAM system. This functionality is supported by configurations specified in the Context File and the Staging Database. The Boomi Atom management including deployments, scheduling, and troubleshooting, is conducted through the Platform. Additionally, for interfaces from APM to the EAM system, a windows-based Southbound Service facilitates various Southbound transactions.