Gateways are considered middleware systems that allow data to move from one discreet network to another. They are flexible because they don’t just work with one communication protocol but with several and they can operate in different layers of 7-Layer OSI networking model. These gateways are pieces of networking hardware that can be implemented in different kinds of systems, including SaaS and Cloud storage.
Corporations, businesses, and professionals rely on different SaaS platforms to carry out day-to-day processes. They use platforms like MailChimp, Microsoft Office 385, Google Apps, etc., all of which are cloud-based software as a service tool. There are two ways to access these platforms; one is directly and one is through gateways.
In direct connections, the SaaS APIs integrate with web pages, browsers, etc., from the internal structure. These programs are equal to homegrown software that are installed directly on the client’s system. It’s akin to inviting someone into your home and asking them to work from within. While this allows for more closer integration, it can also hamper security and productivity. That’s one of the reasons why people recommend gateways to companies, especially to businesses that use several SaaS tools on a day-to-day basis.
What do Gateways Do?
The primary function of a gateway is to manage network connection, data mapping, security, and protocol mediation. SaaS doesn’t have direct access to corporate IT infrastructure through APIs, and must go through the gateway. There are many advantages of utilizing a gateway instead of allowing direct access and here are some of them:
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Hiding Old Contracts or Interfaces
Sometimes APIs of two SaaS partners will interact and exchange information to perform certain tasks. A gateway allows you to keep an eye on how closely these two apps work and what they share. You can use a gateway to monitor key metrics, which help improve security by a considerable margin.
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Security Standards of SaaS Provider s
Sometimes the security standards of a SaaS provider doesn’t meet the guidelines set by a company. If there’s no alternative but to use the software, a gateway can help compensate for any gaps in security. This allows you to monitor and control security patterns.
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Monitor Service Usage
If the SaaS provider doesn’t provide any usage data or analytics, a gateway can help bridge this hole in analytics. As all communications between your system and the SaaS passes through it, the gateway can easily provide all information needed so you know how, when, and how much your system communicates with SaaS services.
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Extended Features
SaaS is a developing technology and some services aren’t yet provided by companies. In such cases, companies need to add extended logic features to make the system more productive. This can’t be done without gateways because direct communication between SaaS and these extensions won’t be smooth, which will have an impact on productivity. Gateways ensure the entire system is integrated and secure.
A gateway is a great way to keep your internal or personal IT structure separate from the public cloud. You can still access cloud services and all benefit from all its advantages but the separation will ensure all information is centralized and secure, which has a direct impact on both productivity and security.
If you want to know more about Gateway solutions, don’t hesitate to contact us at City Passenger at 1-855-893 6281 if you’re in US or Canada or on 0800 901 385 if you’re in Europe.
Thomas, Editor at Citypassenger
