A candid look at turning AI hype into production results, told through the lens of Prakhar Srivastava, our newest recruit on the Enterprise Architecture team at SnapLogic. Over the years, Prakhar has been a practitioner, a consultant, and a vendor, and shares perspectives from each of those roles. We map lessons from SOA and APIs to agentic AI, and show how governance, data fabric, and empathy drive real outcomes in complex, regulated environments, using Prakhar's experience in the airline industry as a guide.

• three lenses on enterprise architecture and value
• composable enterprise as an AI readiness strategy
• agents as APIs with memory and similar pitfalls
• need for gateways, meshes, and security guardrails
• four risks to manage: governance, interoperability, trust, security
• data as water and the role of a fabric
• crawl‑walk‑run roadmap from use case to production
• outsourcing lessons and knowledge repatriation
• retraining, drift, and resilient deployments
• empathy and partnering over hard selling

We explore how embedded AI in SaaS tools amplifies sprawl and risk, and outline a practical path to governed, composable, cross‑platform agents. Chris Ward shares real use cases for Customer 360 and finance reconciliation, plus metrics, onboarding and versioning that keep AI accountable.

The LinkedIn post that kicked everything off

More details on the finance use case Chris discussed

SnapLogic's own support for MCP

Join us as we explore a groundbreaking shift in enterprise technology with Jeremiah Stone, CTO at SnapLogic. Discover how SnapLogic's innovative AgentCreator revolutionizes the way businesses automate and streamline processes. We unravel the rise of agent-based AI systems, a trend embraced by tech giants like Salesforce, and dive into how this approach prioritizes business goals over traditional coding. Jeremiah shares insights into how agents  represent a new domain in IT systems, and how SnapLogic is already delivering results in this transformative field.

We also investigate what is required for success with AI in business, emphasizing the importance of collaboration between business and technical experts through pair programming models. Jeremiah shared some real-world success stories of AI initiatives led by business leaders, showcasing AI as a powerful tool for tackling domain-specific challenges in areas like order reconciliation and contract management. Finally, we discussed the need for agile approaches that minimize risks, accelerate innovation, and drive significant business value across various functions.

Resources mentioned in the episode:

• SnapLogic AgentCreator
• Podcast episode with Chris Ward on successful real-world deployment
• "The Root Causes of Failure for Artificial Intelligence Projects and How They Can Succeed"

Have you ever wondered how ad-hoc solutions can evolve into critical dependencies, and how a comprehensive integration platform can streamline your operations? Peter Ngai, Principal Architect at SnapLogic, walks us through his pivotal role in product development and engineering, offering deep insights into understanding customer business processes before implementing technical solutions. Discover the importance of a customer-centric approach in tackling technical challenges and the strategies for building a scalable platform in the fast-paced iPaaS marketplace.

The XKCD comic I mentioned is this one: https://xkcd.com/2347/

The previous episode on establishing a Center of Excellence is here: https://podcasts.apple.com/podcast/the-enterprise-alchemists/id1760113394

Peter also shares some war stories from his time managing tech products amidst internal political hurdles. Learn why setting clients up for long-term success trumps quick fixes and how continuous innovation and adaptability are the keys to success in today's dynamic tech landscape. We delve into the importance of maintaining clear boundaries between different components of product architecture and how SnapLogic supports emerging technologies like AI and LLMs through a modular microservices architecture.

If you too had forgotten about the excellent War Games, it stands up well even today.

Finally, we discuss the strategic considerations in cloud partnerships. Tune in as Peter shares his insights on the pros and cons of committing to specific vendors versus maintaining cloud agnosticism. Find Peter on LinkedIn.

Don’t miss our Integreat events in San Francisco and London for a chance to connect with industry experts and stay ahead in the world of integration and system architecture: https://www.snaplogic.com/integreat-tour

This is the last episode of Season One of the Enterprise Alchemists! But don't worry, we'll be back in a few weeks with more insights from the business end of enterprise IT.

Achieving broad adoption is key to the success with an enterprise integration platform like SnapLogic. In this episode, Senior Solutions Architect Chris Ward joins Dominic Wellington and Guy Murphy from SnapLogic to talk about best practices for adopting and growing SnapLogic within large organizations. You'll learn about the Sigma framework and how establishing a Center of Excellence (CoE) can foster strategic thinking, reusability, and composability across project teams. Chris shares invaluable insights on transitioning from a centralized IT structure to a more agile, federated environment, emphasizing the need for foundational skill sets and collaborative knowledge-sharing to enhance operational efficiency.

Discover practical strategies for platform adoption and measurement in our conversation's next segment. From transitioning away from manual processes to scaling SnapLogic with effective KPIs, the discussion highlights essential best practices and common pitfalls like siloed operations and over-engineering. Chris offers real-world advice and experiences, emphasizing the importance of iterative approaches and collaboration. The episode concludes with Chris sharing his compelling war stories and practical experiences in enterprise integration, setting the stage for future enriching discussions. 

Additional reading:

• Sigma Framework for Operational Excellence
• Collaborative Development Best Practices
• Project Structures and Team Rights Guide

Master the strategies behind composability in enterprise architecture with our insightful discussion featuring Kams Narayan, SnapLogic's Director of Product for API Management.

In this episode of Enterprise Alchemists, Kams discusses how composability can revolutionize an organization's agility and responsiveness by integrating people, processes, and technology. Learn from SnapLogic's transformation from a data integration platform to a leader in API-driven integration and cloud-native technologies, and discover how this shift is empowering enterprises to achieve their composability goals.

We tackle the multifaceted challenges that come with embracing a composable enterprise, from cultural shifts to the need for reusable modular components and skill enhancement through effective tooling. Financial implications and change management processes are also discussed, providing a holistic view of what it means to transition from traditional to innovative practices.

Finally, Kams shares her expert perspectives on the revolutionary role of AI and generative AI in API management, stressing the significance of governance and security. This episode is packed with valuable insights for those looking to achieve speed and agility without compromising on quality. Don't miss this opportunity to gain expert knowledge that could redefine your enterprise architecture strategy! 

Unlock the secrets to successfully integrating generative AI into your business! In this episode, join Dominic Wellington and Guy Murphy, along with AI experts Aaron Kesler and Roger Sramkoski, as they unveil the transformative power of the SnapLogic GenAI App Builder. Discover why isolated AI projects often falter and learn how to align your AI initiatives with real-world business needs. From fraud detection to enhancing Salesforce operations, we'll share practical examples that demonstrate the incredible benefits of merging generative AI with traditional systems.

Automate your mundane tasks and reclaim precious time with the innovative capabilities of SnapLogic's GenAI App Builder. We delve into how this tool, combined with large language models, can save employees up to 40 hours per month. Learn about our consultative sales approach, including discovery and white-glove packages, to ensure the most valuable use cases are identified and implemented. Plus, hear about SnapLogic's journey from hard-coding to more efficient, tool-based approaches, and the evolution of our own AI co-pilot. Don't miss out on insights that could revolutionize your AI workload management!

Unlock the secrets of Generative AI’s (GenAI) latest trends and its transformative impacts on academia and industry. We sit down with Greg Benson, Chief Scientist at SnapLogic and Professor of Computer Science at the University of San Francisco, to gain invaluable insights into how large language models are reshaping the way we learn and conduct business. From enhancing educational delivery to boosting business efficiencies with innovative AI-driven solutions, Greg's unique perspective provides an enlightening look at the future of GenAI.

Discover the intricate processes behind training and aligning large language models. Greg emphasizes the critical role of human guidance to ensure these models avoid controversial outputs, offering a balanced view on the potential and limitations of AI technology. Dive deep into the concept of Retrieval-Augmented Generation (RAG) and how it revolutionizes business operations by leveraging internal company data to refine task performance. We also navigate the experimental terrain of prompt engineering and discuss the vital evaluation frameworks needed to minimize errors and optimize AI effectiveness.

Explore the profound impact of GenAI on higher education and various industries. Greg unfolds how educators are harnessing AI to create customized learning experiences and research opportunities, while also confronting challenges like over-reliance on AI-generated answers. The conversation broadens to reflect on the evolution of AI technology, recognizing its potential to augment knowledge work across sectors. Learn about the practical applications of AI and how tools like SnapLogic are democratizing access to advanced technology, paving the way for increased productivity and efficiency.

Ever wondered what makes an enterprise truly "enterprise"? Join us as we demystify the complexities of enterprise architecture in our inaugural episode of the Architect Alchemists podcast. Hosted by Dominic Wellington and Guy Murphy, both seasoned veterans in enterprise IT and integration, we break down the term "enterprise architecture" into digestible insights. From the scale and complexity of large organizations to the subtle interplay of technology and people, we strip away the jargon and get into fundamental developments.

In this episode we explore the basic principles of enterprise architecture, from simple applications all the way to sophisticated data centers and network technologies. We emphasize the shift from traditional, long-term planning to agile, short-term strategies and dive into the necessity of lightweight, flexible architectures that balance innovation with essential guardrails, ensuring smooth transitions from pilot phases to full-scale production.

We also discuss some of the unique challenges faced by industries like banking and manufacturing as they integrate rapid technological advancements while maintaining core physical operations. Finally, the concept of horizon planning can help you stay ahead of inevitable changes and future uncertainties. Tune in for an insightful conversation that sets the stage for future episodes brimming with best practices and industry-specific challenges. 

Composable architecture isn’t a buzzword; it’s the overdue upgrade to lessons we learned the hard way in the SOA era. We share a pragmatic path from heavyweight standards and ESB monocultures to API-first, domain-driven systems that actually deliver reuse, speed, and resilience across cloud and on-prem. With guest Brad Drysdale, we map the shift from monoliths to distributed services, the rise of REST and gateways, and why a discovery-led mindset matters more than any protocol.

We dig into the techniques that make composability real: treat API contracts as products in their own right, with owners, roadmaps, and strong versioning; build a living catalogue that developers can trust; and use domain-driven design to create bounded contexts that align services to business language. We talk openly about governance debt, API sprawl, and the trap of point-to-point integrations disguised as microservices. Then we connect the dots to modern DevOps — Kubernetes, Terraform, and infrastructure as code — showing how to run heterogeneous, multi-cloud estates without drowning in complexity.

Now AI raises the stakes. Agents need secure, reliable access to knowledge and tools; contracts machines can interpret; and guardrails that earn trust. We compare REST and OpenAPI to emerging agent-to-agent standards like MCP, and explain why the future likely builds on today’s contracts rather than replacing them. Finally, we explore vibe coding’s next act: vibe orchestration, mapping intent to capabilities letting AI assemble outcomes from a curated service catalogue. The takeaway is simple: composability scales when you fund shared capabilities, measure adoption, and make reuse the default.

If this sparked ideas for your stack or strategy, follow the show, share it with a colleague, and get in touch with your questions and suggestions. Your stories and challenges shape what we explore next.

Pressure to “do something with AI” is loud, but the stakes are higher when patient data, regulators, and legacy systems meet non‑deterministic models. We sat down with the hosts of the Enterprise Architecture Experience podcast — Hassan Abba from AstraZeneca and Jon Hill from Alvotech — to compare how a global R&D giant and a thousand‑person biopharma scale-up are making AI useful without trading away trust. The conversation gets practical fast: where AI speeds discovery, where it should never touch regulated data, and how to draw clean lines that everyone can work with.

Welcome to Season Three of the Enterprise Alchemists podcasts!

We start the season with a special guest: Gene Linetsky, CTO of Embroker.

Gene talks to Guy and Dominic about his need to integrate bettter with existing systems and processes to avoid wasting the time of over-qualified human users. AgentCreator from SnapLogic solved the technical problem, thanks to what Gene describes as "semantic ETL", but that leads to more philosophical questions.

Over the course of the episode, Gene describes how agentic flows are ultimately a management question: humans will still be a lot better positioned to organize the work, whether that is carried out by humans or by AI agents. The goal is to facilitate the work solving business problems with code, not just solving coding problems.

Can outdated systems silently threaten the very core of your business? This episode, Guy and Dominic welcome the expert insights of Simona Todoroska from IWConnect to discuss the pressing issues surrounding legacy system integration and migration. Simona sheds light on how the historical reluctance to engage with legacy systems has created significant challenges for modern enterprises. We dive into the critical need for businesses to reevaluate their existing technologies to ensure they are future-ready, scalable, and secure. The conversation also delves into the risks of neglecting modernization, emphasizing how catastrophic failures in outdated systems could lead to dire consequences.

The discussion dives into the complexities of migrating from legacy systems to modern integration platforms, highlighting the challenges enterprises face when clinging to outdated technologies. Through real-world examples and a discussion on the importance of automation and AI in the migration process, we present practical strategies for successful transformation.

• Exploring the tension around updating legacy systems 
• Understanding the risks of relying on outdated technology 
• Discussing the role of automation in migrations 
• Demonstrating the significance of the analysis phase 
• Introducing AI agents Pete and Alex for improving documentation 
• Highlighting the NL2SQL functionality for user empowerment 
• Emphasising the importance of upfront analysis for success

Pete: https://iwconnect.com/virtual-assistant-pete/

Alex: https://iwconnect.com/alex-virtual-storytelling-agent/ 

NL to SQL: https://iwconnect.com/natural-language-to-sql-generator/

Matthew Holloway, Head of Global Design at SnapLogic, joins Guy and Dominic to unravel the complexities of designing user-centered enterprise integration platforms. Matthew shares strategies for presenting complex data to diverse user expertise levels, and some of what he has learned from how SnapLogic's groundbreaking tools, Iris and SnapGPT, are redefining data pipeline creation.

In design as in tech, it turns out to be critical to pinpoint the right problems before rushing to “solutioneering.” With the buzz around generative AI and its often-misaligned expectations, the discussion sheds light on managing these through the design hypercycle. Matthew emphasizes fostering collaboration through rapid prototyping, involving key stakeholders to ensure solutions are not only creative but also viable and aligned with organizational objectives.

Here are some of the topics discussed in the episode:

• User-centric information architecture and its complexities 
• The challenge of designing for varied expertise levels among users 
• SnapLogic’s proactive design approach and its unique tools 
• Insights on co-innovation and collaborative problem-solving 
• The journey through the generative AI hype cycle 
• Transition from prototypes to fully realised products 
• Emphasis on personalisation and user agency in design decisions 
• Understanding the importance of making critical information accessible 
• The future of design through generative AI personalization

Resources that were mentioned:

• Generative UX: https://www.linkedin.com/pulse/generative-ux-matthew-holloway-2rvyc/
• Cognitive Architecture: https://www.linkedin.com/pulse/cognitive-architecture-matthew-holloway-zfple

Brian Green, software architect at SnapLogic, joins Dominic and Guy to explore the fascinating convergence of no-code, low-code, and traditional software development strategies. Discover why even the most user-friendly platforms require a solid grasp of software principles to truly excel, especially in large-scale operations. Brian sheds light on how traditional concepts like configuration management, environmental separation, and documentation are essential in optimizing no-code development environments. With a focus on the balance between ease-of-use and the rigor of traditional development practices, this episode promises to equip you with the insights needed to navigate the challenges of scaling in the digital age.

Join us as we uncover how traditional software techniques, such as linting, can revolutionize SnapLogic pipelines for enhanced robustness and efficiency. Learn about the seamless integration of these techniques with source control and how a center of excellence can bridge the gap between traditional and citizen developers. We delve into the potential of low-code/no-code platforms when the right levels of abstraction are understood. From generating test data with tools like SnapGPT to balancing standard engineering practices with unique platform benefits, this episode is packed with insights to elevate your enterprise strategies.

AWS re:Invent hardly needs much introduction from us. It has become *the* must-attend event for tech enthusiasts and industry professionals alike. However, Guy has never attended, and is a little sceptical. Listen in as Dominic tries to explain the value of attending one of the last remaining mega tech gatherings.

The event's theme of an "infinite toolbox" is a big clue, but you should also remember the hallway track, with opportunities to catch up with sixty thousand industry leaders and AWS community members.

We will be trying to capture the vibrant buzz from Las Vegas, with live-blogging of the keynotes on LinkedIn, as well as field podcast recordings if we can manage that.

Getting ready for AWS re:Invent 2024: https://www.snaplogic.com/blog/autonomous-ai-agents-aws-reinvent 

The SnapLogic booth is #1951, in Hall B at the Venetian. Come and say hi!
Regina Goodman’s speech is on Monday at 17.30 in the theatre of the GenAI pavilion. Look for session "AIM386-S | Optimizing data workflows for AI with SnapLogic and AWS" in the session catalog: https://reinvent.awsevents.com/.

Last year's recap blog: https://www.snaplogic.com/blog/reinvention-bright-lights-future-aws-reinvent

Ever wondered how to bridge the gap between AI's potential and practical implementation? At SnapLogic's Integreat 2024 in London, Dominic had the pleasure of recording live with Maks Shah from Syngenta, who enlightened us with her perspective on the "agent-creator" concept. Maks shares how this intriguing idea, highlighted in presentations at Integreat from industry leaders including LEGO and Spotify, sparked her curiosity. Immersive experiences, like the GenAI Escape Room lab at Integreat, facilitate understanding by connecting theoretical concepts with hands-on application, resonating with a diverse audience eager to harness technology.

Join us as we explore the relationship between innovative AI technologies and the foundational data readiness crucial to their success. Maks emphasizes the importance of having data that is primed for AI applications and how this groundwork can set the stage for future breakthroughs. While the allure of AI's promise captivates many, the real challenge lies in ensuring data is fit for purpose—an area where Maks and her team are laser-focused.

Listen in to discover how these themes shaped conversations at the Integreat event and what they mean for your own AI and data integration journey.

Find more from Maks Shah here: https://www.linkedin.com/in/kiamosshah/

The event page for Integreat 2024 is here: https://www.snaplogic.com/integreat-tour/london Register to be notified when recordings will be available!