Real-Time ERP Integration vs. Batch ETL: When Each Makes Sense
Batch ETL is the default for enterprise integration. But when your inventory is wrong by the time the nightly job runs, the default isn't good enough.
Your nightly ETL job finishes at 3 AM. By 7 AM, your warehouse team has already shipped against stale inventory data. This is the reality of batch integration in manufacturing.
When Batch Is Still Fine
Batch ETL works when the data doesn't change often, consumers don't need it in real-time, systems are loosely coupled, or the integration is one-directional. Loading yesterday's sales data into a BI tool? Batch is the right tool.
When You Need Real-Time
Real-time is necessary when operational decisions depend on current data (inventory, scheduling, order promising), when two systems modify the same entity, when cross-system workflows have time constraints, or when audit requirements demand traceability.
What Real-Time Actually Requires
Change Data Capture (CDC): Listen for changes as they happen — no polling interval.
Semantic Mediation: Translate values, not just move them. "Status = 3" becomes "Approved" in the target's vocabulary.
Conflict Resolution: Deterministic rules for when two systems disagree — timestamp, priority, or escalate to human.
Observability: Which listeners are connected? What's the throughput? Are events failing?
How Bifrost Handles This
CDC listeners for PostgreSQL, SQL Server, REST, and ODBC. Semantic mediation via Mimisbrunnr. Deterministic conflict resolution. Dead letter queue with classification. Integration playbooks for 13 enterprise platforms.
Bifrost is the live integration engine from Mimir Labs. Learn more or discuss your integration needs.