The integration and management of data is a central issue in today’s system landscapes of all companies. Business processes are not limited to the space within a system, but extend across any number of systems. Potential often remains untapped because processes cannot be modeled across systems – data simply does not flow across systems. This inhibits internal processes and thus ultimately works to the disadvantage of the customer.
Segment vs. Marini Systems
You want to implement your integration quickly and easily?
Data integration is not an end in itself. It is merely a means to an end, but an essential and necessary one at that. There are numerous iPaaS solutions on the rather non-transparent market. Which one is the right one for one’s own purposes is usually difficult to identify. Therefore, we compare the integration platform from Segment with the Enterprise Data Integration platform from Marini Systems, consisting of the HubEngine and DataEngine components.
What do the integration platforms offer?
Marini Systems
The Enterprise Data Integration Platform consists of two basic components: the HubEngine and the DataEngine. While the HubEngine specializes in data exchange between APIs and thus enables synchronization between systems, the DataEngine is designed for data management and ETL. Both cloud and on-premises integrations are supported. The platform follows a consistent and user-friendly no-coding principle. All common systems are available to be linked. Applications, microservices or databases can be linked without any problems. If a system is not available for selection, we will develop the appropriate connector for you.
Ease of use
HubEngine is specially designed to provide a simple user interface and intuitive operation. It can be operated even without technical knowledge. Therefore, HubEngine can be used as a self-service product, but usually our integration experts do the setup for you. Systems are synchronized within a few hours, including planning, tuning and testing.
ETL for each case
As soon as an integration becomes more complex, i.e. data is to be transformed (aggregated, disaggregated, enriched, consolidated, translated, etc.) before synchronization, the DataEngine comes into play. In addition, the DataEngine still has a user interface and thus provides a view of your data and visualizes it. Theoretically, reports, diagrams and charts are possible. The DataEngine – as a data layer – offers all possibilities to perform simple as well as complex data transformations. These can of course be done in the user interface – without writing a line of code.
Segment Platform
Segment provides a platform that routes user or customer data from applications and websites to one of over 200 available applications. The category of systems to be connected includes e.g. analytics, marketing automation and data warehouse. Segment offers predefined connectors to common systems. In addition, data can also be collected from mobile apps, websites or servers via the Software Developer Kit (SDK). On-premises services are not supported by Segment.
Ease of use
Coding experience is required to set up Segment initially. Subsequently, all standard applications can be integrated via the user interface.
Pure synchronization integrations are possible in principle, but must be mapped via numerous triggers and actions. Therefore, bidirectional synchronizations quickly become a complex matter. Separate workflows must be created for each case (update, create, delete).
Simple process integration, but complicated synchronization
Segment plays to its strengths in data pipelines. Individual data pipelines, including user-defined transformations, can be well modeled using the SDK. Pure synchronization integrations are possible in principle, but must be mapped via triggers and actions. Therefore, bidirectional synchronizations quickly become a complex matter. Separate workflows must be created for each case (update, create, delete).
At a glance
| Facts | Enterprise Data Integration Platform | Segment Platform |
| Costs | Low-cost entry possible | From $120 per month |
| Fares | Fares depending on processing volume
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Business plans with individual prices (on request) |
| Usability | Simple to medium | Simple to medium |
| Setup | Self-service or setup by us | Coding experience necessary; self-service |
| Extension | Self-service or set-up by us (e.g. project contract) | Self-Service |
| ETL-Layer | Yes | No |
| Hosting | 100% Germany | Min. Europe |
| Connectors | Yes | Yes |
| Modeling APIs | Not included | Yes, via SDK |
| Connection of applicatons | Check availability (List is constantly being expanded) | Check availability |
| Security configurations | Predefined | Limited |
| Scalability | Automatic scaling | Depending on the tariff |
| CDP | Yes | Limited |
| Reporting | Yes | Limited |
| Runtime | Min. 1 year | Min. 1 year |
| Endpoint-independent | Yes | Yes, only via SDK |
Data security and GDPR
The Enterprise Data Integration Platform is robust and secure. We work according to the principle of “Security by Design”. All components are 100% DSGVO compliant. Of course, all services are hosted exclusively in Germany. If you want to learn more, you can find more information in our Trust Center.
Segment is equally committed to communicating all security measures transparently to build trust. Segment’s platform is GDPR compliant (source). Hosting in Europe is possible. The hosting location can be selected in the course of building the platform. However, it is not apparent whether hosting is possible exactly in Germany and not only in Europe.
Costs
The Enterprise Data Integration Platform prices the HubEngine and DataEngine components individually, as they can also be booked independently of each other. The rates and options are transparent and primarily based on the usage of the individual components. We offer low entry prices per component per month. Thus, even simple integrations can be realized at a reasonable price. For an estimation of your costs you can ask here.
Segment starts in the basic package with a monthly cost of $120. There is also a free version for small businesses and startups. The price for large integration projects is only available on request.
Reporting
HubEngine allows you to view all relevant statistics of your plans in real time. The statistics and visualizations include logs, API calls, relations and plan executions. In addition to the live view, the historical view is also available. In the DataEngine, you can build custom reports, charts, and dashboards across all data. This way you always have an overview of movement and master data.
A central dashboard is available that allows users to see what data they are routing into Segment. Users can add new sources and destinations. However, there are no analytics features like funnel analysis.
Customer Data Platform (CDP)
With the Marini Systems Enterprise Data Integration Platform we offer you an actual CDP. You can merge all data, whether master data or any transaction data in the platform using HubEngine. In the DataEngine – as data layer – the data is stored. Here you have the central view of the customer. We offer you an actual system for logging in, not a platform that just moves data around. If you don’t need the data layer, the DataEngine operates in the dark, with the option to display the data visually at any time via a user interface – you just have to log in.
Segment markets its platform as a customer data platform. However, they do not use this term to describe a separate type of system with a user interface into which you can log and view the data. They define CDP generally as the networking of all data from different systems. To visualize the data (dashboards, tables), it requires another system such as a CRM system (which may not be designed to act as a CDP). Segment helps route the data there, cleaning and enriching it along the way.
Conclusion
The Enterprise Data Integration Platform from Marini Systems is endpoint independent. Using the HubEngine, you can synchronize and link all systems. If you want to transform, enrich, control or view your data, you can interpose the DataEngine – as a data layer. This allows you to model each of your processes individually, regardless of the system or department. We offer you all the associated professional services – from planning to setup.
With Segment’s integration platform, you can easily integrate specific processes. The platform is designed so that you can collect all customer and transaction data and integrate it into the marketing processes. This is where Segment comes into its own.