Integration scenario for master data with software-as-a-service system

An apparatus comprising:

• a memory configured to store a plurality of pieces of local data;
• a first network interface configured to receive, from a physically remote master database, a plurality of pieces of master data;
• a second network interface communicatively coupled to a plurality of remote client devices;
• and
• a processor configured to:
• convert the plurality of pieces of master data into one or more pieces of local data,
• store the one or more pieces of local data in the memory,
• implement a software-as-a-service application;
• change one or more of the pieces of local data in response to an operation of the software-as-a-service application by a first of the plurality of remote client devices,
• receive, via the first network interface, an indication that a second of the plurality of remote client devices has caused a change to one or more of the pieces of master data, and
• synchronize the pieces of master data and local data that have changed-between the remote master database and the software-as-a-service application.

A computer program product for synchronizing master data with a software-as-a-system apparatus, the computer program product being tangibly embodied on a non-transitory computer-readable medium and including executable code that, when executed, is configured to cause the software-as-a-system apparatus to:

• receive a plurality of pieces of master data from a physically remote master database, the software-as-a-service apparatus being communicatively coupled between the physically remote master database and a plurality of remote client devices;
• replicate, to a software-as-a-service application operating on the software-as-a-service apparatus, the plurality of pieces of master data;
• convert the plurality of pieces of master data into one or more pieces of local data of the software-as-a-service application;
• determine whether one or more of the pieces of local data has changed through operation of the software-as-a-service application by a first of the plurality of remote client devices;
• upon determining one or more of the pieces of local data has changed, synchronizing the pieces of local data that have changed between the remote master database and the software-as-a-service application;
• determine whether one or more of the pieces of master data has changed at the physically remote master database based on an indication that a second of the plurality of remote client devices caused the change of the one or more of the pieces of master data;
• upon determining one or more of the pieces of master data has changed, synchronizing the pieces of master data—that have changed between the remote master database and the software-as-a-service application;
• convert one or more local business objects to a synchronizing message that utilizes an intermediate transmittal format;
• transmit the synchronizing message to the remote master database;
• and
• wherein, receipt of the of the synchronizing message causes the remote master database to, convert the intermediate transmittal format of the synchronizing message to one or more master business objects.