The terms data integration and interoperability may be used interchangeably by mistake, however, the two refer to different processes. Data integration uses a hand-coded script or specialized tools to gather information from various sources. In its essence, the process relies on a third party that translates the data and utilizes it for users and applications to use.
Unlike integration, data interoperability is a direct exchange of information. The process does not rely on middleware; rather, it creates a real-time data exchange between systems for data. When systems utilize this process, they not only share information but also interpret incoming data and present it, preserving its original context.