Salesforce Connect allows for real-time integration with external systems by creating external objects that act as virtual representations of external data within Salesforce. This is ideal for situations where data must be accessed in real-time, as with Cloud Kicks' ERP system and product order information. By using Salesforce Connect, CK can display external data directly in Salesforce as a related list on the Account without the need for nightly batch jobs or custom components.
Creating a Lightning component for REST integration or using a custom object with a batch job are alternatives but do not offer the same seamless, real-time access that Salesforce Connect provides.
Salesforce Documentation References:
Salesforce Connect Overview
Using External Objects in Salesforce