Integrating GitLab CI with the JFrog Platform, including Artifactory and Xray, streamlines the software release process by ensuring artifacts are managed and protected against security and license compliance risks. This integration allows GitLab CI to automatically trigger a pipeline when changes are made, with Artifactory tracking artifact deployment and managing dependencies through JFrog CLI. Artifactory's Build Integration links generated packages to their relevant builds and collects detailed metadata, while Xray scans artifacts for vulnerabilities, preventing insecure binaries from reaching production. The process involves setting specific configurations and variables within GitLab, using a step-by-step approach with a gradle build example, and supports viewing detailed build information and Xray scan results on the JFrog Platform.