“Software Integration” is tying together two or more pieces of software. It might sound like technical jargon, but it is simply a way of getting separate software solutions to share data and information and act, at least in part, as a single custom solution. We can apply this tool to create a cohesive system across an entire organization and bring your business the power of software integration.
What Is The Purpose Of Software Integration?
The purpose of software integration is to bring about the benefits listed below. The key is to know when to add software integration into your software plan. Here are some signs that software integration may be the right option for your business.
- You store data in several different places (silos).
- You manually move data from one software to another.
- You deploy local and cloud-based solutions, and they’re not connected.
- Your customers get frustrated due to errors on your side that could be fixed with data sharing across functional areas such as sales, marketing, shipping, billing, etc.
- You have older, legacy software that stands alone but stores a lot of important data that could be used elsewhere.
- Your business is ready to automate processes and free up employees’ time.
Once you identify the need to integrate your software, there are a few types of integration to consider.
Types of Software Integration
Over the years, we have integrated just about any combination of software packages you can imagine, from old legacy databases like MS Access to modern, cloud-based Customer Relationship Management (CRM) and Enterprise Resource Management (ERP) solutions. In doing so, there are a few types of software integration methods we use, including the following:
- Middleware: The majority of software integrations fall into this category. Using tools provided by the solutions we integrate, we write a custom software solution known as “middleware” to create the integration using APIs and Webhooks.
- “Manual” Integration: This is a special case of middleware in which we write a script that automatically downloads data from one software and imports it into another solution. Another option here is to share a common database that two solutions access separately.
- Application-based Integrations: Many software solutions have add-ons or plugins available. For example, it is common for a CRM to have a plugin available to tie into a marketing automation solution to share contact info and automate processes.
Once we identify the integrations and integration strategies, we can implement the integration, tie your systems together, and start to deliver the benefits to your business.
Benefits Of Software Integration
The flip side of the signs that you need software integration listed above are these benefits.
- Automation: Create efficiencies within your company by automating tasks currently handled manually by employees. This will likely simplify job duties, making employees more productive and possibly boosting morale.
- Increased Cash Flow: Integrating software across sales, marketing, billing, and operations will shorten sales cycles, generate more sales revenue, reduce billing cycle times, and create efficiencies that flow down to the bottom line.
- Better Data Integrity: When you store the same data in multiple places, it starts to degrade. It’s like having two clocks -- which one is the right time? Software Integration will clean up your data and make it more accessible.
- Intelligence: Reports, analytics, and metrics are important to any leadership team. When you can combine data and create the right, custom reports across the entire organization, you then have the business intelligence to make better decisions, faster.
- Security: Securing your data is more difficult when it is stored in several different locations, often in software that has become outdated and vulnerable to breaches. Better control of your data means better security and reduced risk.
- Satisfied Customers: When you reduce or eliminate any friction in doing business with your company, customers are happier and more likely to return and bring their friends and family with them.
We could go on and on with the benefits of integrating your software. Each specific business brings unique opportunities to create benefits through software integration.
Software Integration And Your Business
The best time to integrate your software solutions is during the development of a custom software solution. If you’re upgrading your CRM, ERP, eLearning platform, or other software that is vital to your company’s success, then make sure you tie in other existing software packages to create that cohesive solution across your entire business.
Let’s discuss your project. Schedule a time to review the possibilities with our experts.