Integrations drive efficiency.
That may seem obvious but how often do you find yourself inputting data into multiple sheets?
Or constantly switching between tabs just to get a simple piece of information?
Whilst the majority of organisations would acknowledge the need to integrate, the amount that actually do is up for debate…
Why Should I Integrate?
Modern organisations use A LOT of software.
The problem is not necessarily the volume of applications in use, but that they are not able to work harmoniously with one another.
Throw in legacy applications, paper documentation and unique on-premise solutions and you’re heading for a dangerous concoction that can result in poor communication, poor data, reduced collaboration and redundant processes.
Linking technologies across your business helps eradicate these road blocks to develop new functionality, improve efficiency and drive growth in areas you may not have previously imagined.
The Power of Integrations in Practice
Imagine you’ve just closed a sale, where is that recorded?
Let’s say your sales team uses an application to track their pipeline, another for inputting customer data for accounting, a third project management application and one more program to produce the invoice.
Same information, four different entries.
Now replicate that process across your whole business and each individual activity. That’s LOTS of information, in LOTS of different places.
Replication of redundant tasks creates an opportunity for errors to arise. It also takes time away from more important core duties that contribute toward revenue or an improved customer experience.
If you want to compete in today’s business world, you have to be efficient.
Integrating your applications can reduce redundant or labour intensive, manual tasks giving your company a competitive edge.
Similarly, productivity sees a spike as employees are less tied up in manual data syncing whilst your workflows are suddenly both more inclusive and more efficient.
Communication Through Data
2020 provided several challenges to companies the world over, perhaps the biggest of all being a sudden shift to a remote first approach.
Distance, virtual or physical, makes communication intrinsically harder.
Combine this enhanced distance with multiple, isolated systems and there’s serious potential for revenue opportunities to be inaccurately reported or worse, slip through the cracks.
Neither is good for customer service.
Your software should make your life easier; not create a headache.
Integrating your company’s software applications can save time and money by improving communication throughout your organisation and making both workflows and employees more effective and efficient.
It can also help to improve the quality of your data and the speed at which you can access it; better data leads to better decision making.
Don’t let outdated, siloed systems lead to your business making critical decisions slowly, or worse, based on inaccurate information.
Which Integrations Are Worth Prioritising?
Convinced? Okay, now where to start…
Each business will have its own unique software stack, so it’s not our place to make assumptions as to where you need to look first.
However, we’ve complied below a thread of common applications that can be integrated, either to one another or a central system to help you kickstart your integration journey.
They include:
- Emails
- Customer Records
- Pipeline
- Inbound Enquiries
- Calendars
- Project/Workflow Management
- Product Catalogues
- Quoting
- Ordering
- Stock Management
- Sales & Marketing Automation
- Accounting
- Analytics
An integrated software stack can be a huge asset to any business, increasing visibility and improving efficiency.
How could a drastic increase in productivity affect your bottom-line revenue? Integrate your systems and the answer will be evident…
Intrigued to learn more? Check out our Insights Hub to keep your business at the cutting edge.
Related Articles
- February 14th, 2021