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In today’s business world, SaaS applications have become essential tools for organizations to streamline their operations and improve efficiency. However, using multiple SaaS applications can create a challenge of managing and transferring data between them. This is where SaaS integration comes into play.
What is SaaS Integration?
SaaS integration is the process of connecting different SaaS applications together to enable the automatic transfer of data and information between them. It eliminates the need for manual data entry and ensures seamless communication between applications. Whether it is synchronizing data across multiple locations or moving data along a specific workflow, SaaS integration automates the entire process.
For example, let’s consider an online store running on Shopify and an accounting team using FreshBooks. Whenever a customer makes a purchase on the online store, the information needs to be sent to the accounting team for booking and fulfillment. Without integration, this information would have to be manually transferred via email and then entered into the accounting system. However, with Shopify and FreshBooks integration, the data is automatically transferred between the two applications, eliminating the need for manual intervention.
SaaS Integration vs. App Integration vs. API Integration
In the context of SaaS applications, the terms SaaS integration, integration, app integration, and API integration are often used interchangeably. SaaS integration refers to the overall process of connecting different SaaS applications. Integration and app integration are general terms that encompass any type of integration between applications, whether they are SaaS or not. API integration, on the other hand, specifically refers to integrating applications using APIs (Application Programming Interfaces).
APIs are sets of code-based instructions that define how applications can send and receive data from each other. They provide a standardized way for applications to communicate and exchange information. While traditional API integrations required developers to write code for the integration, the development of iPaaS (Integration Platform as a Service) platforms has made it easier for non-technical users to perform API integrations without coding knowledge.
Benefits of SaaS Integration
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Saves Time: SaaS integration automates the transfer of data between applications, eliminating the need for manual entry. This saves time and resources that can be better utilized for other tasks.
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Reduces or Eliminates Human Error: Manual data entry is prone to errors, which can be costly for businesses. SaaS integration eliminates the potential for human error by automatically transferring accurate data between applications.
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Gives Teams Visibility: Integration allows relevant information to be available in the right place at the right time. This improves visibility for teams, enabling them to make informed decisions and perform their tasks effectively.
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Improves Customer Service: With integrated SaaS applications, businesses can provide faster and error-free services to their customers. Processes like booking confirmations, refunds, and order fulfillment can be automated, leading to improved customer satisfaction.
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Makes Processes Scalable: As businesses grow, managing data and processes manually becomes challenging. SaaS integration enables seamless data flow between applications, making processes scalable without the need for manual intervention.
Challenges of SaaS Integration
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SaaS Sprawl: The proliferation of SaaS applications within an organization can lead to data silos and manual process complexities. A holistic approach to integration is required to ensure that all applications align with the organization’s goals.
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Cost: There are costs associated with integration, whether it is building integrations using internal or external technical resources or leveraging integration tools. However, the cost of dedicating technical resources to build integrations can often outweigh the cost of using integration tools.
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Time: Setting up integrations can take time, and it is crucial to set them up properly to avoid future issues. Leveraging pre-built integrations, user-friendly platforms, and the support of subject matter experts can accelerate the time-to-value of integration projects.
SaaS Integration Using iPaaS
To achieve a fully connected enterprise where all business applications seamlessly work together, organizations need an iPaaS (Integration Platform as a Service). An iPaaS like Celigo’s platform provides complete connectivity across various business apps, enabling not only one-to-one integrations but also all-to-all integrations.
Celigo’s platform offers hundreds of pre-built connectors for popular business apps and allows users to build their own integration flows. This enables organizations to connect thousands of different applications without labor-intensive setups, human errors, or missing data.
By leveraging an iPaaS, businesses can create a seamlessly integrated tech stack that saves time, money, and resources. SaaS with integrations enables organizations to unlock the full potential of their SaaS applications, improving productivity, efficiency, and customer satisfaction.
In conclusion, SaaS integration is the key to unlocking the full potential of SaaS applications. It automates the transfer of data between applications, saving time, reducing errors, improving visibility, and making processes scalable. By leveraging an iPaaS, businesses can achieve a fully connected enterprise and maximize the value of their SaaS investments.
