What Is an Integration Strategy in an ERP Context – and Why Does It Matter?

The ERP system in a company is often the core of the digital infrastructure. But an ERP system cannot stand alone. In order to ensure efficient operations, data quality and scalable growth, a well-thought-out integration strategy is required. Here we explain what an integration strategy is, why it matters, and how you get started.

What does integration strategy mean?

An integration strategy is a plan for how the different IT systems in the company should work together. In an ERP context, that typically means connecting the ERP system with other central systems such as a webshop, CRM, PIM, WMS, payroll systems or external partners and suppliers.

The purpose is to ensure that data flows smoothly across systems – without manual data entry, errors and wasted time.

Why does an integration strategy matter?

Without an integration strategy you risk:

• Duplicate work and manual typing errors

• Delays in the order and delivery flow

• Poor data quality and a lack of overview

• A lack of ability to scale as the business grows

With a clear integration strategy, on the other hand, you can:

• Automate manual processes

• Improve data quality and the basis for decision-making

• Increase efficiency throughout the value chain

• Support growth and new business models

What should a good integration strategy contain?

A thorough strategy takes a position on:

• Which systems should be integrated? ERP, webshop, WMS, CRM, payment gateways, etc.

• How should the integration take place? Via API, EDI, file-based integrations or an integration platform such as Connectify.

• When should data be synchronised? Real time, batch or event-driven?

• How are errors and data validation handled? Should there be alerts, logging, retry mechanisms?

• Who is responsible? Should it sit with IT, the business or an external partner?

Customer case: Arcane Tinmen – from manual processes to a scalable B2B webshop

The challenge

The manufacturer Arcane Tinmen had an ERP system, a new B2B webshop and ambitions to scale, but lacked a way to connect it all without manual workflows.

The solution

With Connectify as the integration platform, an automated data flow solution was built between the ERP, the webshop, the PIM system and the logistics platform. Orders, stock data, product information and track and trace now run fully automatically.

The result

• 80% reduction in manual tasks

• Faster order flow and fewer errors

• Ready to scale to new markets

How do you get started with an integration strategy?

An integration strategy has to take your business and IT landscape as its starting point. At Connectify we help companies get an overview of their systems, identify integration needs and design a flexible and future-proof architecture.

We recommend starting with:

1. Mapping the current system landscape and manual processes

2. Identifying the integrations with the greatest business value

3. Assessing the technology: APIs, middleware, integration platform

4. Drawing up a roadmap with prioritised integrations

Ready to take the next step?

Whether you are facing a concrete ERP project, want to replace your old system, or simply want to automate manual workflows – a strong integration strategy can be the key to success.

At Connectify we help build bridges between systems, so that your data works for you – not against you.