Application development is becoming much easier, with low-code platforms available to quickly and easily develop apps, system extensions and web portals with little or no code at all.
These platforms provide organisations with the ability to create solutions that can quickly resolve a specific business issue, explore new opportunities or provide a controlled environment in which people can access company data. This flexibility ensures that businesses can react quickly to changes and gives them the scalability that is required during growth periods.
However, for them to work efficiently, all applications and portals will need access to existing data held within other business systems, or the facility to push data generated into them. Therefore, the ability to integrate apps and portals quickly and easily should come as standard with any enterprise low-code platform.
What low-code integration tools do I need?
A well-designed low-code integration platform gives organisations code-free application integration and data synchronisation across practically any cloud-based or on-premises information system or database store.
Low-code integration can be achieved through the use of third-party Connectors that utilise the APIs or SOAP and RESTful web services that are found in the majority of business software, services and applications.
With low-code platforms featuring drag and drop technology, as well as a range of pre-defined templates, integration can be easily configured and included when developing the app or portal. This removes an extra layer of reliance on the IT department or developer, meaning that apps and portals can be rolled out quicker.
What are the benefits of low-code integration?
Bridging the gap between disparate on-premises and cloud-based systems enables apps or portals to work together and dynamically transform data so that it is always compatible with the recipient system(s). It also ensures that it resolves the issue that instigated the development of the app in the first place. This is particularly relevant if the app is an extension of an existing system.
Common integrations that are possible include:
- ERP: Access Dimensions, Epicor, Microsoft Dynamics, Sage, SAP Business One, SYSPRO etc.
- CRM: Agile CRM, Infor CRM, Dynamics CRM, Sage CRM, Salesforce, Sugar CRM etc.
- eCommerce: Magento, Shopify, WooCommerce, eBay, Amazon Marketplace etc.
- Financial: GoCardless, PayPal, Sage Pay, SAP Concur, Stripe, WorldPay, Xero, Zoho Books etc.
- Operations: EDI, warehouse management etc.
- Marketing: Communicator, dotdigital, Elastic Email, HubSpot, MailChimp, Marketo, etc.
- Courier services: DHL, DPD, FedEx, Interlink Express, Parcelforce, UPS etc.
- File / database integration: XML, CSV, TXT, MySQL, Oracle etc.
Can I automate data transfers?
Once business systems are integrated, it is also possible to automate a wide-range of repetitive business processes that are unique to your business. Data can be automatically transferred between systems, such as customer data, orders, payments and reports, and daily operations, such as order management, fulfilment, invoicing, cash collection and expense approvals, can also be automated.
This enables businesses to eliminate manual data inputting and will help boost the capacity of a business, as staff and business processes become quicker and more efficient. It will also enable businesses to redeploy staff to higher-value activities to help the business innovate and grow and help avoid new hires that would otherwise be required to manage these processes.
Enterprise mobile app development
Additionally, with mobile working becoming more commonplace, and sales and field workers requiring instant access to data and information wherever they are located, app integration has become essential. Mobiles, laptops and tablet devices all need to be connected to a central server and provide access to relevant information.
In fact, mobile devices are becoming more widely used within an organisation itself, whether this is on the sales floor, in the warehouse or companies who adopt a hot desk philosophy. Collaboration and networking tools have also started to become essential within this environment, as it allows salespeople and frontline staff to identify experts and get questions answered in real time.
With full integration between systems, every department and user will have access to the most up-to-date information, which will enable them to perform their jobs better as well as explore new growth opportunities and improvements to procedures.
To learn more about integrating apps and portals with business systems, please contact us via +44 (0)330 99 800 50 or email sales@applications-platform.com
