ERP integration:
types, approaches, key steps, and services

ERP integration: types, approaches, key steps, and services

November 21, 2023

Konstantin Pilkevich
by Konstantin Pilkevich, Head of Itransition's ERP Center of Excellence
ERP integration is the process of connecting the ERP platform with other software applications to work together and exchange data. Itransition delivers ERP integrations as a part of full-scale ERP implementation and a stand-alone ERP service to help companies integrate and manage business processes in a single system.

About Itransition

10+ years delivering ERP services

50+ completed projects across various industries

25+ years of experience in enterprise software development

An Odoo Silver Partner

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Types of ERP integrations

Itransition integrates ERP solutions with your existing infrastructure, internal enterprise systems, custom and third-party applications, including:

Ecommerce platforms

Accounting software

Shipping services

ERP

BI software

Electronic data exchange

Project management software

CRM

Communica- tion tools

Social media

Banking software

Payment gateways

ERP integrations

Banking software

Streamlined cash management and enhanced client experience with:
  • Seamless access to different banking services for business users
  • Transactions management from a single environment
  • Real-time information from banks for corporate clients

ERP integration approaches we use

Point-to-point

Enterprise service bus (ESB)

Integration platform as a service (IPaaS)

Approach

Point-to-point

Enterprise service bus (ESB)

Integration platform as a service (IPaaS)

We use custom code, pre-built connectors offered by ERP vendors, or APIs to connect ERP to another system

We connect ERP to other applications via a middleware layer, which enables the communication between systems through connectors and adaptors

We set up a dedicated platform with pre-built connectors, data mapping, data transformation and workflow design features for companies to manage ERP integration workflows

Pros

Point-to-point

Enterprise service bus (ESB)

Integration platform as a service (IPaaS)

Low learning curve and initial investments

High scalability with simple addition/removal of apps/systems that doesn’t affect the functionality of other subsystems

Accelerated integration workflows and pricing flexibility with limited to no coding

Cons

Point-to-point

Enterprise service bus (ESB)

Integration platform as a service (IPaaS)

Not future-proof and hard to maintain and scale as the ecosystem evolves

Requires complex maintenance and troubleshooting

Risks of vendor lock-in and limitations in case of complex data flows

Best for

Point-to-point

Enterprise service bus (ESB)

Integration platform as a service (IPaaS)

Companies with a simple IT infrastructure and no complex integrations

Companies with a large and varied (cloud and on-premises) IT environment

Companies with a cloud-based IT environment. Can be also combined with the ESB approach to integrate legacy systems

How to choose an ERP integration method

Factors to consider

Integration needs

Integration budget

Solution environment

Technical resources

Non-functional requirements

ERP integration types

Unidirectional

Involves a one-way dataflow, which means the data moves from the sender to the receiver, but not vice versa. For example, data from the ERP system is transmitted to the integrated CRM platform.

Bi-directional

Implies a two-way data synchronization between the integrated systems to fully eliminate double data entry.

Benefits of ERP integration

Single source of truth

An integrated ERP is a centralized database that facilitates business process transparency, quick access to relevant information, and more comprehensive analytics initiatives.

Automated workflows

An integrated ERP platform automates time-consuming data management, which leads to human error reduction, an increase in overall accuracy of operations, and employee productivity growth.

Data silos breakdown

Connecting ERP applications to homegrown legacy systems simplifies access to critical but previously siloed business information.

Improved team collaboration

ERP system integration facilitates data consistency between systems and enables teams from different departments to work in close cooperation.

Enhanced workflows

ERP integration helps keep track of departments’ performance and compliance with the corporate objectives and assign tasks in real time to minimize the risk of process disruption.

Better customer experience

The uninterrupted data flow between customer-facing tools and back-end applications, especially ERP, accelerates lead conversion and helps all departments better understand customer demands.

Turn to Itransition for your next ERP integration project

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Dedicated ERP integration services we offer

As a certified Odoo partner, we help companies implement the Odoo platform and set up effective two-way communication with their in-house systems and third-party services to broaden Odoo functionality scope.
Deployment
  • Cloud
  • On-premises
Platform pricing

Odoo Community Edition
free

Odoo Enterprise
depends on the number of users and modules deployed

Free trial

Client spotlight

ERP for a repair and maintenance company

90%

manual tasks automated

We implemented an Odoo-based ERP fully integrated with Salesforce and TaxCloud solutions, automating the customer’s core business processes, reducing purchase order approval time by 50%, and accelerating work order management by 100%.

Acumatica Cloud ERP integration with DocuSign eSignature

Automated

document signing

Acumatica Cloud ERP integration with DocuSign eSignature

We performed Acumatica integration with DocuSign to streamline document signing and speed up routine document management workflows for product users.

ERP system maintenance for LISI Aerospace

Optimized

system support costs

Itransition optimized the performance of ERP components and integrated bolt-on modules with M3 ERP system and other business applications to decrease system maintenance effort and cut its TCO.

Software suite for a UK furniture manufacturer

21%

increase in sales

We integrated a CRM/ERP system with a web/VR kitchen modeling application, warehouse management solution, ecommerce module, Sage Pay, and Worldpay to help the customer streamline back-office workflows and pioneer VR-based customer engagement.

ERP for a repair and maintenance company

90%

manual tasks automated

We implemented an Odoo-based ERP fully integrated with Salesforce and TaxCloud solutions, automating the customer’s core business processes, reducing purchase order approval time by 50%, and accelerating work order management by 100%.

Acumatica Cloud ERP integration with DocuSign eSignature

Automated

document signing

Acumatica Cloud ERP integration with DocuSign eSignature

We performed Acumatica integration with DocuSign to streamline document signing and speed up routine document management workflows for product users.

ERP system maintenance for LISI Aerospace

Optimized

system support costs

Itransition optimized the performance of ERP components and integrated bolt-on modules with M3 ERP system and other business applications to decrease system maintenance effort and cut its TCO.

Software suite for a UK furniture manufacturer

21%

increase in sales

We integrated a CRM/ERP system with a web/VR kitchen modeling application, warehouse management solution, ecommerce module, Sage Pay, and Worldpay to help the customer streamline back-office workflows and pioneer VR-based customer engagement.

ERP for a repair and maintenance company

90%

manual tasks automated

We implemented an Odoo-based ERP fully integrated with Salesforce and TaxCloud solutions, automating the customer’s core business processes, reducing purchase order approval time by 50%, and accelerating work order management by 100%.

Acumatica Cloud ERP integration with DocuSign eSignature

Automated

document signing

Acumatica Cloud ERP integration with DocuSign eSignature

We performed Acumatica integration with DocuSign to streamline document signing and speed up routine document management workflows for product users.

ERP system maintenance for LISI Aerospace

Optimized

system support costs

Itransition optimized the performance of ERP components and integrated bolt-on modules with M3 ERP system and other business applications to decrease system maintenance effort and cut its TCO.

Software suite for a UK furniture manufacturer

21%

increase in sales

We integrated a CRM/ERP system with a web/VR kitchen modeling application, warehouse management solution, ecommerce module, Sage Pay, and Worldpay to help the customer streamline back-office workflows and pioneer VR-based customer engagement.

ERP integration roadmap

When integrating ERP software with a company’s IT infrastructure, our experts usually take the following steps:

1

Scoping

We begin with setting up integration goals by summarizing the IT ecosystem the ERP software will be integrated with. Next, we conduct a comprehensive technology audit to assess the viability of the integration project.

2

Conceptualization

After defining functional and non-functional requirements, our consultants select the optimal ERP integration approach and suggest the tech stack. For example, if temporary integrations have to be set up during the migration, our experts work out the solution suitable technically and cost-wise.

3

Project planning

The next step is project planning, which includes elaborating the project roadmap, project deliverables and milestones, project budget and timeline, and resources required.

4

Data mapping

Before data mapping, our ERP consultants conduct a preliminary data source analysis and identify data volumes, data sensitivity, entities and attributes, and relationship between them. After that, our consultants draw up data flows, map out data, and convert it into necessary formats.

5

Execution

The team starts connecting the ERP software with other corporate systems via custom integrations development and/or building/configuring APIs, configuring or customizing legacy systems if needed. We execute the process in phases to minimize operational disruption.

6

Testing & launch

Before deploying the solution, we perform quality assurance to check for inefficiencies, system malfunctions, and vulnerabilities. After fixing the detected issues, we gradually deploy the integrations and get users acquainted with new capabilities.

ERP integration timeline

ERP integration timeline

The duration of the ERP integration project depends on:

  • Systems to integrate (their number, tech specifics, data volume, etc.)
  • ERP integration approach (custom, ready-made, or a combination of both)
  • Data management activities (including data migration)
  • Non-functional requirements (solution availability, security, scalability, maintainability, usability)
  • Software upgrades (if necessary)
ERP integration timeline

Enable seamless data exchange through ERP integration

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ERP integration challenges we help solve

Challenge

Solution

Challenge

Integrating customized solutions, legacy homegrown systems, software systems with different interface protocols may pose serious problems while connecting your ERP software with the existing IT infrastructure.

Challenge

Solution

To solve the issues of varying data formats and types, insufficient documentation, poor data quality, we start with a careful technology audit and work out a detailed ERP integration strategy, potentially involving a combination of integration approaches.

Challenge

Failing to meet non-functional requirements, such as usability, security, reliability, availability, performance, scalability and maintainability, may jeopardize the project’s success.

Challenge

Solution

To ensure the overall effectiveness of the system, we identify non-functional requirements early on and outline the optimal integration solution to meet them.

Challenge

Data hosted across various systems may be inconsistent, old, and incomplete, which hampers ERP integration.

Challenge

Solution

We help you adopt comprehensive data management activities and practices, such as data cleansing and reformatting, validation, access management control, lineage, and deduplication, to streamline the ERP integration process and make the transition smoother.

Complementary ERP services we offer

ERP consulting

ERP consulting

We help companies draw up the optimal ERP tech stack and support them during the ERP implementation or optimization project to ensure smooth ERP deployment, high ROI, and business continuity.

ERP implementation

We deliver custom ERP software or platform-based ERP solutions for companies across industries to automate repetitive tasks, increase productivity, and reduce operating costs.

ERP development

Itransition delivers custom ERP solutions equipped with a fully personalized set of features, modules, and integrations in line with your business functions and infrastructure.

ERP customization

We customize and upgrade ERP systems in line with your business needs and vision, following the industry’s best practices.