What are custom integrations?

Custom integrations involve connecting two or more applications, software solutions, platforms or IT systems from scratch. Through the investment of custom software development, processes are built and tailored to your needs, making it a very efficient process with everything you need available to you. 

The benefits of custom integrations

Implementing custom integrations can provide a business with many benefits, such as increased workplace productivity and efficiency; it enables consistent and seamless communication and streamlines connectivity by preventing data entry duplication and ensuring data integrity. 

Precision

With custom integrations comes precision with an effective IT solution. Precision becomes a clear benefit because, with custom integrations, the software serves only to fulfil a business’s goals and requirements. One of the most beneficial factors is that custom integrations prevent the implementation of extra functionalities that will never be used; you only have the functions you require. 

Eases the transition 

It can be a pain for a business when integrating a new system as it can mean that you have to rework and adjust your already-established business setup; this can be costly and impact employees who are often reluctant to change. With custom integrations, you don’t have to go through the long-winded process; it automatically builds a natural way around the current business environment and setup you have in place while helping your business move forward. 

Easy to adapt to

Custom integrations are also great for adaptation because it is efficient in tuning. With no interruption around your current procedures, the implementation process is incredibly seamless and stress-free. After a custom integration has been developed, your business will run its usual way, preventing it from affecting employees’ productivity and anything else in place. 

Increases efficiency through automation

Custom integrations boost company efficiency as they can integrate software, systems, websites and more with one another according to your business needs. This integration and bringing your software together allows your business’s process to be automated, saving time and preventing human error. 

The challenges

Time

Integrating custom systems can be lengthy and time-consuming, as developers will need to write code from scratch and then test it thoroughly and multiple times to ensure it works correctly. The custom development process can take longer than an “off-the-shelf” solution, making it a lengthier process. 

The amount of time that will need to be delegated to such a task can cause the team to fall behind on other projects. 

Maintenance 

Once the custom integration is completed, ongoing maintenance must be carried out. The development team will need to continuously monitor and check that these integrations are performing and running smoothly. 

Scalability

Custom integrations may need to be scaled or modified as your business grows or evolves. Ensuring scalability without introducing bottlenecks or performance issues can be challenging. 

Error handling

Custom integrations can be prone to errors such as data discrepancies or communication failures. Implementing robust error handling and logging mechanisms is essential to identify and address issues promptly.

Despite these challenges, custom integrations can offer significant benefits when developed and implemented correctly, allowing businesses to streamline processes, improve data flow, and gain a competitive edge. To mitigate challenges, it’s crucial to carefully plan and document integration projects, allocate appropriate resources, and stay informed about changes in the systems and technologies involved.

How we tackle it

At GAIN LINE, our highly skilled development team will first offer a scoping session to decide how we can approach your custom integration requirements. This scoping session will involve multiple steps to determine the feasibility of custom integration, including research into the integration/export methods of each application to discover whether there is a developer interface, such as an API, that is offered by the applications or what alternative methods are available for data extraction/importation. 

When we develop a custom integration at GAIN LINE, we use various methods to ensure data is kept in sync and up to date. We have a variety of error-handling systems to ensure that any bugs in your custom integrations are resolved promptly. Additionally, GAIN LINE performs periodic reviews with our clients to ensure their custom integration continues to perform well and serve the needs of your business. 

Due to having our own team of in-house developers, we can provide quick and efficient responses, form tailored solutions and put client satisfaction and success at the forefront of our operations.

FAQ

Why should my business consider a custom integration?

There are many reasons why your business should consider a custom integration.

• Tailored Solutions: Custom integrations allow you to design solutions that meet your business needs precisely. Off-the-shelf software may only partially align with your unique processes and requirements, but custom integration can bridge those gaps.

• Competitive Advantage: Custom integrations can give your business a competitive edge by enabling you to create innovative, efficient, and differentiated processes or services that are not readily available to your competitors.

• Improved Efficiency: Custom integrations streamline workflows by automating tasks and data transfers between systems. This can lead to significant time and cost savings, reducing manual work and the risk of errors.

• Flexibility: With custom integrations, you can choose the technologies and platforms that best suit your business. The constraints of pre-packaged solutions do not limit you.

How secure are custom integrations?

The security of custom integrations depends on many factors, such as how they are designed, developed and maintained. However, security should be a top priority throughout the whole process of building these integrations. 

How long does it take to develop a custom integration?

The timeline for custom integration development can vary widely depending on complexity, the number of systems involved, and the availability of APIs and documentation. It can range from a few days to several months.

GAIN LINE

GAIN LINE isn’t your ordinary business consultancy, our experts guide you through a structured process to challenge you and keep you on track to make sure you come out of our process with tangible, practical actions that you and your team will buy into and have ownership of. 

Our Sprint workshops take a deep dive into any business challenge within a protected and committed time-space. 

If you want to overcome any business challenge in no more than two weeks, speak to our seasoned business consultancy experts on 0161 532 4449 or contact us here for a speedy response.