The world of B2B integration comes with complexity. Not only are you sharing data within your internal systems—you’re sharing it with the external systems of trading partners. That gets incredibly complicated. Even the best B2B integration tools may not be able to keep up if you don’t have the managed services to support them.
In fact, legacy B2B integration tools often fail to live up to their promises. This can be for several reasons—for example, a self-service tool being too limited, or services leaving a lot to be desired.
It’s a new day in B2B integration with expertly managed solutions like Corsica Integration Cloud (which combines a powerful integration platform with the robust service delivery infrastructure of a top-tier MSP). But not everyone is getting that great integration experience. Here’s what you need to know about legacy solutions.
1. Self-service B2B integration tools may not work out over the long haul
The easiest way to get into B2B integration is to use a self-service tool, also known as iPaaS (integration platform as a service). This type of software gives you a low- or no-code interface for configuring integrations between different applications and trading partners.
While self-service tools are easy to set up, they can’t always handle the complex use cases of midmarket companies. By design, they’re limited to their out-of-the-box capabilities—since any further customization would require the attention of developers.
Those out-of-the-box features may or may not support your needs, and product roadmaps tend to focus on the most common use cases among the provider’s customer base. A mismatch can arise here between the product’s feature set and your needs. This only gets worse as time goes on and your integration requirements become more complex.
The answer is managed services maintaining a fully customizable integration solution. But that’s another secret that doesn’t get a lot of attention—which leads us to our next point.
2. B2B integration tools don’t deliver without managed services
B2B integration comes with significant complexity. If integrating internal applications wasn’t enough, you’re also exchanging information with external systems—those belonging to your trading partners.
Every integrated system has the potential to create problems. If a partner’s system receives an update, that system may no longer play well with your B2B integration solution (or your backend systems).
And the more systems that are involved, the more complex it gets.
This is why managed services are essential to keep your B2B integration tools running smoothly.
But not all service providers are up to the task. In fact…
3. Most B2B integration tools include services as an afterthought
Unfortunately, B2B integration software providers are largely focused on selling and implementing their software. Service packages are a natural extension of their business model, but services are treated merely as an opportunity to lock in recurring revenue.
Since these companies are built to deliver software first and foremost, they often lack the service delivery infrastructure to meet customers’ true needs with services. In fact, our customers often come to us suffering from serious issues such as:
- Service technicians who lack the experience to help with complex issues
- Lack of responsiveness and prioritization from their service provider
- Increasing cost of services (without an increase in value delivered)
- Technology solutions that are aging poorly
This is unfortunate—and it’s something we’re addressing directly here at Corsica Technologies. As a world-class MSP, we bring the service delivery infrastructure that midmarket companies need—and we connect it with best-in-class integration capabilities through Corsica Integration Cloud.
This is great news for midmarket companies, because…
4. Most B2B integration software vendors are focused on their largest customers
As the market for B2B integration tools has stabilized over the years, legacy platform providers have shifted their focus to their largest customers. Enterprise clients get the services and attention that every company needs. You can’t blame legacy providers for moving in this direction—but the decision does leave the rest of us hanging.
How bad is it?
Consider these stats:
- 99% of B2B integration tool users will review their current solution in the next 5 months.
- 46% aren’t pleased with their supplier’s response times.
- 45% claim it takes between one week and one month to get a new trading partner onboarded.
See more stats here: Straight Talk on B2B Integration.
This is unfortunate, because B2B integration is essential to maintaining smooth operations. If you can’t share information with trading partners, and if that information can’t move automatically to and from backend systems, then you have a serious operational roadblock.
The solution: Managed B2B integration software
For midmarket companies, a managed B2B integration tool makes more sense than a self-service solution. You get the expert attention you need to handle exceptions and errors—plus keep your B2B integration running smoothly as connected systems get updated.
Here at Corsica Technologies, we offer robust managed integration solutions through our proprietary platform, Corsica Integration Cloud. You get the flexible, “any-to-any” integration you need—with the expert services required to keep your data flowing, add new partners, and more.
Ready for reliable B2B integration?
Reach out to schedule a consultation with our B2B integration specialists.
