Why native integrations are so critical in today’s digital marketplace

In business, cash is king, but technology is giving it a run for its money. According to a 2023 U.S. Chamber of Commerce report, the majority of SMBs in today’s digital marketplace are relying on at least one technology platform to start, run, and grow, with many of them relying on multiple technology platforms. Those SMBs with more than one platform (say, four, five, or six more) report having a brighter economic outlook than their no-or-single technology counterparts.

But using multiple technology platforms comes with a catch: the platforms must play nicely with each other or negative consequences (e.g., frustrating inefficiency, unhappy users, and poor decision making, just to name a few) soon follow.

Fortunately, software vendors have taken on the role of playground monitor, developing native integrations that ensure critical applications get along. As a product business, these native integrations—especially when provided by your inventory management software (IMS)—can help you improve communication, reduce costs, and boost profitability.

Let’s dig deeper into native integrations to learn more about what they are, how they empower SMB success, and why you should choose a trustworthy IMS provider.

What native integrations are (& are not)

Native integrations are simply API-based integrations between internal and/or external applications that are developed, tested and maintained by in-house developers. They’re used to enhance, expand, and optimize a user’s experience with a specific platform.

With native integrations, users enjoy the seamless sharing of information and data across multiple platforms. This means they aren’t required to switch back and forth between separate applications (which can add up to a whopping 3,600 toggles per day or five work weeks each year), streamlining their workflow and increasing productivity in one fell swoop. 

In contrast, third-party integrations are developed by external developers to connect separate applications. While these connected applications allow users to extend their preferred platform, the applications themselves continue to exist as individual entities and not as a unified solution.

Both integrations benefit product businesses, but only one allows you to work efficiently and effectively by leveraging multiple applications that are designed for a specific platform.

How native integrations empower SMBs

Purchasing and implementing IMS with native integrations is like having a handy multi-tool in your tool box. In other words, the IMS is a single technology tool that offers multiple functions.

Let’s say BigCommerce (or Shopify or Magento) is your e-commerce solution and Stripe is your payment platform. The right IMS provider knows that you want and need to retain these powerful platforms to facilitate your order flow, so it provides expert native integrations that enable your inventory system and your independent platforms to work together without a hitch.

This seamless joining of critical applications delivers incredible benefits that are unattainable when using the applications separately.

Real-time data sync

Natively integrating your IMS with other business tools, like accounting software, e-commerce platforms, and shipping providers, provides you with instant communication. Instead of taking hours to sync your data, it occurs in real time and happens automatically. This real-time data sync enables you to not only save time but also delivers deep insights in a timely manner, allowing you to make fast, strategic business decisions designed to move your business forward.

Reduce manual entry

Manual data entry is increasingly becoming an outdated concept in our digitized world, yet it’s surprising how many SMBs still struggle with this requirement. With modern IMS and natively integrated applications, manually entering data—which is time intensive and error prone—becomes an obsolete practice. For example, instead of manually updating product descriptions in multiple brands, platforms, and locations, you can do it automatically with a push of a button. By utilizing sophisticated online tools and resources that work in tandem through native integrations, you’ll streamline workflows, minimize errors, and take back your time—all things that contribute to a thriving business.

Cost efficiency

As with the elimination of manual data entry, native integrations remove the need for middleware, which is software that enables the integration between one platform and another. In contrast, native integrations are part and parcel of a primary platform, meaning you have full access to every application you need without another software package and without additional work on your end. This time savings equates to significant money savings—a win-win for any SMB.

Faster implementation

Implementation of a natively integrated application is simple. Detailed documentation is provided by the software vendor during the implementation process and typically takes minimal time and effort. This fast implementation combined with the fact that you’re relying on fewer vendors means you can get your business up and running without delay.

Ease of use/visibility

Finally, IMS with native integrations serves as a single source of truth. Data from your various applications, including CRM, accounting, and payment software, is weaved together and displayed on one screen. This organization-wide visibility and ease of use makes it easier for you to track, analyze, and share the metrics needed to make business-building decisions.

Why you can trust Cin7 to be your IMS

An IMS’s native integrations provide a streamlined, cost-effective way to manage your inventory and operations across multiple channels and tools, helping you stay agile and competitive. However, you must select IMS that delivers on the promise and benefits of native integrations—like Cin7.

Cin7’s cloud-based inventory management software connects your business end-to-end, providing you with an automated, efficient, and traceable inventory lifecycle. We understand that your product business is juggling multiple processes (e.g., manufacturing, supply chain management, customer relationship management, and more), and that you are likely using multiple services to do so.

That’s why, in addition to our own valuable solutions that extend Cin7’s functionality, we offer native integrations with the most popular applications available while also offering connections through our robust partner ecosystem. We’ve purposely built our integrations so that you can directly connect with the services you need, with most using OAUTH for access delegation when connecting.

Here is just a sampling of the native accounting, e-commerce, payment, point of sale, fulfilment, cloud drive, forecasting, EDI, CRM/marketing, tax management, and workflow automation integrations we’ve developed with you in mind:

• Xero
• QuickBooks Online
• Amazon
• BigCommerce
• Shopify
• Magento
• PayPal
• Stripe
• Lightspeed Retail X-Series
• Square
• ShipStation
• Google Workspace
• SPS Commerce
• HubSpot
• Avalara
• Zapier

We invite you to increase efficiency and accelerate growth with Cin7 and our over 700+ pre-built integrations. Customers who have entrusted their multichannel product business with us have reaped the benefits of our all-in-one inventory application. Just ask Zafino business owner and CEO Mindi Chisholm. Mindi uses Cin7 to handle her multiple softwares, including Xero, Shopify Plus, Starshipit and more. 

“Literally, every part of my business plugs into Cin7. It’s the hub,” she says. 

Let Cin7 be the hub of your business. Reach out for a free demo today to learn how you can simplify your operations, reduce costs, and grow your business today with powerful native integrations.