ERP Integration Roadmap

What is ERP Integration and Why Does It Matter?

Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP) integration refers to the process of connecting various systems and applications within an organization to streamline and synchronize data, processes, and functions. It involves facilitating smooth data flow and communication across different departments and functionalities by linking ERP software with:

Other Internal Systems

• CRM
• HRM
• Data sources
• Inventory management

External Systems

• Vendors
• Customers
• Partners
• Data exchanges

A significant portion of transactional data in ERPs originates from external sources. ERP integrations vary in complexity based on the number of trading partners and data flow volumes. While pre-configured solutions suit common use cases, customizations and niche applications can make integrations challenging to manage. External integrations with partners, who have their own systems and processes, add further complexity.

Statistic: 44% of transactional data in ERPs comes from external sources.

Why Re-evaluate Your ERP Integration Solution Requirements Now?

If integration solutions are not aligned with your existing ERP, it may be time for a re-evaluation. Fragmented ERP systems hinder the digitization and automation of key business processes. Modernizing your enterprise integration strategy can reduce risk and enable scalability, especially during ERP migration, M&A activity, or digital transformation initiatives.

Key Drivers for Re-evaluating Your ERP Integration Solution:

• ERP transition deadlines (end of support notices)
• ERP migration (e.g., on-premises to cloud)
• Digital transformation initiatives
• Specialized staff turnover
• Business restructuring
• Lack of support for legacy systems
• Divestitures
• Business expansion
• Requirement changes due to compliance mandates or new information security policies
• Mergers and acquisition activities

Why EDI, API, and Data Integration Matter More Than Ever

Companies invest significant time and money in ERP solutions to automate business processes. However, traditional ERP systems, with their monolithic design and extensive customizations, often become inflexible, making innovation difficult. Choosing the right vendor requires considering capabilities, expertise, experience, and support, as partnering with the wrong vendor can lead to unexpected costs and delays.

Risks Without an ERP Integration Solution:

• Excessive manual work
• Data silos
• Wasted resources
• Higher operating costs
• Errors
• Compliance issues
• Supply chain disruption

Companies can assess their potential ROI with an ERP Integration ROI calculator.

The Business Case for an ERP Integration Solution

ERP integration centralizes business aspects, improving operational efficiency, accuracy, and adaptability, providing a competitive edge. Many businesses lack the resources or expertise to manage ERP integration independently. Leveraging EDI-as-a-service can help assess potential providers.

Compelling Business Advantages:

• Streamlined operations
• Scalability and flexibility
• Cost savings
• Enhanced reporting and analytics
• Improved communication and collaboration
• Data consistency and accuracy
• Customer satisfaction
• Regulatory compliance
• Efficient supply chain management (including: Inventory management, Reduced lead times, Better supplier relationships)
• Legacy system consolidation
• AI readiness

Statistic: Sixty-seven percent of CFOs believe their digital spending investments are underperforming against expected outcomes, primarily due to poor CFO-CIO alignment and lack of organizational transparency around digital performance.

Align Your Integration Solution with Your Current ERP

An integration solution must align seamlessly with your current strategy to eliminate ERP challenges. Consider these questions when assessing your strategy before speaking to a vendor:

• Are you using a legacy system or a modern system?
• Are you using a license-based system or a pure SaaS ERP?
• How many ERPs are you deploying?
• Are you working with a single vendor or several?
• Is your ERP system(s) scalable to accommodate future growth and changes in your business?
• How easily can your ERP system(s) be adapted to evolving business needs?
• What resources are dedicated to your ERP strategy?
• Do you have the technical expertise and resources available for successful integration?

Your ERP integration vendor should offer expertise with legacy systems and understand your specific needs. As one European Manufacturer stated, "OpenText is the primary vehicle for integration... we needed something that could quite easily slot into our ecosystem without it just being another half-thought, half-baked solution."

Make Your ERP Integration AI Ready with Data-Driven Connectivity

Modern ERP integration enables AI readiness by providing a foundation for agile, scalable ERP environments with centralized governance for data control and visibility. Harnessing data within your ERP and linked systems can democratize data sharing and galvanize business growth.

Key Benefits of AI-Ready Integration:

1. Ensures data quality and consistency across internal and external systems.
2. Unifies data access from ERP, CRM, SCM, and partner platforms.
3. Simplifies AI pipeline feeding with structured and unstructured data aggregation.
4. Enables real-time data exchange via APIs and extracts data from both EDI and APIs to support predictive analytics.
5. Automates AI-driven workflows (e.g., forecasting, exception handling).

13 Buying Tips to Help You Choose an ERP Integration Solution

1. Assess your needs:

   Understand your business requirements and processes thoroughly. Identify the specific functionalities and features you need from an ERP integration solution.

2. Scalability:

   Ensure the solution can scale with your business as it grows. Look for flexibility in adding new modules, users, or integrating with other systems.

3. Compatibility:

   Check compatibility with your existing systems, software, and databases. Ensure it delivers seamless integration without disruption.

4. Customization:

   Look for a solution that is customizable and adapts to your workflows rather than forcing you to change them.

5. Vendor reputation:

   Research the vendor's reputation, customer reviews, and their track record in delivering ERP integration solutions. Pay special attention to reliability and customer support.

6. Security measures:

   Ensure the solution complies with industry standards for data protection. Look for features like encryption, user access controls, and regular security patches.

7. User-friendly interface:

   Without user adoption, your investment can fail. Ensure the solution is intuitive and easy to navigate to minimize training requirements for your team.

8. Cost considerations:

   Understand the pricing model—whether it's a one-time purchase, subscription-based, or involves additional costs for maintenance, updates, and support. Calculate the total cost of ownership.

9. Support and maintenance:

   Consider the level of support and maintenance the vendor provides. Look for timely customer support, training options, and available resources for troubleshooting.

10. Future roadmap:

    Inquire about the vendor's plans for the solution. Ensure they have a roadmap for updates, improvements, and staying current with technological advancements.

11. Trial or demo:

    Request a trial or demo to test the solution's functionality, usability, and compatibility with your business needs before making a commitment.

12. Contracts and SLAs:

    Review contracts thoroughly, paying attention to service level agreements (SLAs), terms of service, and any clauses related to upgrades, support, or termination of service.

13. Feedback from similar businesses:

    Reach out to other businesses similar to yours that have implemented the solution. Learn from their experiences and gather insights.

Get Started with the ERP Integration Solution Journey

Once the need for an ERP integration project is determined, scheduling a call with a technical resource, such as a sales engineer, is recommended to discuss your environment. For straightforward integrations, a conversation with a technical resource and a demo should suffice. For larger or more complex integrations, a proof of concept may be the best route to ensure the deployment of the most suitable solution. Some vendors offer migration-specific professional services to ensure a smooth process from initial setup to final cutover. Delaying IT upgrades due to complexity or disruption associated with data migration can limit innovation and stagnate IT systems, potentially leaving businesses at a disadvantage.

Partnering with OpenText's Integration Experts Can Reduce Risk

OpenText's integration experts offer several advantages:

Requirements Gathering

Relying on general ERP consultants for partner-specific data requirements can lead to delays and missed opportunities. Engaging B2B integration experts in partnership with ERP experts can significantly accelerate migration projects.

ERP Integration Redeployment and Testing Strategy

Newly built or reconfigured integrations must be tested to ensure data processing functions as intended. Accurate understanding of complete requirements is essential for a successful test strategy. Using copies of real business transactions for B2B integration can minimize the risk of undetected issues.

Skills and Resourcing

Lack of integration expert involvement in project planning can lead to unrealistic timelines and underestimated skill demands. Treating integration as a strategic capability can accelerate ERP projects and reduce costs.

Leverage an Expert: Get Advice from an Integration Advisor

Focus on priorities and leverage external help to mitigate risk, lower costs, and accelerate your ERP integration project. OpenText™ Business Network advisory services are available as standalone offerings or part of a complete solution.

Experience and Solutions

• 45 years of experience
• OpenText is currently running the largest private network
• Brand-name references available
• Serving 22 of the Gartner top 25 supply chains
• Following EDI best practices across 40,000+ engagements

Global Reach

• Operating in 20 countries
• 24 x 7 "follow the sun" engagement available in 12 languages
• Centers of Excellence in India and the Philippines

Proven Scale

• 2500+ Professional Services resources (1400+ serving Business Networks)
• Implementing thousands of changes each month
• Maintaining a constant queue of 100+ active enterprise projects
• Offering best-in-class PM/DM

Solve ERP Challenges with OpenText

OpenText Business Network B2B integration solutions help companies transform and future-proof their integration environments by leveraging a scalable and secure platform that connects to any integration endpoints—whether internal applications or external trading partner systems—and orchestrating intelligent, flexible data flows between them. OpenText can also assist with improving operational data quality, making ERP and modernization efforts AI-ready. Approximately 52 percent of companies across industries report a lack of sufficient collaboration with external suppliers and/or customers.

With extensive experience connecting over 1.1 million organizations globally, OpenText possesses deep expertise in managing complex B2B data exchange. This is crucial for organizations dealing with many integrated trading partners, especially those with fragmented integration environments that can pose risks to ERP migration projects if not managed correctly. If your ERP project involves redesigning business processes or adopting advanced integration capabilities, OpenText's experience is valuable for driving process efficiencies and uncovering new business optimization opportunities. OpenText can help navigate ERP and integration complexities, whether you are using SAP S4/HANA, Microsoft Dynamics 365 Business Central, Oracle NetSuite, Oracle Fusion, or a mix of legacy systems and APIs.

4 Reasons OpenText is the Ideal Partner

Experience and Solutions

45+ years in delivering integration services, 1.1M organizations connected, extensive B2B solution portfolio.

Pre-built APIs for Most ERPs

Access to pre-built APIs that integrate EDI into any ERP, providing users with real-time transaction status directly within their current system.

Governance Process and Tools

Proven implementation methodology and best practices, expertise across multiple industries, proprietary tooling.

Global Scale and Reach

1,400+ professional services resources across 20 countries, 100+ active enterprise projects ongoing at any time.

About OpenText

OpenText, The Information Company, enables organizations to gain insight through market-leading information management solutions, on premises or in the cloud. For more information about OpenText (NASDAQ: OTEX, TSX: OTEX) visit opentext.com. Connect with OpenText on X (formerly Twitter) and LinkedIn.

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