How to Choose an Integration Partner

Nicole Laurier • August 29, 2023

Choosing a good integration partner is crucial when embarking on a digital transformation project.

Choosing a good integration partner is undeniably crucial for the success of automating your business processes when embarking on a digital transformation project. Here are some key factors to consider when selecting an integration partner:


Expertise and Experience: Look for a partner with a proven track record of successful integrations. They should have experience working with the software solutions that you use and possess the technical expertise required for seamless integration. You can also check if the Partner works with Value Added Resellers (VAR’s) who sell and maintain your software, collaboration with those Partners can save time and mitigate a steep learning curve and time lost on learning the intricacies of an unfamiliar system.


Industry Knowledge: For an integration project to be successful it is not essential to understand your industry and its specific challenges. A good integration Partner will have a wide range of customers from all types of industry that they work with. An Integration Partner who ensures that they do good discovery and proper scoping will be able to uncover any niche or compliance requirements, so they can deliver a robust solution, incorporating best practices that meet the business needs.


Customization and Flexibility: Integration solutions should be tailored to your unique business needs. A good partner will offer customizable solutions and the flexibility to adapt as your business evolves. When evaluating an integration Partner, check out whether the solution they will deliver is accessible to you. If it is a black box beware that any changes, even minor changes, will always need the integration partner’s assistance, which can be frustrating for you and expensive! Another important question to ask is if the solution is built using either open source or proprietary software, and whether your team can learn how to use the software, make easy changes or even complex additions to the integration. Not all companies have the resources internally to maintain an integration, if that’s the case for your business then those considerations will be different than the ones for an organization that does have those resources. 


Technology Stack: Ensure that the partner's technology stack aligns with your existing systems and future goals. Compatibility and scalability are key considerations here. If the integration Partner is doing custom development, find out what technology is being used, and make sure that there is more than one person who has knowledge of the way this integration will be built. 


Communication and Collaboration: Effective communication is vital for a successful integration project. The partner should be responsive, transparent, and capable of working closely with your team throughout the process. Communication and collaboration are particularly important during the design and scoping phase of the project. The integration Partner should listen to your needs as well as share their experience and guide you on best practices. You should not be forced to change your internal business process because an integration solution only works in one way! 

Project Management: A well-structured project management approach is important. Look for a partner with a clear plan, milestones, and a process for issue resolution. Many software development companies use collaborative Project management tools that give you the customer insight into the progress of the project, time being spent and a way to document the status, queries that may arise and any requests for changes. Larger companies often use Project Management software internally anyway, your integration Partner should be willing to use your project management tools, if that is your requirement.


Support and Maintenance: Integration is an ongoing process, and post-implementation support is crucial. Ensure that the partner offers reliable support and maintenance services to address any issues. Find out if the support team is onshore, near shore or offshore. Response times can be delayed if support is not handled within your time zone. When companies offer offshore support, make sure that there will be no language barriers.

Scalability and Future Proofing: As your business grows, your integration needs may change. Choose a partner that can accommodate future expansions and technological advancements.


Cost and ROI: While cost is a factor, focus on the overall return on investment (ROI) the integration partner can deliver. A partner that can streamline processes, increase efficiency, and drive revenue growth will provide your business with a strong ROI. By adopting integration and being able to eliminate the need for repetitive manual tasks and eradicate errors from manual data entry, your business will see the dollar savings and the value from your investment very quickly.

Security and Data Privacy: Integration involves sharing sensitive data between systems. Confirm that the partner follows robust security practices and complies with data privacy regulations. If the integration is fully hosted by the integration provider, ensure that you know who is managing the hosting and that they have a good reputation. If the integration can be self-hosted, check out the system requirements, and address any concerns you have about security before any software is implemented in your environment. 


Innovation and Problem-Solving: Look for a partner that can bring innovative ideas to the table and has a reputation for solving complex integration challenges. You might not want to be on the cutting edge of new innovations, so make sure that any innovative processes that are being suggested have been tried and tested.

Training and Knowledge Transfer: A good partner will empower your team with the knowledge and skills needed to manage the integrated systems effectively. During the sales process find out how easy it is to use the software, what skills are needed, and how knowledge transfer would take place. Be mindful of the challenges you may face if there is no way to be self-sufficient (as cited in the paragraph about Customization and Flexibility above).

Remember that selecting the right integration partner is a critical decision that can impact your business operations and success. Take the time to thoroughly evaluate potential partners and choose one that aligns with your goals and values. Integration is not easy! Embarking on Digital Transformation for your business needs to be thought through in depth and be carefully evaluated to ensure that it will meet the business needs now and in the future. 


Authors Note: These blogs ideas were originally generated by Chat GPT. I wanted to see how accurately it could respond to the question I posed about “How to choose an integration partner”. Although the answer was good it seemed a bit wooden, apparently Chat GPT cannot learn my voice or writing style (I asked it and its not something that is possible for it to ever learn). Chat GPT does not (yet!) have the knowledge that I have gained in my role as an integration Partner for more than 8 years, apart from what it can find a disseminate from the internet. It was easy to use Chat GPT to coalesce my thoughts on the subject and hopefully (we both) didn’t miss anything key. Hopefully, with my editing Chat GPT’s voice and my own have merged into one and you the reader have had a seamless reading experience! Do you agree? Feel free to comment.

How BPA Platform Transforms Finance Teams into Revenue Drivers

By Nicole Laurier • September 8, 2025
Automation in finance plays an important role for an organization and is a key driver for moving the company forward. With the right automation tools, finance teams can directly impact the bottom line, accelerate cash flow, and unlock new growth opportunities. BPA Platform empowers finance professionals to transform from cost centers into profit generators, delivering measurable revenue impact across every financial process. From Cost Center to Revenue Engine: The Finance Transformation Traditional finance departments focus on expense management and compliance. But forward-thinking organizations are leveraging finance automation to drive revenue growth. BPA Platform enables this transformation by connecting financial processes directly to revenue outcomes, turning every automated workflow into a growth opportunity. When finance teams eliminate manual bottlenecks, they don't just save time—they accelerate revenue recognition, improve cash conversion cycles, and enable faster business decisions that capture market opportunities. This strategic shift positions finance as a competitive advantage and primary driver of company growth. Finance Automation with BPA Platform Cash flow is the lifeblood of revenue growth. BPA Platform's finance automation directly impacts your company's ability to generate and collect revenue by streamlining critical cash flow processes: Automated invoice generation reduces billing cycles from days to hours Intelligent payment routing accelerates customer payment processing Real-time payment tracking eliminates revenue recognition delays Automated dunning processes recover revenue faster from slow-paying customers Poor credit management doesn't just create bad debt—it destroys future revenue opportunities. BPA Platform's credit control automation protects revenue while enabling growth: Real-time monitoring identifies customers before they become collection problems Automated workflows prevent revenue leakage from account management gaps Integrated communication tools maintain sales relationships during collections BPA Platform transforms financial reporting from a backward-looking compliance exercise into a forward-looking revenue optimization tool: Real-Time Revenue Analytics Automated data consolidation provides instant revenue visibility Dynamic dashboards identify revenue trends as they happen Predictive analytics forecast revenue opportunities and risks Automated variance analysis highlights revenue optimization opportunities Strategic Decision Acceleration Automated reporting eliminates month-end delays that slow business decisions Real-time profitability analysis guides revenue-focused resource allocation Instant scenario modeling evaluates revenue impact of strategic options Core BPA Platform Solutions That Drive Revenue Journal Entry Automation: Revenue Recognition Acceleration Manual journal entries create dangerous delays in revenue recognition. BPA Platform's automated journal processing ensures revenue hits the books immediately when earned; eliminating month-end revenue recognition bottlenecks, enabling faster financial closes and more timely business decisions. Expense Management: Maximizing Profit Margins Every dollar saved in expense processing flows directly to profit margins. BPA Platform's expense automation doesn't just cut costs—it amplifies revenue impact. Expense savings from automation can be reinvested into revenue-generating activities, creating compound growth impact. Intercompany Management: Scaling Revenue Across Business Units Growing companies often struggle with intercompany transactions that slow revenue recognition and create compliance risks. BPA Platform enables seamless revenue flow across business entities eliminating intercompany transaction delays that prevent timely revenue recognition and business unit optimization. BPA Platform for Revenue-Driven Finance Transformation  The most successful companies don't just manage finances—they leverage finance automation to drive revenue growth. BPA Platform provides the tools, integrations, and insights needed to transform your finance team from a cost center into your company's most powerful revenue driver. Your digital transformation starts with one conversation—and the sooner it begins, the sooner you gain the competitive edge. Contact Fisher Technology to discover why organizations across North America trust us to deliver automation solutions that drive efficiency, agility, and growth.

BPA Platform: Bridging On-Premise and Cloud Systems Together

By Nicole Laurier • August 5, 2025
Organizations struggle with a fundamental challenge: their critical business data lives in two worlds. Essential systems remain on-premise for security and compliance reasons, while new cloud applications promise enhanced functionality and scalability. The result is often data silos, manual processes, and frustrated users who can't access the information they need when they need it. BPA Platform recognizes this reality and delivers what organizations actually need: a single integration and automation platform that works seamlessly across Cloud, On-Premises, or Hybrid environments without forcing businesses to choose just one deployment model. How BPA Platform Addresses Hybrid Integration Challenges Modern enterprises operate in a complex ecosystem where legacy on-premise systems must work harmoniously with cloud-based applications. This hybrid environment presents unique challenges including data synchronization, security concerns, varying communication protocols, and the need for real-time connectivity. Organizations require solutions that can maintain data integrity while enabling seamless workflows across both environments. BPA Platform addresses these challenges through: Tasks & Steps Framework - BPA platform provides the ability to build flexible automation processes with logical building blocks using an intuitive drag-and-drop interface. Comprehensive Tool Library - BPA platform includes tools used to create steps within a task, providing functional building blocks that interface with common technologies, systems, and applications across cloud and on-premise environments. Secure Integration - BPA Platform integrates cloud-based, on-premises, or hybrid hosted business systems using end-to-end AES 256 security with double encryption to protect business data and transactions. This security-first approach ensures that sensitive data remains protected regardless of where it travels. Flexible System Architecture - BPA platform can be deployed on-premises or as an iPaaS (Integration Platform as a Service). It uses client software to design tasks, a server for connectivity and processing, and a data store for data and tasks. Multi-Protocol and Format Support - BPA Platform empowers you to bring all your data workflows together, supporting a wide variety of file formats and protocols including XML, CSV, JSON, HTTP, SMTP, OAuth, and more to drive your business forward seamlessly across different systems and applications. This comprehensive protocol support ensures that virtually any system can be integrated without requiring costly custom development. For organizations looking to optimize their hybrid IT architecture, BPA Platform's cloud integration solutions offer a proven path to success, combining the reliability of on-premise systems with the scalability and innovation of cloud platforms. Benefits of BPA Platform BPA Platform delivers comprehensive integration value through key capabilities that address critical enterprise needs: Reduced Development Time and Costs - BPA Platform significantly reduces system integration development times and costs while supporting integration with any data source. The platform provides flexibility to maintain, configure, and adapt data synchronization as business requirements change. Universal Connectivity - Connect to any SaaS or on-premises application or system through an extensive library of pre-built connectors and business process automation tools. This eliminates integration limitations and reduces implementation time. Scalable Architecture - Multi-instance architecture ensures reliable performance with multiple integration processes running simultaneously. Enhanced fault tolerance maintains system stability and business continuity. Flexible Processing - Support for both real-time processing and batch data integration handles different business requirements within a single platform, from immediate data synchronization to large-volume reporting tasks. Enterprise Security - Powerful authentication, access control, and data encryption protect sensitive information throughout the integration process, ensuring compliance with regulatory and corporate security requirements. These benefits deliver immediate ROI through faster integration development, improved operational efficiency, and reduced maintenance overhead while positioning organizations for long-term integration success. Hybrid Integration Excellence with BPA Platform As organizations advance, the need for flexible, secure, and scalable integration solutions becomes increasingly critical. BPA Platform empowers businesses to achieve true hybrid integration, seamlessly connecting systems and applications across both cloud and on-premises environments. Designed to support a multilayered, enterprise-wide technology architecture, BPA Platform enables complete interoperability between your existing tools and future innovations. This not only solves today’s integration challenges but also provides a resilient foundation for growth, adaptability, and the adoption of emerging technologies. By choosing BPA Platform, organizations position themselves for long-term success — with the agility to support evolving business models and ever-changing market conditions. Ready to Transform Your Integration Strategy? For organizations looking to optimize their hybrid IT architecture, BPA Platform's comprehensive integration solutions offer a proven path to success, combining the reliability and control of on-premise systems with the scalability and innovation of cloud platforms. Whether you're supporting multiple applications across multi-cloud environments, enabling digital transformation initiatives, or ensuring compliance with industry regulations, BPA Platform delivers the secure, flexible connectivity your business needs to thrive.  Ready to discover how BPA Platform can transform your organization's integration capabilities? Contact Fisher Technology today; we can assess your current environment, understand your business objectives, and provide you with a clear roadmap to integration success!

Our Opinion on Ai: A Tool, Not a Magic Wand

By Nicole Laurier • June 26, 2025
It seems like everywhere you turn—from coffee shop conversations to boardroom meetings—artificial intelligence dominates the discussion. As someone who's spent years in the technology industry, I've watched this wave of Ai enthusiasm with both excitement and a healthy dose of realism. The AI Conversation Everyone's Having There's no denying that Ai has captured our collective imagination. Social media feeds are flooded with ChatGPT screenshots, businesses are scrambling to integrate AI solutions, and investors are throwing money at anything with "Ai-powered" in the pitch deck. The enthusiasm is infectious, and frankly, some of it is well-deserved. Working in technology, I've been hearing countless questions from colleagues and partners about how they can leverage Ai to transform their operations. The questions range from the practical "Can Ai help us automate our customer service?" to the almost magical "Can Ai solve all our efficiency problems?". This spectrum of expectations tells a story about where we are in the Ai adoption curve—somewhere between realistic optimism and unrealistic expectations. Ai's Real Role in Technology Here's the thing about Ai that I wish more people understood: it's incredibly powerful, but it's not omnipotent. In the technology industry, Ai serves as an amplifier of human capabilities, not a replacement for human judgment and creativity. The most successful Ai implementations I've observed across the industry have been those where Ai addresses specific, well-defined problems. For example, companies are using machine learning to optimize supply chain logistics, reducing waste and improving delivery times. Others are leveraging it to automate quality control processes, catching defects that might slip past human inspection. Many businesses are also deploying Ai-powered phone systems to handle initial customer inquiries and schedule meetings, eliminating the need for expensive answering services while freeing up employees to focus on higher-value client interactions. A Powerful Assistant, Not the Whole Team This brings me to my main point—Ai is an assistant. It’s sophisticated, intelligent, and powerful, but not a standalone solution. Too often, I see businesses approaching Ai as if it's the missing puzzle piece that will magically solve all their operational challenges. The reality is messier and more nuanced. Successful Ai implementation requires the same fundamentals as any other technology project: clear objectives, quality data, proper infrastructure, and ongoing maintenance. You need to understand your current processes before you can improve them with Ai. Most importantly, you need humans who understand both the technology and the business context to make Ai work effectively. Looking Forward Realistically As we continue to navigate this Ai revolution, I encourage business leaders to maintain a balanced perspective. Embrace the possibilities that Ai offers, but approach them with realistic expectations and solid planning. At Fisher Technology, we're excited about the future of Ai and its potential to drive innovation across industries. But we're equally committed to helping our clients understand that Ai's greatest value lies not in replacing human judgment, but in augmenting it.  The conversation about Ai will undoubtedly continue to evolve, and that's a good thing. As the technology matures and our understanding deepens, we'll find even more creative and effective ways to harness its power. Just remember: Ai is a powerful tool in our technological toolkit, but like any tool, its value lies in how skillfully and thoughtfully we use it.