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Share to FacebookShare to TwitterShare to LinkedinWorth Davis is the Senior Vice President of Enterprise Solutions at Calian IT & Cyber Solutions.

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In today’s rapidly evolving digital landscape, businesses face unprecedented challenges in managing their IT infrastructure, software systems and data. For companies looking to harness the power of technology by investing in IT partner integrations, here are some of the most important things to consider.

Businesses have become increasingly reliant on technology to manage their operations and keep pace with new expectations and demands. However, managing multiple software systems and integrating them alone can be daunting, leading to operational inefficiencies and a lack of visibility into critical business data. This desire to eliminate error and simplify processes has led to more companies seeking a strategic partner integration. A few examples include Okra and Slack, as well as Calian customers Highlands Residential Mortgage, Coterra Energy and Plains All American Pipeline.

According to the Flexera 2022 State of the Cloud Report, 87% of enterprises have a multi-cloud strategy. Meanwhile, 72% have a hybrid cloud strategy, leading to complex integrations and data silos that hinder productivity and growth. Businesses using partner integrations or planning to do so are already familiar with the benefits they bring.

But now, in a crowded market with a new emphasis on doing more with less, many ways exist to perfect your integration strategy without going over budget.

Partner Integrations Explained MORE FOR YOUToday’s ‘Quordle’ Answers And Clues For Friday, April 28Way Day 2023 Wayfair s Biggest Sale Of The Year Just Got A Surprise ExtensionFirst Attack On Artwork In The United States At National Gallery In Washington Partner integrations are formed when two or more SaaS companies agree to “integrate” their services or products by bridging their systems and working in tandem to provide a more user-friendly and convenient service. Simply put, a partnership integration is a non-competing software solution that integrates with your business.

These partner integrations aim to be mutually beneficial, providing customers with a seamless experience—rather than a cobbled-together one—while using multiple technologies simultaneously. By implementing another solution that complements your own, you can broaden your capabilities without sacrificing user experience.

Overcoming Partner Integration Challenges Every company and industry has its own unique set of challenges, and there are integrations suited for every business. However, if you’re a complex enterprise or have complex needs to ensure your business can meet the demands of your industry, a one-size-fits-all solution isn’t going to cut it. You’ll most likely need multiple vendors, which means more moving pieces that need to fit together.

The main problem companies face is that most technology only works on being good at its core purpose—not working with others. And while a CIO and their team may whiteboard a seamless vision of harmonious multi-vendor relations and integrations to successfully support their organization’s vast needs. In reality, partners rarely integrate or work together seamlessly.

In the tech industry, integrations must happen at both a business and technical level while still maintaining expertise throughout. Unfortunately, most tech vendors focus solely on advancing, improving and selling their own technology rather than thinking about integration options. But in today’s market, buyers expect their tech to work together—and companies that fail to at least consider integration risk getting left behind.

In this way, leveraging partner integrations is like having several gardeners tending to your garden. Instead of focusing on perfecting their individual plot, you want them to share a common vision and work together to create the crème de la crème of gardens.

Doing More With Less The IT mantra has always been “do more with less.” This is especially true right now with the impending economic forecasts for 2023. So when planning to implement the perfect strategy, focusing on the details to ensure you make the most of your partner integration is critical. Here are three things to consider.

1. Establish your foundation first. An obvious yet commonly overlooked mistake many businesses make when choosing a partner is not finding common ground. Making a hasty decision to close the deal can lead to conflicting priorities, built-up tensions and a reduced chance of success. Having a clear vision of your goals and expectations makes it much easier to find a partner who is aligned.

2. Keep everyone in the loop. Everyone should know the game plan to execute your strategy, especially the key decision makers. This ensures all parties involved understand the progress status, potential issues and changes that could affect their work. Without proper awareness, both your business and your partner cannot coordinate efforts and execute a fruitful and long-lasting relationship.

3. Know the different strengths. Partners are there to fill in the gaps your business can’t fulfill on its own, meaning you shouldn’t invest in an integration you can do yourself. Realizing each other’s strengths can improve overall performance and increase competitiveness in the market.

The Future For Partners The future of partner integrations will only become more complex. What was once a market with only a few leaders for each core technology is now an industry facing massive disruption.

Growing your business is a team effort. With intentional strategizing and considering the tips above, the perfect partner integration for your business can help make you more profitable and recession-resilient.

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