Are you responsible for the IT landscape including the B2B integration solution in a medium or large enterprise?
Then you probably face some (or many) of the following B2B integration challenges.
You might struggle with an outdated B2B integration platform, such as VANs and homegrown solutions. Maybe this platform is only On-Prem and not easily configurable with Cloud services. Or an iPaaS solution that mainly focuses on solving developer-level API-based integration problems? A platform that is slow, inflexible, and expensive to maintain?
Or do you lack a solution that addresses broader business integration needs, including EDI B2B integration and other specialized B2B processes? Or do you experience B2B integration challenges due to a dozen point-to-point integrations aka a “spaghetti landscape” where no one has a full overview of all integrations? Or maybe you struggle with multiple stakeholders in your organization who all want their systems to be integrated first, and you struggle to prioritize and keep everybody happy with the progress.
Does this sound familiar?
You’re not alone.
There are very common B2b integration challenges. Many Enterprise Architects, IT Integration Manages, IT Architects, IT Directors etc. like you face significant challenges when trying to integrate their systems, due to outdated or inadequate B2B integration technology. Every single day.
So let’s break down the most common B2b integration challenges you need to address before you can get a comprehensive and effective B2B integration strategy in place.
A Deep Dive Into the B2B Integration Challenges of Ineffective B2B Integration Solutions
Don’t let the challenges related to your integration solution hold you back. This deep dive into the B2B integration challenges of ineffective B2B integration solutions may help you identify the issues that your organization might face.
#1 Legacy Systems and Applications
Do you have trouble trying to make old systems work with modern applications?
Differences in technology and data formats are the issue here. Legacy systems were often built using outdated technologies and coding practices that are incompatible with modern systems.
That’s a big issue.
Some of these legacy systems aren't able to provide data at the speed that’s required for modern user-driven integration processes, so they become a bottleneck in the integration process.
- Iben Buus Tricker, Senior Specialist, INVIXO
Some of these legacy systems aren’t able to provide data at the speed that’s required for modern user-driven integration processes, so they become a bottleneck in the integration process.
– Iben Buus Tricker
Senior Specialist, INVIXO
What do You do With This B2B Integration Challenge?
1: Analyze the legacy system
- How is data processed and stored?
- What kind of interfaces does it have?
- Identify any potential problems or limitations in the system.
2: Define the integration requirements
- What data needs to be transferred between the legacy system and the modern application?
- And in what format?
- Identify any potential data mapping issues.
3: Choose the integration approach based on the requirements and limitations of the legacy system
You have several options, including:
- file-base
- database-based
- API-based, and
- middleware-based integration.
4: Setup your iPaas so you only extract data from your legacy system once
- This is for instance done by using a Data Hub where through you push data to all the systems that should be updated.
5: Develop the integration solution
- This may involve custom code, using third-party tools, or leveraging cloud-based integration platforms.
6: Thoroughly test and validate the integration solution
- to ensure that it meets the integration requirements and works as expected.
7: Monitor and maintain the integration solution for any issues or errors
- This may involve updating the solution to accommodate changes in the legacy system or modern applications
#2 Inefficient Processes
Do you experience reduced productivity, delays, increased errors, and negative impacts on the internal and customer experience due to slow processes?
Annoying, isn’t it?
Inefficient processes are often the result of manual and outdated workflows, which require a lot of time and effort to complete. For example, if employees need to manually input data from one system to another.
What to do When it Happens?
1: Automate your workflows where possible
This can include:
- implementing a workflow management system
- using robotic process automation (RPA) software
- and integrating systems to eliminate manual data entry
2: Analyze and document your current workflows to identify bottlenecks and areas for improvement
3: Remove unnecessary steps or combine similar processes
#3 Scalability Issues
Are you experiencing issues with scalability as your business grows and your integration needs become more complex?
This is one of the most common B2B integration challenges we see.
Legacy integration solutions may struggle to keep up with the demands of a growing business, leading to delays, errors, and increased costs.
The solution may not have been designed to handle a large volume of data or a high number of transactions. Or the solution may not be able to accommodate new data formats or integration protocols as the business expands or adds new partners. Additionally, outdated hardware or infrastructure limitations can also impede the scalability of the integration solution.
What Do You Do With This B2B Integration Challenge?
Truth is:
Without a modern B2B integration platform you mus likely won’t get rid of your scalability issues.
So our advice is to invest in a modern, cloud-based B2B integration platform. This makes it easier for you to scale to:
- Accommodate growing data volumes and processing requirements
- Help reduce costs
- Increase efficiency
- Give you the flexibility you need to adapt to changing business needs
- Easily add new users, partners, systems, and data sources as needed
Your integration platform should be implemented with scalability in mind.
#4 Data Management Issues
Do you have issues with the quality and accessibility of your data? Or are you struggling to access and share information?
It’s a common problem.
It’s usually due to incorrect data formatting, duplicate data entry, manual data entry, or isolated databases that store data from different departments or systems.
Sometimes we see that the integration solution doesn’t support the full range of data formats and protocols required to exchange information internally and externally.
So be aware of inefficiencies, errors, and lost data.
What Do You Do With This B2B Integration Challenge?
1: Establish data governance procedures
- to ensure data accuracy, completeness, and consistency across all systems and processes.
2: Regularly review and update data formats and protocols
- to ensure compatibility with your integration solution.
3: Automate data entry processes and use data management tools
- such as data cleansing, de-duplication, and validation
4: Consider consolidating isolated databases into a single, centralized database
- to enhance data sharing and reduce the risk of data inconsistencies.
#5 Weak Collaboration Features
Do you often come across situations where people face challenges in collaborating and effectively sharing information across different teams? These issues may manifest as delays, misunderstandings, and decreased productivity, as team members find it difficult to coordinate their efforts and exchange essential information.
We’ve all been there.
Siloed teams and a lack of tools that enable effective communication and collaboration are part of the problem.
What Do You Do With This B2B Integration Challenge?
1: Invest in collaboration tools and platforms that enable real-time communication, file sharing, and project management.
- These tools can include chat apps, video conferencing software, project management platforms, and shared document storage.
2: Foster a culture of collaboration and teamwork
- encourage cross-functional collaboration, and recognizing and rewarding collaboration.
3: Provide training and resources to help teams work more effectively together
- Shared workspaces and communication features that enable teams to share progress and resolve any issues fast are a must.
4: Create a process for prioritizing which order the integrations will be looked at
- Make sure to communicate this priority list to your colleagues, so they know when they can expect help with the problem.
#6 Inadequate Business Insights and Context
Are you facing challenges in obtaining the necessary information about your business metrics and KPIs? Unfortunately, many companies find themselves in the dark when it comes to understanding the broader impact of their integration decisions on the overall business landscape.
This lack of adequate business insights and context can arise due to various reasons:
- Top management might overlook the importance of involving the IT department in integration-related decisions that affect business metrics and KPIs. As a result, there is an incomplete view of how the integration process could impact profits.
- IT teams may become too focused on the technical aspects of the integration process, neglecting to consider the broader implications on the business.
- The absence of seamless integration between different business systems and departments is a common issue. Many businesses utilize separate systems for various functions like accounting, inventory management, and customer relationship management. These isolated systems often fail to communicate with one another, leading to fragmented data and limited visibility into the bigger picture.
- There might be a lack of necessary tools or processes in place to capture and analyze the data needed to gain insights into how integration decisions impact business metrics and KPIs.
What to do When it Happens?
1: Adopt an integrated approach to your systems and data
2: Closer cooperation between top management and IT teams in relevant decisions
3: Implement a unified platform
- that provides a comprehensive view of business metrics and KPI’s
4: Invest in business intelligence tools and analytics
- to get great insights into your integration process and its impact on the broader business landscape
5: Regularly monitor integration performance
Let’s be honest.
If you want to overcome your integration challenges, something needs to change.
Without the necessary insights and a holistic view of your integration process, it’s tough to make informed decisions about your B2B integration strategy or understand its impact on your business’s profits.
#7 Limited Business Controls
Inadequate technology or IT infrastructure is most often the cause of limited business controls. But it can also stem from a lack of understanding of the business rules and processes involved in the integration strategy.
What to do When it Happens?
To address this b2b integration challenge, you should:
1: Prioritize the implementation of role-based access controls, data governance policies, and process management tools
- that can ensure the accuracy, consistency, and completeness of your data
2: Invest in automation tool and technologies
- to help reduce manual errors and improve data quality
3: Regularly monitor and evaluate the integration process to identify areas for improvement
#8 Lacks Customized Content
Is it difficult to tailor your integration processes to your company’s specific needs?
Why does this happen?
Many elderly B2B integration platforms do not offer the flexibility required to tailor integration processes to their specific needs. Another common problem is the lack of technical expertise to develop custom workflows or scripts in-house.
How to Handle This B2B Integration Challenge?
So what can you do about this?
1: Invest in a modern B2B integration platform that offers personalized content
- This includes customizable workflows, user-defined templates, and the ability to add custom code and scripts
2: Invest in a training program
- to improve your in-house technical expertise and enable them to develop custom workflows and scripts themselves.
#9 Challenges in B2B Data Processing and Transparency
Another very common B2B integration challenge we meet is that it is very unclear how data is being processed and exchanged between systems.
Do you experience a lack of transparency and inefficiencies like slow transfer speeds and manual error resolution? Is it difficult for anyone to understand how a certain field in a system is updated?
These data processing and transparency challenges can arise due to a number of reasons.
Maybe you lack proper monitoring and reporting mechanisms. Or maybe there is a lack of standardization in data processing procedures across different systems.
Or worse:
your systems may have been developed and maintained by different teams of people over the years. Maybe it has been coded in a system or in a way that no one can understand or maintain today. Or maybe the central business logic is hidden in complex or inaccessible processes, or in point-to-point integrations.
And those who understood and maintained the above have left your company.
Frustrating!
How to Overcome These B2B Integration Challenges
Simply put:
prioritize modernizing your B2B integration platform.
1: Choose a modern B2B integration platform
- that offers real-time monitoring and reporting, automated data processing, and built-in error resolution mechanisms.
2: Establish clear data processing procedures
- across different systems to ensure transparency and standardization.
3: Evaluate your B2B integration performance regularly
- to identify areas for improvement and optimize your integration processes continually.
#10 Security Vulnerabilities
Does your integration solution pose a security risk by allowing sensitive data to be shared across different platforms?
The harsh truth is:
integration solutions are a prime target for hackers looking to steal sensitive business data. So the reality is that your integration solution may be putting your organization at risk by providing a vulnerable entry point for hackers.
Hackers often target integration solutions to gain access to sensitive business information or exploit vulnerabilities in data exchange protocols.
This is often due to inadequate access controls, weak encryption protocols, or outdated software.
How do You Handle This B2B Integration Security Challenge?
So, where do you start?
Let’s take a closer look at some of the key steps you can take to secure your integration solution.
In order to tackle this problem, you should:
1: Implement robust access controls, encryption protocols, and regular security updates
2: Establish clear data protection and privacy policie
3:Ensure that your integration solution complies with relevant regulations and standards.
Regular security assessments and testing can help you identify potential vulnerabilities and ensure that your integration solution remains secure and reliable.
#11 Bad User Experience
Is your current B2B integration solution difficult to navigate and use?
The complexity of B2B integration can already seem overwhelming. And an unfriendly user interface only adds to the problem.
Maybe the platform is complex and difficult to navigate, with an overwhelming number of features and functionality. And maybe there is a lack of documentation and training materials provided to users.
Maybe you find it impossible to hire new employees who have experience with your old systems. Plus younger colleagues aren’t interested in learning an old legacy systems lingo.
What to do When it Happens?
Our advice is to:
1: Invest in a user-friendly solution that is accessible to all stakeholders, regardless of their technical expertise
2: Look for a platform with clear and concise documentation and training materials
3: Offer additional training to employees as needed
4: Involve users in the design and testing phases of the integration process to help ensure that the solution meets their needs and is intuitive to use
Take Control of Your B2B Integration Challenges
Yes, the list of challenges is long.
And with an outdated integration solution, you’re in a never-ending battle.
The good news is that you can solve these issues.
Now that you’re aware of the common challenges of ineffective B2B integration solutions, it’s time to ask yourself: Are you ready to act and improve your integration processes?
When you’re looking for a new solution, you might experience that people in your company find it challenging to get started with the process.
And maybe you even experience resistance.
By identifying the specific pain points in your organization and implementing the right technology and strategies, you can transform your integration process into a streamlined, efficient, and effective system that adds real value to your business. Don’t let integration challenges hold you back from achieving your business goals and growth.
With the right B2B integration platform and approach, you can streamline your operations, improve collaboration, enhance data management and security, and gain valuable insights into your business performance.
And with the proper guidance and training, you will most likely see an uplift in internal skills.
So turn this challenge into a personal benefit for the people involved.