Integrating cloud applications with your existing software means connecting the tools your business already uses—like accounting programs, customer management systems, or email—with newer cloud-based services. This integration allows these systems to share data and work together smoothly, reducing manual work and improving accuracy.
Why integration matters for Canadian SMBs
For small and mid-sized businesses in Canada, seamless integration can significantly impact daily operations. Without it, employees may waste time entering the same information into multiple systems, increasing the chance of errors. Poor integration can also lead to data silos, where important information is trapped in one system and unavailable elsewhere, potentially causing delays or mistakes in customer service.
From a risk perspective, disconnected systems can increase vulnerability to data loss or cyberattacks. For example, if your cloud apps aren't properly linked to your backup solutions, critical data might not be saved regularly. This can lead to costly downtime or compliance issues, especially if you handle sensitive customer information subject to Canadian privacy regulations.
A practical example
Consider a Canadian company with about 50 employees that uses a cloud-based customer relationship management (CRM) tool alongside an on-premises accounting system. Without integration, sales staff must manually export customer orders from the CRM and input them into the accounting software. This process is slow and prone to mistakes, delaying invoicing and cash flow.
By working with a managed IT provider, the company can implement a secure integration that automatically syncs customer and order data between systems. This reduces manual entry, speeds up billing, and improves data accuracy. The IT provider also ensures that backups cover both cloud and local data, minimizing risk of loss in case of hardware failure or cyber incidents.
Checklist: What to consider when integrating cloud apps
- Ask your IT provider: How will the integration handle data synchronization? Is it real-time or batch updates?
- Check security: Are data transfers encrypted? Does the integration comply with Canadian privacy standards?
- Backup coverage: Does your backup solution include both cloud and on-premises data involved in the integration?
- Access controls: Who can view or edit data across integrated systems? Are permissions consistent?
- Reliability: What happens if one system goes offline? Will the integration queue data or alert you?
- Costs and scalability: Are there additional fees for integration connectors? Can the setup grow with your business?
- Internal checks: Review user access lists and password policies regularly to prevent unauthorized access.
Next steps
Integrating cloud applications with your existing software can improve efficiency, reduce errors, and strengthen data protection. To ensure a smooth and secure setup, discuss your current systems and business goals with a trusted managed IT provider familiar with Canadian SMB needs. They can help you evaluate integration options, address risks, and build a solution that supports your growth without adding complexity.