From our Quosal quote and proposal automation system, we’ve created many integrations with other software applications and platforms. Our integrations are typically very deep and rich, and include accounting systems, CRM systems, PSA systems, office automation products and XML feeds to online distributors.

Before we create such an integration, we carefully evaluate the partner to whom we are interfacing. We need to know:

• Can we create a high-quality interface to this partner?
• Will we be able to support that interface?
• Are the APIs solid?
• Does this partner have a good track record with such interfaces to other companies?

The reason we’re picky and careful about such things is simple:  Once we create such an interface and our  customers — or even just one customer — begin to use it, it becomes mission-critical to their business, and it must be maintained and it can’t be broken. This is not a part-time commitment.

An extra twist on this theme:  This commitment remains even if only a few customers are using that particular integration — so each integration is a “market decision”.

For a software developer, each partner integration represents a certain current and future allocation of development capacity. If your partner changes its application or its API, you may have to make adjustments to your own application or interface just to remain operational – much less take advantage of new features. If your partner breaks its own API or application code, your own customers can’t always tell (and won’t care) where the problem occurs – they will be on your doorstep looking for answers.

At Quosal, we make a real commitment to our integrations, and this commitment can be summed up easily with our overriding goal:  No downtime for our customers due to our partner integrations. This is a goal we have met and will continue to meet. We don’t consider this optional, especially when we know our partners are relying on us. We work with partners that we believe feel the same way about the fact that we have created such an integration, and for their part are equally committed to that quality.

As more and more time goes on, your quoting platform will be a mission-critical hub of business process. The level of reliability must reflect this completely.