What is Integration?
Integration means intermixing different functions of a business organization with one another. For a business to work smoothly it needs to have all its parts work in conjunction. Integration is a way to do just that. It makes sure no one function of a business is more important.
Every task needs to be run perfectly and form an integral part of the business ecosystem that helps it achieve the goals that are pre-set. Integration also makes it easy to determine which particular function is lacking or not performing up to par in order to fix it.
Types of Integration
There are many types of integration when it comes to a business, we have business integration after two businesses merge together, there is process integration to make sure that all the processes in a business help achieve a common goal. Data integration that can help flow of data for maximum efficiency. However, all the mentioned integrations can be classified into two main types of integration; hardware integration and software integration.
Hardware Integration
This can be described as an integration between two or more hardware components with one another in an organization. It can also mean integrating two or more hardware components with a software component to pull out data for analysis. Hardware integration with new software can help improve the bottom line for a company. Integration of hardware with software can help a business set automation processes that saves time and resources from doing the redundant tasks.
Software Integration
Integrating the software with hardware is the best way to increase profitability for an organization. While the initial cost of integrating might be high but once done this integration can help businesses save cost and increase profitability. Let’s understand more about the different software integrations that can help an organization.
POS Terminal
Presence of a POS (Point-of-Sale) system is becoming an important necessity in a business. Whether it be a restaurant, hotels or gyms having a POS system is a must for managing operations and sales. Integration of this system helps understand a business speed up the check out process for faster conversion of a potential buyer into a loyal repeat customer. Having a functioning integrated POS system brings a world of good for businesses to grow as it helps bring in the revenue faster and more efficiently than traditional cash only system.
Biometric Attendance
Attendance is a great way to keep track of your employee’s productivity and efficiency. When you pay salary, you want to make sure that the salary is being well deserved, a business doesn’t need employees that take leaves on the regular. Integrating biometric attendance into your business with software can help you see which employee has been putting in the shift and deserves recognition and which employee needs a talking to.
Barcode/QR code
With smartphones in the palm of every person it is very easy to incorporate barcodes or QR codes into a company. Barcodes/QR codes can be used on inventory boxes that can help you see the components without opening the boxes with just a scan. Barcodes/QR codes is the best way to manage an inventory of goods with just a scan rather than having to go through boxes and boxes of inventory. It can help in storage and compartmentalizing of goods in a better way. Moreover, barcode/QR code is becoming an acceptable payment method due to UPI which can be integrated into POS system.
Membership Card Printer
Integrating a membership card printer into your business ecosystem can help you share membership privileges to your loyal customers. Membership cards can be integrated to understand your customer better. Having a card printer is good for advertising also because these cards can be customized which helps spread word about your company. Integrating the printer can also help you get the number of member customers that are there on your list. It also helps you collect data about your customer which wouldn’t be captured otherwise.
Payment Gateway
Integration of payment gateway is a B2B integration. Integrating the payment gateway offered by a third-party business with your business helps in accepting payments and makes it convenient for your customers. It also helps you have a wider customer base by helping you accept payments from around the world. Integrating payment gateway means that your store is open 24/7. It also helps in faster processing of payments.
Messaging Platform (via twilio)
Membroz offers a cloud-based messaging platform for your business through twilio. This helps your customers contact you during office hours to speak to customer service representatives for any queries or resolution to a problem they might be facing. Helping you serve customers faster and more efficiently. After office hours this messaging platform can be used to help customers by linking solution pages for Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ).
CRM Automation Newsletter
Customer relation management is very important for retaining your customers. Once you’ve built an email list of customers that have already availed your services/products or customers that are interested in your product. Having an automated newsletter can help keep your customers engaged. These newsletters can be used to announce new product/service launch to your customer base. Help build a following before its launch. Newsletters can be used to offer discounts to your loyal customers also further propelling sales.
Social Media Inquiry
If you’ve a social media page and have a fan following, you’re bound to receive queries and inquiries from customers. Rather than having multiple platforms to pay attention to. Integrating social media inquiries with your business messaging platform can help queries faster by avoiding switching between platforms. Auto answers or solution pages can be linked to frequently asked questions on social media also. There by saving your resources for more urgent and priority issues.
IVR or Caller Identification
If your business feels the need to converse with customers rather than messaging them. Integrating IVR can help customer service representatives be available for more important calls. IVR can help computers interact with customers through keypad interaction and voice recognition. Integrating IVR can help divert calls as per the rules set by you. Integrating IVR can help customers access help without limit and it also helps your business provide better customer service improve your businesses image.
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