You want an online store order to be automatically imported into your Exact environment. Or you want to ensure that colleagues no longer have to maintain the same customer data in two separate systems. In that case, you’ll likely start looking for an API integration for Exact. But before you commission any development work, there’s a more important question: Is there a solution that meets your process requirements?
We have years of experience developing and implementing connectors and extensions for Exact. Sometimes an existing connector or practical add-on is the right choice. Other times, you need more: an additional feature, a portal, or a specific integration. That’s why we start by identifying the processes you want to improve and then select the technology that best fits those needs.
What is an API integration for Exact?
An API (Application Programming Interface) is a digital connection between two or more different software systems. An integration uses this interface to process, for example, customers, products, orders, or invoices between Exact and one or more systems.
The API is merely the technical access point. A good integration also determines what data is exchanged, when that occurs, and what happens if a processing operation fails. Furthermore, the available options vary by Exact product. Different integration options apply to Exact Globe+ and Exact Synergy.
That’s why saying ‘we want to integrate with Exact’ isn’t enough to constitute a full assignment for us. The result must be a process that is faster, more reliable, or simpler—and that delivers greater returns.
When should you choose an existing integration?
An existing connector is the first option to explore if you want to automate a recognizable data flow between two systems. Consider, for example, online store orders that need to be processed in Exact, while product and inventory information must also be available to the online store. Alistar offers, among other things, The Webshop Connector developed.
This connector is compatible with both Exact Globe+ such as Microsoft Dynamics 365 Business Central. When an online store and an ERP system don’t integrate properly, it leads to duplicate entries, inventory discrepancies, and unnecessary manual work. With the online store connector, data is exchanged automatically, and every department works with the same up-to-date information.
Check the following beforehand:
- What data is exchanged, and in which direction?
- Which system takes precedence if the information differs?
- What process steps should the connector support?
- How are errors detected and corrected?
If the answers align with your workflow, you don't need to design a new integration for something that's already available.
When is an expansion a better option than a new connection?
In most cases, the data is already in Exact. In that case, the problem isn’t with the data exchange between the two systems, but with a manual step in the process. Take the processing of PSP payments, for example. If employees have to manually verify and process payments and related costs, a general API integration won’t necessarily help you right away. The Reconciliation Module van Alistar was specifically developed to automate the reconciliation of open items and the processing of PSP costs.
That’s a fundamentally different question than ‘How do we integrate System A with Exact software?’ You always start by determining what functionality your Exact environment needs to perform an existing task more effectively.
When do you need a portal or a specific integration?
A connector exchanges data, but sometimes customers, partners, or employees need to be able to work with information and processes on their own. For example, when your customers want to look up their orders and invoices without having to call a representative.
It’s not just about retrieving data from your Exact environment. You also need to determine who gets access, what each person is allowed to see, and how the portal fits in with your team’s work. Alistar uses Portal Builder – a low-code platform – that allows customers to find information on their own through a linked portal.
We always work with you and your colleagues to determine which specific data flows or access rules are needed to achieve your goals.
Five Questions to Ask Before Choosing an Exact Integration
1. What work needs to be eliminated or improved?
Describe the manual task, delay, or error you want to address. ‘Integrating systems’ is a means, not an end.
2. Where does accurate data come from?
If a customer's address is updated in both your online store and Exact, it must be clear which system takes precedence.
3. How quickly should changes be visible?
A customer checking an order status may have different requirements than an employee preparing a monthly report. Determine what your process requires.
4. What happens when an exception occurs?
An unknown item, a duplicate customer record, or a missing field should not go unnoticed. Determine who will spot an error and how it will be resolved.
5. Who will manage the solution after it goes live?
Systems and processes change. Agree on who will review changes, monitor processing, and follow up on issues.
These questions will help you determine whether an existing connector or an extension is sufficient, or whether a specific integration would provide more value in optimizing your processes.
Looking Ahead: What Can AI Do with Your Exact Data?
When your systems and data work well together, new opportunities arise for using that information. In the webinar Exact and Your AI Agent Arie and Koen demonstrate how Alistar links questions about finance, sales, and service to information from Exact. They also discuss access rights and the reliability of answers.
Choose the date that works for you: Thursday October 29 or Thursday November 12.
Frequently Asked Questions About Exact Integrations
Is a standard integration the same as an API integration?
An existing connector can use an API in the background. For you, the main difference lies in the approach: are you using a solution with existing functionality, or are you developing an integration for your specific process?
Can I use the same integration for Exact Online, Globe+, and Synergy?
Don't assume that's the case. The capabilities vary by Exact product and by Alistar solution. Therefore, always check which software versions a connector or extension supports.
Is a specific API integration always better?
No. If an existing solution supports your key process steps, that is the first option to explore. Custom development becomes necessary when required data, rules, or applications are missing.
Get More Out of Exact Without Starting Over
You don't have to decide right away whether you need ‘an Exact API.’ Start with the process that's currently time-consuming or causing errors. We'll then work with you to determine which connector or existing integration fits that process, or where a specific integration is needed.
This way, you can take advantage of both Exact’s capabilities and the solutions Alistar has already developed for you. Check out the Alistar Solutions on top of Exact to see what other options are available for optimizing your processes.
