SaaS integrations in acquisitions and mergers

Two illustrated individuals engage in conversation, one actively working on a laptop. Their discussion is depicted through a thought bubble that features a handshake and a checkmark, symbolizing mutual agreement or successful negotiation. The scene unfolds against a serene blue background adorned with stylized clouds and additional speech bubbles, suggesting communication and collaboration.

Congratulations on your newest acquisition! This huge accomplishment has now brought a major workload upon your IT department and it can be quite paralyzing wondering where to start.

New users, new applications, and a whole slew of questions are heading your way.

Challenges of SaaS integrations in M&A

Integrating multiple IT environments is no easy feat while still keeping up with the day-to-day support needed to keep your organization up and running.

Beyond the expectation of understanding the existing processes for your counterparts in an M&A process, managing onboarding and offboarding at scale often requires automation.

The bottom line is, the business needs to focus on making the deal a success. That means the tech side needs to work seamlessly, almost invisibly, in the background. IT needs to plan and execute that integration perfectly.

Best practices for successful SaaS integration

To avoid feeling like you’re trying to solve a giant jigsaw puzzle while juggling flaming torches, consider these best practices for a smoother transition.

First things first: Due diligence

Before signing on the dotted line, you need to know what you’re getting into.

Digging deep in the other company’s SaaS stack can help determine not only what tools they’re using, but also the cost and any potential integration nightmare heading your way.

Planning is key

You’re already a step ahead as you’re hopefully reading this early enough. Once the deal is done, it’s time to create a solid integration strategy.

Things to consider include:

To Consolidate or not to consolidate? That is the question. Do you keep both companies using their own tools, or do you try to streamline things by consolidating onto a single platform?
Data migration: The great migration Moving all that data from one system to another can be tricky. You want to make sure everything transfers smoothly and without any hiccups.
Integration approach: Finding the right fit There are a few ways to integrate your systems, like APIs, data synchronization tools, or those fancy iPaaS platforms. Choose the method that makes the most sense for your specific situation.

People matter: Keep your team in the loop

Communication is key. Keep everyone informed about the integration process as no one like surprises especially when they’re actively working with the work tool you’re about to shut down permanently.

Another important thing to communicate? Training. With new employees and new systems potentially coming, make sure employees know about the applications in your tech stack and how to use them.

Save space for post-merger optimization

The integration doesn’t end once everything is up and running. You’ll need to keep a close eye on the performance of your applications and integrations and schedule regular reviews to see what’s working and what’s not.

Think beyond cost, are there areas that need to be addressed such as security risks or employee efficiency?

How a SaaS management platform (SMP) can be a lifesaver

During this challenging time, a SaaS management platform can be IT’s best friend.

With enhanced visibility across multiple instances and automated provisioning and deprovisioning at scale, your organization can rest easy knowing the newest acquisition will be handled in less time and at a lower risk.To learn more about how BetterCloud can help with your next merger or acquisition, schedule a demo today.

Source link

[wp-stealth-ads rows="2" mobile-rows="2"]