What does SmartConnect do?

Integration and automation are essential components to every successful ERP and CRM implementation. SmartConnect makes integration and automation simple. At its core, SmartConnect is an engine that can take data from any source and create records within Microsoft Dynamics GP, Dynamics CRM and SalesForce.com. SmartConnect can do this when and where you tell it to. Having SmartConnect is like having an extra, super efficient person on your team.

You do not have to be an Astronaut

SmartConnect provides a drag and drop user interface for configuring the creation of records within any of its destination applications from any source of data. SmartConnect leverages eConnect, Microsoft CRM web services and the Sales Force API and has transformed the integration process from being a developer experience into an easy to use end user toolset. There are complex and expensive tools on the market that do a fraction of what SmartConnect can achieve. Save your time and money and discover why SmartConnect has changed the way you connect your systems.

Understanding How SmartConnect Works

SmartConnect allows you to mix and match any destination with any data source. You can also take any path you like to transform your data on the way.If you follow the diagram on the right you could draw a line that SmartConnect:

• Takes data out of GP and creates an XML file based on a defined schedule.
• Takes Excel data and pushes it into Microsoft CRM, SalesForce.com or turns it into an XML file.
• Moves data from CRM to SaleForce.com or pushes data from a text file into the CRM of your choice.
• Moves data from one GP database to another - creating new transactions on the way.
• Reads GP data to create more GP data (see our section on automation for more).

Key features that make SmartConnect easy to work with:

• Transformation: Data is never provided to you in a nice prepared format. The on the fly transformation saves you from having to spend time formatting data before every integration
• Scheduler: The timing of each integration will be different. Some you want to run manually when you are ready. Others of you will want to trigger from code in another application and others must run every 3 minutes.
• DataSource: Pull data from anywhere. Perform calculations on that data, do lookups to another database to return values, restrict and exclude certain data records and calculate the next record number.
• Import/Export: SmartConnect can both import and export data to a variety of destinations. Once up, the maps are set and forget and you will receive an automatic email if for some reason a record does not integrate as planned.
• Webservice: Call the SmartConnect webservice from any application. That might be Excel or your own inhouse or custom software 
   

SmartConnect for Developers and ISV's

SmartConnect is the ideal tool for software developers. Incorporating SmartConnect within your offering eliminates the need for you to hard code integrations that limit your software's flexibility.

• When building a custom solution you can call the SmartConnect webservice to execute a SmartConnect Map
• Bundle SmartConnect with your ISV solution, with prebuilt maps for instant integration.
• Say yes more often in an RFQ response. Each of your integration points can be configured to integrate anything to anything.

   

   

Watch out for Sharks

If you are comparing SmartConnect with other applications and you find they promise 'we can integrate anything to anything'. It is simply not true unless you also employ a developer. These solutions will either not do what you want or require the employment of an expensive developer. A question to ask a software provider is "how much does your help desk know about........ " and then pick up the phone and test them. eOne only supports destinations for products in which we are Guru's.