An API (Application Programming Interface) allows different applications to communicate with each other, for example to automatically exchange data and keep it up to date. That way, your staff won’t waste time with manual input and you avoid the risk of errors. You just need to choose what data you need for your integration to keep the different departments in your organisation running smoothly.
Keeping your CRM up to date,
where to start?
A good CRM/ERP system is essential to keep your organization running smoothly. It facilitates financial analyses and streamlines your sales and marketing—from lead generation to the customer journey. High-quality data is the lubricant that keeps everything moving, and regular maintenance is key to remaining efficient.
Preparation
Data integration starts with good preparation. Make sure to begin with a database that consists of clean data. This will save you time and costs later.
Help with preparation
Integration
Feed your CRM system with information relevant to your business. Define your objectives and set the right parameters. At this stage, also think about how to keep the data up to date.
More about data integration
Updating
Automate as much as possible the input of business data and other relevant information. Use our API to keep your CRM system always up to date.
How to integrate relevant data
Preparation
How does data cleaning work?
Define structure
Ensure your existing database has the right structure. Think about standardized formats for addresses, phone numbers, and other key fields. Thanks to standardization and normalization of your data, you will save time and reduce costs in the long run.
Deduplicate data
There are many ways duplicates can enter your database: manual input, merging databases during mergers, missing links between different systems, uploading external files, etc.
It’s essential to deduplicate this data early on to avoid extra work or errors in later marketing campaigns or invoicing. As with structure, know what you have and what you need: which contact persons, how many addresses (delivery, invoicing, operational), alternative company names, phone numbers… And most importantly: ensure a unique identifier — for a company, this is always the business registration number.
Enrich the database
Once your structure is set and your data is deduplicated, start enriching your database. Add relevant information about your clients, prospects, suppliers, or other business contacts: company number, contact details (phone, fax, website, email…), activities, financial data (status, key figures, credit advice…), contact persons, extra geographic info (coordinates, industrial zone…).
We link all official sources with exclusive data to provide you with the best possible view.
Determine at this stage which data is relevant to your business.
Updating Data
Integrating data only makes sense if it is kept up to date afterward. Otherwise, all your efforts to start with a clean database may eventually be in vain. Data changes—companies go bankrupt or cease operations, and new businesses are established.
During a file audit, we assess the current quality of your database/file: structure, incorrect addresses (address, name, VAT…), inactive companies (bankruptcy, closure…), number of duplicates, etc.
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Integration
Automate your data integration
What are the benefits of an API?
Sales & Marketing
Get ahead in your sales & marketing journey through thoughtful segmentation based on objective and qualitative data. Thanks to automatic data integration, you know much better which meat you have in the frying pan and get to your customer or prospect’s needs analysis faster. Moreover, you will always be aware of changes in your key target groups and get great leads on a platter.
Finance & Credit Management
Make sure you always have accurate financial information and individual credit recommendations to efficiently manage your risks and sharpen your payment terms. Thanks to an automatic data integration, you get insight into the current financial health of your business relations and, via continuous monitoring, you stay informed when it deteriorates significantly.
Updating
Ready for the next step?
Are you all set to get started and set up a data integration with your CRM/ERP system? If so, we will gladly reach out to you with various solutions, where personal IT guidance, user-friendliness and seamless integration of relevant data are the common threads.
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