How Axonaut used Chift to streamline integrations and save resources
Axonaut needed to offer integrations, but internal development was resource-intensive
Axonaut is a comprehensive ERP solution tailored specifically to meet the needs of SMEs, freelancers, and solopreneurs. It covers, among other things, CRM, accounting, invoicing, HR, and project management. By digitalizing business processes, their aim is to help entrepreneurs save time for high-level tasks.
Despite its versatility, Axonaut’s clients sometimes have specific needs that it cannot address. Needs that are not common enough to build features for, but too common to ignore. This is where integrations come into play for Axonaut.
“Integrations are important to offer solutions to specific needs of our clients not adressed by Axonaut” Quentin, Product Manager at Axonaut.
Developing and maintaining these integrations internally, however, is resource-intensive, diverting focus from core business activities.
“Because of API updates, integrations require dev time for maintenance. Outsourcing allows us to focus on our core business”
Additionally, with the upcoming mandatory electronic invoicing in France by 2026, Axonaut needed to ensure seamless integration with various accounting tools to cater to a larger customer base efficiently.
Axonaut started outsourcing some integrations using Chift’s Accounting and Ecommerce APIs
Axonaut decided to partner with Chift to handle their integration needs, allowing them to focus on their core product development. Chift's unified APIs provided Axonaut with a single data model for multiple integrations, simplifying maintenance and reducing the need for extensive in-house development resources.
The initial collaboration focused on integrating with Chift’s Unified Accounting API, streamlining processes for accounting professionals using Axonaut’s products. Axonaut users can automatically export financial data and create accounting entries in a multitude of accounting software, saving hours of tedious manual work for their accountant and themselves. Through our Accounting API, they integrate with MyUnisoft, ACD, Horus, Pennylane, Cegid Loop, Sage 100, and soon Sage Génération Expert and Inqom.
Chift not only pulls client and supplier invoices (including the PDFs) from Axonaut and pushes them to the accounting software but also creates and adds new clients if necessary. Error reporting is also available to users for peace of mind.
The integration with the Accounting API and the accounting mapping was handled by Chift, requiring no dev time on Axonaut’s side. Their users receive a unique URL to easily activate integrations. They can also easily invite third-party users (such as their accountant) to complete specific steps to ensure accurate accounting entries:
Recognizing the effectiveness of this partnership, Axonaut extended the collaboration to include Ecommerce integrations, specifically for the Shopify connector.
“We knew we needed Ecommerce integrations because our clients were asking for them. We also wanted to focus on important projects for Axonaut without the integration part consuming too many of our resources.” Quentin, Product Manager at Axonaut.
Unlike the first use case (Axonaut > Chift Accounting API > Accounting Software), the Ecommerce integration pulls order data from Shopify using our Ecommerce API and sends it to Axonaut, adding new invoices, payment status, and creating new clients in Axonaut.
Axonaut users who activate both flows get full automation from Shopify to Axonaut and then finally create accounting entries automatically in the accounting software.
Chift’s Unified API approach allowed Axonaut to meet customer demands while focusing on core projects, saving time and money
Focus on core product improvements.
By outsourcing the development of specific integrations to Chift, Axonaut saves developer time and ensures that their team is fully focused on their core products.
Add integrations faster
Integrations are also added at a faster pace than previously, allowing Axonaut to react to market changes:
“When there are new things available on the market, Chift ensures that we can quickly connect to these new tools and access these new markets. And that is something really interesting for us.”Quentin, Product Manager at Axonaut.
Reach new customers
By connecting to more tools, Axonaut can plug into a wider range of workflows and tools used by more accounting professionals and ecommerce businesses.
Automations make for happier customers
Thanks to these automated flows, Axonaut users save time getting ecommerce sales data inside Axonaut and financial data out. Accountants report spending 70% less time each week on adding Axonaut users’ financial data into their accounting software compared to before the integrations.
Thinking about expending through integrations? Book a Demo with our team!