Connecting the dots: The power of seamless system integrations

System integrations and APIs (application programming interface) have become increasingly popular – and common! – in assignment management systems over the past few years, and it’s no wonder: they can greatly benefit global mobility teams in several ways.

Many of us in the realm of global mobility are not tech specialists, so discussing integrations or APIs can admittedly feel daunting, at least until you get more familiar with them. You can imagine an API as a bridge that connects different systems, allowing them to talk to each other and share information, so you can do more with your systems and enjoy a better experience. They can join the dots both internally – such as from your main HR system to your assignment management system – as well as externally, through sharing information with third parties, e.g.  relocation and immigration vendors.

 Improved efficiency

System integrations streamline processes by connecting different systems and enabling the exchange of data between them. This integration eliminates the need for manual data entry, reduces duplication of efforts and automates tasks. As a result, your team will be more efficient and productive as their time spent on repetitive tasks is minimised, freeing up time for more complex, strategic tasks.

 Data accuracy

Integrating systems ensures data consistency and accuracy across different platforms. By eliminating manual data entry and, consequently, the risk of human error, integrations provide reliable and up-to-date information. This accurate data can be used for cost projections, reporting, analytics, and decision making, leading to improved business insights.

 Enhanced assignee experience

Integrating your assignment management system with assignee and business self-service portals empowers employees to update their personal details, view salary calculations, submit requests and access company policies and documents. This reduces the administrative burden on GM teams to process standard requests and improves the assignee experience by giving a greater sense of agency and control.

 Data-driven decision making

System integrations enable GM teams to access and analyse consolidated data from various systems. They can also help you stay on top of compliance issues; for example, you can rely on the visa expiry dates being accurate if they are fed through from your immigration provider. You will have a solid overview of your costs as well as the ability to drill down into the detail, supporting data-driven decision making and strategic workforce planning.

 Streamlined processes

Integrations enable smooth workflows by connecting disparate systems and vendors. This allows data to flow seamlessly between different third parties that all contribute to making an assignment happen. It can also reduce your compliance risks, as linking your tax and immigration providers into the processes means you are less likely to run into costly issues as a result of a process or policy not being followed.

You may be thinking – what’s in it for my vendors? Will they be willing to integrate with my system? Fret not, as integrations will save your vendors’ time, too. The burden of manual data entry will not just be reduced for your team, but for everyone involved. Vendors will also appreciate notifications arriving in their inboxes in a timely fashion to make sure they’re focusing on the right cases at the right time. For example, imagine that you find yourself dealing with a delayed assignment start date. With APIs in place, it won’t cause anyone any extra work: you can just update it in one place and all your downstream providers will be notified automatically.

By leveraging system integrations, GM teams can automate processes, enhance data accuracy, improve the assignee experience, and focus more on strategic initiatives that drive organisational success.

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