What is software integration?

A software integration is a program that changes or adds to the features of another app, or connects two apps together.

How do integrations save you time?

Integrations automate routine and repetitive tasks, freeing up your time to focus on more impactful work. Eliminating manual double-keying also reduces the risk of typos causing time-consuming and costly mistakes.  

How long does it take to get an integration up and running?

Our proprietary integration platform Ferrio Connect lets us deploy integrations in as little as 4–6 weeks.

How much do integrations cost?

Ferrio’s integrations cost as little as £297 a month. Our subscription tiers are based purely on the volume of work handled by the integration, so every customer gets full functionality as standard. A one-time onboarding fee applies; contact us to learn more. 

Can I connect multiple apps together with integrations?

Yes! You can connect any number of apps together; connect multiple different apps into a single app; and connect multiple instances of the same app together, such as when you have multiple clients using the same software.

Do integrations use AI?

Integrations can use AI where it makes sense to do so. AI has useful applications for transforming and summarising data, but introduces additional costs and potential security concerns. We are currently investigating if and how to incorporate AI into our services.

What are modular integrations?

Modular integrations are built from small, reusable and ready-to-go chunks of code. Ferrio Connect has a vast library of app-specific and universal components and templates which can be quickly edited and linked together in a low-code editor. 

What are the advantages of modular integrations?

Building modular integrations is much faster than writing bespoke code for every project, because 90% of the integration already exists as a template on Ferrio Connect.

There’s also much less risk of finding bugs or security issues once the integration is live, because almost all of the code has already been thoroughly battle-tested in previous integrations. 

What's the difference between an integration and apps like Zapier?

DIY automation tools like Zapier let you automate small tasks and chain them together, but their functionality is limited and if something goes wrong, you’ll have minimal support. Ferrio’s integrations automate complex, multi-stage processes and come with ongoing maintenance and support from our experienced integration engineers.

What is Ferrio Connect?

Ferrio Connect is our proprietary, low-code platform for building modular integrations. Hosted in secure Microsoft Azure servers in UK data centres, Ferrio Connect contains the modules which make up our integrations, and a low-code editor we use to customise each customer's integration to their requirements.

What do Ferrio's FSM–CAFM integrations do?

Our FSM–CAFM integrations automatically create new jobs in the FSM when they’re added to the CAFM, then keeps both records in sync throughout the lifecycle of the job. They can sync everything including linked sites, contacts and assets, status updates, ETAs and scheduled visits, notes and attachments. An FSM–CAFM integration can save you 15–30 minutes of admin time on every single job.

Can I customise an integration?

All our integrations can be customised to fit your requirements and processes. We usually iron out the fine details of customisations during the onboarding and implementation phases of the project, but let us know high level details when you speak to our team.

Do you do bespoke integrations? 

All our integrations are configurable to meet your requirements. We’re also happy to talk about custom integrations. Email us or book a meeting to discuss your requirements.

What happens if my integration goes over the monthly usage limits for my subscription level?

Ferrio's fair use guarantee protects you from occasional spikes in workload. You won't be charged extra if you go over the monthly limit from time to time.

I want to integrate an application that’s not listed on your integrations page. Can you do that?

Probably! We’re always expanding our library of modules and we’re led by customer demand. Get in touch to see if we can help.

What is an API?

API stands for application programming interface. When you use an application, you see the user interface: the interface that’s designed for users. An application’s API is the equivalent interface for programs to interact with that application. It allows one piece of software to use another. APIs let us build integrations that connect multiple apps.

Does all software have an API?

Not all software has an API, but it’s increasingly an expectation for SaaS (Software-as-a-Service) products to provide an open API and thorough documentation for developers to build integrations. To use an API, an integration needs an API key, just as a human user has login details. 

What is an API key? How do they work?

An API key is a long, unique string of letters and numbers. It acts like the username and password that lets an integration access an API. It’s unique to your account and should be treated like any other piece of sensitive information that you use to log in to a private account online — never send an API key by email!

If I have integrations to multiple apps, how does the integration know where to send the data?

When we build an integration between two applications, we get the API keys for each app. Whenever one application sends an instruction to the other, that instruction includes part of the API key to verify that it comes from a valid account. This is how the target application knows which account to act on.

What is a webhook?

Some APIs send notifications when particular events happen, which an integration can react to as they arrive. These are called webhooks. Like notifications on your phone, they include data about what’s happen and give you an opportunity to respond.

Some APIs, called 'polling APIs', don’t offer webhooks. Instead, the integration sends integration instead polls the application, sending requests for updates at regular intervals. While these affect how an integration is designed, there’s almost no difference in the end product.

What are workflows?

In Ferrio Connect, a workflow is a series of actions joined together to automate a complex task. Ferrio Connect contains a library of hundreds of workflows, some linked to specific applications and others universal, which are the building blocks of our integration modules.

Do you have to pay for an API?

Some platforms charge for API access, just as you might have to pay a monthly fee for each (human) user account.