A Guide to Integrations & Apps on Xero Marketplace

Business leaders have moved on from discussing whether or not software solutions and business applications can change how business is done; now, they’re focused on what SaaS platforms can fulfill their organization’s needs. For accounting and finance professionals, accounting software is paramount, but when it comes to accounting software, there are right and wrong choices. Xero is one of the best out there.

Any organization that’s on a digital transformation journey will realize at some point that even the best software platforms and SaaS solutions aren’t meant to work in isolation.

In this blog, we will discuss how Xero integrations and Xero Apps in Xero Marketplace extend the capabilities and allow Xero to interact with your existing software.

Top Integrations in Xero Marketplace

Accounts Payable

• Nanonets
• Bill
• ApprovalMax

CRM

• Salesforce
• Insightly
• HubSpot

Inventory Management

• Katana Cloud Inventory
• TidyStock
• Unleashed

Xero - An Overview

Xero, the industry-leading cloud-based accounting software has been revolutionizing the accounting cycle for small and mid-size businesses for nearly 20 years. From invoice management and expense tracking to payroll and reporting, Xero offers a range of features tailored to meet the unique needs of small businesses.

If Xero is the only tool in your arsenal, your team may experience some limitations, such as: 

• Limited reporting capabilities
• Restricted functional use
• Lack of process automation
• Very few customization abilities

The real beauty of next-generation tools like Xero is that they seamlessly pair with other business technologies and digital tools, enabling robust business operations and illustrating new, more efficient ways of doing things. 

With Xero integrations and Xero apps found on the Xero Marketplace, the core platform transforms into a powerhouse resource.

What are Xero Integrations? 

In the Xero App Store, you’ll see both “integrations” and “apps” for the platform. While these terms are often used interchangeably, they are quite different.

• Xero integrations are third-party platforms that seamlessly connect to Xero.
  • Native: Third-party tools designed for Xero
  • Custom-Code: integrations that connect to Xero through an API or some other method.
• Xero Apps, on the other hand, were built by a Xero developer specifically to boost the functionality of Xero’s SaaS solution. 

Most businesses utilize a Xero integration to solve the needs of other business functions in a way that’s cohesive with existing accounting processes and best practices. 

Some of the most-searched Xero integrations are:

Accounts Payable Integrations

 The accounts payable function is crucial in every business; managing short-term debts, paying invoices, chasing down payment approvals, and ensuring healthy cash flow dynamics are just the start. Try these Xero integrations for your AP workflows:

Nanonets
This best-in-class AP automation solution will not only provide automated AP reports but will also make it easy to automate invoice processing, manage AP internal controls, and get ahead of upcoming bill deadlines with automated reminders. 

BILL
If you’re aiming to “go paperless” in both your AP and AR functions, BILL gets rid of redundant data entry between systems, supports automated bill payments, and improves expense management overall. 

ApprovalMax
Built with compliance in mind, ApprovalMax brings internal controls, automated invoice approvals, and financial insights to the forefront of every conversation.

CRM Integrations

CRM integrations are crucial for Xero users as they enable seamless synchronization of customer data between the CRM system and Xero, allowing for personalized invoicing, accurate financial forecasting, and enhanced customer relationship management. Search the Xero store for these integrations:

Salesforce
Sales are the upstream drivers of revenue and other financial metrics, and with the Salesforce-Xero integration, companies can synch customer data in both systems, monitor the financial impact of sales funnel outcomes, and foster better customer relationships. 

Insightly
Find Insightly on the Xero Marketplace to better track Xero invoices and bills and turn quotes in one platform into opportunities in the other.

HubSpot
Together, HubSpot and Xero provide a window into every stage of the customer experience. By personalizing interactions, enabling custom contracts, and showcasing the most effective marketing campaigns, this integration almost guarantees positive business outcomes.

Inventory Management Integrations

The Xero App Store is full of inventory management integrations that enable synchronized inventory data, an enhanced order fulfillment process, and real-time analytics regarding inventory levels. With more information at hand, business leaders can make key business decisions more efficiently than ever.

Katana Cloud Inventory
Convert sales orders from Katana into invoices in Xero, import all customer and supplier information from Xero to Katana, and maintain optimal stock levels with a centralized view of current inventory metrics.

TidyStock
With “smart stock reordering,” backorder capabilities, and batch inventory management features, the TidyStock-Xero integration helps improve your bottom line.

Unleashed
Business intelligence dashboards, a proprietary B2B e-commerce store, and a mobile sales app for making inventory updates on the road are just a few of the perks of integrating Unleashed with Xero 

What are Xero Apps?

Now that you know all there is to know about Xero integrations, let’s take a look at Xero Apps. Xero Apps, because they are tailored to the platform from the start, are easy to use and offer high levels of functionality. The Xero Marketplace makes it easy to browse and discover Xero apps and other Xero add-ons at your own pace. Be sure to check out Xero’s offerings for different aspects of your business.

Some of the most-used Xero applications are:

Hubdoc
Hubdoc is a Xero application used to snap a photo of receipts and invoices, extract the information from those documents into Xero, and cultivate a seamless expense management process. 

Chaser
Chaser allows you to create a custom AR schedule, track clients with a track record of late payments, and provide your clients with a secure payment portal. 

G-Acon for Xero
By integrating Google Sheets with Xero and creating a two-way connection, this application meets accountants where they are and solves for productivity challenges today.

Xero Verify
For extra security and a built-in two-factor authentication engine, use the Xero Verify application. The peace of mind it offers is priceless.

Xero Workpapers
Accountants looking for better collaboration tools with their team members should look no further than Xero Workpapers. With traceable “work papers,” it’s easy to see where your team is when it comes to posting entries, providing monthly reports, and more. 

Benefits of Using Xero Integrations & Xero Apps

The Xero Marketplace has more than 1,000 third-party integrations available to its users. Once you start finalizing Xero integrations and Xero Apps, you’ll see the business benefits materialize in no time at all.

1. Streamlined Workflows: Business tasks get easier with the right tools, and when those tools work well together, those tasks become optimized.
2. Seamless Data Exchange: A two-way data connection ensures a seamless data exchange between all of your business systems.
3. Error Reduction: With automated data transfer, those errors become virtually nonexistent.
4. Automation: Xero has some foundational automation features, but they’re fairly limited. For instance, a Nanonets-Xero integration can fully automate AP tasks, while Xero alone can only enhance the AP team's efficiency Nanonets.
5. Enhanced User Experience: Higher productivity, lower error rates, and faster processing time all result in one major thing: a happier customer.
6. Tailored Functionality: Search the Xero Marketplace for ways to fully customize your technology stack to fit your needs – not the other way around. 

Finding the Right Xero Apps and Integrations for Your Business

To search for Xero applications and Xero Integrations with ease, follow these steps:

1. Visit the Xero App Store here. 
2. Search for applications by name, industry, or business function.
3. Check out the “Discover” tab at the top of the page to find featured applications, new apps, and other custom collections.

When you’re looking through the Xero App Marketplace, you’ll sometimes see certain applications with a name like “X Application for Xero” or “X Application and Xero” which can help clue you in as to which add-ons are Xero apps vs. third-party integrations.

If you’re ready to take the next steps with your business technology stack, but you’re not really sure where to start, we’re here to help. Here are some helpful tips for figuring out what your business needs actually are and addressing those with the right Xero apps and integrations from the Xero Marketplace

• Engage your team. Talk to your team to identify pain points first-hand and be sure to collaborate with them when paving the path forward to address high-priority pain points.
• Seek peer insights. Connect with peers, attend conferences, and engage with industry thought leaders to understand how other organizations are leveraging technology. 
• Embrace trial and error. You might not perfect your technology stack on the first attempt, and that’s okay! Keep refining your approach by piloting new tools, utilizing free trials, and making adjustments as needed. 

There’s No “One-Tool-Fits-All”

Today, ensuring an organization is equipped with the right technology is less about finding one perfect “unicorn” solution and, instead, about pairing together the best tools to address the complex web of business priorities. Getting ahead of its users, Xero created the Xero Marketplace to offer Xero apps and integrations proactively, allowing businesses in all industries to tailor their technology strategy in the way that makes the most sense for them.

No two businesses are the same, so why should their tools be all the same? With easy-to-find solutions ready in the Xero App Marketplace, a new approach to technology is just seconds away.

If you are looking to give Xero an AI-driven boost, talk to our expert here and automate your accounts payable.