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3rd Party integration considerations
There are several items to entertain before integrating 3rd party solutions within PrintNow, so let us step through how we consider and select 3rd party integrations at PrintNow to help you understand what is involved to ensure a successful integration.
How to Evaluate potential 3rd Party integrations for Use in PrintNow
A 3rd party application is essentially a software solution that another company or developer develops. If a 3rd party app is available that meets our customers’ needs without us having to build it from scratch, it’s worth evaluating. Many of PrintNow’s current technology partners started from customer projects before deciding PrintNow would support it ongoing.
There’s not always a correct answer to whether to build (create custom) or buy (integrate via 3rd party) when expanding web-to-print technology, so we consider the best choices for each case. When we’re determining whether to integrate a 3rd party component, we review other related elements, including:
- Goals of the Integration: For a 3rd party component to be a contender, it ought to include the functionality to align within the total vision attached to the platform. For instance, are you tied to a specific application to accomplish what you need, or are you evaluating other solutions?
- Cost of Implementation: 3rd party pricing plans differ from monthly/yearly subscriptions, usually based on the features and use levels you need. Assessing the cost of developing the functionality custom versus the upfront and continuing costs of a 3rd party component is essential to deciding on your choices. Typically, a 3rd party component will be more affordable in the short term than custom development, but it’s necessary to evaluate the big picture.
- Ease of Integration: The time needed to integrate a 3rd party component will influence project expenses and timelines. If we’re uncertain of what time it will take, we may recommend proof-of-concept to validate the time on larger projects.
- Resources and Support: We consistently check a 3rd party component’s—especially their developer resources, knowledgebase, API documentation, and support center. If the documentation and support aren’t clear to us as developers, it may not be the best option.
- SaaS Vs. Open Source: While enterprise SaaS solutions usually are easier to get started with, include updated documentation, and offer responsibility for each product, there are some things out of our control when it comes to integration. On the other hand, open-source software can be customized and managed by our developers. So, before choosing a 3rd party component, it’s essential to consider what control a developer has to integrate into it properly.
- Product Roadmap: We choose to employ 3rd party components from verified businesses with a roadmap for the future of the product. We are looking for a promising sign that they intend to continue investing in the product’s long-term support.
- Version History: The product’s version history indicates how actively the 3rd party solution is supported and developed. If a component has not been revised in over a year, odds are it’s not one to depend on. Just like custom solutions, components need routine upkeep.
Other 3rd Party Component Considerations
Using 3rd party components can save a notable amount of time and cost upfront; however, consider what could change.
- Regular Updates: Most 3rd party solutions make frequent updates to their platforms. Generally, that’s a good thing, but sometimes those updates impact the components that require a change to the integration on the PrintNow side. To extend the life and viability of any platform, it’s best practice to update the components regularly.
- Coding Changes: Significate changes to 3rd party components may force PrintNow to make development modifications to the integration. When integrating 3rd party components, be aware of possible maintenance out of your control.
- No Control on Pricing Structure: One other consideration of using a 3rd party is the pricing structure. The 3rd party can modify the pricing plan at any time. The degree to which pricing structures are changed is simply out of our control and may impact your ongoing costs, so consider this upfront.
As discussed, there are multiple aspects to think about when choosing 3rd party components for your project. And there may be a few “valid” solutions. Nevertheless, we’re committed to assisting you on your options, the facts, and the pros and cons of 3rd party apps and components.
The final result is considering the alternatives and selecting the best one for your web-to-print solution if that’s a 3rd party integration, custom software integration, or anything else. If you are interested in how 3rd party apps and components could impact your web-to-print solution, reach out to us.
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3rd Party Integrations
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