integration issuesSearching for the perfect iPaaS solution for your business? We’re sure that you have come across Celigo and Celigo alternatives like APPSeCONNECT. Yes, both of these platforms offer a standard set of core capabilities. But when it comes to your business’s unique needs, pain points and challenges, you’ll find out that one of them is better than the other. Which one? The answer to this lies in what your business demands from an iPaaS. A joint study by IDG and Team Dynamix revealed that 89% of businesses had problems integrating their systems and data. And the kinds of these struggles vary from one business to another. According to the US Census Bureau, in the period spanning January to March 2023, the total retail ecommerce sales increased to around 273 billion US dollars. The more ecommerce players means the more demand for iPaaS software for integration.

Let’s explore the features and capabilities of both of these enterprise integration platforms. In the end you’ll get a fair idea about which one among them is the best fit for your business.

Celigo Vs APPSeCONNECT: What Sets Them Apart

Both of these platforms bring your disjointed systems together so that you can automate your business operations. Forrester, in its Q3 2023 report, had highlighted how iPaaS solutions were being increasingly used for business automation. Both Celigo and APPSeCONNECT are capable of automating business operations with workflows and integrations.

Celigo

Celigo markets itself as the “#1-ranked iPaaS on G2” with an Integration Marketplace full of pre-built connectors. Their appeal? Simplicity and speed of implementation. Connect popular applications through their marketplace, configure the settings, and you’re running. For standard integration needs, this kind of standard connector-based approach delivers solid results.

APPSeCONNECT

APPSeCONNECT has a different philosophy when it comes to bringing disjointed systems together. While they offer pre-built connectors for over 100 popular apps, their “Enterprise-Friendly, Lean, Low-Code, Future-Proof Automation” framework is more geared towards evolution / adaptability and customization. In other words, APPSeCONNECT impresses both regular business users with pre-built connectors, and power users with its customization tools and the ability of connecting custom apps with API.

Think of Celigo as buying off-the-rack versus APPSeCONNECT’s tailored suit approach.

A manufacturing CIO recently told our sales manager: *”We initially chose Celigo because it looked easier to implement. Six months later, we realized our processes required more customization than we anticipated, which led us to search for Celigo alternatives that are flexible.”

So basically, if your business needs are more or less generic with no need for much customization, then Celigo fits your use case. But, if you want to tweak your iPaaS solution based on your exclusive use cases, APPSeCONNECT shines as one of the best customizable integration platforms available.

Key Differences Between Celigo and APPSeCONNECT: Feature-by-Feature Comparison

Let’s delve deeper and find out the differences between the two platforms through this iPaaS solutions comparison.

Integration Approach & Architecture

Celigo:

• Built around pre-built connectors with options for customizations
• Excels with standard business scenarios
• Supports custom scripting through JavaScript for specific requirements
• Prioritizes rapid implementation for common integration patterns

APPSeCONNECT:

• Offers a comprehensive 4-stage process: Plan, Design, Deploy, and Manage
• Features an intuitive visual interface with deeper customization capabilities
• Provides a low-code environment that you can use to create more complex integrations
• Architecture built to accommodate enterprise-specific requirements
• Has the ability to work with obscure, one-of-a-kind software and its API

Many people discover their integration needs change and evolve as their businesses grow. What begins as a simple connection often develops into workflows requiring conditional if…then scenario creation and custom processing.

Customization Capabilities

Celigo:

• Its integration framework does offer customization options
• Offers API-based modifications along with room for scripts for specific needs
• Complex customizations require more technical knowledge
• Works best when you work with standard integration needs

APPSeCONNECT:

• Enables deeper customization through intuitive visual tools
• Adapts more readily to unique business use cases
• Robust tools available for complex data mapping
• You don’t need too much technical expertise for business-specific customizations

Consider this question: How unique are your business processes, and how will they evolve? If your operations follow standard industry patterns, Celigo is more than enough. But if you have specialized workflows or anticipate significant changes, APPSeCONNECT’s flexibility offers advantages making it the best Celigo alternative for ERP and CRM integration.

The customization difference is glaringly relevant when integrating industry-specific applications and/or legacy software systems. APPSeCONNECT’s architecture accommodates these complex integration cases more naturally, while Celigo may require more workarounds.

An industrial refrigerator manufacturer struggled with their cross-system address management until APPSeCONNECT helped them build custom modules to save and sync addresses in Zoho CRM under each customer profile. Their implementation of custom BAPIs for SAP ECC order data proved crucial, enabling them to keep using their specific order processing sequence while making sure that data flowed without any bottleneck between systems. These custom BAPIs eliminated the need to modify their established SAP workflows, preserving years of operational refinement while still achieving integration. “With APPSeCONNECT, we could adapt the integration to our business processes rather than changing our processes to fit the integration platform,” their IT director explained. The ultimate result? 360 degree view of customer data enabling true automation and operational efficiency. The company achieved 100% data integrity across platforms.

Automation Depth & Intelligence

Celigo:

• Standard workflows can be fairly automated
• Includes conditional logic and rules relevant to the business-needs
• Features AI capabilities focused on implementation and process management
• Automation framework works within its connector-based architecture

APPSeCONNECT:

• Delivers more advanced workflow automation with complex business logic
• Offers real-time data synchronization. Error handling is also taken into account
• AI-powered workflow optimization and predictive maintenance
• Extends automation – beyond simple data transfer

There’s an important distinction between basic syncing data across systems, and comprehensive process automation. It’s comparable to the difference between a basic irrigation timer and an intelligent system with the capability of adapting to soil conditions, weather forecasts, and plant needs.

For businesses where the workflow is fairly complex, APPSeCONNECT’s deeper automation capabilities often provide more operational flexibility. Sin Hin Frozen Foods transformed their SAP Business One and Shopify operations with APPSeCONNECT’s intelligent automation, implementing workflows that went far beyond basic omni-directional flow of data. Their system now intelligently routes orders, manages exceptions, and handles seasonal fluctuations in demand automatically. The result? Reduction in processing time by 60% while eliminating the manual intervention their previous solution required.

Scalability & Enterprise Readiness

Celigo:

• Efficiently handles typical quantity of business volumes
• High volume scenarios can only work if additional configurations are done correctly and with expert care
• Offers enterprise governance capabilities
• More likely to need performance optimization as scale increases

APPSeCONNECT:

• Designed with enterprise-scale requirements in mind
• Processes high volumes of transaction with consistent performance
• Includes comprehensive security and governance framework
• Scales more linearly with the increase in transaction volumes

When evaluating scalability, consider both your current needs and projected growth. Even if Celigo meets your immediate requirements, APPSeCONNECT may offer more headroom as your integration landscape expands.

Available Connectors & Ecosystem

Celigo:

• Features an extensive marketplace of pre-built connectors
• Excels at connecting popular SaaS applications
• Offers industry-specific integration templates
• Develops new connectors based on the needs of the in-market customers

APPSeCONNECT:

• Provides a broad library of application connectors
• Specializes in deeper ERP, CRM, and eCommerce integrations
• Includes industry-specific templates with more awesome customization capabilities
• Develops new connectors with greater emphasis on solving unique customization needs

Both platforms offer comprehensive connector libraries. The real difference lies in approach. Celigo’s connectors excel at standard integration scenarios, while APPSeCONNECT’s connectors serve as more adaptable starting points for specialized requirements.

Why Enterprises Often Need More Than Pre-Built Connectors?

Tools like Celigo providing pre-built connectors offer tremendous advantages in terms of implementation timeline. However, enterprise integration requirements often outgrow what standardized connectors can provide.

• The “90% Solution” Challenge

Pre-built connectors typically address about 90% of standard integration scenarios effectively. For enterprises, that remaining 10% often includes critical business processes—the ones that help you stand apart from your competitors or address unique regulatory compliance.

With connector-focused platforms like Celigo, implementing that vital 10% can require significantly more effort than the initial 90%. What begins as a straightforward integration project will lead to the need for additional development when addressing unique business use cases.

• Integration Evolution Considerations

As businesses evolve, so do their integration requirements. iPaas solutions like Celigo that give more preference to standardized connectors over adaptability can create bottlenecks when your processes change. You may need to choose between adapting your operations to align with the structure of the platform or implementing increasingly complex customizations.

APPSeCONNECT’s approach treats customization as a core capability rather than an exception. This leads to a more sustainable integration architecture as your business processes evolve.

• Creating Cohesive Integration Environments

Connector-focused platforms like Celigo can create integration silos. How? When each connected system is integrated with a separate connector with limited interconnection, creating truly cohesive end-to-end processes across the entire business landscape becomes more challenging.

APPSeCONNECT’s unified approach to integration landscape can facilitate more seamless workflows across different systems and departments.

• Not-So-Straightforward Data Transformation Requirements

Enterprise integration entails complicated data transformation between business applications. While most platforms handle basic field mapping, more complex requirements like combining fields, conditional mapping, or multi-step transformations require additional capabilities.

APPSeCONNECT includes more performant data transformation tools for complicated transformation use case without requiring extensive custom coding.

Looking for Celigo Alternatives? Here’s Why APPSeCONNECT Merits Consideration

If you’re researching Celigo alternatives, chances are you are in search for more flexibility or enterprise-specific capabilities. Here’s why APPSeCONNECT deserves your attention:

• Enhanced Enterprise Flexibility

APPSeCONNECT’s architecture specifically addresses enterprise scenarios that require customization. This leads to more freedom to implement and automate your specific operational processes without conforming to standardized patterns.

• Implementation and Maintenance

The implementation costs initially incurred by you represent only a fraction of the total ownership equation. As integration requirements evolve, maintenance and update costs become increasingly significant.

• Future-Proofing Your Integration Strategy

Business environments change rapidly. APPSeCONNECT’s focus on adaptable automation helps ensure your integration investment remains valuable through business transformations.

Consider how much your integration requirements might change over the next three years. More flexible platforms typically accommodate such changes with less friction.

Here’s quick comparison table for you to understand the superiority of APPSeCONNECT:

But How Exactly APPSeCONNECT Delivers Superior Application Integration Capabilities

APPSeCONNECT takes a fresh approach to enterprise integration. Here’s how the platform rises above basic integrations and why APPSeCONNECT is the best Celigo alternative:

Advanced Process Automation

While many iPaaS focus primarily on the transfer of data between applications, APPSeCONNECT empowers you to build more sophisticated workflow automation. This transforms your integration platform from a data transfer utility into an orchestration engine for multi-pronged and conditional-based business workflows.

Consider an order fulfillment process spanning your eCommerce platform, ERP, warehouse system, and shipping provider. APPSeCONNECT can manage this entire process with intelligent exception handling and business rules. Read how Luminox achieved 100% data synchronization between Shopify and SAP Business One with APPSeCONNECT.

AI-Enhanced Workflow Optimization

APPSeCONNECT makes use of AI throughout the integration lifecycle. The platform’s AI capabilities:

• Suggest potential optimizations by identifying patterns in your workflow
• Help detect and resolve data quality issues more efficiently
• Assist in predicting potential integration issues before they impact operations
• Support continuous process improvement based on operational patterns

This AI assistance makes your integrations more potent over time.

Real-Time Synchronization Capabilities

Modern business operations increasingly require real-time data access. Customers expect current inventory information, immediate order notifications, and instant access to their information.

APPSeCONNECT provides robust real-time synchronization capabilities that are indispensable in today’s business operations. The result? Your data remains consistent across systems with minimal latency. Sounds too complex? Read this case study on how Mocacare achieved real time data sync between the Shopify store and ERP system.

Comprehensive Visibility Into Business Process

One of APPSeCONNECT’s flagship features is its thorough monitoring capabilities. This leads to more transparency into your integrated processes than many connector-focused platforms.

The ability to track transactions across multiple systems in real-time helps find out bottlenecks, improve processes, and establish compliance with legal regulations.

Celigo vs. APPSeCONNECT: Cost and Value Considerations

When evaluating Celigo alternatives, consider total ownership costs beyond initial implementation:

Initial Implementation Factors

Celigo:

• Competitive entry pricing for standard implementations
• Rapid deployment for common integration scenarios
• May require additional investment for heavily customized needs
• Connector-based pricing model

APPSeCONNECT:

• Structured pricing based on integration complexity
• Implementation timeline reflects more customized approach
• Self-service capabilities reduce some professional services requirements
• More inclusive licensing model for diverse integration needs

Long-Term Operational Considerations

Celigo:

• Maintenance costs vary based on customization complexity
• Platform updates generally preserve configuration settings
• Scaling costs increase with transaction volume and connector usage
• Changes may require additional professional services

APPSeCONNECT:

• More predictable operational costs for complex scenarios
• Upgrade-compatible customizations minimize maintenance requirements
• More gradual cost scaling with increasing transaction volumes
• Self-service tools reduce some ongoing support requirements

Value Assessment Framework

For enterprises, the long-term value equation should consider both immediate implementation costs and ongoing operational factors. As integration needs grow more complex, more adaptable platforms often provide better total value despite potentially higher initial investment.

Organizations with complex integration requirements typically find that investments in flexibility yield significant returns through reduced maintenance costs, fewer workarounds, and better business process support.

Which iPaaS is Best for Enterprises? Guidance for Your Decision

But What About Other Tools? Can They Replace APPSeCONNECT as The Alternatives to Celigo?

If you’ve outgrown Celigo and are looking for alternatives beyond APPSeCONNECT, you’ll find more established players in the market. Let’s compare them against APPSeCONNECT and find out if any of them can be a worthy alternative:

Many enterprises find that APPSeCONNECT’s flexibility and thoroughness better support their evolving integration needs. While Celigo offers solid capabilities for standard scenarios, businesses with unique, complicated requirements often benefit from APPSeCONNECT’s more adaptable architecture.

An IT director who migrated platforms shared: “We initially chose a connector-based platform for simplicity. As our requirements evolved, we found ourselves implementing more workarounds. Switching to a more flexible Celigo alternative ultimately saved us time and resources.”

Struggling with Celigo’s limitations? See how APPSeCONNECT’s automation and customization give your business the competitive edge. Book a free demo now!

Why APPSeCONNECT?

100+ Pre-Built Connectors | Deeper Customizations | Enterprise-Grade Security