Running a business can be difficult at the best of times. The last thing you need is your software acting like it speaks a completely different language, which is exactly why HUB has partnered with Patchworks, a leading iPaaS system. We’re now one of just 23 certified partners in the UK, with accredited developers primed to get the best out of every platform integration. It’s a big deal for us but an even bigger deal for our clients.
This partnership means we can make your website, your warehouse, and your accounting systems communicate seamlessly. No more wasting hours manually copying data, no more fragile code that requires constant maintenance, and no more headaches the moment your primary developer goes on holiday.
That’s the quick version. Fancy learning more? In this blog, we’ll explain what Patchworks is, how it works, and how it can save your business precious time, effort, and money.
What is an iPaaS system?
Patchworks is a leading UK iPaaS system that integrates with countless 3rd-party systems, helping your software communicate smoothly.
iPaaS stands for Integration Platform as a Service. Essentially, it’s a suite of cloud-based systems that can connect different software solutions, data sources, and API services, such as stock management systems, order data, accounting software, or CRMs. An iPaaS system, like Patchworks, acts as a central point, or middleware, allowing other systems to ‘speak’ to each other.
In simpler terms, rather than trying to understand JSON, XML, or API endpoints, imagine human language. Software has a language barrier. One platform – say, Shopify – speaks French. Another, for example, Salesforce, speaks Chinese. They can both send and receive communications, but neither will understand the other. Patchworks is a translator that speaks every language. It can convert data structures into whichever format is needed for another platform to understand them. And not just that – it can do it effortlessly, significantly reducing the development time needed just to keep your systems running efficiently.
The benefits of an iPaaS system like Patchworks
To really understand the benefits of this accreditation, you have to understand the previous way of integrating platforms.
Without an iPaaS system like Patchworks, when software couldn’t speak to each other, developers had to build custom bridges between the different platforms from scratch. That not only costs money but can take weeks. It requires constant attention and ongoing maintenance from the individual developers who built the code. If someone is on leave and an issue arises, the ‘bridge’ could collapse, leaving your systems unable to communicate.
Patchworks is a solution. As a cloud-based, low-code iPaaS platform, it automates a lot of the heavy lifting, reducing the need for endless lines of complex code, custom app development, and manual input. The user may only need to fill out a form or drag and drop items through a visual software setup, as Patchworks provides ready-made building blocks that you can plug in. What used to be weeks of work can now be built and maintained in a fraction of the time. It’s also more affordable and much simpler to hand over from one developer to another. In practice, anyone on the team should be able to look at the dashboard and understand the data flow.
Why did we choose Patchworks?
We recognised an issue in the workflow and knew we needed a solution. So, why Patchworks?
When we were looking for the right iPaaS platform to bring to our clients, Patchworks immediately stood out from the crowd. Our developers were blown away by how quickly we could get things up and running. In our world, speed is everything, and Patchworks allows us to turn prototype ideas into production-ready code faster than ever before.
It also opens up a world of possibilities for our clients. Patchworks has an extensive marketplace of pre-built integrations, meaning we can source and connect almost any third-party supplier you want to work with. Whether your business relies on Shopify, Adobe Commerce, or WooCommerce, we can plug in all your external tools seamlessly.
What does being certified with Patchworks mean for HUB and our clients?
Certification matters. It means we didn’t just sign up for an account; our developers went through rigorous training to become accredited experts in Patchworks. We know the ins and outs of the platform, so we know exactly how to safely map client data.
Trusting an agency with your tech stack is a big step, and you want to know your data is in good hands. As certified partners, our team expertly navigates the Patchworks platform, steering clear of common integration pitfalls such as lost orders, broken inventory syncs, and duplicated customer profiles. We’re not just guessing – we have genuine, verified expertise.
Ready to streamline your tech workflow?
If you’re tired of dealing with disconnected systems and manual data entry, the HUB team is here to help. With our certified Patchworks expertise, our developers can do the heavy lifting behind the scenes to help your tech stack work for you, not against you.
Get in touch with the team at HUB today to learn how we can get your systems speaking the same language.
