If you’re using automation and TrackVia to streamline your day-to-day operations, the situation may call for integrating external apps with TrackVia.

If you don’t have engineers available to write API integrations, then you’ll have to pick a low-code automation platform that is best suited to the task at hand. This can be tricky because not all automation platforms are created equal. And while every business and its unique needs are different, there are some universal truths that you should take into account before deciding on which automation solution is right for your business.

Here’s a brief rundown of three popular options that offer TrackVia integration — Zapier, Workato, and Power Automate — and how they stack up against each other in terms of ease of use and functionality.

What is TrackVia?

TrackVia is a low-code workflow management system that helps small businesses and enterprises centralize and automate their data. The platform offers IT pros and citizen developers an easy-to-use drag-and-drop interface to build tables, reports, and dashboards without having to write code or manage infrastructure.

As a Gold Certified TrackVia Partner, Hartmann Industries implements TrackVia to cover a wide variety of use cases, including custom ERP systems, CRM and sales pipeline management, commercial roofing management systems, and inventory management systems.

Zapier – The Legacy Solution

Zapier is a well-known automation platform and was one of the first external automation platforms to connect TrackVia with thousands of other applications. Zapier uses TrackVia’s API to create and record records, which can then be synced to other systems as needed.

TrackVia can send events to Zapier to trigger automation pipelines, such as when records are created, changed, or deleted. These triggers include record data, such as individual field data, and metadata such as created or updated time.

For several reasons, Zapier is no longer the recommended method to integrate TrackVia.

First, Zapier does not offer any native filtering on the TrackVia triggers. This means that every single record create, change, or delete will trigger a new Zapier task run and count towards your plan’s utilization. With Zapier’s pricing, this can result in considerable and unexpected expenses.

Second, TrackVia zaps are usually only supported on a best effort basis by TrackVia itself and TrackVia Partners. Zapier is, after all, a third-party platform that has a very generalized developer program for SaaS providers such as TrackVia. As of the time of writing (July 2022), there are no TrackVia partners that are registered in the Zapier Integration Partner Program. Although some partners, such as Hartmann Industries, are familiar with Zapier, it will be more difficult for TrackVia-Zapier users to get comprehensive support in building and maintaining zaps.

Finally, Zapier is generally not recommended for larger enterprises due to the lack of management and governance features. Zapier simply does not offer user-friendly ways to organize and maintain zaps, even at the highest-tier plans. Many companies that sign up with TrackVia are processing a significant amount of data and are in the mindset of long-term growth with automation, which Zapier cannot support.

To be clear, Zapier still has a functional TrackVia connector, but it is not as easy to use as it was in years prior.

Workato – The Native Solution

Workato is the new Zapier in the TrackVia ecosystem. Workato is an enterprise-grade solution that solves many of the Zapier pain points listed previously.

TrackVia and Workato have a more thorough partnership, and Workato can be licensed directly through TrackVia at a discount. TrackVia offers options for limited and unlimited Workato licensing. Workato, unlike Zapier, charges per flow (or unlimited) and not per run, meaning that Workato is usually the most cost-effective solution for data-driven organizations.

Workato has a formal training and certification program. Partners, including Hartmann Industries, have completed these courses and are Workato-certified partners to provide implementation services to small and large enterprises.

Workato can be purchased directly from TrackVia, or through a TrackVia partner such as Hartmann Industries. If you are purchasing TrackVia through Hartmann Industries, we can offer bundled discounts on your Workato licensing.

Power Automate – The Partner Solution

Microsoft’s Power Automate is a fairly new tool from Microsoft. Although the Power ecosystem does not offer native integration with TrackVia, Hartmann Industries has developed a custom third-party API connector to bring TrackVia capabilities into the ecosystem.

Power Automate is an appealing option for smaller businesses that cannot afford the expense of Workato licenses. Power Automate is included in Hartmann Industries’ Managed IT Services packages, which is a compelling offer for budget-conscious small and medium-sized businesses.

Hartmann Industries’ TrackVia Power Automate Connector is available for free for all customers signed up for our Unlimited TrackVia Implementation service.

Key Takeaway

Whether you’re a small business or large enterprise using TrackVia, there are several options to connect TrackVia with your third-party systems. Both TrackVia and Hartmann Industries can assist you in selecting the correct platform for your needs.