What is the alternative to Zapier ?

With over 3 million users, Zapier’s web-based platform for data exchange via workflows is the benchmark for task automation. The platform is designed for everyone, from freelancers to enterprises.

A comprehensive catalog of over 5,000 software and SaaS platforms that can be communicated via Zapier’s web platform, and a “free” offer that enables anyone to create their first automations, certainly explain Zapier’s success.

However, is Zapier the ideal solution for all companies with strong business specificities and obligations in terms of responsibility and data sovereignty ?

In this article, find out more about Zapier, who uses it, its strengths and weaknesses, and finally, what alternative to Zapier is there for businesses ?

What is Zapier ?

Zapier is a Web-based platform that enables you to connect different software applications and create automated data exchanges, without the need for developer skills or writing lines of code.

All you need to do is set up a “zap”, i.e. a workflow, or associate an event or trigger (which occurs in one application) with an action to be carried out in a third-party application. In this way, Zapier automates repetitive tasks.

For example, the creation of a new contact in the CRM triggers an assignment notification to the sales rep in charge of the geographical area.

Why use Zapier ?

Using Zapier frees you from the repetitive, time-consuming tasks of checking and re-entering information from one application to another. By scheduling the execution of zaps or workflows at regular intervals, you avoid the risk of manual input errors and oversights. What’s more, it saves time and optimizes business processes.

Who uses Zapier ?

Zapier users have very different profiles :

• The individual user looking for a personal solution to automate simple, time-consuming daily tasks: saving documents and photos, filing emails, connecting to social networks, etc;
• Self-employed or freelance workers looking for a professional solution to save time by automating the management of data between the various software programs used for their professional activity;
• Companies looking to improve efficiency and productivity by automating data and information exchange processes between their various departments.

Benefits

• The preconfigured workflow library with over 5,000 applications, including the most popular: Gmail, Slack, Salesforce, Twitter, Mailchimp, Trello, etc ;
• Workflows are easy to create without the need for IT skills.

Disadvantages

• Pricing : the “free” version is limited to a small number of integrations and triggers per month. As a result, paid versions of Zapier prove to be costly for companies;
• Dependence on Zapier: Zapier users are entirely dependent on Zapier’s policy regarding the choice and evolution of integrations with SaaS software and platforms;
• Communicating logins and passwords for e-mail and social networking accounts to Zapier;
• Support for specific tasks: it will not be possible to create business-specific applications with Zapier to meet the needs of users with more advanced requirements.

What’s the alternative to Zapier ?

To create customized “zaps” that meet their business needs, companies will have to turn to Data Exchanger, EAI, (Extract Application Integration) or BPM (Business Process Management) software solutions.

These solutions, available in On Premise or Hosted mode, offer companies and their IT departments numerous advantages in terms of security and customization.

Data security

When data exchange solutions are on site (On Premise) or hosted, company data remain on the company’s own infrastructures, and are therefore more easily protected against loss or data leakage. Exchanges with the outside world are protected by firewalls, and no confidential data (logins, passwords) is communicated outside the company.

Guarding against the dangers of Shadow IT

In the absence of an in-house offer to avoid re-keying and repetitive tasks, staff and departments often tend to look for free alternatives such as Zapier. Offering an in-house solution validated by the IT department avoids resorting to Shadow IT and its disastrous consequences for corporate IT security : hacking, ransomware, etc.

Customization and integration with corporate information systems

EAI solutions enable companies to create their own internal data flows and exchange data with their trading partners via EDI solutions.

Discover DEX, the enterprise alternative to Zapier

DEX is Tenor’s inter-application data exchange solution for the enterprise. Available as an on-premise or hosted solution, it automates and streamlines enterprise data exchanges in total security.