Let’s be honest—when you’re implementing a new HCM system or changing how data flows across platforms, integrations are often one of the last things people want to think about. However, the truth is that integrations are where the rubber meets the road. They’re the unsung heroes that ensure your systems actually talk to each other and your business keeps moving without hiccups.
That’s where your Integration Consultant (IC) comes in. We may not wear capes, but we do save the day. Let’s explore six ways that your Integration Consultant provides value to your implementation.
1. Integration Consultants Keep the Data Clean and the Process Smoother
Have you ever launched a new system or a new module, only to realize that employee numbers are mismatched, job titles are missing, or someone’s benefits were sent to the wrong vendor? That’s what could happen if your integrations aren’t handled with care.
HRchitect’s Integration Consultants prevent those nightmares. We understand the details such as:
- How and when data moves,
- What each system expects,
- Where things can go wrong (because we’ve seen it all).
We maintain alignment, accuracy, and audit-friendliness.
Integration Consultants are the difference between a smooth go-live and a “why is this showing up in all caps and Spanish?” kind of morning.
2. Integration Consultants Speak Fluent “Tech” and “People”
The IC’s job is part translator, part fixer, and part mind reader. It takes a combination of business needs, vendor configuration requirements, and technical specifications to make the various systems “play nice” together. We bridge the gap between business needs and technical requirements. We are experienced in communicating with our vendor partners, configuration experts, and clients. Our training and experience enables us to ask the right questions. We translate jargon into action. Systems need to work together seamlessly, and we ensure that subject matter experts, configuration experts, and project managers understand the solution being deployed.
One moment, we’re deep in SQL, writing complex logic to calculate the hours worked over the past 12 months. The next, we’re explaining to the HR project team members how the new file can’t magically “know” when someone changes their address, but how the right integration between the systems can keep key data in sync. We are experienced in speaking to every audience, without jargon, ego, or eye rolls.
3. Implementation Consultants Think About the Things You Haven’t (Yet)
A good integration consultant is always thinking of the more complex scenarios such as:
- What happens if the employee is rehired?
- How will this work across multiple companies or pay groups?
- What if the vendor requires a new file format next quarter?
We’ve seen it all—and we plan for it. Our proactive approach helps prevent your project from encountering bumps down the road. We also ensure that the testing plan considers all of these scenarios.
4. We’re Strategic Partners, Not Just Technical Support
It is true that we are known for building file layouts, test data, and writing complex SQL queries until our eyes blur. However, we are also part of the team to advise on the overall solution design. We ask probing questions on how you’re using the data, what your overall business goals are, and how this integration fits into that bigger picture.
Your integration consultant doesn’t just build. We build smart. We look for ways to optimize. We flag risks. And we care about your project’s success like it’s our own—because it is.
5. We Make Your Life Easier
The best integrations are the ones you never have to think about—because they just work. However, reaching that point requires skill, effective communication, and considerable effort behind the scenes.
So when your integration consultant shows up with questions, ideas, or (let’s be real) a color-coded MS Excel tracker—know that we’re doing it to make your project smoother, cleaner, and more successful in the long run.
We’re not here for the spotlight—we’re here so you don’t end up in it (for the wrong reasons). We are partners in your success.
6. The Bottom Line: Calm to the Chaos
If you’ve worked with a great integration consultant on your HCM project, you already know: we bring calm to the chaos. If you haven’t, just wait. You’ll wonder how you ever managed without one. We are the integration behind your integrated HCM/WFM solution.
Further Reading: The Best Tips for Working with HCM/WFM Integration Files
Are you seeking a trusted partner to lead your HCM or WFM system implementation project? Contact us today to learn more about the skills HRchitect brings to your project and the services we provide to create a lifetime partnership with our clients.
About the Author
Tenille Stewart is a Certified UKG Pro Integration Consultant and Developer by day, and a multitasking mama, creative thinker, and entrepreneur by night. She helps businesses streamline their systems and bring clarity to complexity, particularly in the HCM space. With a passion for problem-solving, Tenille translates technical challenges into smart, sustainable outcomes that drive real transformation.
When she’s not knee-deep in code or supporting clients through digital initiatives, you’ll find her empowering others through financial literacy by running a credit repair business or crafting hand-poured scents designed to spark memories, evoke emotion, and bring comfort to everyday spaces. She also travels across the U.S. with her kids in their travel trailer, exploring the outdoors and creating lasting memories, one campfire at a time.
Learn more about Tenille on LinkedIn
