MindCloud vs. SmartConnect: Comparing Integration Platforms
Compare MindCloud and eOne SmartConnect: who builds your integrations, ERP and CRM coverage, deployment options and how pricing works.
SmartConnect and MindCloud both connect business systems, but they're built for different teams. SmartConnect, from eOne Solutions, is a no-code/low-code iPaaS for IT teams and systems analysts who want to build and manage integrations themselves, with deep Microsoft Dynamics roots. MindCloud pairs an integration platform with an in-house team that scopes, builds, launches and supports your integrations for you. This guide compares the two so you can choose the one that fits how your team works.
What is SmartConnect?
SmartConnect is eOne Solutions' data integration platform. eOne describes it as an iPaaS "designed for the technical end user, IT team, and systems analysts" that gives you "control to build, modify, and manage the integrations that connect your business software together."
According to eOne's public product pages, SmartConnect includes:
Pre-built connectors for Dynamics 365, Dynamics GP, Dynamics NAV, Salesforce, REST and SOAP web services, ODBC, SQL, flat files and Excel.
An ERP and CRM focus. eOne lists Dynamics 365 Business Central, Dynamics GP, Dynamics NAV, Dynamics F&O, Salesforce, Oracle NetSuite, Acumatica, ConnectWise and Zendesk as its specialties.
Triggers and mapping. Scheduled, event-based and changes-only triggers, drag-and-drop mapping, scripting, a REST API and an Excel add-in.
A choice of deployment. Cloud (SmartConnect.com) or on-premise (SmartConnect 21). eOne's documentation says Dynamics GP integrations need the on-premise version.
Connection-based pricing. Monthly plans are priced by the number of connected systems, and every plan includes unlimited integrations.
What is MindCloud?
MindCloud connects business systems, APIs and workplace apps and builds the workflows for you. Its products include:
Full-Service Integrations. An in-house team of solutions engineers, project managers, integration engineers and support staff scopes, builds, launches and maintains every workflow.
The Gravity integration builder, for teams that want to build and automate integrations visually.
The Universal API, which connects to 3,400+ apps through a single API.
MindCloud was ranked #351 on the Inc. 5000 with 981% growth.
MindCloud vs. SmartConnect at a glance
MindCloud | SmartConnect (eOne Solutions) | |
|---|---|---|
Primary model | Integration platform plus a dedicated in-house delivery team (full-service), or build-it-yourself | Self-service iPaaS for IT teams and systems analysts |
Who builds the integration | MindCloud's integration engineers, or your team | Your team, with eOne support and services available |
Requirements process | A written blueprint for each workflow (trigger, field mapping, error handling, edge cases) that you sign off on before development starts | Configured by your team in SmartConnect |
Testing and go-live | Internal testing with your real data, user acceptance testing, written client sign-off and a monitored go-live | Error logging, failed-record tracking and email alerts in the product |
App coverage | 3,400+ apps through the Universal API | Pre-built connectors with an ERP and CRM focus (Dynamics, Salesforce, NetSuite and more), plus REST, SOAP, ODBC and SQL |
Deployment | Cloud platform | Cloud (SmartConnect.com) or on-premise (SmartConnect 21) |
Pricing basis | Scoped to the workflows you need. Talk to our team | Monthly subscription priced by the number of connections, with unlimited integrations |
When SmartConnect may fit
Your IT team wants to build and own every integration in-house.
You run Microsoft Dynamics GP or need an on-premise integration server.
You want to move data in and out of your ERP from Excel.
When MindCloud may fit
You want integrations built, launched and maintained for you, without hiring integration developers.
Your workflows cross ecommerce, ERP, CRM, accounting and industry systems, such as Aspire for landscaping companies, and you need one team accountable for all of them.
You want a written blueprint and sign-off before any build, and a team that watches the first production runs with you.
The bottom line
SmartConnect is a strong fit for technically staffed teams, especially Microsoft Dynamics shops, that want a configurable tool to run themselves. MindCloud fits companies that would rather have experts build and support their integrations end to end.
SmartConnect details come from eOne Solutions' public website and documentation. Confirm current features and plans with eOne.
