It’s 2025, which means it’s time to ditch the fax machine. We’ve got AI copilots writing code, supply chains stretching across continents, and quantum computing knocking on the door. Yet somehow, some businesses are still clinging to email threads, PDF attachments, and yes, the occasional fax to manage trading partner communications.
That friction? It’s costing time, money, and trust.
The good news is that there are B2B integration vendors who can manage the complexity of global commerce. The better news is that it’s never been easier to choose a solution that fits your business needs.
Let’s break down how to find the best B2B integration solution for you, without jargon or guesswork.
What B2B integration looks like in 2025
Once upon a time, B2B integration meant EDI and not much else. Today, it’s a dynamic ecosystem built for real-time, API-driven exchanges, AI-backed workflows, and seamless collaboration.
Modern B2B and EDI vendors are able to connect you with everyone in your orbit: suppliers, logistics providers, banks, and beyond, no matter their tech stack or size. Whether it’s streamlining order fulfillment or ensuring financial compliance, these systems are the unsung heroes behind high-performing supply chains.
What to look for in a B2B integration solution
Choosing the right B2B integration capabilities isn’t about checking boxes. It’s about enabling the outcomes that matter to your business. Look for solutions that offer:
1. Digital transformation from any source
Whether it’s PDFs, spreadsheets, faxes, or outdated legacy systems, your integration platform should transform unstructured formats into clean, structured data. This eliminates manual rekeying, reduces human error, and keeps your ERP and internal systems updated in real time. The result? A more connected, data-driven operation, without having to force every partner to modernize at the same pace.
2. End-to-end order and invoice automation
Automating the entire lifecycle of purchasing and payment processes, from Order-to-Cash and Procure-to-Pay, means fewer delays, greater accuracy, and instant compliance with global tax and invoicing mandates. Look for platforms that support smart validation rules, digital approvals, and integration with ERP and payment systems.
3. AI-powered workflows
Artificial intelligence isn’t just for trend spotting; it’s your proactive co-pilot. Leading platforms use AI to flag data anomalies, suggest workflow optimizations, and even auto-correct issues before they cause a disruption. All of this happens in the background, keeping operations smooth and letting your teams focus on strategy instead of firefighting.
4. Global financial and treasury integration
A fragmented financial stack can slow everything down. Integration platforms should centralize your payment, banking, and treasury systems across regions, currencies, and institutions. That means better visibility into cash positions, easier compliance with local regulations, and more streamlined global operations.
5. Partner ecosystem management
Building and maintaining strong partner relationships starts with onboarding. A modern B2B integration platform should offer intuitive, self-service onboarding tools, track partner performance through SLA dashboards, and make collaboration feel effortless.
6. Secure file transfers
Whether it’s technical design files or regulatory certificates, some documents are too large or sensitive for email. Secure managed file transfer ensures that your data gets where it needs to go—fast, encrypted, and fully auditable. Peace of mind included.
7. Real-time analytics
It’s not enough to collect data. You need insights that drive action. With real-time analytics, you can monitor transaction success rates, detect supply chain hiccups early, and make faster, smarter decisions. The best platforms turn operational visibility into competitive advantage.
Why it matters: the business impact of B2B integration
B2B integration isn’t just about digitizing documents. It’s about:
- Connecting with any partner, anywhere
- Seeing supply chain risks before they happen
- Reducing manual errors and boosting data accuracy
- Accelerating time to market
- Making smarter decisions with predictive insights
- Meeting global compliance mandates (hello, e-invoicing)
- Flexing across hybrid, cloud, or API-first deployments
How to choose the right B2B integration provider for you
Every business has unique needs, but these questions can guide you to the right solution:
- Can the provider support both EDI and modern APIs?
- Will they work with any partner, regardless of their technical maturity?
- Do they have the expertise and technology to scale your business across regions and compliance regimes?
- Do they offer the automation, visibility, and security you need?
- Do they offer the deployment method you need? In the cloud, on-prem, or hybrid?
- Does the provider offer hands-on onboarding and long-term support?
And most importantly: are they going to make your life easier and deliver ROI?
Why OpenText Business Network deserves a look
At OpenText we’ve done more than just build a B2B integration platform; we’ve shaped the category. The OpenText Trading Grid platform is the world’s largest business network, supporting over 1 million trading partners and processing millions of transactions daily.
With OpenText, you get:
- EDI and API connectivity in one platform
- Secure managed services with global scale
- Built-in AI and operational analytics
- Compliance with regional mandates across the globe
- Community management that reduces partner friction
- End-to-end visibility into transactions and workflows
That’s why OpenText keeps showing up as a Leader in the IDC Marketscape for Multi-Enterprise Supply Chain Commerce Networks vendor assessment.
The future of B2B integration
The future of B2B integration is intelligent, connected, and frictionless. The right solution won’t just keep your operations and business compliant; it will unlock agility, resilience, and competitive edge.
Now is the time to modernize how you work with your partners. Explore what’s possible with the right B2B integration strategy.
