A recent study by PYMNTS Intelligence reveals that 58% of small and medium-sized businesses prioritize system integration when selecting new technology solutions. This factor has become more critical than pricing, which was cited as a top priority by 56% of surveyed companies.
The shift in priorities is driven by the increasing complexity of embedded payment systems. As payment tools integrate deeper into enterprise software, businesses are focusing on API quality and implementation ease to avoid manual workflows that hinder operational efficiency.
Despite the push for automation, gaps in technology stacks remain a challenge. While 89% of organizations have implemented partial automation, 50% of these firms still process over 5,000 invoices monthly using workflows that are not fully automated.
These findings indicate that technical teams now play a more significant role in procurement decisions alongside finance departments. Providers are now expected to offer robust documentation and testing environments to meet the requirements of modern business buyers.
