How to Leverage Data and Integration for Operational Success
Mergers and acquisitions are increasingly shaping the future of landscaping companies. Whether you’re acquiring a small local operation or merging with a regional competitor, aligning systems and data is critical to ensuring a smooth transition—and protecting the value of the deal.
At Savvy Otter, we’ve supported numerous Aspire users through M&A events, and one thing is clear: technology and data readiness make all the difference. Here are some practical, tech-focused tips to help you make your next integration more seamless.
1. Evaluate and Map System Data Early
Before any integration begins, take inventory of the acquired company’s systems and data. Are they using Aspire or another platform? How do their Contacts, Properties, and Opportunities line up with your existing Aspire configuration? Start with a data audit. Clean, deduplicate, and map the data fields to your structure in Aspire. A thoughtful approach to data mapping reduces errors and sets the stage for accurate reporting and efficient operations.
2. Leverage Aspire’s API and Import Tools
Manual data migration can be a nightmare—slow, error-prone, and difficult to track. Instead, make use of Aspire’s built-in reports and import tools. For more complex needs, Aspire’s robust API can facilitate direct data transfers between systems or from external CRMs, ERPs, or HR platforms. Custom connectors to automate these migrations can help ensure speed, accuracy, and repeatability across multiple acquisitions.
3. Use Branches for Entity Separation (When Appropriate)
Aspire’s Branches feature allows you to represent newly acquired entities as distinct operational units. This structure is especially useful when integrating multiple companies under a single corporate umbrella. It helps maintain visibility while still standardizing workflows and reporting. Branches can also support phased integrations—keeping systems loosely coupled at first while gradually unifying processes and reporting.
4. Enable Cross-System Reporting and Visibility
Visibility is key post-acquisition. Create dashboards that highlight key metrics across all entities. If other platforms (e.g., ERPs or CRMs) are still in use, consider middleware solutions to consolidate reporting from multiple systems. Setting up real-time dashboards that pull from Aspire and external systems can provide leadership a single source of truth during critical decision-making periods.
5. Bring Integration Partners in Early
One of the most common challenges we see is when integration efforts are treated as an afterthought. In reality, the best outcomes occur when your software implementation team and integration partner are aligned from day one. If you’re working with Aspire’s implementtion team or a third-party consultant, involving Savvy Otter early allows us to coordinate system design, data structure, and timing—avoiding rework and ensuring your integrations are built with long-term scalability in mind.
Real-World Example
We recently worked with a commercial landscaping firm actively pursuing acquisitions. Their internal teams had established and proven workflows and used Aspire as their operational hub. Our role was to automate the seamless transfer of data from their CRM to Aspire and ultimately into their ERP which has led to improved efficiency as well as enhanced visibility into critical data.
With their core systems integrated, not only will due diligence of target companies be streamlined, they now have a foundation for a smoother and faster integration process.
Final Thought
M&A success in landscaping isn’t just about trucks and crews—it’s about aligning systems, people, and data. Aspire provides powerful tools to support this process, and with a trusted technology partner like Savvy Otter, you can move quickly and confidently through each integration.
If you’re planning an acquisition and want help connecting the dots, we’d be glad to support you—Let’s Chat!