Intersoft Sapient API Integration Funding Project
Merchants will be aware of past communications on Intersoft service issues with Intelligent Shipper.
Intersoft have two APIs doing the same job - Intersoft Intelligent Shipper and Intersoft Sapient. This is a very unusual situation. It is unfortunate that Intersoft’s plan now is to END support for Intelligent Shipper. This means IRP would have to write a completely new API integration to Intersoft Sapient.
We have continued to evaluate the Intersoft Sapient API and most Shipping Carriers are now listed. IRP is costing the development of a Sapient API integration as a long-term solution for Merchants requiring carrier management, international shipping services and possible future customs and duties capabilities.
Sapient Integration Will Require Funding
Current Integration Cost Analysis £150 - 250K
Our technical team has completed a first pass analysis of Intersoft Sapient. Sapient appears to have enough carriers and functionality to work for IRP Merchants.
A Sapient integration could become a strategic component of the IRP Platform's shipping infrastructure for years to come. We are now considering a full scope and cost of development work required to integrate Sapient with IRP. The investment would be substantial.
This Sapient API integration will take months of development to complete. Given the scale of the investment required, this is not a cost that IRP can absorb independently.
A Co-Funding Approach to Sapient Cost
No eCommerce platform provides Sapient support free of charge. Across the industry, Merchants incur costs through OMS/WMS third-party middleware providers, with bespoke development costs, implementation fees and ongoing service charges.
IRP cannot absorb the full cost of integration and ongoing support alone - we will try to raise money from a number of sources.
- We will ask Intersoft for potential co-funding of the integration as step one
- We will reach out with details on a contribution model to Merchants who wish to utilise the service
- IRP will part fund this development internally
IRP's objective is to deliver a robust, fully integrated solution that provides long-term operational continuity while offering exceptional value compared with alternative approaches.
Sapient Licensing Will Depend on Funding
Merchant Participation, Benefits & Future Licensing Costs
Merchants who wish to use Sapient should expect to contribute towards the development and ongoing support of the integration. Some Merchants have already indicate willingness to help with the API development.
Merchants who support the Sapient integration funding project can expect reduced future Sapient licensing fees. The exact commercial structure is being assessed, but our intention is to reward early supporters who help make this integration commercially viable.
IRP are evaluating several commercial models and will engage with Merchants as plans progress. Non contributing participants will have higher pay per use fees. With all IRP integrations, our objective is to ensure costs remain fair, transparent and aligned to the value delivered.
Next Steps
Over the coming months IRP will:
- Continue technical evaluation and scoping of Sapient
- Engage with Intersoft regarding co-funding opportunities
- Seek Merchant Funding and Develop commercial options for Merchants
We appreciate the support of our Merchant community as we assess the most effective long-term solution. We will provide further updates as planning progresses
The IRP Team
