Xplor partners with iplicit to bring cloud finance to UK SMEs

Xplor Solutions has partnered with iplicit to expand its finance transformation services for mid-market organisations across the UK and Ireland.

This collaboration aims to address the reported technology gap within SME finance teams, many of which continue to rely on on-premises and outdated finance systems. According to iplicit, there are an estimated 100,000 mid-market sites in the UK still using such legacy systems. Research commissioned by iplicit also found that 55% of mid-market finance decision-makers are unable to close month-end accounts within seven days, which industry experts consider best practice. Respondents identified manual data entry and outmoded finance solutions as major barriers to this process.

Market challenges

Jonny Billington, UK Head of Sales at Xplor Solutions, commented on the prevalence of this issue among prospective clients:

"The majority of the prospects we speak to every day have either outgrown a small business tool or are using legacy on-premises systems. I would say 70-80% of the prospects we speak to are on one of these systems."

Billington further outlined the strain these systems place on SMEs. "These systems place great strain on SMEs with the likes of excessive manual processes, system crashes and data manipulation in spreadsheets. The jump from these systems to a big-league ERP is huge and many SMEs aren't ready for that kind of investment. By partnering with iplicit, we will fill this critical gap in the midmarket and help SMEs scale and advance to their next stages through accessible, true-cloud finance software."

The new partnership will see Xplor Solutions offer iplicit's dedicated cloud accounting solution, designed specifically for organisations that have moved beyond entry-level software or are transitioning from legacy vendors. Xplor Solutions chose to join iplicit's Channel Reseller Programme, becoming an authorised reseller as part of iplicit's broader growth strategy. This initiative follows a GBP £25 million investment from One Peak to support iplicit's partner network and ongoing channel development.

Integration and portfolio expansion

Iplicit recently expanded its software capabilities by launching a dedicated connector with Cin7, an inventory management specialist and another Xplor Solutions partner. This integration enables seamless workflow between finance and inventory management, catering to SMEs seeking fully cloud-native solutions. Under the agreement, Xplor Solutions incorporates iplicit into its tech partner portfolio, which also includes Cin7, enhancing its offering to customers seeking streamlined and modern business solutions.

Support for the channel network

Paula Cooper, Head of Channel at iplicit, highlighted the role of partners in the company's ongoing expansion and stated:

"We look forward to continuing our hypergrowth with the support of our expanding partner network, which we have handpicked based on their industry expertise and shared passion of excellent customer service for the midmarket."

She also emphasised the importance of partners in supporting iplicit's delivery capabilities. "Partners such as Xplor Solutions, as vertical market specialists, will be key to bolstering our delivery capabilities and market. These specialists will become part of our community, working alongside our specialist reseller partners and direct team."

Cooper reiterated iplicit's commitment to assisting SMEs with their transition to cloud-based finance systems. "Xplor Solutions shares our mission of rescuing the tens of thousands of SMEs stranded on legacy on-premises solutions in the UK, as well as those that have outgrown their entry-level tech and need to take the logical next step. With an affordable route to true-cloud accounting, SMEs will unlock massive efficiency gains and actionable real-time data, which is more important now than ever as productivity continues to be a focal point for UK businesses."

Focus on accessible cloud finance

Founded in 2012 and headquartered in Portugal, Xplor Solutions operates across multiple key sectors, including manufacturing, distribution, wholesale, services, non-profits, recruitment, IT, and HR. The firm has expanded into the UK, Poland, and Brazil, delivering finance and ERP system implementation, HR and cybersecurity solutions, as well as ongoing support.

Iplicit, launched in 2019, has grown to over 43,000 daily users in 103 countries, focusing on providing cloud accounting software tailored for medium-sized organisations. The company maintains offices in London, Poole, and Dublin, and continues to expand its reach and channel network within the UK and Ireland.

The partnership is set to provide SMEs with broader access to cloud-based finance systems, aiming to address operational inefficiencies and improve data accessibility through collaborative technology solutions.