While there are many digital solutions with incredible potential… there is no single platform that can optimise all aspects of a business. Instead, digital transformation requires a combination of different solutions that work together in one cohesive ecosystem.

At ExpenseOnDemand, we recognise that innovation doesn’t happen in isolation. It happens through collaboration.

That’s why we’re thrilled about our partnership with Merge, an integration platform that connects ExpenseOnDemand with over 50 other software systems (including Xero).

Through this new and exciting partnership, we can deliver a smarter, faster, and more scalable expense management experience.

1. Why partnerships matter in FinTech

Integrated solutions for a complex world

Many businesses today use a range of fintech solutions - accounting software, ERP systems, payroll platforms - to manage their finances. However, managing all of these applications can be a challenge.

According to one study, the average company uses a staggering 254 SaaS applications. What’s more, the same study showed that over 60 days average app engagement was 45%, which means that companies are not using applications efficiently. This waste in technology investments is mostly due to poor integration and overlapping capabilities.

This is where strategic partnerships become crucial. Through efficient partnerships, businesses can reduce data silos, minimise manual intervention, and create unified workflows that drive operational efficiency. By creating integrated ecosystems, partnerships like the one with ExpenseOnDemand and Merge address the need for seamless connectivity between business-critical applications.

Focus on core strengths

The power of partnerships lies in specialisation and expertise sharing, as each partner concentrates on their core competencies while creating more value for customers. For example, in our ecosystem:

• Merge brings its expertise in unified API integration to seamlessly connect over 50 software systems
• Xero provides robust accounting capabilities trusted by over 3.3 million subscribers globally
• ExpenseOnDemand delivers specialised expense management solutions that cut processing time by up to 95%
  

The result is a synergistic relationship that delivers what is known as a multiplier effect - when the combined value of integrated solutions exceeds the sum of their parts.

By combining specialised expertise through strategic partnerships, we're not just solving individual problems, but creating comprehensive solutions that address the complex needs of modern businesses.

2. How the Merge partnership elevates the Xero experience

Seamless integration in minutes

Gone are the days of complex API integrations and lengthy setup processes. Through Merge's unified API architecture, ExpenseOnDemand users can now connect their Xero accounts in minutes. This plug-and-play approach eliminates the traditional technical barriers that often delay digital transformation initiatives.

Real-time synchronisation ensures that expense data flows automatically between systems, maintaining a single source of truth. When an expense is approved in ExpenseOnDemand, it instantly appears in Xero with all relevant categorisations, attachments, and approval trails intact. This automated flow eliminates the need for manual data entry, significantly reducing errors and cutting claim time by 90%.

Enhanced reporting and visibility

The partnership between Merge and ExpenseOnDemand also transforms how businesses handle expense reporting in Xero. ExpenseOnDemand's AI-powered categorisation engine automatically classifies expenses according to your custom chart of accounts, ensuring consistency across both platforms.

Scalability for growing businesses

As businesses evolve, the technology they implement must also keep pace. The Merge integration platform provides a future-proof foundation that can grow with your business. Whether you're expanding internationally or adding new software tools to your tech stack, the Merge integration platform can help businesses adopt new technologies seamlessly.

Multi-currency support is another standard feature of the platform, allowing international businesses to manage expenses in multiple currencies while maintaining accurate reporting in their base currency.

Finally, the platform's modular architecture means you can easily add connections to other essential business tools that work with Xero, without disrupting your existing workflows.

This scalability ensures that your expense management system evolves as your business grows, providing enterprise-level capabilities in the simplest way possible.

3. Why this partnership is a game-changer for Xero users

For Xero users, this partnership represents a significant leap forward in financial management capabilities. The integration creates a unified financial ecosystem where data flows seamlessly between platforms, eliminating the traditional pain points of expense management.

By bridging Xero with ExpenseOnDemand through Merge's technology, businesses can achieve a significant ROI. Our clients’ employees report saving, on average, 10 hours per month, simply by switching from traditional expense management to our integrated solution.

For businesses operating across borders, the partnership offers robust compliance features that let businesses automatically adapt to local tax requirements and reporting standards. This is particularly important, as research shows that small businesses in the UK spend an average of £4,100 and 52 hours per year on tax compliance - time that businesses can use instead on strategic initiatives.

4. How ExpenseOnDemand + Merge unlocks value for all users

The collaboration between ExpenseOnDemand and Merge delivers tangible benefits across organisations of all sizes. The partnership allows for increased automation of workflows, allowing finance teams to focus on strategic activities rather than administrative work.

ExpensOnDemand’s real-time expense tracking and analytics also provide unprecedented visibility into spending patterns, allowing businesses to spot unusual spending trends, identify cost-saving opportunities, and generate predictive insights that help inform budgeting decisions.

ExpenseOnDemand’s flexible pricing model ensures organisations only pay for what they need, with the ability to scale services as they grow. From startups processing dozens of expenses monthly to enterprises handling thousands, the partnership adapts to match specific business requirements. This scalability, combined with customisable workflows and approval chains, ensures that every organisation gets a solution that fits their unique needs without unnecessary complexity or cost.

5. So what’s next?

The partnership between ExpenseOnDemand and Merge is poised to revolutionise expense management. Our development roadmap includes advanced AI capabilities that will not only automate expense categorisation but will also be able to detect potential fraud patterns in real-time, providing an additional layer of security for businesses.

We're also developing predictive analytics tools that leverage machine learning to forecast spending trends and provide proactive budget recommendations. Through enhanced cross-platform reporting, businesses will gain access to deeper insights that combine data from multiple sources, offering a comprehensive view of their financial health.

Looking toward global markets, we're expanding our integration capabilities to support international payment systems and compliance frameworks. This includes built-in support for emerging markets and automated updates to keep pace with evolving international tax regulations. The future of expense management is automated, intelligent, and globally connected - and we're leading the way.

6. Final thoughts

At ExpenseOnDemand, we believe that collaboration drives innovation. Our partnership with Merge and our longstanding integration with Xero demonstrates our commitment to delivering smarter, more connected expense management solutions.

For Xero users, this partnership means more than just convenience. It’s about unlocking a future-ready platform that can grow with your business. Together, we’re not just solving today’s challenges; we’re creating the future of expense management.

Ready to transform the way you manage expenses?

Experience the combined power of ExpenseOnDemand, Merge, and Xero today.