How Mindtools deployed enterprise LMS integrations in record time with StackOne

Summary

Mindtools, a 30-year leader in developing better managers, partnered with StackOne to revolutionize its integration approach. By offloading integration heavy lifting—from single sign-on to comprehensive LMS connectivity—StackOne enabled rapid deployment of key integrations with platforms like SAP SuccessFactors, Workday, and Go1. This partnership streamlined client access and reporting while helping secure critical renewals, allowing Mindtools to focus on product innovation and building future managers.

“It was really great working with the team – super knowledgeable, super responsive.”

Company Overview

Mindtools has spent nearly three decades equipping managers and leaders with practical tools, resources, research, and consultancy needed to excel. With a mission to build better managers and stronger organizations, Mindtools serves diverse clients—from small charities to global financial institutions—offering comprehensive management and leadership skills development solutions.

The Integration Challenge

At a time when seamless user experience is paramount, integration has become a frequent and critical question for Mindtools’ clients.

“In all the time that I’ve been working in Product and Engineering, the question I have heard most often is ‘Do you integrate with…?’”

— Kirsten Wilson, Mindtools

Common Challenges

1. Fragmented systems: Clients often used multiple portals for accessing content, leading to confusion and inefficiencies
2. Diverse integration needs: Some clients required simple single sign-on; others needed full-scale integrations to unify access, reporting, and usage data
3. Capacity constraints: Developing and maintaining integrations in-house was time-consuming and unpredictable, with projects extending far beyond expected timelines

Mindtools needed a partner capable of addressing these challenges efficiently and scaling integrations without diverting resources from core product innovation.

Why Mindtools Chose StackOne

Mindtools selected StackOne for its ability to rapidly deliver tailored, enterprise-grade integrations.

“We wanted to launch new products and move into new market share areas, rather than focus on integrations. Integrations historically take longer than expected, and no integration is ever identical. The appeal of outsourcing that heavy lifting while solving pain points and enabling unified integration on our end was compelling.”

— Kirsten Wilson, Mindtools

Agility & Speed

StackOne’s unified API allowed for quick deployment of integrations, drastically reducing development time.

“It means developers can speak developer to developer. Everything becomes much slicker and more agile. We’re not sitting down having big project meetings constantly. StackOne enabled teams to just get on with it.”

— Kirsten Wilson, Mindtools

Technical Expertise

The StackOne team brought deep technical knowledge by modeling API unification across large-scale HCM and smaller LMS systems, building robust and scalable integrations.

Focus on Core Innovation

By trusting StackOne with integration heavy lifting, Mindtools redirected Engineering efforts toward developing new training tools and enhancing its product suite.

Onboarding Experience

The onboarding process with StackOne was smooth and efficient:

• Rapid integration setup: Mindtools quickly progressed from custom-built integration with Degreed to supporting major platforms—SAP SuccessFactors, Workday, and Go1
• Streamlined communication: Using shared tools and agile methodologies, development teams engaged in developer-to-developer conversations, expediting problem resolution
• Customizable solutions: Unique client requirements were met through collaborative discussions, ensuring even non-standard integration challenges were resolved swiftly

The Results

“One of our clients in Australia renewed their partnership thanks to the seamless Workday integration we achieved with StackOne. Bringing reporting and access into a single place was essential, and we delivered exactly what they needed.”

— Kirsten Wilson, Mindtools

StackOne’s approach delivered significant, measurable benefits:

• Enhanced customer retention: An Australian client renewed their contract thanks to a critical Workday integration that centralized reporting and access
• Operational efficiency: With integrations handled externally, Mindtools’ team concentrated on launching new products and refining their offering
• Improved user experience: Mindtools’ clients now enjoy a unified learning ecosystem with seamless access to a rich content library
• Scalable integration infrastructure: StackOne’s agile API solution built a robust foundation supporting future integration demands as Mindtools expands

Next Steps

Building on the successful integration foundation established with StackOne, Mindtools is excited about its future roadmap:

• Product innovation: Recently launched manager skill assessments and an adaptive learning tool (Manager Skill Builder) are already gaining traction
• Enhanced coaching solutions: An upcoming AI-powered coaching tool will further empower managers
• Continued partnership: With StackOne as a trusted integration partner, Mindtools will continue evolving LMS connectivity and integration capabilities to meet emerging client needs

StackOne’s unified API not only solved immediate integration challenges but also paved the way for Mindtools to focus on what it does best: developing better managers and, ultimately, better organizations.