Bridging System Divides:

The Logline

A statewide nonprofit’s finance team faced a data crisis when a major system migration to Salesforce/Fonteva left them with inadequate financial visibility and control. Harmonic stepped in with a custom integration solution that restored financial clarity, reduced manual work, and transformed a difficult disconnect into a streamlined operation—just in time for the organization’s centennial event.

The Plot Tension

When the nonprofit upgraded to Salesforce and Fonteva, most departments celebrated the modernized platform. But for the finance team, the change felt like a step backward:

• • Critical financial details were lost, replaced with basic journal entries
  • Data accuracy became questionable as systems fell out of sync
  • Managing “baby organizations” requiring separate books became nearly impossible
  • Manual processes multiplied, threatening financial transparency

“I saw it as a complete downgrade to what we had before,” said the nonprofit’s CFO. “Without detailed financial information, I wasn’t going to be comfortable with the numbers we were reporting.”

The stakes were particularly high given the CFO’s role managing finances for several smaller affiliated organizations. A failure to maintain accurate records would damage trust across the entire ecosystem.

Production Journey: The Studio Method in Action

To remedy the situation, Harmonic applied its signature Studio Method:

Pre-Production: Harmonic leveraged its prior knowledge of our client’s operations to quickly identify the core issues. “They knew our expectations because they built our previous system,” noted the CFO. This eliminated weeks of discovery work and built on existing trust.

Core-Production: Rather than forcing the nonprofit to adapt to generic solutions, Harmonic built a custom PHP integration that bridged all three systems while preserving the detailed data finance needed. The team focused on addressing the real business need—financial clarity—not just technical specifications.

Post-Production: The implementation followed a phased approach, with regular check-ins to ensure alignment.

This collaborative method ensured consistent execution across multiple rollout phases.

Rewriting the Script

The new integration transformed financial operations:

• • Detailed transaction data now flows seamlessly between systems
  • Multi-entity accounting happens automatically with proper allocations
  • Finance staff regained confidence in their reporting accuracy
  • The solution scaled to handle special cases and edge scenarios

Instead of struggling with disconnected systems, the finance team could now focus on supporting leadership’s strategic initiatives.

The Shoot: Bringing the Vision to Life

Implementing a complex integration between established systems requires careful coordination. Harmonic’s approach prioritized both speed and minimal disruption:

• • Direct collaboration with finance users ensured solutions matched real needs
  • Phased implementation allowed for testing and refinement
  • Knowledge transfer focused on practical usage rather than technical details

Harmonic’s team-focused approach meant the nonprofit could maintain operations throughout the transition, with no downtime or data loss.

“Harmonic doesn’t just say ‘no, we can’t do that’—they find a solution,” said the CFO.

The Final Cut

The results speak for themselves:

• • Integration completed in time for key financial cycles
  • Manual processes eliminated, freeing staff for higher-value work
  • Solution addressed core business needs, not just technical requirements
  • Consistent execution across phases ensured smooth adoption

“It’s been a game-changer for me,” said the CFO. “Having that trust and confidence that my numbers are right makes all the difference.”
With financial operations now running smoothly, the nonprofit could focus on its upcoming centennial celebrations rather than reconciliating spreadsheets.

Director’s Notes: Why It Worked

• • Built on Harmonic’s existing knowledge of financial requirements
  • Preserved critical data details instead of forcing simplified processes
  • Created a solution that worked with existing systems instead of replacing them
  • Addressed the human side of accounting, not just the technical integration
  • Delivered in phases to ensure alignment and minimize disruption
  • Maintained focus on real business outcomes, not just technical specifications

Is your organization’s financial clarity suffering after a system migration?Harmonic helps restore order from chaos. Let’s talk about how we can help you regain confidence in your financial operations.