Embridge Case Studies
Autotrader
How Embridge Consulting’s managed integration service – LEO – allowed Autotrader to confidently prepare for migration to Unit4 Cloud
Contact UsThe customer
Autotrader is the UK’s largest online automotive marketplace, connecting millions of customers, retailers, and manufacturers through seamless digital retail.
As the UK’s largest online automotive marketplace and classified advertising business, Autotrader receives an average of 77.5 million visits per month, boasting an average monthly live car stock of over 445,000 vehicles across its platforms in 2024. On average, users spend over 533 minutes each month engaging with its tools. The data-driven business brings millions of customers and vehicle sellers, retailers and manufacturers together under one single seamless digital retail experience – with fast and fluid web and app functionalities proving critical to delivering this service.
The challenge
The company has begun preparing its move to Unit4 ERP Cloud – but first needed to secure a mission-critical integration, without which operations would fail.
With such a high volume of monthly transactions, Autotrader welcomed Unit4‘s announcement in October 2023 of the end of on-premise support as an opportunity to rethink and futureproof its business-critical integrations in the cloud.
A critical integration connected Autotrader’s on-premise SingleView platform to Unit4 ERP already in the on-prem setup, processing over 200,000 transaction lines each month. With cloud migration on the horizon, replicating this integration in a way that preserved speed, scale, and data integrity – especially during billing cycles – became a key priority.
The original integration relied on a direct database connection to transfer data between platforms – a method that’s generally not permitted or typical within modern SaaS and cloud-based environments. To prepare effectively for the future, Autotrader therefore knew it would be important, not just to replicate its existing integration setup but to enhance it in ways that would improve long-term resilience without adding to internal burden.
The solution
Embridge Consulting created a custom integration for Autotrader using its fully managed integration service, LEO.
Already a trusted Embridge client, Autotrader turned to the consultancy for expert guidance on how best to manage this crucial integration in the lead-up to cloud migration.
Following in-depth discussions about Autotrader’s business drivers, risk appetite and future operating model, Embridge proposed two options:
- Rebuild the integration later in Unit4 Cloud using Extension Kit tools. This would only be an option post migration, when Extension Kit tools became available, however, adding risk and delay to the process. It also required ongoing internal capacity and attention from Autotrader.
- Use Embridge’s fully managed service, LEO. This decoupled the integration timeline from the cloud go-live, whilst also offloading the complexity to trusted experts.
Autotrader chose LEO – a strategic decision that simplified operations, reduced pressure on internal teams, and ensured early delivery of a critical integration.
As part of the LEO service, the Embridge team produced comprehensive process-flow documentation, defined security procedures and mapped out the operational steps required to deliver a smoother implementation – ensuring all parties were aligned from the outset.
The results
The integration went live without disruption in April 2025, allowing Autotrader to maintain performance, minimise risk, and offload the technical and operational burden to Embridge’s experts.
Embridge designed the new integration to handle over 200,000 monthly transaction lines with intelligent batching – maintaining data integrity whilst optimising throughput. The integration went live in April 2025 without disruption, supported by LEO’s proactive service model and a consultant always on hand during mission-critical billing cycles – showing Embridge’s people-focused approach.
“LEO has made interfacing into Unit4 Cloud more auditable, robust, scalable and secure – all while allowing us to utilise more modern technology standards and protocols” says John Chan, Head of Finance Systems and Business Insight at Autotrader UK, going on to explain his satisfaction with Embridge.
“When we started looking for the right strategic partner for our continuing Unit4 journey, there were a few key criteria: they needed to be friendly but professional, have a deep understanding of the product, offer solutions that add real value to our technology roadmap, and communicate regularly in a transparent and honest way.
Overall, Embridge Consulting provides us with top-tier professional services for business support – including LEO – assisting with our cloud migration journey. This helps us free up internal resource to concentrate on further developing our use of Unit4BW, incorporating new functionalities from SC2 and Spend Analytics to migrating users to the web version of BW – safe in the knowledge that Embridge will be there to assist if required.
Embridge – more specifically the people at Embridge – have been wonderful partners to work alongside. Long may that continue. As a Unit4 partner, they simply make it easy for us to recommend and endorse. If you are in the process of looking for a Unit4 strategic partner and have come across Embridge Consulting, then I would highly recommend you reach out and see if they fit with your business needs too”.
John ChanHead of Finance Systems and Business Insight at Autotrader UK
By choosing LEO, Autotrader has been able to limit risk along its cloud migration journey, validating and embedding core integration processes ahead of the final move. This phased, well-supported rollout has safeguarded continuity whilst laying the foundations for a confident transition to Unit4 cloud.
With LEO, Embridge Consulting has provided more than just a technical solution – also delivering an expert-led, fully managed service that removes complexity, saves time and ensures stability for Autotrader. Embridge continues to work alongside Autotrader to enhance and futureproof its ERP environment, building a lasting partnership based on collaboration, clarity and customer-first thinking.
Want to explore how Embridge Consulting could support your transformation? Get in touch to start the conversation.
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