> ## Documentation Index
> Fetch the complete documentation index at: https://docs.steerai.autos/llms.txt
> Use this file to discover all available pages before exploring further.

# Integration Overview

> Choose the best integration approach for your automotive business needs

## Integration Decision Guide

Steer AI offers three distinct integration approaches, each optimized for different business requirements, technical capabilities, and deployment timelines.

<CardGroup cols={3}>
  <Card title="API Integration" icon="code" href="/integration/api/overview">
    **Perfect for developers**

    • RESTful APIs
    • No setup fee
    • 48-hour deployment
    • Maximum flexibility
  </Card>

  <Card title="SaaS Instance Mode" icon="server" href="/integration/saas-instance/overview">
    **Enterprise-grade control**

    • Docker deployment
    • Custom integrations
    • On-premise option
    • 10-day setup
  </Card>

  <Card title="SaaS Managed" icon="shield-check" href="/integration/saas-managed/overview">
    **Fastest time to value**

    • Fully managed platform
    • 24-hour deployment
    • Zero maintenance
    • Business user friendly
  </Card>
</CardGroup>

## Comparison Matrix

| Feature                          | API Integration     | SaaS Instance | SaaS Managed       |
| -------------------------------- | ------------------- | ------------- | ------------------ |
| **Deployment Time**              | 48 hours            | 10 days       | 24 hours           |
| **Setup Fee**                    | Free                | \$2,500       | Free               |
| **Technical Expertise Required** | High                | Medium        | Low                |
| **Customization Level**          | Maximum             | High          | Standard           |
| **Infrastructure Management**    | Your responsibility | Shared        | Our responsibility |
| **Scalability**                  | Unlimited           | High          | Automatic          |
| **Security Control**             | Full control        | High control  | Managed            |
| **Maintenance**                  | You manage          | Shared        | We manage          |

## Technical Requirements

### API Integration

* **Development Resources:** Required
* **Infrastructure:** Your cloud/servers
* **Technical Skills:** REST APIs, authentication, webhooks
* **Maintenance:** Full responsibility for integration code

### SaaS Instance Mode

* **Development Resources:** Recommended
* **Infrastructure:** Docker-compatible environment
* **Technical Skills:** Docker, system administration
* **Maintenance:** Platform updates managed by Steer AI

### SaaS Managed

* **Development Resources:** Optional
* **Infrastructure:** Provided by Steer AI
* **Technical Skills:** Basic web application usage
* **Maintenance:** Fully managed by Steer AI

## Use Case Recommendations

<AccordionGroup>
  <Accordion icon="laptop-code" title="Choose API Integration If...">
    ✅ You have a dedicated development team

    ✅ You need to integrate with existing applications

    ✅ You require custom workflows and business logic

    ✅ You want maximum control over the implementation

    ✅ You need to process high volumes of inspections

    ✅ Budget constraints prefer no upfront costs
  </Accordion>

  <Accordion icon="server" title="Choose SaaS Instance Mode If...">
    ✅ You need on-premise or private cloud deployment

    ✅ You have strict data residency requirements

    ✅ You want custom AI model configurations

    ✅ You need deep integration with existing enterprise systems

    ✅ You require custom security and compliance controls

    ✅ You have enterprise infrastructure team
  </Accordion>

  <Accordion icon="rocket" title="Choose SaaS Managed If...">
    ✅ You want the fastest time to market

    ✅ You prefer a hands-off technical approach

    ✅ You don't have dedicated development resources

    ✅ You want predictable monthly costs

    ✅ You need a proven, stable solution

    ✅ You want automatic updates and maintenance
  </Accordion>
</AccordionGroup>

## Business Impact Timeline

### Week 1-2: Setup & Configuration

* **API Integration:** Development and testing
* **SaaS Instance:** Infrastructure setup and deployment
* **SaaS Managed:** Account setup and configuration

### Week 3-4: Integration & Testing

* **API Integration:** Custom integration development
* **SaaS Instance:** Custom configurations and testing
* **SaaS Managed:** User training and workflow setup

### Month 2: Optimization & Scaling

* **API Integration:** Performance optimization and scaling
* **SaaS Instance:** Custom feature development
* **SaaS Managed:** Advanced feature adoption

## Migration Paths

You can migrate between integration types as your business grows:

```mermaid theme={null}
graph LR
    A[SaaS Managed] --> B[API Integration]
    A --> C[SaaS Instance]
    B --> C
    B --> A
    C --> B
```

### Common Migration Scenarios

<CardGroup cols={2}>
  <Card title="From Managed to API" icon="arrow-right">
    **When:** Business grows and needs custom integrations

    **Timeline:** 2-4 weeks

    **Benefits:** More customization, lower per-transaction costs
  </Card>

  <Card title="From API to Instance" icon="arrow-up">
    **When:** Need enterprise features or on-premise deployment

    **Timeline:** 4-6 weeks

    **Benefits:** Enhanced security, custom AI models
  </Card>
</CardGroup>

## Security Considerations

### API Integration

* **Data Flow:** Your servers ↔ Steer AI APIs
* **Security Responsibility:** Shared (you secure integration, we secure APIs)
* **Compliance:** SOC 2, configurable data retention

### SaaS Instance Mode

* **Data Flow:** Your infrastructure ↔ Steer AI services
* **Security Responsibility:** Shared (you manage infrastructure, we secure application)
* **Compliance:** Full control, meets enterprise requirements

### SaaS Managed

* **Data Flow:** Our platform ↔ Steer AI services
* **Security Responsibility:** Steer AI managed
* **Compliance:** SOC 2, GDPR ready, industry standard practices

## Cost Considerations

### Total Cost of Ownership (TCO) - First Year

| Integration Type    | Setup   | Development | Infrastructure | Support  | Total     |
| ------------------- | ------- | ----------- | -------------- | -------- | --------- |
| **API Integration** | \$0     | \$15,000    | \$3,600        | \$0      | \$18,600  |
| **SaaS Instance**   | \$2,500 | \$10,000    | \$8,400        | \$6,000  | \$26,900  |
| **SaaS Managed**    | \$0     | \$0         | \$0            | Included | \$3,588\* |

\*Based on Professional plan pricing

<Note>
  **ROI Consideration:** While API Integration has higher upfront costs, it typically offers the lowest per-transaction costs at scale. SaaS Managed offers the best TCO for smaller operations.
</Note>

## Getting Started

Ready to choose your integration path?

<CardGroup cols={3}>
  <Card title="Start with API" icon="code" href="/integration/api/overview">
    Get your API keys and start building
  </Card>

  <Card title="Deploy Instance" icon="server" href="/integration/saas-instance/overview">
    Set up your dedicated instance
  </Card>

  <Card title="Go Managed" icon="rocket" href="/integration/saas-managed/overview">
    Sign up and start using immediately
  </Card>
</CardGroup>

## Need Help Deciding?

Our integration specialists can help you choose the best approach:

* **Schedule a consultation:** [Book a call](https://steerai.autos/consultation)
* **Technical questions:** [support@steerai.autos](mailto:support@steerai.autos)
* **Sales inquiries:** [sales@steerai.autos](mailto:sales@steerai.autos)

<Tip>
  **Not sure which to choose?** Start with SaaS Managed for immediate value, then migrate to API Integration as your business scales. Most customers see ROI within 30 days regardless of integration choice.
</Tip>