The guardrail is the name: it's a plug-in, never an integration. Every packaging, pricing, and messaging call below protects that distinction so the free plug-in never competes with the paid full QuickBooks Online Integration.
What it is
A free, one-way sync bundled with Invoice Hub Essentials. Audited carrier invoices automatically create AP Bills in QuickBooks Online — no implementation project, no cost, no custom mapping.
Why it exists
Removes the #1 adoption blocker for QuickBooks-native SMBs considering Invoice Hub Essentials.
It's an Essentials adoption lever, not a new revenue line — monetization stays in Essentials.
Customers who outgrow it (custom mapping, multi-entity, two-way sync) upgrade to the paid full Integration.
Scope at a glance
Is
Self-serve, no-code, one-way sync
Configured via in-app wizard (OAuth, category, vendor, description)
Included free with Invoice Hub Essentials
Is Not
Bi-directional — QBO edits don't sync back
Custom-mapped or implementation-supported
A substitute for the full QBO Integration
Packaging and Pricing
QBO Plug-in via Invoice Hub Essentials
$0 incremental
Includes:
One-way sync: audited invoices → AP Bills
Self-serve setup wizard
Automatic entitlement — no purchase or quote
Positioning:
The primary packaging vehicle. A value-add attached to Essentials, not a separate purchase.
Full QuickBooks Online Integration
Priced per existing process
Recommended for:
Bi-directional sync needs
Custom field mapping / complex COA
Multi-entity accounting or hands-on support
Positioning:
Sold and quoted independently. Not bundled with, or replaced by, the plug-in.
QBO Plug-in (standalone)
No SKU — not sold alone
The plug-in cannot be purchased outside of Invoice Hub Essentials. No standalone price means nothing to discount or compare against the full Integration.
Important Packaging Rule
Plug-in access is automatic for any Invoice Hub Essentials customer — no quote, no contract line item, self-serve activation.
Don't run the plug-in and the full Integration on the same QBO connection at once — both can write AP Bills and create duplicate entries.
Eligibility & Activation
Requires Invoice Hub Essentials. Downgrading out of Essentials disables plug-in access and active syncing. No Sales or Implementation involvement in the standard path.
Positioning & Messaging
Positioning statement
For SMB shippers on Invoice Hub Essentials who use QuickBooks Online, the QBO Plug-in sends audited carrier invoices into QBO as AP Bills automatically — free, self-serve, no implementation. Customers needing two-way sync, custom mapping, or dedicated support go to the full QBO Integration.
Plug-in vs. full Integration
Dimension
Plug-in
Full Integration
Direction
→ One-way
⇄ Bi-directional
Mapping
Fixed wizard fields
Custom
Setup
Self-serve, minutes
Guided implementation
Support
Standard channels
Dedicated team
Cost
$0 with Essentials
Paid, quoted
Approved language
plug-inone-way syncself-serveincluded with Essentials
QBO Integrationbi-directionalcustom mappingmanaged by our team
Elevator pitch
Start with the access
"On Invoice Hub Essentials? You already have the QBO Plug-in at no extra cost."
Explain the flow
"Connect QBO, map a few settings, and every audited invoice creates an AP Bill automatically — one-way, fully self-serve."
Point to the upgrade path
"Need two-way sync or custom mapping later? That's what the full Integration is for."
Guardrails & Limits
Guardrails against cannibalization
Naming discipline — "plug-in" everywhere; never "integration" for this feature.
No standalone SKU — removes any price comparison point.
Capability ceiling stated at setup — wizard and Help Center spell out one-way, fixed mapping.
Sales enablement — pivot to full Integration when a prospect needs bi-directional sync, custom mapping, or dedicated support.
Migration, not stacking — don't run plug-in and full Integration on the same QBO connection at once.
Key limitation to disclose: one-way sync only
MyCarrier pushes data to QBO; it never pulls updates back. Edits made inside QuickBooks won't reflect in Invoice Hub. MyCarrier stays the source of truth — corrections belong in MyCarrier, not QBO.
State this plainly in the wizard, Help Center, and Sales/Support talking points — not buried in fine print.
Target customer
Good fit
SMB shippers managing AP in QBO
Currently on / evaluating Invoice Hub Essentials
Straightforward categorization and vendor mapping needs
Route to full Integration
Complex multi-entity QBO setups
Custom chart-of-accounts requirements
Stated need for two-way reconciliation
Metrics & Open Questions
Success metrics
Essentials attach/conversion lift attributable to the plug-in
Plug-in activation rate among eligible customers
Support ticket volume on setup / one-way limitation (target: low, self-resolved)
Upgrade rate from plug-in to full Integration (healthy signal, not cannibalization)
No decline in full Integration bookings post-launch
Open questions
Should the wizard include an upsell callout pointing to the full Integration?
What technical guardrail prevents running plug-in + full Integration on one QBO connection?
Does Support need a separate troubleshooting runbook for plug-in vs. Integration?
Will plug-in activation data surface to Sales as an upsell signal?