Benefits of B2B eCommerce Platform and ERP System Integration

Enterprise resource planning systems (ERP) are no longer used only by large corporations.

In the age of digitalization and automation of the processes, integration of a B2B ERP system with a B2B platform allows to catch and overtake the competitors. ERP determines the efficiency of almost all the workflows of the wholesale company.

Competent and efficient management of resources and assets, as well as their automation provide the ability to continuously monitor the key business processes. As the company grows, it is easy to scale up the online system by transferring the platform’s capabilities to a larger working structure. According to FinancesOnline statistics, 53% of businesses consider implementing ERPs and automation systems to be their priority investments.

But what are the actual benefits of ERP? What market opportunities are there in terms of convenience for your company’s B2B clients and counterparties? And what about the pitfalls of its implementation? Let’s examine these important issues.

Specifics of B2B ERP Systems Integrated with B2B Platforms

Enterprise Resource Planning is a business workflow management software. It covers different aspects of several areas, namely finances, current operations, supply chains, manufacturing, commerce, analytics, reporting and HR management. ERP allows to manage them centrally, from “one window”.

B2B systems with integrated ERP offer counterparties an extremely convenient online service and automate almost all of the company’s workflows at the same time. This connects the main business processes with requests and current order fulfillment. This is faster, more convenient and financially profitable. The scheme below clearly illustrates interrelations between the main departments and system users:

B2B ERP System Benefits for Modern Wholesale Companies

The relevant studies show that besides the major benefits of the digitalization of commerce and other processes, gained from the ERP launch, the wholesalers obtain such measurable improvements:

1. Optimization of daily operations – this frees up to 50-70% of the time of managers and other workers, which can be used for more important tasks;
2. Ability to narrow down the product range by 10-15% by refusing from unprofitable items that are not in demand;
3. Saving up to 5% of logistics costs;

Additionally, B2B ERP provides the following enhancements:

1. 24/7 access to the updated information about inventory and other important parameters;
2. Sales optimization;
3. Control over supply chains and logistics;
4. Effective allocation of resources, including human resources;
5. Mobile application allows to use ERP anywhere in the world (Internet connection is required);
6. Automated statistics gathering and reporting;
7. Export and import of data, continuous interaction between ERP and other online systems of the company.

Integration of the ERP system with the B2B marketing platform provides maximum convenience, saves time, funds and other resources. This is particularly relevant to subscription access (SaaS).

Benefits of B2B ERP system for wholesale customers:

1. Flexibility of online ordering. You can do it anytime – the only requirements are Internet access and a standard browser. The wholesale business has never been so advanced and fast;
2. API integration with the B2B platform catalogue. This means the online access to inventory data and products specifications;
3. Configurable personal account. Clients always see the latest information on the chosen items and their balances. Options of order control, as well as payments and debts management options are provided as well;
4. Mobile version of the B2B ERP integrated solution. All the functions of the ERP and B2B systems are accessible in user-friendly pocket version;
5. Improved communication with individual customers. Automated collecting of data, preferences, orders and complaints together with automated analysis and report preparation provide the company’s employees with comprehensive information on the customers behavior. Based on these data, a customized working strategy is developed and a plan of bonuses, discounts and other rewards allocation is prepared.

Integration of the B2B platform with EPR offers wholesale customers and other counterparties the best user experience. This increases the level of loyalty and, consequently, boosts sales.

B2B and ERP Integration Challenges that Developers Rarely Mention

Even if a perfect B2B system, that was developed from scratch, is integrated with a standard ERP solution, the whole implementation process may be highly problematic. The point is that any interaction between different web solutions always involves problems with connection, linking, setting up operational and two-way data import and export, as well as many other subtleties. Even the well-known and popular Acumatica ERP system can cause some significant difficulties during its integration with a customized B2B system of the company. In this case, the company may again face the months-long and expensive finalization of the solution.

But don’t let these challenges put you down and think that such implementation is a waste of time! Look for a ready-to-use eCommerce and B2B solution with the integrated ERP, that has been verified in practice and used by other companies. In this way you may expect that all the modifications have already been implemented and the system works like clockwork. Additionally, a SaaS subscription will allow you to launch an ERP solution for your company at a great discount.