Which ERP software has B2B & B2C eCommerce WebStore Integration?
Answers
Pretty much all mid-market and enterprise class ERP systems have options for this - even SMB systems have some options. Most ERP providers don't have their own options here - they leverage other platforms that integrate with your ERP solution. The few ERP providers that do have this functionality generally do not have best in class eCommerce functionality.
A few general pointers here:
1) The difference between the B2B and B2C platforms includes where customers will be managed, the expectation on repeatability, and the billing/cash transaction models supported. Usually B2C customers are managed in the eCommerce platform and not in the ERP system, while B2B customers are managed in the ERP.
2) Integration is fairly straight forward these days for most platforms.
3) Since the eCommerce platform is part of your go-to-market model - how customers purchase from you, how they view your company - this will not be a finance only decision. Pleasing the customer should be the first priority for the functionality - followed by any integration with logistics - followed by financial system support.
4) If you have complex revenue
Bob Scarborough
www.tensoft.com
1
Anonymous, if you haven't already, you should definitely get your free copy of Proformative's...
"ERP Selection & Implementation Guide"
https://www.proformative.com/whitepapers/erp-selection
I think you'd get a lot out of it.
Enjoy!
Best... Sarah
I agree with Bob's points and would stress #3, particularly as it relates to B2C. Too many companies under-budget for their B2C store, and then wonder why online sales are poor. Rule of thumb: you should budget at least as much as you'd spend on a bricks and mortar retail store if you really plan to succeed.
In terms of integration, if your B2C does not generate a high transaction volume, then integration is the least of your problems. If you do succeed, and transaction volume is high, then proper 2 way integration becomes important - but that's a good problem to have to solve.
If you get there, just be aware that not all ERP / B2C integrations are the same. Most will handle inventory up and sales down, but there are subtleties that many may not cover, such as shipment information back up, or handling order edits on the ERP end being reflected back to the B2C.
Anon
If I can add a dimension that may be relevant now or in your future (if your plans are to grow organically or acquire growth):
Do you need your e-commerce order channel to access the same inventory as your brick and mortar channel? Can your ERP system handle inventory allocation to sales orders from all channels, and can it handle that allocation across any inventory location? e.g. can you order online and pick up at a nearby retail outlet, where that outlet reserves the order quantity for your order?
Devil can sometime be in the details, so your requirements in this area should be well thought out:)
Regards
Len
We utilize Microsoft Dynamics Great Plains and have recently implemented a 3rd party program by Nodus, called E-Store. It functions as a webstore that integrates directly with Great Plains. It can be implemented in phases. Currently, we are using the product at tradeshows to process orders (employees log into a private webstore and enter orders, payments etc). Next year we plan to replace our webstore with it. The 3rd phase is making it available to customers to access invoices and make online payments. It is a very robust and easy to use product.
Dawn