ERP and eCommerce – Why an Integrated Solution Is Important for Distributor
As distributors race to provide what customers want, adopting – and optimizing – eCommerce technologies remains vital to long-term success. E-commerce adoption rates in wholesale distribution have skyrocketed to improve customer experience and productivity.
While offering buyers eCommerce as a channel is a wonderful place to start when it comes to delivering this omnichannel experience, you’re limiting its potential if it only integrates fully with your ERP system, such as Microsoft Dynamics 365 Finance and Supply Chain Management. Here we will mention the importance of integrating ERP and eCommerce with the help of Dynamics 365 consulting company.
What Happens When Your ERP and E-Commerce Are Integrated?
Most distributors use an ERP system like Dynamics 365 Finance and Supply Chain Management. This cloud-based enterprise software performs essential business and finance functions to boost profitability and financial visibility. Connect your ERP to other critical business platforms, such as your eCommerce platform, to reap the most benefits.
Once connected – or integrated – data silos are eliminated, and all corporate data is synchronized in real-time across platforms.
The Advantages of Integrating ERP and E-Commerce
While the necessity to integrate your ERP and eCommerce is frequently underestimated or dismissed due to concerns that it will be disruptive or costly, the benefits of doing so are substantial and include the following:
Manual Tasks Are Automated, And Error Reduce
Data sync eliminates wasting time by downloading, copying, and pasting data from one system to another. Manual updates might result in inaccuracies in your customer, inventory, order, and other company data, reduced by automation. Your team can focus on higher-level tasks without the strain of manual data entry.
Operational Efficiency Improvement
With a single version of data shared across Dynamics 365 Finance, Supply Chain Management, and eCommerce, it’s simple to keep different sales channels up to date and consistent, regardless of pricing, shipping, inventory, or other changes.
Providing Accurate Inventory
The real-time data sync between eCommerce and your ERP simplifies inventory and keeps product availability current. Your ERP is instantly updated whenever a sale is made via eCommerce or another channel.
Accessing Valued Insights
Advanced technology, such as artificial intelligence, may analyze information to gain critical customer, sales, company, and process optimization insights by removing silos and combining data. New sales opportunities emerge when customer service and sales personnel better see what and when clients buy.
Scalability is Improving
ERP and eCommerce connectivity makes scaling much more manageable, whether moving to a new location or adding a new product line.
Constant Customer Experience Over All Channels
In the above scenario, your consumer would have the expected experience. There would be no anomalies in pricing across platforms, and the sales representative could view the shipment status of the customer’s previous eCommerce order. The integration enables distributors to provide their clients with what they expect: an efficient, consistent, and high-quality experience regardless of where they engage with your organization.
It’s not enough to just adopt eCommerce, distributors must optimize their solutions by integrating eCommerce and ERP to be successful.
Don’t know where to begin? Contact Online24x7 today to avail the best Dynamics 365 consulting services. They can help you link your eCommerce platform and Microsoft Dynamics 365 Finance and Supply Chain Management.