Do you want to connect your ERP system directly to your e-commerce site to save time? You want to manage your business easily and efficiently? This article is for you!
We have put together all the information and advice you need to connect your ERP with your e-commerce site.
E-commerce: a fast-growing sector
According to official figures from the federation of e-commerce and distance selling (fevad), the e-commerce sector has grown by 15.1% with a turnover of more than 129 million in 2021. In comparison, in the year 2020, online sales only increased by 8.5%.
Indeed, as we have seen in our article on theomnichannel approachconsumer habits have changed. This change in habits is notably due to the CoVid-19 pandemic that affected the whole world in 2020. The context has indeed accelerated the process and pushed consumers to change their vision and way of consuming.
In order to cope with the rise of this new mode of consumption, the e-commerce sector has had to adapt. Among these innovations are: the development of payment platforms and accepted means of payment (bank card, transfer, PayPal, several times free of charge, etc.), the increase in spending via mobile phones, the "Click&Collect" option and the reduction in delivery times.
The e-commerce sector is therefore constantly evolving and requires process optimisation but also the guarantee of increasingly complex management in order to maintain customer satisfaction.
We will show you how to connect your ERP to your online store to manage the complex aspects of running an e-commerce site.
What is an ERP?
As we discussed in our article on Microsoft's ERP offering, Business Central, an ERP (Enterprise Resource Planning) is software that provides a set of integrated functions.
These functions allow you to manage your business: from entering quotes, orders, invoicing, stock management to accounting entries.
In other words, integrated management software is software that is specifically designed to manage all the internal management processes of a company efficiently.
Connecting an ERP to your e-commerce site: the advantages
Choosing to connect your business management system directly to your e-commerce site can have many advantages. Among these advantages, we can find :
Avoiding mistakes by saving time
Connecting an ERP to your e-commerce site allows you to avoid re-entering orders placed on your site in your management software. This allows you to automatically generate the preparation of orders and the corresponding delivery documents. In addition, the online payment is directly transferred to the accounting system, no need to re-enter it.
Integrating your different management and sales systems will save you a lot of time. This will avoid typing errors as much as possible, as orders will be transmitted directly thanks to the automation of data collection, storage and updates.
Increase customer satisfaction
Linking your ERP to your e-commerce site also allows you to track the progress of the order more easily. Your management software will send the corresponding information directly to your customers. They will thus know in real time where their orders are without having to contact you. This will by definition give your customers satisfaction.
Simplified stock and price management
It is now commonplace to find stock quantities per product on e-commerce sites. Especially when the Click&Collect in-store delivery option is available. Creating a connector between your two entities will allow you to keep your stocks up to date.
In addition to real-time stock management, the connector also enables the management of prices and promotions by product. This management will be carried out via the connector which will instantly feed the product sheets.
In addition, your customer file can also be linked to your ERP system so that you can make changes to customer data, such as changes of address, telephone number or payment information.
Acceleration of the supply chain
The logistics chain can also be automated. To do this, it is sufficient to integrate an e-commerce ERP system that will collect the data from new orders and transmit them to the logistician. As a result, order preparation time is reduced without losing quality. This acceleration of the logistic chain offers a better respect of delivery times and thus an optimal customer service.
In addition, the ERP processes the invoices that correspond to the orders by generating them automatically. This allows real-time transmission of information for faster processing. All this allows online retailers to operate more efficiently while freeing up human resources to focus on more strategic business tasks.
Important steps to connect your ERP to your e-commerce site
The methods for integrating a management system into your e-commerce are diverse and varied. Indeed, depending on the hosting platform on which your online site is hosted, the methods differ.
There are, however, some so-called basic steps. They are essential to ensure that all the conditions are met for a successful integration.
Fluid flow exchanges between the two entities
In order to ensure smooth data flow between your ERP and your e-commerce site, you must first ensure that your two entities are able to exchange data in real time. Mainly, for everything that concerns commercial management data (orders, prices, payments, stocks, delivery information and customer files, etc.).
Choosing reciprocal integration
In order to achieve smooth exchanges between the two entities, it seems essential to opt for reciprocal integration. This method consists of integrating your management software within the CMS of your online site. To do this, the data from the latter must be integrated into the ERP. This way, the information will be updated automatically in both entities thanks to the connector.
Opt for a web application
In order to make the integration of your business software and the interconnected exchange of data smoother and faster, it is advisable to use a web-based or SaaS application. These solutions are hosted in the cloud and can be easily integrated through the use of APIs. Choosing to use an API allows you to avoid importing and exporting different data, which can be a source of errors.
Training of your employees
Beyond being a technical challenge, the integration of your management software into your e-commerce site represents new working methods. Your employees will have to adapt to this change. It therefore seems necessary to support them in this new stage of your business.
This support includes training for the users concerned. Through specialised workshops, they will learn how to use the tool, discover its specific features, etc. You can also consider setting up assistance to help them if necessary.
The test phase
As with any software change, a test phase is essential. This phase will allow you to highlight the quality of the software or to point out potential errors.
This will allow you to make any necessary corrections or adjustments to your software before it is officially used in your company.
Smotlink: Business Central x BigCommerce
Smotly has developed a connector between Microsoft Business Central and BigCommerce. Indeed, both systems in SaaS mode have completely open APIs. Thus, the exchange of data flows between Microsoft Dynamics Business Central and BigCommerce is extremely fluid and fast. This will help to avoid errors, save time and improve customer satisfaction. But above all, it offers an improved user experience and better management of your business data.
Smotly supports you
The integration of an ERP as well as its connection to your e-commerce site requires a lot of technique and especially skills. Indeed, many flows are involved in the process: orders, product catalogue, customer files, payments, etc. It is therefore strongly recommended to use a professional to carry out the various corresponding tasks.
Indeed, calling on a digital agency that masters your information system and is also an expert in e-commerce will allow you to save time and give coherence to your two systems.
Smotly will accompany you throughout this process. From the pre-sales audit, to the integration of your ERP and the connection to your e-commerce site, our team of experts will be there to advise you and offer you the best on the market.
Do not hesitate to ask for an appointment to discuss your project!
