ERP implementation and e-commerce: Going live at the same time

So, you’re moving ahead with a new ERP implementation. At the same time, you want to get your e-commerce project set up as soon as possible.

You’re waiting on the ERP implementation so that you can shift your focus to your e-commerce project to start planning for the future of your business. The only downside is that it will take months before you’re up and running with your new ERP system.

Good news: you don’t have to push off or delay your e-commerce project because your ERP implementation isn’t done.

This blog will detail:

By the end of this article, you should be fully informed (if not, convinced) as to why an ERP implementation with e-commerce integrated solution, like the native ERP-integration of Sana Commerce Cloud is the best investment for the future of your business.

Let us put this into perspective for you:

It’s time to take your car to the garage for a regular inspection. Lately you’ve noticed your engine light has come on and your wheels are looking worn down. You plan to keep this car and want a reliable and safe vehicle. Naturally, you’re going to want the best for your car and your family and have everything checked out at once. Or are you going to waste time and effort going to the garage on two separate occasions?

It’s just like having made the investment in an ERP implementation project. You know that you’re going to want to start or change your e-commerce site as soon as it’s done. So why push off or delay your e-commerce project? It’s the perfect time to combine.

Implementing a new ERP and e-commerce solution for first-timers

Companies that implement technology-driven solutions recognize digital transformation as a priority. Since B2B buyers purchase a majority of their products online, organizations must stay attuned to the ever-evolving needs of their customers in order to remain future-proof. Organizations that get ahead are those that:

• Meet the modern customer’s preference for e-commerce
• Offer strong online user experiences
• Remain agile and technologically enabled

This is where B2B e-commerce comes in.

B2B e-commerce allows for a company to tap into more business opportunities, improve sales, lower costs and much more. Learn how to start your e-commerce project and the biggest mistakes to avoid in our Guide to B2B E-Commerce. If you’re setting up an e-commerce platform for the first time, it’s important you know how to drive e-commerce success. It’s equally important, however, if you’re considering a different solution.

Implementing a new ERP and e-commerce for your legacy stack

Thinking about what’s next after your new ERP platform implementation? Chances are that it’s time to invest in a new B2B e-commerce platform. Whether your business has a platform that’s outdated and doesn’t meet your business needs anymore, there are six telltale signs it’s time to replatform your B2B e-commerce site.

1. Maintenance costs and operational efficiency: Are you spending too much time, money and effort on your current platform?
2. Scalability: Is your e-commerce platform struggling to scale with your business?
3. Customer experience: Is your online customer experience falling short?
4. B2B use case: Are you missing key B2B e-commerce features and functionalities?
5. Changes in your organization’s tech infrastructure: Do you have plans to overhaul large parts of your business software ecosystem?
6. Security issues in your current e-commerce platform: Have you experienced more bugs and threats recently?

An ERP won’t solve all your problems, but having both an ERP and e-commerce platform that meets your needs is more likely to.

Investing in a cloud-based e-commerce solution

Organizations that have tapped into investing in an e-commerce platform might be looking to take their business one step further, such as moving to the cloud. Implementing a SaaS-based solution (Software as a Service) can be complex but can not only help you save costs, but also improve your business efficiency.

Cloud-based SaaS solutions offer the following benefits for your business in today’s ever-changing tech landscape through:

• Lower TCO (total cost of ownership) – and you have a better overview of all costs involved.
• Scalability & Agility – it’s scalable for rapid growth and accessible for remote-working.
• Automatic Updates – routine updates mean your tooling grows with your business.
• High security – SaaS platforms adhere to high security standards and rigorous testing.
• Sustainability – Cloud-based solutions produce fewer carbon emissions and are therefore more sustainable and better for the environment.

Benefits of ERP with e-commerce

Implementing an ERP in tandem with an e-commerce site allows for several benefits:

• Giving your business a fresh start
  A clean slate makes it easier to build a strategy that is structured and allows for clarity within an organization. Your business has a chance at a complete rebranding, but from both an inside (through the ERP) and from an outside perspective (your e-commerce site).
• Up-to-date functionalities
  It can become difficult to keep up with buyers’ expectations and needs both through e-commerce as well as in terms of speed and efficiency. Customers’ lives become easier by having an updated e-commerce platform that includes key features like comprehensive search, personalized assortments, order tracking functionality, and online payment options. An ERP that can keep up with these features is necessary to make it work.
• ERP processes in line with e-commerce solution
  Many ERP processes are outdated. There must be alignment whether implementing a new ERP or a new e-commerce solution. A key benefit of doing so in parallel with each other is that it presents the opportunity for a business to digitize processes in alignment with one other. It allows for a business to step back and re-evaluate current ERP processes to decide on the most efficient way forward.
• Optimize ERP infrastructure to make full use of e-commerce
  Running the ERP and e-commerce implementation in parallel allows flexibility. A business is better able to optimize the set-up of the ERP in a way that makes full use of the e-commerce solution, and in a way that works for the business. If not done in parallel, an organization runs the risk of missing out on key elements that the intake process of the new ERP or e-commerce solution.
• New sales flow for internal employees
  Your salespeople can make use of the e-commerce solution instead of the ERP which creates a better experience and reduces complications for both employees as well as customers. Providing your salespeople with a platform they can rely on, instead of needing to look in the backend (ERP) for basic functions.

Provide your customers with the online buying experience they expect can help you process orders faster, with more accuracy and with less reliance on offline customer support teams. It’s a win all around.

Downsides of going live with your ERP and e-commerce at the same time

Running an ERP implementation alongside the implementation of an e-commerce platform isn’t all sunshine and rainbows – it involves hard work. Some hurdles to consider include:

• There might be longer project run times
  Reasons such as gaps in data and incomplete business processes contribute, but this is often dependent on your ERP and e-commerce solution provider.
• Unanticipated customizations in the ERP
  Customizations of the ERP which were not captured in the initial requirements assessment can affect the way in which the e-commerce solution is built. If this is not captured early enough in the project stage, it might delay the process of the e-commerce implementation.
• Chance of e-commerce data loss
  When the ERP data is refreshed without a back-up, this can result in losing data. A simple way to overcome this to ensure the right safety nets and data back-up and storage procedures are in place so that no important data gets lost in the process.
• Shifts in priorities and a change of focus
  As the length of an ERP implementation can take anywhere from a few months to a few years depending on your business complexity, priorities can shift during this time. It can therefore become unclear which project to focus on. Multiple stakeholders working on different projects within the same ERP environment can cause conflicts.

Teams that take ownership of e-commerce implementation and ERP implementation are different. To overcome this, it’s important to assign clear roles and project managers for each to ensure a smooth roll-out and transition.

Why is ERP integration important in e-commerce?

Your ERP system is a complex. Depending on your industry, it could be where you manage business-critical logic and data concerning your ordering processes, accounting, supply chain management, procurement, and so much more.

With ERP e-commerce integration, your customers are kept in the loop during the entire sales process. Your inventory data remains organized, accurate, and reliable 100% of the time, from one single hub. Integrating your ERP and e-commerce platform is a must if you want to:

• Save company time
• Simplify order tracking
• Automate tasks
• Handle increases in demand
• Scale your business

ERP integration can help you take online sales to the next level without increasing your employee workload. There is a lot of data and logic stored in the ERP that you need to use if you want your web store to accurately reflect all your commercial processes. For future-proof growth, you need future-proof solutions – that’s where ERP-integrated e-commerce comes in.

Implementing a new ERP, but happy with your current e-commerce platform?

Are you working on a new ERP implementation, yet happy with your current e-commerce platform? It’s an adequate solution for the time being. Still, we recommend future-proofing your business and making a decision that will suit your business in the long run.

You should consider changing your e-commerce platform:

• To start over with a clean slate
• For the most up-to-date and latest functionalities
• To future-proof your business processes
• To optimize your ERP infrastructure to make full use of your e-commerce functionalities
• Implement a seamless solution for internal sales employees to use instead of the ERP