There are many e-commerce platforms which can be used for webshops. Some of the popular ones include Prestashop, Magento, OpenCart and Virtuemart and then there is Kentico as well. These are powerful ecommerce platforms and are powering some of the big ecommerce websites around the world.
Most of them have some basic inventory management as well as other features such as invoicing etc but where they become limited is at purchase management, invoicing management, offline sales from your POS or high street store and these gaps can be fulfilled by and ERP (Enterprise Resource Planning) software.
Traditionally the term ERP has been scary for many businesses as it was something only the bigger companies could afford but now a days you can get an ERP applications which don’t cost an arm and a leg.
There are a number of advantages in connecting an ERP system with your ecommerce store and some of those are listed as below:
1. Integrated Stock Management
Assuming you are selling online as well as offline from a Point of Sale system or through invoicing and billing your walk in customers; you will never have correct stock levels if you don’t update your online shop with offline sales.
2. Easy Data Maintenance
The maintenance of the data provided on the ecommerce site, such as customer or product data for the Webshop, takes place in the ERP system. A comfortable graphical user interface is available for this. It enables centralized access of data across the whole business, keeping it relevant, up-to-date and as useful as possible. And because now your systems are integrated, the updated data is stored in both the systems.
3. Reduced Cost and Errors
As compared with manual record-keeping or other traditional approaches, an ERP system improves data quality by improving the underlying processes. As a result, better business decisions can be reached. Also an ERP system introduces fundamental innovations in managing resources, which eliminates delays and thus reduces cost of operations. For instance, use of mobile apps allows real-time collection of data, which is indispensable to lowering costs.
4. Reduced Complexity
The most elegant argument in the favor of ERP systems is that they reduce the complexity of a business and introduce a neatly designed system of workflows. This makes the entire human resource chain more efficient. Also, you can connect your stake holders e.g. vendors, customers, field staff, branches and subsidiary companies. Your partners can always access up-to-date information and company transparency is increased.
Integrated Warehouse Management & Accounting
Online shoppers want sites that are effective (simple and quick) and business owners want a stock and accounting management system. You realize, that there are good ecommerce platforms which have nice themes and there are ERP systems which are fantastic Warehouse Management Systems and Accounting platforms. Amalgamation of the two will give you the best of both worlds.
Now you still have questions? Why don’t send an email to Target Integration at [email protected] and ask for specific advice?
