Interface vs. integrated B2B eCommerce – what is the difference?

An integrated B2B eCommerce system, i.e. B2B webshop is very often compared to the interface eCommerce as its alternative. And that is precisely why many B2B company owners that want to digitalize sales, often find themselves with the dilemma of which solution should they choose.

What is the difference between the interface and an integrated B2B webshop? Can one system replace the other? These commonly asked questions have been troubling many B2B clients, so we’ve decided to clarify them.

Namely, both terms refer to the ways in which a B2B webshop can exchange data with other software solutions and systems. There are differences and they are significant. Your decision on which eCommerce solution is best for your business will greatly depend on those differences.

What is interface eCommerce?

Although these systems enable simple adjustments of the user experience, the interface eCommerce brings a much more complex implementation and higher maintenance costs. In fact, unlike the integrated B2B eCommerce, interface solutions have their own business logic that needs to be aligned with the ERP.

In effect, that means transferring and copying data from the ERP, the synchronization of data, and managing orders through several different software systems. Simply put, a lot more room for errors in data and product prices.

What is the integrated B2B eCommerce?

The integrated B2B eCommerce is a solution that is run directly from the ERP system such as Microsoft Dynamics 365 Business Central. One of the biggest advantages of these systems is the automatization of the sales process.

Namely, the integrated B2B webshop enables simple management of all data that are already stored in the Microsoft Dynamics NAV system and all other Microsoft tools with which it is integrated.

Interface vs. integrated B2B eCommerce – the speed of data transfer

One of the biggest disadvantages of the interface eCommerce is the impossibility of real-time synchronization of data with other systems. That can be a big problem in online wholesales. B2B clients opt for eCommerce because they want fast and simple shopping and simplified order creating. The moment when clients are able to order a product that isn’t currently available because of the incompatibility of data between the B2B webshop and the ERP system, all the benefits of online shopping fall down the drain.

On the other hand, an integrated B2B eCommerce enables the user to input and change any data on products from one place. In fact, the engine of an integrated B2B webshop is an ERP system such as the Microsoft Dynamics 365 Business Central.

That means that any change made in the MD NAV is immediately visible in the integrated B2B webshop. With a much simpler implementation, the client gets a 100% accurate data in two business systems, and his buyers get a unique experience of ordering via eCommerce.

Transferring and copying data

The implementation of an eCommerce platform often presents quite a challenge for B2B clients. First of all, because of transferring and copying data that is in the ERP system. Taking into account that the interface eCommerce doesn’t share the same database, these solutions often require systematic adjustment and information update on the state of the inventory, product description, and prices.

An integrated B2B eCommerce, on the other hand, uses data already located in the ERP system. That means that there is no need for additional adjustment or copying data on the state of the inventory.

These solutions enable accurate and prompt information on the state of the inventory, a simple product view, and fast and efficient shopping. Besides, they also provide an insight into previously created orders and enable promptly calculations of various tax rates and printing necessary documents. At any moment, wherever you may be.

With the help of an integrated B2B eCommerce, the user’s clients can create an order of articles directly from their software system. All the information on the current stock is also visible and they can simply download their invoices in electronic form, without manually inputting data. These solutions also don’t require complex adjustment, as they are easy to quickly implement and they don’t require additional education of the employees.

Which solution to choose?

The decision whether the interface or an integrated B2B eCommerce system is a better solution for your business will largely depend on the software solutions you are already using, the expectations you have of online shopping, and the available tools for data exchange.

If you are already using an ERP system and you want all data to be located in one place than the integrated B2B eCommerce is the right solution for you. But if you have specific demands closely related to the branch in which you are doing business, then you should also consider the interface system.

Are you ready for sales digitalization? If You also want to offer your products via B2B eCommerce, contact us for more information and learn everything on the latest software solutions that will help you.

Integration with an ERP system; B2B eCommerce guide

If you have decided to expand your business to the eCommerce market, you are surely looking for the best B2B eCommerce platform that guarantees successful online sales. You need an adaptable B2B eCommerce solution that will simplify receiving orders and enable your clients a personalized buying experience. But, if you are a Microsoft Dynamics 365 Business Central user, you are probably also interested whether the integration with an ERP system, where all your data is already stored, is possible.

If you have opted for an integrated B2B eCommerce system as the right solution for online wholesale, the short and simple answer is – yes, it is possible. If you carefully plan the integration of B2B eCommerce and the ERP system, this whole process can be rather painless and cost you a lot less time and money than you think.

If you are ready to implement the integrated B2B eCommerce solution or you are just thinking about using such a system, here are a few things to keep in mind.

• Automatization of the sales process

One of the biggest advantages of the integrated B2B eCommerce system is the automatization of the sales process where you get an insight into unique information which is important for your sales and marketing. Microsoft Dynamics 365 Business Central system is also integrated with other Microsoft tools – Outlook, Office 365, SharePoint, CRM, Power BI etc. That is exactly why integrating B2B eCommerce with the ERP system enables managing all this information from one place. The production process, inventory data, storage and delivery or client communication; all this becomes much simpler.

Therefore, an integrated B2B eCommerce platform isn’t a separate new system, but an extension of the ERP. That’s why it guarantees a 100% accurate data. Also, it provides your clients with a unique experience of ordering via eCommerce. That way you are expanding your business while having lower administrative and maintenance costs and without increasing the sales team.

• Fewer mistakes in creating orders

Almost 50% of mistakes in online orders that lead to returns in B2B eCommerce, affect the profitability and sales of a B2B company. One of the main culprits for these mistakes is the human factor for which there is no room in the integrated B2B eCommerce.

The integration of B2B eCommerce with the ERP system enables your clients an insight into real-time information on the inventory. Also, they can create new orders very easily form the existing ones and in just a few clicks repeat the order they were pleased with in the past.

Even when a mistake occurs, you can significantly reduce its impact on client satisfaction with the help of an integrated B2B web shop, because systems like these enable returns. That way you are significantly saving time for your clients.

B2B web shop as a self-service portal

B2B sales has always been complex. From detailed technical descriptions, product characteristics and complex pricing policies to defining individual business terms with each client individually. It was a real challenge to provide clients with eCommerce solutions as self-service portals while having completely supervised their whole purchasing process. This was said in past tense for a good reason.

In fact, with the appropriate eCommerce solution and a smart approach to integrating such a system into doing business, you have the opportunity to provide clients with an extensive self-service portal which makes every step of the online shopping process simple and clear. How to increase B2B clients’ satisfaction with help from the B2B web shop as a self-service portal? And how to do it without compromising the quality of the service provided? Keep reading for answers.

Današnji online kupci imaju prilično nepredvidiva očekivanja. No, jedna stvar je ostala nepromijenjena; očekuju da im B2B web shop uvijek omogući što bolje korisničko iskustvo online kupnje.

Bez obzira znači li to kvalitetniju korisničku podršku, jednostavniju navigaciju eCommercom, više informacija o proizvodima ili brže performanse, B2B eCommerce kupci stalno „podižu ljestvicu“ očekivanja te postavljaju nove definicije kvalitetnog B2B web shopa.

Integrirani B2B eCommerce sustav može vam značajno pomoći da odgovorite na ove izazove i stvorite jedinstveno iskustvo online kupnje koristeći podatke o klijentima koje već imate.

Step 1: Finding the adequate product

Although it sounds simple, this can be a real challenge for B2B companies that have big catalogues of products or complex products. For example, if a B2B customer is searching for parts for a certain machine, even the slightest difference in size can mean that the part just won’t fit.

How to easily ensure up-to-date information for B2B clients in the B2B web shop? By managing data from one place. The integrated eCommerce system is run directly from the Microsoft Dynamics NAV which makes it very easy to input and change any information about products. So you get a 100% accurate data in even two business systems with this much simpler implementation.

These eCommerce solutions save time for B2B clients because they can use available search filters already defined inside the Microsoft Dynamics NAV to find wanted products. According to clients’ wishes, the search can be additionally expanded with the help of external sources.

This way, the B2B client is oriented towards a product that meets his/her requirements and expectations.

Step 2: creating an order without the sales team

Once they have found wanted products, B2B clients want to place their order quickly and simply. Sometimes this is easier said than done in a B2B web shop.

The key element to ordering in the B2B eCommerce by yourself is an insight into real time stock on hand. Completely integrated eCommerce solutions enable exactly that which makes it impossible for clients to order a product that is currently unavailable.

The integrated B2B web shop also guarantees that the client will create an order according to agreed terms like the agreed order minimum or maximum. Besides that, systems like these also display other specific terms, such as modified price lists or special discounts.

The B2B web shop that displays this data accurately and promptly is the only one that can become a self-service portal for B2B clients which can create accurate orders in just a few steps without the help from a representative of the sales team.

Step 3: Online payment

One of the ways to turn a B2B web shop into a self-service portal is to offer clients a detailed insight and the possibility of paying bills online. This even relates to orders which have been created via other sales channels such as telephone or fax.

You can even take it one step further and offer additional privileges like an insight into balance. The integrated B2B systems enable such privileges to customers thanks to a flawless integration and direct interaction with the ERP system.

Step 4: Defining the answers to frequently asked questions

How much time do your employees or co-workers spend each week answering clients’ questions? Using the B2B eCommerce system as a self-service portal for B2B clients decreases that time significantly.

And what if a client has a question on e.g. what product to order? Instead of redirecting an inquiry about technical specifications and availability of products to the sales department, B2B clients can visit the web shop and search for this information themselves.

The integrated B2B web shop quickly and efficiently deals with issues and questions regarding the order status. These eCommerce solutions provide a detailed insight into real time information related to clients’ orders including the expected delivery time. Information on previous online and offline orders are also available.

With this detailed insight, the B2B web shop actually enables clients to contact sales representatives only regarding complex issues. This results in saving time on both ends.

Step 5: managing returns through a B2B web shop

Almost 50% of mistakes that cause products to be returned in online orders, affect the profitability and sales of a B2B company. One the major culprits to blame for these mistakes is the human factor and there is no room for it in the integrated B2B eCommerce.

With an insight into real time information on the stock on hand, these eCommerce solutions enable crating new orders from previous ones. That way, customers can repeat a previous order that they have been satisfied with, with only a few clicks.

Even if there is a mistake in the order, you can significantly decrease its effect on clients’ satisfaction by using a B2B web shop. These systems offer returns, which is a much faster and simpler option.

Research has shown that even 59% of customers prefer an online approach to information regarding returns. But also, 34% of B2B clients are more likely to choose a B2B web shop that provides online returns.

By using the same sales channel for creating orders and returning purchased goods, you are significantly saving time for B2B clients. This way you are getting the best out of a situation that clients would otherwise perceive as pretty complicated and often as a negative user experience.

Hence the integrated B2B web shop as a user-friendly self-service platform that enables more than just creating orders online is a safe way of creating an excellent user experience. These eCommerce solutions motivate B2B clients to cooperate with You as a reliable partner according to terms which they have defined themselves.

You are looking for an eCommerce platform to help you with that? Contact us today so we could present you with the best possible solutions for happy online customers and a successful B2B web shop.