B2B Ecommerce Archives - Cloudfy B2B Ecommerce Software https://www.cloudfy.com/category/b2b-ecommerce/ B2B Solution to Simplify, Save & Scale Thu, 19 Jun 2025 12:19:46 +0000 en-US hourly 1 https://www.cloudfy.com/app/uploads/favicon.jpg B2B Ecommerce Archives - Cloudfy B2B Ecommerce Software https://www.cloudfy.com/category/b2b-ecommerce/ 32 32 B2B Headless Commerce: Benefits, Challenges & Cloudfy’s Role https://www.cloudfy.com/articles/headless-commerce-b2b-guide/ Thu, 19 Jun 2025 12:14:39 +0000 https://www.cloudfy.com/?p=59981 Cloudfy is revolutionizing the B2B ecommerce space in the food and FMCG sectors with innovative solutions that streamline processes, enhance efficiency, and boost growth. Discover how their cutting-edge technology is shaping the future of online business for these industries. … Read More

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Going Headless in B2B: What You Gain, What to Watch For and How Cloudfy Is Evolving to Meet the Demand

Explore the rise of headless commerce in B2B, the real-world trade-offs, and how platforms like Cloudfy are adapting to offer greater flexibility without compromising core functionality.

In the fast-moving world of ecommerce, flexibility is everything. That’s where headless commerce comes in. A decoupled approach that separates the front-end customer experience from the back-end ecommerce engine. It gives businesses the freedom to deliver highly customised, lightning-fast digital experiences across multiple channels without being restricted by the structure of their ecommerce platform.

When Did Headless Commerce Begin?

The concept of headless ecommerce began gaining traction in the mid-2010s, as retailers and developers looked for ways to innovate beyond the limitations of traditional monolithic platforms like Magento or Salesforce Commerce Cloud. These systems were powerful, but often rigid making it hard to launch new features quickly or adapt to changing user behaviours.

By 2018–2020, headless was no longer a fringe idea it was becoming mainstream, particularly in B2C retail. The rise of Progressive Web Apps (PWAs) and API-first architectures meant that businesses could control the entire presentation layer, while still relying on a robust backend for orders, pricing, and inventory.

The State of Headless Commerce Today

Today, headless commerce is at a pivotal moment. According to Salesforce’s 2023 State of Commerce report, over 60% of ecommerce businesses have either implemented or are actively exploring headless commerce. The appeal? Faster performance, omnichannel flexibility, and complete freedom to customise the front-end experience. From mobile-first storefronts to app integrations and IoT, headless architecture supports the kind of agility modern ecommerce demands.

But while the B2C world has been quick to adopt, B2B companies have been slower to make the switch, mainly due to more complex needs like customer-specific pricing, bulk ordering, account hierarchies, and ERP integrations. However, that’s now changing.

Headless for B2B: More Than Just a Trend

In the B2B space, headless has huge potential especially for industry sectors like Food and Drink, where speed, accuracy, and reliability are critical. Buyers need real-time stock data, fast reordering tools, and mobile-optimised interfaces all tailored to their specific contract pricing and delivery schedules. Headless makes this easier by allowing you to design custom buyer journeys without compromising the business logic that powers them.

How Does Headless Work with SaaS Platforms and What’s the Take-Up?

One of the biggest misconceptions about headless commerce is that it’s only suited to open-source or custom-built solutions. SaaS platforms are increasingly adopting headless architecture to give their customers the best of both worlds: stability and scalability on the backend, with flexibility and creative freedom on the frontend.

In a headless SaaS model, the platform still handles the core ecommerce logic like product management, checkout, inventory and pricing, but exposes that functionality via APIs. This allows businesses to build completely custom frontends, connect with multiple sales channels, or even integrate with third-party services like mobile apps, POS systems or marketplaces all while relying on the robustness and continuous improvement of a SaaS backend.

One of the biggest misconceptions is that headless commerce is still niche. According to Salesforce’s 2023 State of Commerce report, while around 57% of organisations without headless today plan to implement it within two years among those already using headless platforms, a striking 77% say it enables faster storefront updates and greater operational agility. That trend spans both B2C and B2B, but adoption is particularly strong in sectors with complex user journeys or multi-channel sales strategies — including Food and Drink, FMCG, and Manufacturing.

As more B2B brands look to differentiate their digital experiences while maintaining operational efficiency, headless SaaS platforms offer a path forward: low maintenance, high flexibility, and future-ready architecture.

As more B2B brands look to differentiate their digital experiences while maintaining operational efficiency, headless SaaS platforms offer a path forward. But while the benefits of headless commerce are compelling: flexibility, performance, and full design control. it’s not a one-size-fits-all solution.

So, is headless the right move for every business? Not necessarily. Let’s look at the trade-offs.

Increased Complexity

Headless architecture separates the front end from the back end, which gives you more flexibility but also means you’re managing two systems instead of one. For B2B businesses that already juggle ERPs, CRMs, and product databases, this can feel like one more layer of technical overhead.

What it means: You’ll likely need development resources to build and maintain the custom front end, plus middleware or APIs to connect everything smoothly.

Higher Development Costs Upfront

Unlike templated SaaS platforms where design and functionality are bundled, headless often requires a bespoke build. That means higher initial costs for frontend development, integrations, and ongoing optimisation.

What it means: You’re trading plug-and-play simplicity for long-term flexibility, but that trade may not suit all budgets.

Longer Time to Market

Because the frontend is being built from scratch (or close to it), a headless B2B project can take longer to go live than a more traditional SaaS or monolithic build.

What it means: If speed to market is a priority, make sure your team or partner has strong headless experience to avoid delays.

Ongoing Maintenance and Updates

With headless, the responsibility for updating and improving the frontend falls more on your in-house team or agency partner. Unlike an all-in-one SaaS setup, where updates and security patches are handled centrally, headless often requires more active technical involvement.

What it means: Consider whether you have the resources or partnerships in place to support the site after launch.

Not Always Necessary

For many B2B businesses — especially those with straightforward needs — going headless may simply be overkill. If you’re not planning to customise the frontend deeply, or you don’t need multiple customer-facing experiences (e.g. apps, marketplaces, microsites), the ROI might not be there.

What it means: Be clear about why you need headless, don’t just follow the trend.

Cloudfy’s Move to Headless: Built for B2B Flexibility

Simon Hartley Managing Director at Cloudfy says, “At Cloudfy, we’re evolving our SaaS platform to meet the growing demand for flexible, future-ready architecture. Our upcoming headless release is currently in development, with key modules such as our new checkout and marketplace features already being built with a fully decoupled approach. The new frontend template is being developed in React, offering modern performance and flexibility.”

“What sets this evolution apart is the ability for third-party developers or agencies to build 100% custom frontends tailored to each client’s brand and user experience without altering the core Cloudfy engine. That’s a game-changer in the B2B space, where digital experience is increasingly a competitive differentiator.”

“The headless rollout is already gaining traction, with early adopters signed up and the full release scheduled for Q4. With React-based flexibility, full marketplace capabilities, and Cloudfy’s deep native B2B functionality still at the core, this move empowers agencies and implementation partners to deliver standout solutions faster and more creatively than ever before.”

“We fully expect that many existing Cloudfy clients will choose to move over in time and for new prospects, it positions Cloudfy as a serious contender for B2B businesses seeking the power of SaaS, with the freedom of headless.”

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Why FMCG Brands Are Embracing B2B eCommerce https://www.cloudfy.com/articles/fmcg-b2b-ecommerce-trends/ Fri, 16 May 2025 09:37:14 +0000 https://www.cloudfy.com/?p=59381 Cloudfy is revolutionizing the B2B ecommerce space in the food and FMCG sectors with innovative solutions that streamline processes, enhance efficiency, and boost growth. Discover how their cutting-edge technology is shaping the future of online business for these industries. … Read More

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Why FMCG Companies are Rapidly Turning to B2B eCommerce: The Trends Shaping the Industry's Digital Shift

The fast-moving consumer goods (FMCG) sector is undergoing a significant transformation, with B2B eCommerce emerging as a pivotal force reshaping traditional supply chains and sales models. This shift is not merely a trend but a strategic evolution driven by technological advancements, changing buyer behaviours, and the imperative for operational efficiency. 

According to Allied Market Research, the global FMCG B2B eCommerce market was valued at $520.8 billion in 2021 and is projected to reach $1,220.5 billion by 2031, growing at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 9% from 2022 to 2031 . This substantial growth underscores the increasing reliance of FMCG companies on digital platforms to streamline operations and meet the evolving demands of their business customers .  

One of the primary drivers of this digital shift is the changing expectations of B2B buyers. Modern procurement professionals seek the convenience and efficiency found in B2C transactions, desiring seamless online experiences, real-time inventory visibility, and personalised pricing. The DynamicWeb B2B eCommerce and Portal Trends Report for 2024 highlights that B2B customers now demand better quality and service on tighter budgets, preferring easy access to technical information without prolonged sales interactions.  

Technological advancements, particularly in artificial intelligence (AI) and the Internet of Things (IoT), are further propelling the adoption of B2B eCommerce in the FMCG sector. AI algorithms facilitate personalised product recommendations based on previous purchases and browsing behaviour, enhancing the buyer’s experience and increasing sales opportunities. Moreover, IoT integration allows for real-time tracking of inventory and shipments, ensuring transparency and efficiency in the supply chain.

The UK market reflects this global trend, with B2B eCommerce becoming increasingly vital. Mintel’s UK B2B eCommerce Market Report 2024 indicates that while the UK is a leader in B2C eCommerce, the B2B sector has been underdeveloped but is now experiencing significant growth. Factors such as Brexit, the COVID-19 pandemic, and supply chain disruptions have accelerated the need for digital solutions, with businesses recognising eCommerce as a more efficient and effective way to research and purchase corporate goods and services. 

Sustainability and ethical sourcing have become central to the strategic priorities of FMCG companies, with B2B eCommerce platforms playing a pivotal role in advancing these initiatives. Modern procurement teams are increasingly leveraging digital tools to identify suppliers that adhere to environmental and social standards, such as those certified by Fair Trade or the Rainforest Alliance. This shift is largely driven by consumer demand: a 2024 PwC survey revealed that consumers are willing to pay an average premium of 9.7% for sustainably produced or sourced goods, even amidst inflationary pressures . Furthermore, a joint study by McKinsey and NielsenIQ found that products making environmental, social, and governance (ESG) claims experienced faster sales growth than those without such claims . By integrating sustainability filters and traceability features, B2B eCommerce platforms enable FMCG brands to align their supply chains with these evolving consumer expectations, ensuring transparency and fostering trust in their sustainability commitment. (Sources: LinkedIn )

As FMCG businesses increasingly expand their B2B eCommerce operations globally, navigating the complex regulatory landscape becomes a critical consideration. Compliance involves adhering to diverse international standards, from stringent product safety requirements to data protection and privacy laws.  To effectively manage these compliance demands, FMCG companies are adopting technology-driven solutions and comprehensive frameworks capable of continuous monitoring and swift adaptation to regulatory changes. Leveraging platforms equipped with region-specific compliance tools and integrated payment systems is essential for FMCG businesses aiming to successfully navigate international trade complexities, minimise legal risks, and sustainably grow their digital commerce presence. 

Emerging markets are also embracing B2B eCommerce to overcome traditional challenges. In Africa, platforms like Nigeria-based OmniRetail are digitising FMCG supply chains by connecting manufacturers, retailers, and distributors through integrated platforms. OmniRetail supports over 200 manufacturers and nearly 5,000 distributors, serving more than 140,000 retailers, demonstrating the scalability and impact of B2B eCommerce in streamlining operations and expanding market reach Financial Times. 

The integration of B2B eCommerce in the FMCG sector also facilitates better data management and analytics. Businesses can leverage data insights to forecast demand accurately, manage inventory efficiently, and tailor marketing strategies to specific customer segments. This data-driven approach enables companies to respond swiftly to market changes and customer needs, providing a competitive edge in a rapidly evolving industry. 

Furthermore, the adoption of mobile commerce is enhancing accessibility and convenience for B2B buyers. With the proliferation of smartphones and mobile applications, procurement professionals can place orders, track shipments, and manage accounts on-the-go, aligning with the fast-paced nature of the FMCG industry. This mobility ensures that businesses can maintain continuity and responsiveness, essential qualities in today’s dynamic market environment. 

In conclusion, the rapid embrace of B2B eCommerce by the FMCG sector is a strategic response to the demands of modern business operations. By leveraging digital platforms, companies can enhance efficiency, meet customer expectations, and navigate the complexities of global supply chains. As technology continues to evolve, the integration of B2B eCommerce will undoubtedly play a central role in shaping the future of the FMCG industry.  

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Manual to Modern: How FMCG Wholesalers Can Digitise With Cloudfy https://www.cloudfy.com/articles/manual-to-digital-fmcg-transformation/ Mon, 12 May 2025 09:16:06 +0000 https://www.cloudfy.com/?p=59073 Cloudfy is revolutionizing the B2B ecommerce space in the food and FMCG sectors with innovative solutions that streamline processes, enhance efficiency, and boost growth. Discover how their cutting-edge technology is shaping the future of online business for these industries. … Read More

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Digitising your FMCG business isn’t about starting over — it’s about building on what already works and making it faster, smarter, and more customer-friendly. Whether you’re a B2B with an established online presence or you’re just starting to explore digital tools, this guide is for you. It offers practical advice and step-by-step actions to help you either improve what you’ve already built or confidently start from scratch.

For FMCG wholesalers and distributors, digital transformation is about making smarter moves—removing friction, speeding up service, and better meeting your customers’ expectations. Whether you’re dealing with large, fast-moving product ranges, short shelf-life items, or complex pricing agreements, B2B ecommerce gives you the tools to make life easier—for your customers and your team.

This guide was created by Cloudfy, a SaaS ecommerce platform purpose-built for B2B. It’s shaped by insights from working with leading FMCG distributors and wholesale clients across multiple regions (Cloudfy Case Studies).

Here’s a step-by-step look at how to approach digital transformation in a way that feels practical, manageable, and genuinely helpful.

Table of Contents

Step 1: Start With the Pain Points

Before diving into platforms or features, get clear on what’s slowing you down. Are customers calling to place the same orders over and over? Is your team spending hours fixing stock errors or manually processing price lists?

Some of the most common friction points in FMCG wholesale include:

  • Clunky, manual order processes
  • No real-time view of what’s in stock (and what’s not)
  • Complicated pricing structures that are hard to manage.
  • Fulfilment bottlenecks, especially for perishable items.

Taking stock of where your business is struggling helps you focus on what matters most when moving online.

It’s also worth noting that your chosen B2B ecommerce platform provider should be well-versed in these types of operational pain points. These issues should surface early in RFI or discovery conversations—so the platform can be configured around solving the right problems from day one.

Step 2: Get Your Data House in Order

Before you even think about platforms or features, take a close look at your data. For FMCG wholesalers and distributors, product data, pricing rules, customer information, and inventory all need to be accurate, consistent, and well-structured — or your ecommerce rollout will hit roadblocks fast.

You don’t need perfection, but you do need a solid foundation. That means:

  • Making sure product names, descriptions, SKUs, and categories are clean and consistent.
  • Reviewing customer-specific pricing rules and ensuring they can be mapped into digital logic.
  • Cleaning up account and contact details — especially if you plan to offer self-service features.
  • Making sure your ERP, PIM, and other systems are ready to share data in real time
  • Order history – spot frequent purchases or patterns to inform smarter reordering tools and UX decisions.

This step might feel a bit behind-the-scenes, but it’s one of the most important. The better shape your data is in, the easier it becomes to launch fast, automate more, and deliver the slick user experience your customers expect.

Step 3: Pick a Platform That Speaks B2B

Not all ecommerce platforms are built with B2B at their core — especially in a complex, fast-paced sector like FMCG. Many are retail-first platforms trying to adapt to B2B needs, often relying on custom workarounds or third-party add-ons.

Cloudfy stands out because of its depth. It’s one of the most feature-rich SaaS B2B ecommerce platforms on the market — offering a huge range of capabilities straight out of the box. From advanced pricing models and self-service account tools to ERP integrations, mobile ordering, and flexible fulfilment options, Cloudfy covers the full spectrum of B2B requirements without compromise.

If you’re serious about digitising your wholesale or distribution business, choosing a platform that’s already equipped to handle B2B at scale gives you a real competitive edge without the distraction of adapting a retail-first platform like Shopify or Magento.

Take a look at this case-study of an FMCG wholesaler migrating to online.

Look for a platform (like Cloudfy) that offers:

  • Built-in integrations with your ERP, inventory, or finance systems specific .
  • Customer-specific pricing that’s easy to manage.
  • A mobile-ready experience that works for buyers and sales reps on the go.
  • Real-time stock and availability updates.
  • Delivery options that can flex depending on the product

The key here is finding tech that adapts to your business, not the other way around.

Step 4: Make Ordering Ridiculously Easy

If there’s one area where ecommerce should shine for FMCG businesses, it’s speed and simplicity. Your customers don’t want to browse — they want to get in, place their order, and move on. Cloudfy supports that with a wide range of features designed specifically to make ordering fast, flexible, and frustration-free.

Some standouts include:

  • Quick reordering and subscription tools Ideal for customers placing the same orders weekly or monthly, with built-in delivery scheduling.
  • Excel purchase order uploads Let buyers upload their own formats to create large or complex orders in seconds.
  • Back orders and pre-orders – Allow customers to commit to future deliveries, even if stock isn’t available right now.
  • Quote-to-order workflows Built-in tools to handle quote approvals, revisions and instant conversion to orders — without offline email chains.
  • Integrated phone + online ordering – Whether it starts on a call or via the portal, Cloudfy tracks it all in one place.
  • Customer service ordering – Give internal teams the ability to place, edit, or repeat orders on behalf of clients quickly.
  • Sales order management dashboard Stay on top of every order’s status, no matter how it was placed or who placed it.
  • Customer Ordering App Empower your B2B clients to place orders on-the-go with features like barcode-scan ordering, real-time inventory levels, back-in-stock notifications, and promotional alerts.

All of this is geared toward one outcome: making it ridiculously easy for your customers to buy from you — and even easier for your team to manage it all behind the scenes.

Click here to arrange a demo with the Cloudfy team to see these features in action.

Step 5: Keep Stock Data in Sync

There’s nothing more frustrating for a customer than placing an order, only to find out it can’t be fulfilled. In FMCG, where products move quickly, have limited shelf life, and large basket sizes can deplete stock in a single transaction, real-time inventory visibility isn’t just helpful — it’s essential. Without it, you risk missed sales, poor customer experience, and unnecessary manual work for your team.

Here’s how an SaaS platform like Cloudfy helps you stay in sync:

  • ERP and WMS integration Stock levels update in real-time as orders are placed, shipments are fulfilled, or new inventory is received.
  • Dynamic product availability messaging – Clearly show what’s in stock, low on stock, or on backorder — improving trust at the point of purchase.
  • Inventory buffers and thresholds – Build in rules to reserve stock for key customers or avoid overselling on high-demand SKUs.
  • Back-in-stock alerts – Let customers sign up to be notified automatically when items become available again.
  • Multi-location stock views – Show availability by warehouse, store, or region so customers know what’s deliverable to them, and when.

By syncing your stock data across every channel, Cloudfy helps you reduce fulfilment errors, protect perishable inventory, and give customers the confidence to order more, more often.

Step 6: Nail Your Pricing Rules

Pricing in FMCG isn’t just complex — it’s constantly shifting. Discounts based on volume, promotions for specific SKUs, contract-based pricing for key accounts, loyalty tiers, regional pricing…the list goes on.

Your ecommerce platform needs to manage all of that without turning your admin into a full-time job.

Cloudfy is built to handle this complexity out of the box, with a suite of pricing tools designed specifically for B2B:

  • Multiple price lists – Manage pricing by customer group, product type, or contract terms
  • Customer-specific pricing Display the right price to the right customer, every time
  • Volume-based discounts – Automate bulk-buy incentives without manual intervention
  • Time-limited promotions – Run B2B-friendly offers with rules on dates, SKUs, and thresholds.
  • Loyalty and tiered pricing – Reward repeat customers and track pricing tiers automatically
  • Net vs. gross pricing display – Adapt to how your buyers are used to seeing prices

Whether your customers are ordering on behalf of a single site or across a national chain, Cloudfy makes it easy to serve up personalised, accurate pricing without breaking a sweat — or calling in IT every time something changes.

“We’ve seen a real drop in pricing-related errors in the first three months after launching with Cloudfy. The automated customer-specific pricing and built-in validation rules are saving us time and admin — and we’ve seen a clear uplift in customer satisfaction as a result. Absolutely delighted.” .

Step 7: Get Smarter with Fulfilment

In FMCG, fulfilment can make or break the customer experience. Whether you’re delivering chilled products, made-to-order items, or large multi-site drops, expectations are high — and timing is everything.

Cloudfy gives you the tools to offer a more flexible, transparent fulfilment experience that works for both your customers and your operations.

Key fulfilment features include:

  • Customisable delivery slot selection – Let customers choose when they want their goods delivered, ideal for foodservice, retail, or hospitality buyers working to tight schedules.
  • Weekend and bank holiday logic – Automatically adjust cut-off times or availability for perishable goods that aren’t processed over weekends.
  • Multi-location delivery support – Enable orders to be split or shipped to multiple sites (e.g. kitchens, stores, branches) from a single basket.
  • Supplier-specific lead time controls – Apply different lead times at a supplier or product level, especially useful for dropshipped or made-to-order goods.
  • Integrated courier tracking – Keep customers in the loop with real-time delivery updates and reduce inbound queries.

Clear fulfilment options build trust, reduce missed deliveries, and give your internal teams fewer surprises to deal with. Whether your customers are ordering for next-day delivery or planning for the week ahead, Cloudfy gives you the flexibility to deliver — on time, every time.

Step 8: Learn, Optimise, Repeat

Getting online isn’t the end goal — it’s just the beginning of a smarter, more responsive way of doing business. Once your ecommerce platform is live, you unlock a stream of data that can help improve everything from customer experience to stock planning to marketing ROI.

The key is making time to review, reflect and iterate.

With Cloudfy’s built-in reporting tools and integrations, you can track and act on insights such as:

  • Order-to-fulfilment times – Spot delays and fix operational bottlenecks
  • Checkout drop-off rates – Refine the user journey where customers are abandoning
  • Return frequency or stock errors – Flag issues in product data or supply chain
  • Top (and lapsed) customers – Identify opportunities for loyalty or re-engagement
  • Promotional performance – Understand which deals actually move stock.

Over time, this builds a valuable feedback loop — helping you make more informed decisions, automate what’s working, and stay one step ahead of your customers’ expectations.

Digitising your B2B business gives you visibility you simply can’t get from offline processes — use it as your competitive advantage.

And finally — not that we want to end on a negative — but here’s a quick reality check. These are some of the most common pitfalls FMCG businesses face when going digital, and avoiding them will save you a lot of time, cost and frustration down the line.

Common Pitfalls to Avoid

Adapting a retail-first platform for B2B needs

What works for consumer ecommerce often breaks under the weight of B2B complexity — especially around pricing, bulk ordering, and account management.

Skipping the data clean-up phase

Poor product, pricing or customer data can derail even the best ecommerce setup. Invest in getting your data house in order first.

Rushing into platform build without clear discovery

Failing to map business processes, buyer journeys and internal needs upfront often leads to costly rework down the line.

Treating ERP integration as a ‘later phase’

Without real-time stock, pricing and order sync, your ecommerce site becomes a silo — not a solution.

Overcomplicating the user experience

B2B buyers want to order fast and get out. Prioritise simplicity, not surface-level features or design flourishes.

Thinking of ecommerce as a one-off project

The most successful businesses treat digital as an ongoing capability — something to evolve, measure and improve constantly.

Want to read more, we have dozens of Cloudfy Case Studies.

Cloudfy was built for B2B from day one. We understand the pace, complexity and demands of FMCG wholesalers and distributors—and we’ve built features that make it easier to do business online.

If you’re ready to modernise how you sell, serve, and scale—Cloudfy’s here to help.

Contact the Cloudfy team today

The post Manual to Modern: How FMCG Wholesalers Can Digitise With Cloudfy appeared first on Cloudfy B2B Ecommerce Software.

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The Future of Food and FMCG B2B Ecommerce: Inside Cloudfy’s Newest Innovations  https://www.cloudfy.com/articles/fmcg-food-b2b-ecommerce-innovation-cloudfy/ Thu, 08 May 2025 11:56:16 +0000 https://www.cloudfy.com/?p=58971 Cloudfy is revolutionizing the B2B ecommerce space in the food and FMCG sectors with innovative solutions that streamline processes, enhance efficiency, and boost growth. Discover how their cutting-edge technology is shaping the future of online business for these industries. … Read More

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The FMCG and Food sectors are under increasing pressure to modernise the way they sell to trade customers. With growing demand for faster ordering, personalised pricing, real-time stock information, and mobile-first experiences, traditional B2B sales channels are being reshaped — and businesses need ecommerce platforms that can keep up.

At Cloudfy, we recognise these evolving needs. That’s why we’re investing heavily in new features designed specifically for the FMCG and Food B2B sectors — helping brands, wholesalers and distributors offer better buying experiences, drive efficiencies, and stay competitive.

To find out more, we spoke to Ian Brown (Job Title), who shares insight into the next generation of Cloudfy features tailored to the unique demands of the FMCG and Food industries.

Understanding the Unique Challenges of FMCG and Food B2B Ecommerce

To set the context, we asked Rob Williams, CEO at Cloudfy about the specific challenges FMCG and Food B2B businesses face — both in the day-to-day running of their operations and specifically in managing their online sales channels.

Q: What sort of specific challenges do FMCG and Food B2B businesses face in the everyday running of their businesses, and particularly their online operations?

“There’s a lot going on behind the scenes in FMCG and Food B2B — it’s fast-moving, complex, and everything has to run like clockwork. You’re dealing with huge product ranges, seasonal lines, short shelf lives… and buyers who want things quickly and accurately every time.”

“Speed is non-negotiable. Customers expect to reorder in seconds, not minutes — and they want their own pricing, their own delivery terms, the whole lot. So your ecommerce platform needs to keep up with that — and that means proper integration with your ERP, stock systems, logistics — all of it.”

“If that’s not in place, businesses end up with errors, delays, and unhappy customers. And in a sector as competitive as this one, that can really hurt.”

Q: What are some of the core ways Cloudfy already supports the unique needs of FMCG and Food B2B businesses?

“Before we talk about what’s coming next, it’s important to say that we’ve already built a platform that works incredibly well for FMCG and Food B2B. A lot of the sector-specific complexity — things like contract pricing, bulk reordering, live stock levels — we’ve been solving that for years.”

“For example, fast ordering is a huge priority in this space. Our platform already supports things like quick order forms, saved favourites, standing orders — all designed to help trade customers get repeat purchases done in just a few clicks, whether they’re at their desk or out on the road.”

“We also know how critical real-time stock and pricing data is for businesses handling perishables. So Cloudfy has strong tools in place that show live inventory, support personalised pricing, and provide clear messaging around stock availability. That transparency builds trust — and it helps customers make better, faster decisions.”

“Mobile’s another key area. Field sales teams and buyers need to place orders anywhere, anytime — so we’ve made sure Cloudfy is fully mobile-optimised, with tools to support barcode scanning, account access, and simple reordering on the go.”

“And finally, fulfilment flexibility is essential. We’ve built features that let customers choose delivery slots, ship to multiple locations, and see estimated delivery windows in real time. These tools are vital when timing is everything — especially with short shelf-life products.”

“So in short, we’ve got a really strong foundation already in place. The new features we’re building now are designed to take all of that further — adding even more flexibility, more customisation, and more ways to help FMCG and Food businesses grow.”

Q: Can you share some of the key new features designed to make online operations smoother for FMCG and Food B2Bs?

“At Cloudfy, everything we build is about helping our customers do two things: grow their business, and run it more efficiently. For us, that means making online operations as smooth and seamless as possible — especially in complex sectors like FMCG and Food B2B.

A big part of that comes down to integration. Yes, we’ve got out-of-the-box connectors for all the major ERP systems — SAP, Oracle, Microsoft Dynamics, and others — but where we really add value is in the custom work. That’s where we can deeply connect Cloudfy to each client’s exact setup, providing real-time pricing, stock levels and product data. When buyers have accurate information at their fingertips, it massively improves order accuracy and reduces the admin load on internal teams.

We’ve also spent years fine-tuning the B2B user experience. Since 2015, we’ve supported a huge number of businesses across different industries — processing millions of transactions. That means we’ve been able to learn, iterate, and really optimise how people interact with the platform. Features like saved order templates, Excel uploads, and support for large baskets — they’re not nice-to-haves, they’re must-haves in this space. And of course, we build for speed and performance, consistently hitting near 100% scores on Google Lighthouse.

Looking ahead, we’ve got some very exciting developments in the pipeline. One that really stands out is our new Headless capability. This feature gives our clients total flexibility to create fully customised front ends or seamlessly integrate Cloudfy into existing websites—letting businesses deliver exactly the customer experience they want, backed by Cloudfy’s powerful infrastructure.

Our upcoming Marketplace module is an exciting new addition—enabling suppliers to easily upload their own products directly onto your B2B website. Suppliers can then independently manage orders, track performance metrics, and sell directly to your customers, streamlining your operations and creating fresh opportunities for growth.

Our Promotions module now includes a powerful ‘Buy One Get One Free’ (BOGOF) functionality, allowing customers to easily create and manage attractive BOGOF offers across their entire product range—perfect for boosting sales and customer engagement.

Our new Smarter Supplier Lead Times feature has been developed specifically for a food-sector business handling made-to-order chilled products, but its value extends across industries with time-sensitive or supplier-dependent fulfilment.

This new module allows you to set supplier-specific lead times that override the standard delivery settings. For example, if a perishable product from a specific supplier is added to the basket, the system can automatically apply a 10am order cutoff instead of the usual 4pm — ensuring products can be produced and delivered the next day. You can also adjust weekend lead times for products that aren’t prepared over weekends.

This level of control helps businesses manage customer expectations more accurately, avoid fulfilment errors, and ensure fresher, more reliable deliveries — especially for short shelf-life goods.

Q: How do these new features help FMCG and Food B2B businesses future-proof their operations as ecommerce continues to evolve?

“These new features directly address the key trends we see shaping the future of B2B ecommerce. The Headless capability provides businesses with ultimate flexibility, enabling them to adapt quickly as customer expectations evolve—without rebuilding their whole platform. The Marketplace module opens up entirely new business opportunities, making it easier to diversify offerings and scale rapidly.

At the same time, the enhanced Promotions module with ‘Buy One Get One Free’ functionality helps businesses drive sales and boost customer engagement, which is increasingly critical in competitive markets. Lastly, features like transparent Supplier Lead Times are all about building trust and providing the clarity customers expect—especially as buying journeys become more sophisticated.

Together, these enhancements are just a few examples of how we’re helping FMCG and Food B2B businesses stay agile, responsive, and ready to meet evolving customer expectations—both now and in the future.

The biggest advantage of being a SaaS platform is that we never stand still. We evolve continuously alongside our clients (many of them long-term and who have been with us for more than two years) using real-world feedback to drive constant improvement. For us, futureproofing isn’t just about launching features occasionally — it’s about staying agile and responsive to what our customers really need, now and down the line.

Our product roadmap comes directly from conversations with customers. We’re always thinking about how we can simplify their day-to-day operations, but we also have an eye on bigger opportunities — smarter automation, deeper personalisation, and leveraging AI to help our clients make smarter, faster decisions.

Ultimately, it’s about making sure our customers aren’t just keeping pace — they’re staying ahead of the curve.”

Q: What sets Cloudfy apart from other ecommerce platforms when it comes to supporting FMCG and Food B2B businesses?

“What sets Cloudfy apart is our deep, long-standing focus on B2B. We’ve been living and breathing B2B ecommerce for nearly a decade. We understand exactly what our FMCG and Food customers need, the systems they rely on, and the challenges they face every day. Unlike other ecommerce solutions that started life in retail and then bolted on B2B features later, we built Cloudfy specifically for B2B from day one. That means the capabilities we deliver are much deeper and better tailored to the complexities our customers deal with — giving them a real advantage.”

Q: Beyond the upcoming features, what broader trends do you see shaping the future of B2B ecommerce in the FMCG and Food sectors?

We’re always watching closely where the market’s going—and right now, the growth in B2B ecommerce is huge, especially in FMCG and Food. There are several key trends we’re tracking, but two areas particularly stand out for us.

Firstly, Europe’s shift towards mandatory e-invoicing is really interesting. It has the potential to significantly simplify ordering processes, streamline supply chains, and ultimately reduce costs and friction for businesses.

Secondly, AI is something we’re very excited about. We see big opportunities for AI-driven agents to help customers through the buying journey—guiding decisions, speeding up ordering, and cutting out manual effort. We’re already working on innovations like AI Quick Ordering, which can intelligently interpret and process uploaded orders in multiple formats, making B2B purchasing faster and smarter.

Overall, we believe these types of trends will define the next stage of B2B ecommerce, and we’re committed to keeping our customers at the forefront.”

Listening, Learning, Evolving.

As this Q&A has shown, Cloudfy isn’t standing still. With a deep understanding of the FMCG and Food B2B space, the team continues to deliver practical solutions shaped by customer feedback, sector insight, and a clear vision for what’s next. It’s this ability to evolve with its clients that makes Cloudfy a long-term partner — not just for today, but for what comes next.

The post The Future of Food and FMCG B2B Ecommerce: Inside Cloudfy’s Newest Innovations  appeared first on Cloudfy B2B Ecommerce Software.

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ERP and Ecommerce: How Cloudfy Bridges the Gap Between Oracle NetSuite and Online Sales https://www.cloudfy.com/articles/smarter-online-selling-with-netsuite-and-cloudfy/ Tue, 22 Apr 2025 05:30:00 +0000 https://www.cloudfy.com/?p=58380 Oracle NetSuite optimizes finance processes, improves business insights, and increases efficiency. It’s a powerful enterprise (ERP) system which includes generative artificial intelligence (GenAI) and performance management tools. You can even collate data from different NetSuite users in your supply chain … Read More

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Oracle NetSuite optimizes finance processes, improves business insights, and increases efficiency. It’s a powerful enterprise (ERP) system which includes generative artificial intelligence (GenAI) and performance management tools. You can even collate data from different NetSuite users in your supply chain to create a data analytics warehouse. It’s first release in 2025 includes connectors to help map data even more smoothly with other systems.

Combined with your business to business (B2B) ecommerce platform your data can flow seamlessly. Your customers can see the most accurate information about your inventory and their accounts.

NetSuite is a software as a service (SaaS) ERP solution, which over 37,000 organizations worldwide have already chosen. Cloudfy’s tried and tested pre-built NetSuite integration provides seamless links with your accounting and customer relationship management (CRM) systems. You also benefit from the latest advanced B2B ecommerce tools.

With a secure internet connection, you can optimize remote teamworking and customer support. Everyone can access critical information wherever they are. Your SaaS subscription also means you can minimize your technical infrastructure and maintenance requirements.

Cloudfy B2B ecommerce features include online ordering and payment portals, mobile apps, and fast and secure electronic data interchange (EDI). It’s the ideal alternative to SuiteCommerce when you need powerful and flexible tools to handle complex B2B ordering.

Combined with your NetSuite ERP you can deliver seamless customer experiences. You can synchronize data about orders, pricing, products, inventory and delivery status in near real time. Your customers can view your catalog, place orders, check their order history and pay their invoices online.

Table of Contents

What is Oracle NetSuite?

NetSuite provides a single database in the cloud for accounting, financial management, inventory, ordering, and billing. It’s popular with growing businesses and established enterprises because of its scalability. It’s easy to use so introducing it in your organization probably requires less training than many other ERP systems.

You can support planning and tracking projects alongside your online and in-store sales. The CRM module allows you to automate sales, aftersales support and marketing. You can also choose modules for human resources, performance management and payroll. NetSuite offers good reporting and analytics tools to help improve your business processes and decision making.

Key NetSuite features

Single data source.

With NetSuite you can run your whole business, using a single source of data for multiple purposes. You don’t need different software solutions for each business function. Once authorized, users can simply login to access the functions they need.

Integration

All NetSuite modules automatically integrate and share information from the central source of data using a common user interface. This simplifies operations, reduces training requirements and improves productivity.

Reporting

Strong reporting and analytics tools help improve business processes and decision making. Role-based dashboards provide employees, managers and executives with the information they need for their day-to-day activities.

Flexibility

You can select NetSuite apps and tools to suit your organization’s needs and structure and add modules as you grow. Businesses in almost any industry sector can use its functionality to improve systems and processes.

Maintenance

You can benefit from the flexibility, scalability, and cost-effectiveness of regular updates, upgrades and patches deployed in the cloud. Resources are available when you need them and there’s no need for extra IT infrastructure investment. You can simply update your subscription as your business expands.

The benefits of Cloudfy and NetSuite integration

When everyone works with the same information at the same time all your systems and operations work more efficiently. Improved service increases customer loyalty, so lifetime value increases. You have accurate and reliable information so your planning and decision making also improve.

Accurate pricing

You can set up rules and relationships and manage them in your accounting lists in NetSuite. It’s straightforward to import and present accurate contract prices on your B2B ecommerce site.

Reliable order status updates

Easy to use views of key information like order status make NetSuite a popular business tool. Your registered customers can simply login to check progress at any time, reducing customer service enquiries.

Online account management

Your customers can see invoices listed as transactions in NetSuite via their own easy to use online self-service dashboard. They can download or print them for their own records and pay online at convenient times.

Simple credit notes

You can quickly resolve queries and credits against your customers’ accounts. Credit notes imported from NetSuite appear immediately on their dashboard, to offset against existing invoices or use for new purchases.

Easy online ordering

When your customers place their orders online the information transfers immediately to NetSuite. Everyone can see all the latest account information straightaway.

Case Study: AE Global

Florida based AE Global provides packaging solutions for distributors of legalized cannabis products. With sales increasing across North America and further afield, the company needed to meet demand for custom-branded and child-resistant packaging. Administrative tasks like invoicing and order tracking enquiries were time consuming. AE Global wanted to free up resources to focus on new sales development in their expanding market. 

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Case Study: Foodcare

Foodcare specializes in products designed specifically for the Australian food market. The company prides itself on providing excellent products and services from food handling and storage to hygiene and safety wear. Foodcare chose Cloudfy to replatform their ecommerce solution to meet the needs of both business customers and consumers. Their new B2B and D2C platform integrates with their existing NetSuite ERP.

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Case Study: ACM Parts

ACM Parts is the largest provider for the Australian automotive repair sector. Its ranges include hundreds of paints, panel supplies and consumable products, all available for repairers to order from one location. The company wanted to simplify sales with rapid deployment of online ordering as part of its business growth plans. 

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Case Study: Sitemax

Sitemax supplies Australia’s construction sector with safety equipment. Their products include scaffolding components, tools, personal protective equipment (PPE), materials and signage. The company wanted to replace hardcopy catalogs and manual ordering processes with a modern B2B ecommerce approach. Cloudfy simplifies product selection with an online catalog of the extensive Sitemax range. NetSuite integration provides online access to customer records, product details, and inventory quantities.

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Transforming your business with B2B ecommerce-NetSuite ERP integration from Cloudfy

Combining the power of your NetSuite ERP system with Cloudfy provides seamless online ordering and self-service experiences for your customers. You can synchronize orders, pricing, products, inventory and order status in near real time.

Cloudfy’s out-of-the-box NetSuite integration ensures data imports are straightforward. Using NetSuite lists and fields you can customize product attributes and create product kits and bundles. Your customers can access their contract prices and account details at any time.

Find out how to future-proof your business with Cloudfy’s pre-built NetSuite integration. Book a free demonstration today.

Frequently asked questions: B2B ecommerce-NetSuite ERP integration

Automated data transfers between NetSuite and your B2B ecommerce site mean you don’t have to import and export data. You’ll save time, increase efficiency and improve customer service. Order details pass immediately to your accounting system, updating inventory information and streamlining fulfillment.

Yes. You can keep your CRM system up to date in near real time. Your sales and marketing teams have reliable information to engage and support customers and build long-term relationships. Automated processes and accurate inventory information build customer trust and confidence.

Using a pre-built NetSuite integration ensures your project is fast and effective. Depending on your requirements, it’s possible to launch a new site with NetSuite integration in a matter of weeks. That’s because you’ll work with experienced professionals and have the reassurance of a tried and tested approach.

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ERP Integration: Shaping the Future of B2B Ecommerce https://www.cloudfy.com/articles/erp-integration-shaping-the-future-of-b2b-ecommerce/ Mon, 21 Apr 2025 06:13:11 +0000 https://www.cloudfy.com/?p=58341 Enterprise resource planning (ERP) systems support operations for all types and sizes of business. Integrating advanced technology helps organizations respond to increasingly complex conditions. Combined with ecommerce, warehouse, logistics, planning and customer relationship management systems they support operational agility, sustainability, … Read More

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Enterprise resource planning (ERP) systems support operations for all types and sizes of business. Integrating advanced technology helps organizations respond to increasingly complex conditions. Combined with ecommerce, warehouse, logistics, planning and customer relationship management systems they support operational agility, sustainability, and resilience.

Businesses can effectively scale and evolve by integrating business to business (B2B) ecommerce and ERP systems. A strategic approach supports organizational synchronization and adaptability. B2B ecommerce is no longer an additional sales channel; it has become an integral part of your business’s value chain. Through the power of artificial intelligence (AI), cloud technology, and advanced analytics, you can anticipate change, continuously evolve, and deliver value at scale.

To tackle modern business challenges, your customers, sales and support teams need accurate real-time inventory information. High quality purchasing journeys and easy ordering and reordering have become minimum requirements.

Cloudfy is a B2B ecommerce solution purpose designed for complex operations. It comes with a range of pre-built integrations for leading business systems like SAP, NetSuite and Microsoft Dynamics.

With seamless Cloudfy-ERP integration you can simplify and scale your operations in the cloud. Your online portal gives your registered customers end to end visibility of data directly from your ERP system.

You can collect and share accurate information in near real time. Using cXML or an application programming interface (API) you can even update your customers’ databases directly.

With Cloudfy you can also create bespoke supply chain management solutions and interface with third-party systems.

Table of Contents

Digital purchasing trends 2025

Digital purchasing.

In 2025 it’s predicted 80% of B2B sales interactions between suppliers and buyers will take place in digital channels. There is a distinct and growing preference for a digital customer-centric model of B2B sales.

Revenue channels

Over half of large B2B transactions will take place via suppliers’ websites and marketplaces in 2025.

Buyer preferences.

Eight out of 10 buyers prefer to place orders and pay through digital channels.

Buyer experiences

Only about a quarter of buyers feel they make high quality deals when sales representatives lead the process. In contrast, almost two-thirds believe they make good deals through self-navigated digital processes.

ERP trends 2025

Cloudfy: Leading Digital Purchasing and ERP Trends in 2025

ERP growth

The manufacturing, IT and healthcare sectors are major growth areas for ERP implementation.

ERP implementation

88% of organizations consider their ERP implementation successful.

B2B ecommerce-ERP integration benefits

The top reasons organizations implement B2B ecommerce-ERP integration are:

  • data accuracy
  • data synchronization
  • data management
  • internal collaboration
  • streamlined order fulfillment.

Digital transformation through business system integration

Integrating ERP and other business systems centralizes data, minimizing the risks of errors and inaccuracies. Business process automation and data sharing make workflows more accurate and streamlined. Near real time data synchronization also improves inventory visibility to enhance planning and build customer confidence.

Seamless ERP integration with Cloudfy ecommerce platform

AI-generated content may be incorrect., PictureHowever, B2B ecommerce-ERP system integration does more than improve efficiency. Using the latest technology, aligned with your strategic goals, you can access new opportunities and increase your competitiveness. You can connect data, processes, and analysis to improve decision-making and performance.

Intelligent integration

Artificial intelligence (AI) and machine learning (ML) simplify key tasks such as invoicing and bank reconciliation. You can collate and interrogate high volume data to create useful insights about trends and customer behavior. Advanced data integration and analytics support continuous operational review and adjustment to meet market demands and improve decision-making. You can create actionable insights, minimize risks and access new opportunities.

Your customers can place their orders online and see immediate updates to their account details. They can track their orders from production to delivery. You save resources in administration and customer support, allowing you to prioritize activities to support business growth. ERP-powered digital assistants can also streamline workflows and increase efficiency.

Collaboration

Adaptability is essential in the face of economic and political uncertainty around the world. You need the best tools to tackle supply chain pressures and materials shortages through to employee recruitment, training and retention.

Your business faces increasing pressure to demonstrate accountability and key operational metrics. Your ERP system empowers your teams to adapt rapidly and maintain a competitive edge in dynamic markets. Modern cloud-based ERP and B2B ecommerce systems provide scalability and flexibility and reduce your in-house IT requirements. Wherever they are, your teams can support customers and solve problems using the latest and most accurate data.

Flexible functionality

Depending on your requirements, there are ERP platforms designed to meet the needs of almost all types of organization. For example, SAP S/4 HANA is a scalable, flexible, and efficient platform with multiple integration options. Other solutions feature advanced analytics, AI and ML, automation and integration tools. Some, like Oracle NetSuite, provide a unified company-wide database to give you an end-to-end view of your business. You can also choose modular options to meet different needs as your business grows. As the internet of things (IoT) expands and other innovations emerge you can adapt and maintain your competitive advantage.

Automation

B2B ecommerce-ERP integration ensures data flows securely and freely. Business systems can work together to improve all your operations. Combining ERP, ecommerce, CRM, and third-party logistics (3PL) solutions delivers real-time order tracking, route optimization, and fast fulfillment. Real-time shipping costs, pre-generated shipping labels, and pickup scheduling all save time and reduce errors. Connecting procurement and financial systems simplifies invoicing and payment processing, improving your quote to cash cycle.

Customer relationships

Even using the latest technology, relationships remain and important part of B2B transactions. The goal is to build long-term partnerships that support high-value sales. Regular communication with tailored content and client-specific offers builds loyalty. Maintaining a single source of reliable information about customer preferences and buying behavior allows you to add value to every interaction. You can improve both digital and in person communication with mobile apps for field sales representatives and customer ordering.

Sharing information about order status, estimated delivery times, and potential delays helps to build trust. Transparent pricing, flexible contract terms, and performance information all help to create customer confidence.

Case Study: Inspecs

Inspecs Eyewear is a global company that designs, manufactures, and distributes to optical and retail outlets throughout the world. The company chose Cloudfy to create a customer ordering portal integrated with their Sage ERP system. 

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Case Study: Robert Lee

Robert Lee is the largest independent distributor of bathrooms, showers, and plumbing products in the UK. The company chose Cloudfy to meet its complex requirements, including Microsoft Dynamics ERP system integration. 

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Case Study: Foodcare

Foodcare specializes in providing a wide range of products designed specifically for the Australian food market. The company chose Cloudfy to integrate with its NetSuite ERP system and deliver a hybrid B2B and D2C sales platform. 

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Transforming your business with B2B ecommerce-ERP integration from Cloudfy

Cloud-based ERP and B2B ecommerce solutions ensure your business remains at the forefront of best practices. You can move ahead with confidence because you have robust, scalable and powerful tools. By integrating your ERP system with your online customer portal, you can deliver personalized experiences. Comprehensive data analytics allows you to improve both online and offline purchasing journeys.

With the latest B2B ecommerce technology from Cloudfy you can respond quickly and effectively to changing market requirements. Real-time inventory visibility and tailored pricing increase customer satisfaction and optimize your performance. You can streamline and simplify sales, and you’ll always have a clear view of your operations. You’ll improve customer service, increase loyalty and minimize costs, helping your business to grow.

Find out how to future-proof your business with Cloudfy’s pre-built B2B ecommerce-ERP integrations. Book a free demonstration today.

Frequently asked questions: B2B ecommerce-ERP integration

Markets are evolving more quickly than ever before, and your information requirements are shifting too. The impact on your business will depend on the type of information you use and its reliability. This means the volume, velocity, variety and veracity are all important. Effectively managing your information significantly improves outcomes for your business. Integrating the entire customer journey from your ecommerce portal to fulfillment and after sales support can deliver an impressive competitive advantage. 

30 years ago, many people believed implementing an ERP system was expensive and time consuming. In many cases, only large organizations could justify taking this step. However, modern technology can now support communication between many different systems. It’s now much easier to combine procurement, project management, risk management, and supply chain operations. Today the potential of combining your ERP and other business systems is almost limitless. Businesses of almost any size can choose the features they need and combine them to suit their needs. 

Yes. B2B ecommerce-ERP integration can combine business functions and streamline processes and information sharing across your organization. With your key information in one place, you can create actionable insights regularly, based on the data you capture. 

 

Your ERP system integrates all your major business processes and helps you manage daily business activities. Combining IoT devices with your ERP system and B2B ecommerce platform improves accessibility and precision of information in your organization. You can view, use and combine data and break down operational silos to improve performance. You can make better decisions based on accurate real-world information and plan with your customer’s needs in mind. 

 

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Increase Sales and Profitability for your Fashion & Apparel Business with these Eight B2B Ecommerce Features https://www.cloudfy.com/articles/boost-sales-in-fashion-apparel-with-these-8-b2b-ecommerce-features/ Thu, 16 Jan 2025 12:44:10 +0000 https://www.cloudfy.com/?p=58074 Streamline B2B sales with Cloudfy’s Ecommerce platform for medical devices. Simplify ordering, ensure compliance, and boost efficiency in healthcare supply. … Read More

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Steady growth is expected to continue in the fashion & apparel sector, at least until 2029. To increase sales and improve profitability manufacturers and distributors need advanced business to business (B2B) ecommerce tools. Improved efficiency and better supply chain transparency will also help to tackle market disruption, increased costs and additional regulation.

Your B2B buyers must navigate their way through the complexities of curating product collections to appeal to increasingly selective audiences. To meet their needs, you can help with personalized purchasing journeys, online self-service and efficient account management.

Cloudfy’s B2B ecommerce platform is purpose designed for complex ordering in the fashion & apparel sector. It provides the advanced customer self-service and sales management tools you need increase sales and improve profitability.

You can automate tasks and empower customers to manage their accounts online using pre-built integrations with your enterprise (ERP) system. As a cloud-based solution you will also minimize your IT infrastructure and administration costs. It’s scalable too, so as your business grows, Cloudfy will grow with you.

Intuitive site navigation and search features help your buyers find exactly what they’re looking for. When they’ve made their selections a frictionless checkout ensures they can place their orders quickly and easily.

A range of third-party extensions and a powerful application programming interface (API) make it easy to customize your site too.

Table of Contents

Cloudfy B2B ecommerce platform features for fashion and apparel industry

Top eight B2B ecommerce features for fashion & apparel manufacturers and distributors

The latest B2B ecommerce features allow you to reach new audiences for your fashion & apparel ranges. As your business grows you’ll need a scalable solution with in-built flexibility to evolve and develop. Your customers need exceptional buying experiences from product discovery to easy checkouts.

Here are eight key features you should look out for when you’re choosing a B2B ecommerce platform for your fashion & apparel business.

Content management

A strong online presence establishes and builds your fashion & apparel brand and reputation. You need easy to use and flexible design tools so your whole team can contribute to a strong representation of the tone and visual style of your content.

B2B buyers prefer to buy directly from suppliers rather than through third-party platforms. They expect high-quality online experiences with engaging, well thought-out content. You don’t want to rely on technical experts to modify pages, catalogs and customer journeys to suit your company’s branding guideline

Easy ordering

Ease and simplicity are essential for purchasing in the fashion and apparel sector so you need powerful and reliable procurement tools. Automated processes significantly reduce administration so you can use resources more effectively to optimize your operations and increase sales.

For easy reordering your registered customers can save favorites lists and templates or upload and email Excel orders. PunchOut allows your buyers to make purchases directly from their own procurement system. They can browse your product range and order using their preferred electronic format. For larger customers electronic data interchange (EDI) ordering is ideal for sharing data securely over the internet.

B2B ecommerce Integration with Cloudfy for seamless business operations

Business system integration

Your ERP system provides a single reliable source of information for your whole organization. Pre-built integrations for leading business systems mean you can quickly launch a new website and enhance your existing processes. Seamless B2B ecommerce-ERP integration provides a complete view of your business from customer orders to fulfillment. Automation improves sales processes to save time and money and enhance customer experiences. Combined with powerful market intelligence tools you can also streamline sales scheduling and planning.

Your registered customers can see inventory, pricing and delivery information in near real time and manage their accounts. There’s no need to wait for lengthy data synchronization. You’ll almost eliminate additional manual data entry so you’ll also minimize errors and delays.

Personalization

Your buyers must curate product collections and place their orders quickly and efficiently. Often they are involved in research, specification and supplier selection during the purchasing process. You can present tailored selections of products to reflect their previous ordering history and items popular with other customers. All they need is a simple login to access a bespoke view of your product catalog.

You can even customize selections for each company, division, department, or for individual buyers. This level of personalized user experience builds customer loyalty, simplifies order management and increases customer satisfaction.

Mobile sales

Fashion & apparel buyers and your field sales team are always on the move. During the purchasing process they often access multiple digital channels using different mobile devices. You can help to reduce the length of your sales cycle by helping them build orders wherever they are. They can browse your range and select items, even when they don’t have an internet connection, and confirm everything later.

A field sales representative app allows your sales team to make the most of every in-person opportunity. They can showcase your collection, share stock levels, sign up new customers and place orders. All the information they need is at their fingertips. Your customers can also browse your catalog, create new orders and manage their account with their own customer ordering app. Using the cameras on their mobile devices, they can scan barcodes and serial numbers to restock easily.

International sales

You need fast and flexible tools to meet rapidly changing international demand for your products. You might want to explore new overseas opportunities or protect the markets you already have. B2B ecommerce multi-site functionality allows you to tailor your site to meet the needs of different countries or regions. Sales increase when you use relevant languages, sell in local currencies, and offer preferred payment methods. You don’t need to create separate sites; you can manage it all from your administration dashboard.

Marketplace connectors

Online marketplaces are a cost-effective way to launch new collections and reach new audiences. However, marketplace sales can also add unwanted complexity to your business. With tried and tested connectors for leading marketplaces you can manage product listings, orders and fulfillment from your administration dashboard.

Analytics dashboard showcasing B2B ecommerce metrics, powered by Cloudfy branding.

Analytics

Data analytics help you understand consumer behavior and optimize product planning. Information from all your digital and physical channels helps you develop new collections and optimize promotions. Real time at-a-glance views keep you informed about your best selling products, top customers, stock availability and commitments.

You can collect valuable information based on customer behavior and forecast demand more accurately. Analyzing data in near real time helps you identify fashion trends and changing customer preferences. You can make decisions about your future collections, informed by your latest sales.

Case Study: Samurai Sportswear

Samurai Sportswear specializes in manufacturing custom made teamwear and leisurewear for sports clubs, schools and universities around the world. To expand sales online the company chose Cloudfy to provide product customization functionality, multiple product catalogs, and individual customer pricing. Integration with Sage 200 supports club shops and retail ecommerce.

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B2B ecommerce for your fashion & apparel business from Cloudfy

The latest and best B2B ecommerce tools help you manage costs and respond to supply chain disruption. You can build your fashion & apparel brand online and improve customer loyalty.

Cloudfy allows you to showcase your whole catalog with flexible page designs, easy navigation, real-time inventory visibility and tailored pricing. You can also improve customer experiences with automated sales workflows which reduce order errors and save time. You’ll always have a clear view of your operations.

Find out why Cloudfy is the best B2B ecommerce platform choice for fashion & apparel manufacturers and distributors. Book a free demonstration today.

Frequently Asked Questions

To impress your buyers with your latest product lines you need the most advanced ecommerce features available. If you already have a B2B ecommerce platform it’s important to keep it up to date so you can meet your customers’ needs consistently. If your site is slowing down and becoming difficult to maintain you could lose valuable online sales. A purpose designed B2B ecommerce platform will ensure your products are easy to find and buy online. A cloud-based solution means you’ll always have the best tools to deliver high quality content and seamless customer journeys. Easy online ordering and reordering will support sales and help your business grow.

 

B2B purchasing is sometimes complex and difficult, involving careful research, price comparisons and contract negotiations. In many cases buying groups include multiple stakeholders with different requirements. You can simplify the whole process with high quality online content that makes your products easy to find. When customers are ready to order you can accelerate the sales cycle with online self-service. Detailed product data, easy customer journeys, smooth checkouts and downloadable marketing materials enhance customer experiences. Repeat ordering is faster with easy reordering tools and favorites lists. Multi-level authorizations help your customers complete their orders efficiently.

Fashion & apparel businesses need flexible pricing strategies to maintain affordability and profitability. Your B2B ecommerce platform allows you to share real-time price information with your buyers. They can carry out cost comparisons more easily and make better informed decisions.

You help your buyers save time when you create special selections of products and recommendations based on their buying history. Once registered, all they have to do is login to see curated products with prices and promotions relevant to them. They can use their preferred languages, currencies, payment and shipping options. It all improves customer satisfaction and builds long-term loyalty.

Real-time data about your buyers’ interests and preferences provides valuable insights into customer preferences, intentions and sales trends. This real-world knowledge allows you to make informed decisions about product ranges, marketing strategies, and customer engagement.

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How to choose the best B2B ecommerce platform for your fashion & apparel business https://www.cloudfy.com/articles/b2b-ecommerce-platform-for-your-fashion-apparel-business/ Fri, 10 Jan 2025 05:41:30 +0000 https://www.cloudfy.com/?p=57990 Streamline B2B sales with Cloudfy’s Ecommerce platform for medical devices. Simplify ordering, ensure compliance, and boost efficiency in healthcare supply. … Read More

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Buying and selling fashion & apparel is fast paced. You need to understand your customers’ needs and respond quickly to changing trends. Globally, the sector grew by up to 4% in 2024. To take full advantage of new opportunities business to business (B2B) ecommerce is becoming an essential tool.

As a truly international market, regional conflicts and political shifts are causing disruption. Economic uncertainty and increasing costs make efficiency and productivity top concerns. Many business leaders continue to struggle with accurate market projections and planning. A lot depends on consumer confidence.

Investors are also prioritizing profitability and long-term sustainability, making efficiency even more important. You need evidence to show you have a clear strategy for both profitability and growth. Online customer self-service means you have immediate access to real-world information about customer behavior and preferences.

Do you still use manual order processing in your fashion and apparel business?

Cloudfy’s business to business (B2B) ecommerce platform is purpose designed for high volume complex ordering. It provides the advanced customer self-service and sales management tools you need.

Pre-built integrations with your enterprise (ERP) system allow you to automate tasks and empower customers to manage their accounts online. As a software as a service (SaaS) solution you can also minimize your IT infrastructure and administration costs.

We know that every fashion and apparel business is unique. That’s why we’ve made sure you can easily customize your Cloudfy solution. There are plenty of third-party extensions to choose from and a powerful application programming interface (API).

Intuitive site navigation and search features help buyers find exactly what they’re looking for. They can place their orders quickly and easily with fast page load times and a frictionless checkout.

Cloudfy is responsive for mobile devices and you also benefit from a field sales representative app and a customer ordering app for sales on the go.

Table of Contents

B2B Ecommerce Challenges in Fashion & Apparel Business

Key sales challenges in the fashion & apparel sector

New brands are likely to help expand the fashion & apparel sector, with sportswear leading the way.

Artificial intelligence (AI) tools can help improve consumers’ online shopping journeys, so creativity is also a key factor for success. Other considerations include:

Value for money

As consumers prioritize their discretionary spending you need powerful and engaging stories to showcase your brand values. Second-hand and upcycled fashion and fast-moving trend-setters duplicating the latest styles make agility a priority. Buyers need to find your latest collections quickly and easily and see how you meet their customers’ needs.

Sustainability

Despite economic uncertainty, it’s important to maintain a clear focus on your environmental credentials. Regulators are driving the agenda with policies on supply chain transparency, traceability and labor practices. Despite price sensitivity amongst consumers, sustainability is still an important concern. In the longer term, businesses across the sector must work together to reduce emissions and decarbonize the value chain. Accurate measurement and clear messaging will provide long-term dividends.

Optimized growth

While the luxury market remains challenging, mid-market and sportswear brands have enjoyed improved performance recently. Many shoppers see items online, then visit stores to try new styles before buying online to pick up in store. Understanding new customer journeys is key to ongoing success. Collecting reliable data at every touchpoint will help you plan and deliver the best customer experiences. As fashion marketplaces face increased challenges, manufacturers, distributors and wholesalers must take advantage and fill the gap. AI can help create personalized style suggestions based on online searches and buying behavior.

Top 10 B2B ecommerce features for fashion & apparel businesses

Powerful B2B ecommerce features and business system integration allow you to simplify and streamline operations for your fashion & apparel business. Here are ten we think you need to have on your checklist to meet the challenges in your sector.

Branding

Flexible, responsive page design helps you build trust and customer loyalty. B2B ecommerce website design is all about increasing customer satisfaction by simplifying the buying process. At the same time your site’s pages, catalogs and user journeys must follow your branding guidelines. It’s essential to provide professional and consistent experiences across all your touchpoints to build long-term loyalty. You need powerful tools to manage your product information, images, videos and documents. And everything must work quickly and effectively on all types of digital devices.

B2B Ecommerce Customer Experience

Customer experience tools

Too much choice online can affect buyer engagement and conversion rates. AI can help you create high quality online content, improving search engine results and helping you curate bespoke customer experiences.

Your B2B buyers expect outstanding purchasing experiences based on their own online shopping journeys. They want you to help them find exactly what they’re looking for with easy navigation, useful product data and streamlined checkouts. To speed up the process your site should provide useful filters based on style, color or brand name, for example. You can simplify choices based on prices, ratings, or materials.

Custom catalogs

Your buyers want to minimize risks and optimize sales performance. They are often involved in research, specification and supplier selection during the purchasing process. They have tight schedules to curate the right items for each season and purpose. You can help by presenting personalized selections from your wider catalog. You can base them on their previous search and ordering histories and items popular with other customers. You can customize your product and service catalogs for each company, division, department, or for individual buyers. If needed, each group within an organization can see its own catalog. You can even tailor pricing, promotions, payment plans and delivery methods.

Flexible B2B ecommerce pricing solutions by Cloudfy

Flexible pricing

As consumers become more cost-conscious you can support your buyers with flexible pricing options. As an alternative to offline purchase ordering, you can quickly and efficiently apply custom pricing rules online. This encourages buyers to adopt online ordering and self-service account management. Accurate contracted prices, curated product recommendations and reliable stock visibility give them confidence to place their orders.

Automated order processing

When you integrate your B2B ecommerce platform with your ERP system you can capture customer orders immediately. Automated order workflows save time and improve inventory and warehouse management. You will improve customer experiences, reduce operational costs, minimize errors and increase efficiency across your organization.

B2B Ecommerce International Sales

International sales

You can sell online to buyers anywhere in the world but purchasing patterns can change quickly. You need fast and flexible tools to meet changing demand. For example, as market growth in China slows many international fashion brands are looking elsewhere. Many are exploring new opportunities in India, and Japan’s luxury market continues to grow. You might want to follow the latest new opportunities or protect the markets you already have. B2B ecommerce multi-site functionality allows you to tailor your site to meet the needs of different countries or regions. Sales increase when you use relevant languages, sell in local currencies, and offer preferred payment methods.

Marketplace connectors

Online fashion marketplaces are under pressure as shoppers return to in-store shopping. However, they can still offer cost effective options to launch new products and reach new audiences. Working with marketplace partners opens new opportunities but can also add unwanted complexity to your business. With tried and tested connectors for the world’s leading marketplaces you can easily showcase your products and increase sales. From an administration dashboard you can manage all your product listings, marketplace orders and fulfillment. Connecting with partner back-office systems is simplified, allowing your buyers to submit wholesale purchase orders in their preferred formats.

B2B Ecommerce Mobile Sales App

Mobile sales

As shoppers explore new in-store experiences you can give your retail partners a competitive edge. With a mobile sales app you can ensure your latest product information, pricing and stock availability is instantly available. Retail assistants can access reliable data and receive valuable insights into performance. When your buyers are on the shop floor or in the stock room they can use a customer ordering app. A built-in barcode scanner allows them to quickly and easily add products to their order.

Data analytics

You can minimize data duplication and inconsistencies with B2B ecommerce-ERP integration. A central hub allows you to monitor the key metrics for your business without synchronization across multiple business systems. With fast and easy tools to access financial records, product information and customer relationship management systems everything is simplified. Clear and detailed statistics ensure you always know your bestselling products, stock availability, commitments, your top customers and order status. You can collect and analyze data to improve your understanding of customer behavior and make better decisions.

B2B ecommerce inventory visibility solution by Cloudfy

Inventory visibility

Modern supply-chain challenges mean stock level information in near real-time is critical for your buyers. It’s a key component when they’re planning their seasonal procurement strategy. Pressures on margins and environmental regulations also make end-to-end planning essential to improve performance and minimize waste. Business system integration ensures your data is always accurate. You can reduce waste, plan promotions and avoid out-of-stock orders. It’s easy to set the thresholds to optimize throughput and ensure you don’t fall below minimum stock levels. Simple traffic light style indicators make sure information is clear for everyone.

Case Study: Grahame Gardner

UK-based workwear specialists, Grahame Gardner, meets the needs of healthcare, dental, veterinary, spa and beauty businesses. The company offers one of the country’s largest ranges of workwear in a choice of colors, styles and sizes. They chose to replatform with Cloudfy to deliver branded ‘My Shop’ pages for their customers and Opayo integration.

Read More

Grahame Gardner Case Study - Cloudfy Ecommerce Solution

Transforming your fashion & apparel business with B2B ecommerce from Cloudfy

Cloudfy’s latest B2B ecommerce technology helps you respond quickly and effectively to changes in the fashion & apparel market. You can simplify management, control costs, tackle supply chain pressures and seasonal deadlines and meet sustainability targets.

Real-time inventory visibility and tailored pricing build customer loyalty and optimize your performance. Seamless ERP integration helps to streamline and simplify sales order workflows and you’ll always have a clear view of your operations. Flexible page designs, easy navigation, and tailored pricing help you deliver exceptional customer experiences. You can reduce order errors, help your business to grow and increase profitability.

Frequently Asked Questions

If your current B2B ecommerce platform is slowing down and becoming difficult to maintain it’s time to consider replatforming. If your products aren’t easy to find and buy online you’re missing valuable sales opportunities. You need the best ecommerce features to impress your buyers with your latest product lines. This includes fast and easy tools to update your high quality content. Seamless customer journeys and easy ordering and reordering are essential to support sales and grow your business.

No, you can simplify selling directly to your consumers as well as trade partners with B2B ecommerce. With a purpose designed platform like Cloudfy you can show all or part of your catalog online with retail prices. Consumers can simply use a guest check-out facility to place orders and pay. Your registered trade customers can login to see their contract prices, access their account, place repeat orders and make payments.

Your buyers’ purchasing decisions are based on careful research. High quality content and an effective search engine strategy makes your products easy to find. When buyers have made their product choices they’re looking for speed and efficiency. Online self-service with a purpose designed B2B ecommerce platform like Cloudfy helps to accelerate the sales cycle. Detailed product data, easy customer journeys, smooth checkouts and downloadable marketing materials help your buyers every step of the way.

With advanced data analytics you can create valuable insights into your buyers’ interests and preferences. Each time they visit your B2B ecommerce site you can collect useful information about their interests, intentions and preferences. You can use this real-world knowledge to make informed decisions about product ranges, marketing strategies, and customer engagement approaches.

Yes, you can create a guest checkout facility for non-registered users to view and buy some or all of your products. Your registered trade customers can log in for their own contracted prices, product choices and preferred payment methods. You can offer multiple payment options for fast and easy checkouts to meet all your customers’ needs.

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Grow your Healthcare Products Business with these Nine B2B Ecommerce Features https://www.cloudfy.com/articles/nine-b2b-ecommerce-features-for-healthcare-products-business/ Thu, 19 Dec 2024 07:32:31 +0000 https://www.cloudfy.com/?p=57818 Streamline B2B sales with Cloudfy’s Ecommerce platform for medical devices. Simplify ordering, ensure compliance, and boost efficiency in healthcare supply. … Read More

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The healthcare product industry hasn’t adopted business to business (B2B) ecommerce as quickly as some other sectors. However, it’s expanding quickly as consumers, healthcare providers and governments turn to ecommerce to improve procurement processes. It’s also recognized as a powerful tool to increase sales and improve customer service, helping to attract and retain buyers.

Traditional in-person sales channels and accounts teams still play an important role in accessing new markets and building customer relationships. However, faced with ongoing skills shortages, around the clock customer self-service helps you make the most of your resources.

As a complex and highly regulated sector you can use B2B ecommerce to meet these stringent requirements. You can help healthcare product buyers find key information when they need it. Once they discover you online you can guide them to the right items and streamline their purchasing journey.

The healthcare products sector is growing rapidly and you’ll want the best tools to help you increase sales. Regulations, scientific innovation, and global competition make your job much harder; Cloudfy can help.

Cloudfy is a B2B ecommerce platform purpose designed for complex ordering. It provides advanced B2B ecommerce features so you can simplify and streamline your healthcare product sales. Mobile sales tools for your customers and field sales representatives make online ordering easy and convenient. To meet your compliance obligations, you can deliver transparent product safety data and implement serialized stock management. For customers who place regular repeat orders you can also offer convenient subscription ordering.

By integrating your ecommerce platform with your enterprise (ERP) system you can gain end-to-end visibility of your operations. Automated sales order processing makes sales administration more efficient and you’ll almost eliminate order errors.

With streamlined workflows, efficiency and customer satisfaction will both improve. As a cloud-based solution Cloudfy is also scalable, so it can grow with your business.

B2B Ecommerce Features for Healthcare Products with Cloudfy Integration

Top nine B2B ecommerce features for healthcare product manufacturers and distributors

From reaching new audiences for innovative healthcare products to helping consumers meet their personal wellbeing needs, online sales are important.

Your customers need exceptional buying experiences from product discovery to easy checkouts. As your business grows you need flexibility to meet the needs of new and existing customers.

Here are nine key features you should look out for when you’re choosing your next B2B ecommerce platform.

Online discovery

ERP integration ensures your site is always up to date with current product descriptions, inventory levels and pricing. Combined with effective search engine optimization or SEO, you’ll help customers find what they want more easily. You can provide bespoke menus, filters and predictive search tools to make buyers’ jobs easier.

Customer self-service

Personalized user experiences build customer loyalty, simplify order management and increase customer satisfaction. With an easy customer login your buyers have all the information they need at their fingertips. They can save favorites lists of their frequently bought items and Excel templates to upload or email for automatic processing. They can view, download and print their account information and pay easily online, saving everyone time and money.

Inventory visibility

With all your inventory information in one place, you’ll minimize orders for out of stock and discontinued items. You can provide daily, weekly, or monthly email exports of your stock counts. Your customers can view, download or import your stock data into their own business systems for easy ordering. They can also sign up to ‘back in stock’ notifications for key items.

Flexible pricing

Custom pricing tailored to each customer’s contract simplifies their purchasing journey. You can integrate pricing from your ERP or use tools within your site’s administration dashboard.

Mobile sales

A mobile app for your field sales representatives provides instant access to product data, stock levels and customer-specific pricing. Because they can work on- or offline they can update notes and complete orders whenever they visit customers and trade events. They can monitor their performance wherever they are to help them achieve their targets. A customer ordering app also allows customers to build-up their orders when they’re away from their desks. They can scan barcodes and item numbers to simplify the whole process.

Compliance controls

Customers can easily view, print and download key product safety information from an easy to use dashboard. They can access essential data about the use, safety and compliance of your products. For restricted items you can control product combinations and quantities to meet your compliance obligations. If you need to track critical information like batch numbers and expiration dates you can use serialized inventory ordering tools. Simply generate serialized license numbers using your preferred software and apply them via your ERP system or administration dashboard.

Subscription ordering

Your customers can become frustrated when they frequently upload the same order information. Subscription ordering saves them time and provides reliable regular revenue for your business. Once the frequency, duration and lead time is set for each subscription it’s all automated. If orders need approval before dispatch you can remind customers before each shipment.

Marketplace connectors

You may find buyers for your healthcare products anywhere in the world. Marketplaces are popular because they allow you to reach new customers. You can launch new products quickly and efficiently and buyers can easily discover and compare items. However, to control their online experiences and build direct relationships you’ll want them to visit your B2B ecommerce website. Marketplace connectors provide easy access to leading providers and retailer partners while you stay in control.

Direct to consumer (D2C) sales

Selling directly to your consumers improves your understanding of their needs and increases loyalty. D2C selling provides unique opportunities for personalization, special offers and promotions. You can create a valuable additional revenue stream and collect useful information to support your retail partners.

Harvest Healthcare manufactures and sells products designed specifically for the UK’s community care sector. Their products help people receive the care they need at home. They stock thousands of products and parts, ready to dispatch for next-day delivery. The company chose Cloudfy to provide a wholesale ordering portal and integration with their Sage 200 ERP.

Read More

Wholesale Ordering Portal with Sage 200 Integration for UK Healthcare Equipment Manufacturer

B2B ecommerce for your healthcare products business from Cloudfy

When you choose Cloudfy you benefit from powerful B2B ecommerce features in the cloud. You reduce your in-house IT requirements and receive regular security and performance updates so you’re always up to date. Pre-built integrations for the leading ERP systems mean it’s fast and effective to implement tailored solutions. Sales order automation allows you to improve customer service, increase loyalty and minimize your costs. With a powerful application programming interface (API) you also have flexibility to customize your site as your business grows.

Find out why Cloudfy is the best B2B ecommerce platform choice for healthcare product Manufacturers and Distributors. Book a free demonstration today.

Frequently Asked Questions

You can streamline sales and deliver improved customer experiences with the right B2B ecommerce tools. To meet all your complex challenges the first step is to consider your business requirements and budget. You’ll also want to look at the ‘pros’ and ‘cons’ of cloud-based and on-premises options. It’s important to look at the quality of the B2B ecommerce features, integrations and extensions available. Many platforms were originally designed for simpler online shopping journeys and might not meet your needs. Since your healthcare product catalog is probably large and complex you will need the right tools to keep all the details and stock availability up to date. You’ll want to deliver excellent buying journeys, efficient payments, strong security and easy repeat ordering.

No, you can simplify selling directly to your consumers as well as trade partners with B2B ecommerce. With a purpose designed platform like Cloudfy you can show all or part of your catalog online with retail prices. Consumers can simply use a guest check-out facility to place orders and pay. Your registered trade customers can login to see their contract prices, access their account, place repeat orders and make payments.

To some extent, your budget will depend on your business requirements. However, it’s important to look at the total cost of ownership, not just the up-front costs. If security is a very high priority for your business you might consider an on-premises solution, but this is costly. You’ll need all the in-house resources to manage and maintain your platform. A software as a service (SaaS) solution can be much more cost effective because everything is done for you in the cloud. You don’t need in-house infrastructure and technical experts. You’ll receive regular security and technical updates so you can focus resources on business growth.

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How to choose the best B2B ecommerce platform for your healthcare products business https://www.cloudfy.com/articles/best-b2b-ecommerce-platform-for-your-healthcare-products-business/ Wed, 11 Dec 2024 06:58:26 +0000 https://www.cloudfy.com/?p=57723 Streamline B2B sales with Cloudfy’s Ecommerce platform for medical devices. Simplify ordering, ensure compliance, and boost efficiency in healthcare supply. … Read More

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Buying and selling healthcare products and services is both cost and time sensitive. You need to respond quickly to changing customer needs. From new applications for existing treatments to remote patient monitoring, digital adoption is increasing across the sector. An annual growth rate of almost 8.5% is projected to 2029, driven by increased consumer spending, telemedicine and innovation.

Overall, increased availability of healthcare products and services that empower consumers to manage their wellbeing is contributing to growth. This shift brings higher expectations for seamless online purchasing for both consumers and B2B buyers. This is changing the face of the healthcare product market and to keep pace you need a consumer-centric focus.

As online procurement of healthcare products expands you must deliver seamless customer experiences and transparent procurement and payment processes. Are you keeping up?

From hospital equipment to vitamins, you can simplify your healthcare product sales with Cloudfy. It’s a purpose designed business to business (B2B) ecommerce platform in the cloud. You benefit from intuitive self-service ordering, mobile apps for your customers and field sales reps, and pre-built enterprise (ERP) system integration.

As more people take responsibility for their personal health and wellbeing, you can also sell directly to consumers (D2C). You don’t need a separate site; you can control it all from one easy to use administration dashboard.

Sales challenges in the healthcare products sector

Key sales challenges in the healthcare products sector

The landscape is changing as healthcare products, technology, personal health and wellbeing merge, regulation increases and innovation accelerates.

Customer engagement

Effectively reaching your target audience is becoming more complex. You need to engage decision-makers, healthcare professionals, procurement managers, and consumers. Delivering the right content requires a strategic approach to meet customer needs, making digital channels a top priority.

Trust

Trust and credibility are critical in the healthcare product industry. B2B healthcare buyers want to make evidence-based decisions. You need to provide accurate information that demonstrates reliability and effectiveness. Like most B2B buyers they will start their research online so they must find your content quickly and easily. Your content must provide clear, concise and accurate data to give them confidence.

Value

Once you’ve established the quality of your products and services, your customers want to know they will receive excellent value for money. You must showcase your products, customer testimonials and real-life case studies to support their research. Transparent pricing, research data and proof of concepts will give them confidence to place their orders.

Regulation

Regulations like the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA) in the US are essential to protect individual health information. However, international variations make standardization and control a major challenge. Streamlined product data management and communication are needed to meet these legal requirements consistently.

Top ten B2B ecommerce features for healthcare product businesses

You can quickly launch new products and reach new markets online. Powerful B2B ecommerce features and business system integration allow you to simplify and streamline operations for your healthcare product business. Here are ten we think you need to have on your checklist.

B2B Customer experience tools

Customer experience tools

B2B buyers are busy people and they expect outstanding purchasing experiences. They know from their own online shopping that personalized journeys help them find exactly what they’re looking for. They expect the same easy navigation, useful product data and streamlined checkouts when they’re procuring healthcare products. To speed up the process they want filters based on treatments, brand names or use cases. You can help narrow down their choices with options such as product type, price, ratings, or attributes. You can even provide bespoke menus based on their ordering history.

Branding

A key B2B ecommerce feature is flexible, responsive page design. Your brand helps you build trust and customer loyalty so presenting it effectively online is increasingly important. B2B ecommerce website design is all about delivering customer satisfaction by simplifying the buying process and building new business relationships. When people visit your site it must look professional and clearly demonstrate they have come to the right place. You need powerful tools to manage your product information, images, videos and documents. And everything must work quickly and effectively on all types of devices.

Streamlined automated order processing system for seamless B2B transactions.

Automated order processing

When you integrate your B2B ecommerce platform with your ERP system customer orders are captured immediately. You can create automated order workflows to save time and improve inventory and warehouse management. You will improve customer experiences, reduce operational costs, minimize errors and increase efficiency across your organization.

International sales

With the right certifications and approvals, you can sell your healthcare products anywhere in the world. With B2B ecommerce multi-site functionality you can create tailored product catalogs suited to different countries or regions. You’ll increase conversion rates when you use relevant languages, sell in local currencies, and offer preferred payment methods. You can simplify local tax and compliance requirements and create niche sites for specific customers.

Seamless B2B Marketplace Connectors by Cloudfy

Marketplace connectors

To take full advantage of growth in your market you will want to explore new sales channels. Working with channel partners can open up new opportunities but can also add unwanted complexity to your business. With tried and tested connectors for the world’s leading marketplaces you can easily showcase your products and increase sales. You’ll have access to global B2B marketplaces and retail partners. You can manage all your marketplace orders and product listings from an administration dashboard and fulfill orders efficiently.

Mobile sales

While online customer self-service is transforming sales in the healthcare product sector, building relationships remains important. You can support your skilled field sales team during conventions and customer visits with a field sales representative app. They can access real-time data and valuable insights to improve performance. Working on or offline, they can review product information, stock levels and customer-specific pricing wherever they are. With a customer ordering app, you can also help clients place their orders when they’re away from their desks.

Data analytics dashboard displaying graphs, trends, and key performance indicators.

Data analytics

If all your operational information needs synchronization across multiple business systems your efficiency is affected. Data duplication and inconsistencies are almost unavoidable. Integrating financial records, product information and customer relationship management systems with your B2B ecommerce platform simplifies everything. You can collect and analyze data to improve your understanding of customer behavior and make better decisions.

Restricted catalogs

You might want to control what you sell according to location, volume or product combinations, for example. With restricted catalog tools you can control product sales and availability based on a range of criteria. You can also improve traceability of batches and even individual products with serialized inventory and order management. It’s straightforward to attribute unique serial numbers and track critical information like batch numbers and expiration dates.

Download essential business documents instantly

Document downloads

You can simplify sharing key product data with easy document downloads. Customers can login to their easy-to-use dashboard to view, print and download key product information. They’ll always have access to your latest data so you’ll simplify your safety and compliance processes.

Subscription ordering

For recurring deliveries subscription ordering makes everything faster and more efficient. Your customers don’t have to repeatedly add the same product details and order processing is faster for your administration team. Once orders are set up with the required frequency, quantities and duration everything runs smoothly. If authorization is needed before dispatch, you can simply send an automated approval message.

Helios distributes natural and organic beauty and self-care products throughout Australia. To improve customer service and efficiency the company chose Cloudfy when it was time to replatform to a new B2B ecommerce solution.

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Helios leverages Cloudfy's B2B ecommerce platform for streamlined subscription ordering solutions

Transforming your healthcare products business with B2B ecommerce from Cloudfy

With significant growth predicted in the healthcare products sector you need a scalable B2B ecommerce solution. With the latest B2B ecommerce technology from Cloudfy you can respond quickly and effectively to changing market requirements.

Real-time inventory visibility and tailored pricing increase customer satisfaction and optimize your performance in a dynamic market. Seamless ERP integration helps to streamline and simplify sales and you’ll always have a clear view of your operations.

You’ll improve customer service, increase loyalty and minimize costs, helping your business to grow.

Frequently Asked Questions

Regulations for healthcare products are so stringent they can slow down your drive for digital transformation. National and regional variations add complexity and hinder cross-border transactions. A purpose-built B2B ecommerce solution simplifies data collection, tracking and monitoring, helping you meet regulatory requirements.

Yes. Pricing for healthcare products requires careful management to ensure affordability and profitability. With materials shortages and supply chain disruptions you need a dynamic pricing strategy. Your B2B ecommerce platform allows you to share real-time price information with your buyers. They can carry out cost comparisons more easily and make better informed decisions.

From cutting-edge innovations to tried and tested healthcare solutions, purchasing decisions are still based on careful research. Major orders can take months to complete but B2B ecommerce helps to accelerate the sales cycle. By providing detailed product data, smoother checkouts and streamlined customer journeys, you remove many of the pinch points.

Like many other B2B buyers, your healthcare product customers are happy to use online self-service. By presenting clear and useful product information and shipping options you make their jobs easier. B2B ecommerce-ERP integration allows you to maintain a single source of product information and stock availability. Your site is updated in near real time, so your customers can place their orders with confidence.

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