Comparison Archives - Cloudfy B2B Ecommerce Software https://www.cloudfy.com/category/comparison/ B2B Solution to Simplify, Save & Scale Tue, 20 May 2025 18:45:09 +0000 en-US hourly 1 https://www.cloudfy.com/app/uploads/favicon.jpg Comparison Archives - Cloudfy B2B Ecommerce Software https://www.cloudfy.com/category/comparison/ 32 32 Cin7 vs SAP ByDesign: Choosing the Right ERP for Inventory & Order Management  https://www.cloudfy.com/articles/cin7-vs-sap-bydesign-erp-for-inventory-orders/ Mon, 28 Apr 2025 15:37:18 +0000 https://www.cloudfy.com/?p=58662 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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Inventory management is the key to success when your business manufactures, stores and dispatches physical products. There are powerful modern tools to help you record, track and control your stock. Those that continue to rely on multiple outdated systems, spreadsheets and manual tracking can’t keep pace with change. As supply chain challenges continue, companies need a future-focused mindset supported by the right tools and resources.

For growing businesses, inventory management becomes more complex with increasing customer expectations, extra stockkeeping units (SKUs), and multiple warehouses. Investing in the right enterprise resource planning (ERP) solution improves inventory management, streamlines operations, boosts efficiency and drives growth. A well-designed ERP inventory and order management solution provides:

  • automation to reduce repetitive tasks and manual data entry
  • real-time tracking to improve visibility of stock levels across multiple locations
  • optimized supply chain workflows to manage stock levels
  • data-driven insights to improve decision-making.

A recent report found 80% of organizations experienced between one and 10 supply chain disruptions in 2024. More organizations are adopting enterprise-wide performance tracking technology to improve visibility and management across their supply chains.

To remain competitive as these challenges continuously escalate there’s no time to delay. Seamless integration with your business to business (B2B) ecommerce platform provides end to end visibility of your operations, helping to boost performance. However, with so many options, what’s the best solution for your business?

Table of Contents

Cloudfy provides inventory, logistics, and shipment management tools to complement the power of your ERP. Cloudfy’s advanced B2B ecommerce features allow you to  automate processes and improve resilience across your supply chain.

You can simplify your customers’ online journeys with color-coded displays to give a high-level view of your stock. Like traffic lights, red shows you’re out-of-stock while yellow encourages customers to order as stocks are low. Green shows customers there’s plenty of stock available to meet their needs.

If you wish, you can customize your stock views before and after your customers login. To optimize your inventory levels, you can set flexible thresholds for relevant stock items. Your stock-sensitive customers can register for back-in-stock notifications in their customer ordering app for easy reordering. You can also allow your priority customers to place backorders and pre-orders for specific products or product groups.

ERPs for inventory and order management

When you’re choosing an ERP inventory management solution you’ll want to know about integration capabilities, functionality and implementation requirements.

Integration

ERP functionality is important, but you’ll want to improve all your business processes. Your chosen system should complement your current and future requirements, including B2B ecommerce, warehousing, customer relationship management (CRM), sales and marketing.

Functionality

Many ERP systems have solutions for a wide range of business functions, allowing them to grow with your business. However, this also adds to their complexity and can make them difficult to understand and use. Before making your choice, you should review your current needs and strategy for growth.

Implementation

ERP implementation involves more than technical approval. As well as integration and testing you’ll also need to make sure the right people can use new processes in the right way. It’s critical to define realistic goals and outcomes.

Continuous development is also essential to keep pace with change, so you’ll also want regular updates and upgrades. Choosing a cloud-based solution keeps you ahead of the curve. You’ll also simplify your in-house IT requirements.

Here we look at two ERP inventory and order management market leaders: Cin7 and SAP ByDesign.

CIN 7 ERP Integration with Cloudfy

Cin7

As a cloud-based solution Cin7 provides near real time visibility of your inventory and ordering. You can streamline your order to cash cycle and improve efficiency with centralized product management, payment processing, and financial control. Seamless connections with electronic data interchange (EDI) and third-party logistics (3PL) providers keep everything running smoothly.

The Cin7 core product is ideal for smaller manufacturers, distributors and wholesalers. It acts as a hub to keep business tools connected while data synchronization improves accuracy. To deal with extra complexity as your business grows, Cin7 Omni provides options to simplify inventory management across your suppliers and fulfillment partners.

Cin7 pros and cons

Cin7 is popular because it simplifies inventory control between manufacturers, 3PLs and customers. Users find it easy to learn and integrate with other business systems. However, there have been reports of intermittent integration and data synchronization issues. It’s worth looking closely at support and service level agreements.

SAP ByDesign ERP Integration with Cloudfy

SAP ByDesign

SAP Business ByDesign meets the ERP needs of small to medium-sized companies. It supports business process automation to improve efficiency using the latest cloud-based ERP technology. It’s worth consideration if you have a multinational business, complex manufacturing processes or strict compliance requirements. It provides the scalable functionality and capability you’ll need if you’re expanding your operations.

ByDesign is ideal when you need process model efficiency in real time to manage complex projects. You can connect all your business functions to achieve best practices and benefit from in-depth analytics. You can also simplify customization and integration.

SAP ByDesign pros and cons. If you’re looking for a scalable solution to keep pace with your growing business, SAP ByDesign is a good choice. It has the powerful tools you’d expect from SAP for financial analysis. However, users can find it difficult to make the most of its functionality and take full advantage of its features.

SAP ByDesign pros and cons

If you’re looking for a scalable solution to keep pace with your growing business, SAP ByDesign is a good choice. It has the powerful tools you’d expect from SAP for financial analysis. However, users can find it difficult to make the most of its functionality and take full advantage of its features.

Efficient Inventory Management for Business Growth

ERP inventory and order management comparisons

Simplification and growth

You can simplify your sales, order and inventory management workflows with Cin7 and B2B ecommerce integration. If you’re struggling with complex high-volume sales and manual stock tracking, it’s a good choice. You can capture and manage orders from multiple channels and Cin7 can adapt to meet your needs as your business grows.

Complexity and expansion

SAP ByDesign is a good solution for businesses with ambitious plans for growth. When needed, it will support the transition to a corporate business structure across multiple locations. The challenge is to optimize its advanced functionality without adding complexity to your business processes.  

SAP ERP integration with Cloudfy

SAP ByDesign is a good solution for businesses with ambitious plans for growth. When needed, it will support the transition to a corporate business structure across multiple locations. The challenge is to optimize its advanced functionality without adding complexity to your business processes.

ERP inventory and order management integration with Cloudfy

Cin7 and Cloudfy integration allows you to connect multi-channel inventory management from online sales to fulfillment. Real-time visibility, automated workflows, and seamless integrations synchronize and simplify your operations. As your business grows you can stay in control of your product catalog, orders, and fulfillment across all your sales channels. You can integrate and manage all your key business tools in one place seamlessly.

As a Certified SAP Partner, Cloudfy provides a tried and tested ByDesign integration solution for B2B ecommerce. You’ll have a unified view of your operations with synchronized information about customers, orders, pricing, products, inventory and order status. Process automation across your organization improves data accuracy and increases efficiency. You can free up valuable time and resources to focus on business growth.

Find out how to simplify, save and scale your business with Cin7 or SAP ByDesign inventory and order management integration with Cloudfy. Contact us today.

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Frequently asked questions: B2B ecommerce and inventory management integration

Manual stock records and inventory tracking processes are time-consuming and inefficient. You might even find your sales team spending time updating stock levels instead of supporting customers and growing your business. With supply chains under pressure, accurate stock information for your customers is more important than ever. With the latest ERP inventory and order management tools you can streamline and simplify your operations to support business growth. 

Automated workflows reduce manual data entry and minimize errors so you can streamline and simplify order fulfillment. You can also improve stock visibility to reduce out-of-stock ordering, allowing your customers to buy with confidence. By delivering fast and easy online ordering you’ll improve your conversion rates and build customer loyalty and lifetime value. 

Your customers value transparency and a smooth ordering process. They want to know they will find the products they need and can place their orders with confidence. Inventory management and B2B ecommerce integration provides automatic stock level updates in near real time. Accurate stock information means your customers can plan efficiently to meet their own business needs. 

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]]> SAP Business One vs SAP ByDesign: Key Differences and Best Use Cases  https://www.cloudfy.com/articles/sap-business-one-vs-bydesign-key-differences-use-cases/ Thu, 24 Apr 2025 12:48:50 +0000 https://www.cloudfy.com/?p=58638 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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SAP Business One and SAP Business ByDesign both meet the ERP needs of small to medium-sized companies. Why does SAP offer two options? 

Many businesses see SAP ERP software as a solution for large corporations. However, smaller business processes such as bookkeeping, billing, inventory and customer contact management still need support. In many cases these activities take place using mis-matched tools and even manual processes. In a digital age technology offers much better options for managing and planning business operations and growth. 

Growing companies need business process automation to improve efficiency. As a result, SAP recognized the need for robust enterprise resource planning (ERP) software optimized for small businesses. They use the latest technologies to build cloud-based ERP solutions for the next generation of market leaders. 

Cloudfy is a Certified SAP Partner, providing SAP ERP system integration with your business to business (B2B) ecommerce platform. Synchronized information about customers, orders, pricing, products, inventory and order status, provides a unified view of your business operations. Your customers can find products, place orders, check their order histories and pay invoices online. Across your organization process automation improves data accuracy and increases efficiency. You can free up valuable time and resources to focus on other areas of your business.

Out-of-the-box integration with SAP ERP solutions bridges the gap between different parts of your business. Working with both SQL and HANA databases simplifies master data record imports. You can replicate SAP pricing logic,and provide near real-time scheduling.

Ecommerce, customer relationship management (CRM) and electronic data interchange (EDI), for example, all improve with accurate data sharing. By minimizing manual data entry, you reduce errors and improve customer satisfaction.

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SAP business solutions

SAP has become one of the world’s leading ERP solution providers over the last five decades. SAP is also one of the leaders in cloud-based business solutions which started with its software as a service (SaaS) ERP product, Business ByDesign.

SAP has designed its new Business Technology Platform (BTP) model to meet the needs of modern businesses. It offers a single, unified plugin platform for its ERP solutions that has all the features you might need. Instead of releasing features separately for different solutions, you can use functionality on any SAP platform.

Later in 2025 SAP will launch an AI-enabled cloud ERP service, RISE, for customers moving their complex installations to the cloud. This provides a new cloud subscription SAP ERP transition option. It’s important for those with on-premises systems because SAP maintenance is due to end in 2030. Available for purchase in 2028 for active use from 2031 to 2033, customers have a clear transition pathway to the cloud.

SAP Business One (B1) and SAP Business ByDesign both provide a connected suite of key business functions. These include:

  • finance
  • sales
  • service
  • inventory
  • purchasing
  • customer relationship management
  • reporting.

Whether you’re looking at B1 or ByDesign here are some things to think about.

Cloudfy Integration with SAP Business One ERP

SAP Business One

Typically, small and mid-sized businesses use B1 as a stable and affordable entry-level ERP solution. You can run B1 on your own servers, as a hosted solution or in the cloud.

Across market sectors it supports all the business processes needed by smaller, fast-moving operations and offers scope for growth. Its core business suite can meet your end-to-end requirements. It provides integrated solutions and clear visibility of your whole operation. You can move on from spreadsheets and bookkeeping solutions like QuickBooks and benefit from real-time business analytics.

SAP Business ByDesign ERP integration dashboard with Cloudfy eCommerce platform

SAP ByDesign

There are limits to the business functions B1 can offer, which is where ByDesign can help. The choice is not necessarily based on your number of users, but rather on your business needs. You might want to consider ByDesign if you have a multinational business, complex manufacturing processes or strict compliance requirements. It provides the scalable features and functions expanding companies need from an ERP.

ByDesign is a SaaS solution with several implementation, training and cloud-platform options. It’s ideal for delivering process efficiency in real time when you manage complex projects. You can connect all your business functions to achieve best practices and benefit from in-depth analytics. You can also simplify customization and integration.

Seamless SAP Business Integration with Cloudfy

SAP ERP solution comparisons

It’s clear SAP Business One and SAP Business ByDesign overlap each other to some extent. A choice between the two depends on your company size, structure and growth plans.

Both solutions offer:

  • finance
  • integrated marketing and sales
  • extensive CRM functions
  • purchasing
  • logistics
  • production processing.

If you have a straightforward management structure, few locations and moderate growth plans B1 will suit your needs. If you have ambitious growth plans, multiple operating companies or locations, and a corporate management structure ByDesign will keep pace.

B1 offers integrated customization tools and a Software Development Kit, allowing you to develop integrated modules. You can also add flexibility and scalability with ‘loosely coupled’ solutions that don’t affect core operations. As a cloud-based solution ByDesign offers less flexibility for customization. However, you can use additional functions outside the application, integrated via interfaces. There are 3,000 applications, extensions, add-ons, and services in SAP’s online marketplace.

Case study: Corpac Steel

Based in Miami, Florida, Corpac Steel has locations in the Americas, Caribbean, Europe and Asia. These include manufacturing, operational and stocking facilities. It plays a key role in Corpac Group’s steel production, trading and distribution network.

To support its regional suppliers and global corporations in over 20 industries the company stocks over 100,000 tons of inventory, ready to deliver.

Read More 

Corpac Steel Case Study - Cloudfy B2B eCommerce Software Implementation

Case study: Joseph Murphy

Cloudfy's ecommerce platform for Joseph Murphy streamlines operations and enhances B2B efficiency.

Joseph Murphy is a family run wholesale hardware distribution company in Ireland. It supplies agricultural, gardening, household, electrical, DIY, paint, and building products to retailers across the country. The company needed robust SAP Business One integration and reliable product pricing attribution.

The new B2B ecommerce site provides a complete brand directory with accurate product and pricing information. Customers can now access and download their account information at any time and manage returns online.

Read More

SAP ERP integration with Cloudfy

With SAP ERP integrations you can easily and efficiently manage your online operations and provide seamless purchasing experiences. You can synchronize product information, inventory levels, and pricing data in real-time, so your information is always up to date. By streamlining order fulfillment you reduce errors and improve customer satisfaction. 

Find out how to simplify, save and scale your business with SAP Business One or SAP ByDesign integration with Cloudfy. Contact us today. 

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Frequently asked questions: B2B ecommerce and SAP ERP integration

Both ERP solutions suit small and mid-sized businesses. However, ByDesign can meet more complex business requirements and is likely to cost a little more. Alongside integration with your B2B ecommerce portal, consider total cost of ownership and contribution to your business goals above price. 

SAP ByDesign is a cloud-only offering. SAP Business One offers different deployment options in the cloud, with third-party hosting or on-premises. By combining cloud-based SAP solutions with advanced B2B ecommerce in the cloud you can digitally transform your operations. 

 

Both SAP Business One and SAP Business ByDesign provide robust data security. SAP hosts ByDesign and can host Business One in the cloud, so you can rely on network access security. If you’re hosting Business One on-premises or via a third-party you must verify end-to-end data management and security yourself. 

Both SAP Business One and SAP Business ByDesign provide business process flexibility. Designed for small businesses, SAP Business One prioritizes simplicity and flexibility. As cloud-based solutions you can also use third-party add-ons and extensions and integrate with B2B ecommerce solutions like Cloudfy. 

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]]> Why Large Basket Sizes Matter in B2B eCommerce: Cloudfy vs. Magento Adobe Commerce https://www.cloudfy.com/articles/why-basket-size-matters-in-b2b-ecommerce-cloudfy-vs-magento/ Thu, 24 Apr 2025 05:00:00 +0000 https://www.cloudfy.com/?p=58395 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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In the world of B2B eCommerce, businesses are looking for solutions that not only streamline operations but also meet the unique needs of larger transactions. One of the key considerations for businesses in this space is the size of the basket — the number of products a customer adds to their cart in a single purchase. Large basket sizes are common in B2B eCommerce, where bulk purchasing, multi-item orders, and complex product configurations are the norm. But why do large basket sizes matter, and how do platforms like Cloudfy and Magento handle them differently?

In this blog, we’ll explore why large basket sizes matter in B2B eCommerce and how Cloudfy and Magento compare in supporting this essential aspect of business transactions.

Table of Contents

The Importance of Large Basket Sizes in B2B eCommerce

Large basket sizes are integral to the B2B buying process for several reasons:

Bulk Ordering

Businesses often need to buy in bulk to maintain inventory levels, streamline procurement and take advantage of volume discounts. Whether it’s raw materials, finished goods, or office supplies, being able to add multiple items to the basket at once is crucial for efficiency.

Multiple Product Variants

B2B businesses frequently deal with products that come in various configurations or quantities. For instance, a company purchasing industrial machinery might need different parts, add-ons, or accessories in a single transaction. A flexible basket system that accommodates large, varied orders makes the purchase process smoother.

Time and Cost Efficiency

The larger the basket, the better the potential for cost savings—both for the buyer, who might benefit from bulk discounts, and the seller, who can reduce overheads like shipping costs. But to make this work, the system must support large, complex orders without slowing down the process.

Streamlining Procurement

Large baskets also help businesses streamline procurement processes, allowing them to purchase everything they need at once, often avoiding the need to go through multiple steps or orders. This saves time and minimises administrative overhead.

How Cloudfy Supports Large Basket Sizes

Cloudfy, built specifically for B2B eCommerce, has been designed to manage large, complex transactions seamlessly. Here’s why it works so well for businesses dealing with high-volume, multi-item orders:

User-Friendly Interface

Cloudfy offers an intuitive and straightforward shopping experience. Whether you’re adding bulk items or choosing from a range of product variants, the process is designed to be as simple as possible, even for the most complex orders.

Customisable Basket Features

Cloudfy allows for flexible basket rules and custom pricing structures, making it ideal for businesses that want to offer discounts on bulk purchases, manage contract pricing, or set special rules for large orders. This ensures your customers get the best experience when adding large quantities to their cart.

Integration with ERP and CRM systems

Cloudfy integrates effortlessly with your ERP and CRM systems. This means large orders are easily managed from start to finish, with inventory, pricing, and customer data flowing smoothly between systems. For businesses looking to scale, Cloudfy’s integration capabilities provide a robust and efficient solution for large basket transactions.

Scalability and Performance

Cloudfy is a cloud-based solution, meaning it can scale with your business. As your order sizes and basket volumes grow, Cloudfy can handle an increasing number of SKUs and larger orders without sacrificing performance. This scalability ensures that businesses can keep up with growing demand without worrying about technical limitations.

Advanced Order Management

Cloudfy simplifies order management, even for the most complex baskets. The platform’s order management system (OMS) allows businesses to track and fulfil large, multi-item orders quickly, ensuring no items are missed and the entire process remains streamlined.

Basket Sizes in Excess of 2000 products lines

Cloudfy comfortably manages baskets in excess of 2,000 products, maintaining seamless performance even with very large, complex B2B orders.

Excel Order Upload feature

Cloudfy’s Excel Order Upload feature allows B2B customers to easily and efficiently place large, complex orders directly through Excel spreadsheets. Customers simply upload their spreadsheet, saving valuable time, reducing errors, and streamlining the ordering process. It’s ideal for businesses regularly placing bulk orders, significantly improving user experience and operational efficiency.

How Magento Adobe Commerce Handles Large Basket Sizes

While Magento is one of the most popular eCommerce platforms, it was originally designed for B2C eCommerce, making it less naturally suited for the more complex needs of B2B transactions. That said, Magento can be extended to handle large basket sizes, though it may require more customisation and development effort. Here’s how Magento handles large basket sizes:

Flexible Product Options

Magento allows businesses to manage large numbers of products, including multiple variants, so it’s certainly capable of handling bulk orders (up to 100 product lines per basket reliably). However, it may need additional extensions or custom development to support the complexity of B2B orders in a seamless way.

Customisable Pricing

Magento supports custom pricing and bulk discounts, but unlike Cloudfy, it requires custom development or third-party extensions to create tailored pricing models for B2B. If your business requires contract pricing, special discounts, or tiered pricing, you’ll need to invest more in the development and integration of these features.

Integration with External Systems

While Magento integrates well with ERP, CRM, and other systems, businesses need to invest time and resources in setting up and managing these integrations to specifically handle large, complex orders.

Performance

Magento can support large baskets but can face performance issues when handling a significant number of products, especially if the site isn’t optimised or if the number of SKUs increases substantially. For companies scaling rapidly, this might be a consideration, as Magento requires additional effort to ensure smooth performance under high-volume loads.

Checkout Complexity

Magento’s checkout process can handle large baskets, but it may not be as intuitive or user-friendly for B2B customers compared to Cloudfy, which is specifically designed to cater to B2B needs like bulk order management and contract pricing.

Restricted Basket Sizes for B2B

And Magento Adobe Commerce officially recommends a maximum of 100 products per basket to maintain optimal performance, noting that above 300 products, users may experience slower response times, and beyond 500 products, smooth functionality isn’t guaranteed.

Cloudfy vs. Magento Adobe Commerce: A Side-by-Side Comparison

Feature Cloudfy Magento Adobe Commerce
Ease of Use Intuitive and user-friendly More complex, requires customisation for B2B needs
Customisation Highly customisable for B2B orders Customisation needed for B2B features like contract pricing
ERP/CRM Integration Smooth, reliable and built for B2B Can integrate, but requires plugins and development
Order Management Advanced, tailored for large baskets Needs extra development to handle complex orders
Performance Scalable, handles high volumes easily Can experience performance issues with larger orders unless optimised
Pricing Flexibility Flexible, with built-in options for bulk pricing Requires extensions or development for tiered or contract pricing
Checkout Process Streamlined for bulk orders Custom development needed for B2B-friendly features
Basket Capacity (number of products) Capable of handling in excess of 2,000 products per basket while maintaining strong, reliable performance. Optimal performance with 100 products; slower performance above 300 products; not reliably functional above 500 products.
Excel Order Upload Feature Standard, built in excel order upload feature. Not available.

Which Platform is Right for Your B2B Business?

Both Cloudfy and Magento Adobe Commerce offer strong capabilities, but the decision largely depends on your specific needs:

Cloudfy is designed specifically for B2B eCommerce and handles large basket sizes with ease. Its user-friendly interface, customisable features, and seamless integrations make it an ideal choice for businesses dealing with complex, bulk orders. If you’re looking for a solution that’s ready to go with minimal customisation, Cloudfy is a strong contender.

Magento Adobe Commerce, on the other hand, is a versatile platform that can be adapted for B2B use with the right customisation. If you’re already using Magento or prefer its flexibility, be prepared to invest in development and integrations to make it work for complex B2B needs.

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]]> Prima vs Cin7: Which Inventory Management Solution is Better? https://www.cloudfy.com/articles/prima-vs-cin7-which-inventory-management-solution-is-better/ Wed, 23 Apr 2025 05:00:00 +0000 https://www.cloudfy.com/?p=58386 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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With an effective inventory management solution your business can improve visibility of stock levels.

According to a recent study most businesses rely on manual methods, spreadsheets or third-party software for day-to-day inventory management. The inefficiency, unreliability and limited functionality of these approaches has driven many companies to adopt inventory management software.

Integration with an advanced B2B ecommerce platform solves operational challenges, almost eliminating labor-intensive manual inventory control processes to reduce errors. However, there are a lot of options available. How do you choose a solution that’s right for your business?

Integrating Cloudfy’s business to business (B2B) ecommerce solution with inventory management tools delivers the most accurate view of your inventory. In almost real time you can share your stock levels and lead times and provide alerts for new arrivals.

Your online catalog always includes your most current inventory levels, minimizing ordering for restricted, discontinued or out-of-stock items. Both your customer ordering app and field sales representative app use the same information, so they’re always accurate too. Your customers and salespeople can see your latest inventory information wherever they are.

Reordering is easy and stock-sensitive customers can sign up for back-in-stock alerts and app notifications. You can also send daily, weekly or monthly emails with your current inventory levels for easy reference. Cloudfy can connect to your clients’ databases via cXML integration or using the powerful application programming interface (API).

Table of Contents

What is inventory management software?

Inventory management software automates your stock control processes and streamlines product tracking, reordering and accounting. At any time, you can have an accurate view of your inventory and order fulfillment. It’s a critical part of your day-to-day business operations, so you need a reliable and effective solution.

Most inventory management software is now cloud-based, so you can see real time updates wherever you are. When looking for the best inventory management solution for your business your selection checklist should include:

  • high service standards
  • strong software management and maintenance
  • clear pricing
  • inventory tracking and control features
  • integrations with key business systems.

Benefits of inventory management software

Inventory visibility

You can see stock locations and movements, so you’ll reduce human error and improve customer satisfaction.

Reliable replenishment

A clear record of your inventory allows you to streamline reordering, so you never run out of key items. You can also minimize excess inventory on your shelves.

Business system integration

Integration with your ecommerce, warehouse, finance and accounting systems reduces duplicate data entries and enables process automation.

Prima vs Cin7: Which inventory management solution is best for my business?

There are plenty of options to choose from and your decision will depend on your business requirements. Here we look at two market leaders: Prima and Cin7.

Prima

Prima is a leading cloud-based enterprise resource planning (ERP) solution designed for fast-growing businesses. It helps you streamline operations, boost sales, and support sustainable development. It can integrate with other business systems and scale as your business grows. It offers a business intelligence reporting suite, Prima Vantage, with reports, interactive portals and dashboards. Its marketplace includes catalogs from over 65 sellers with millions of stockkeeping units. The customer engagement portal simplifies your customer and prospect data to increase interaction and loyalty.

Cin7

Cin7 is a purpose designed inventory management and point of sale (POS) solution. You can use it to manage costs, optimize stock levels and improve cashflow. It’s suitable for business to business (B2B), consumer (B2C), online and brick-and-mortar businesses. Synchronization with your accounting software helps you keep track of spending. You can integrate it with your ecommerce site, warehouse and logistics management to automate order fulfillment. For larger customers, it includes electronic data interchange integration and links to leading online marketplaces.

Inventory management solution comparisons

Prima is a business-wide management solution with built-in automation designed to enable growth. It supports stock control and planning, warehouse management, product development and order management. You can encourage your customers to adopt online self-service thanks to its simple access to order histories and account information. With powerful tools for gap analysis and sales pipeline reporting you can improve conversion rates and increase customer spending. You can also improve decision making and performance with advanced analytics and reporting features.

Cin7 inventory management integration simplifies your business workflows. You can capture and manage orders from multiple channels. Centralized product management, payment processing, and financial control help to improve efficiency. Seamless connections with electronic data interchange (EDI) and third-party logistics (3PL) providers help you keep everything running smoothly.

Like Prima, Cin7 is a cloud-based solution. Both can provide near real time visibility of your operations. Prima provides a comprehensive solution for fast-growing businesses with complex inventory and sales requirements. Cin7’s core product is ideal for smaller manufacturers, wholesalers and retailers, acting as a hub to connect key business tools. As your business grows, Cin7 Omni helps you simplify real-time communication with suppliers and fulfillment partners to improve efficiency.

Both Prima and Cin7 allow you to synchronize your data to improve accuracy. You can integrate inventory management with online sales, order processing, and financial tracking.

Integrated B2B ecommerce and inventory management with Cloudfy

Given today’s supply chain challenges, your customers and sales teams need an accurate view of your inventory. Cloudfy provides advanced B2B ecommerce features and easy ways to share your stock levels in near real time. Streamlined integration with either Prima or Cin7 inventory management software keeps everyone informed. You can increase conversion rates and optimize cross-selling and up-selling opportunities.

Find out how to simplify, save and scale your business with Cloudfy and inventory management integration. Contact us today.

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Frequently Asked Questions

The best solution for your business will depend on your requirements. Your choice depends on whether your priority is real time inventory information or features to support business growth, for example. B2B ecommerce and inventory management integration helps you manage your stock efficiently to support online and offline sales. Whichever solution you choose it should improve your ability to track inventory levels, automate tasks, and streamline order fulfillment. You might also look for tools to optimize warehouse operations, improve demand forecasting, and reduce costs.

B2B inventory management software provides real-time visibility of stock levels, helping you fulfill orders efficiently. You can minimize manual tasks to reduce data entry errors and improve operational performance. Integration with other business systems improves data sharing, collaboration and decision making.

Real-time visibility of your stock levels helps you fulfill orders promptly. Automated inventory tracking reduces over stocking or out of stock ordering so you can maintain your ideal stock levels. Integration with your ecommerce platform and warehouse management systems provides a complete end-to-end process to improve performance.

Yes. In most cases B2B inventory management and ecommerce integrations can handle multiple sales channels. You can sell effectively via your ecommerce site, online marketplaces, mobile apps, and offline channels. With centralized inventory data you can provide consistent customer experiences and keep your sales team up to date.

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]]> Top Three ERP Solutions for the Sports & Recreation Industry https://www.cloudfy.com/articles/top-three-erp-solutions-for-the-sports-and-recreation-industry/ Mon, 02 Sep 2024 11:07:32 +0000 https://www.cloudfy.com/?p=56573 The sports and recreation industry is expected to grow by more than 7% in the next three to five years. To take full advantage of this potential an effective enterprise resource planning (ERP) system is a key business tool. It … Read More

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The sports and recreation industry is expected to grow by more than 7% in the next three to five years. To take full advantage of this potential an effective enterprise resource planning (ERP) system is a key business tool. It helps you manage your finances, product information, customer details, inventory management and operational planning.

Across the sector changing preferences and behaviors will have a major impact. Understanding needs and expectations is essential to plan your approach, enhance engagement and build customer loyalty to increase revenue.

You will already know that business to business (B2B) ecommerce is also essential for customers to discover you online and make their purchases. B2B ecommerce-ERP integration is the key to capturing the right information and transforming it into actionable insights. It allows you to successfully combine business metrics, buyer behavior, social media activity, participation data, and market trends.

Here we look at three of the top ERP solutions you might choose for your sports and recreation business. We’ll explore how you can reduce errors, automate processes, predict trends and buyer behavior and deliver personalized experiences.

With a Cloudfy B2B ecommerce site your sport and recreation business can take full advantage of growth in your sector.

You can simplify inventory management, reduce administration and deliver seamless customer journeys with ERP system integration. You’ll reduce manual data entry and errors and minimize repetitive administration tasks.

Cloudfy is easy to use and responsive for mobile devices. With our customer ordering app and field sales representative app you can sell anywhere and deliver easy ordering on the go for your customers.

You can drive automation, personalization, and predictive analytics and gain valuable insights based on data you collect during online transactions. You’ll have the tools you need to identify the vital trends and connections that support data-driven decisions and sales growth.

Which ERP is best for my sports and recreation business?

Sage 200 Integration with Cloudfy B2B ecommerce Platform

Sage 200

The Sage 200 ERP solution is a good choice for manufacturers, distributors and wholesalers with up to 200 users. It offers both cloud and on-premises options for your financial management, inventory and order management. In addition, you can connect with project accounting, human resource management (HRM), customer relationship management (CRM), and business intelligence solutions. You can also integrate with third-party systems such as shipping, payment gateways, tax engines, and data visualization.

Support is available through the online knowledge base, community forums, email, chat, and telephone support. You can have role-based access control, single sign-on, data encryption and data backup and recovery. User-based subscription pricing means the cost varies based on the edition, number of users, and deployment option you choose.

Cloudfy's seamless integration with Microsoft Dynamics 365 Business Central for optimized B2B ecommerce.

Microsoft Dynamics 365

Many businesses choose Microsoft Dynamics 365 because it connects with other popular office tools and has a familiar user interface. It’s available in the cloud or on-premises and is designed for small and mid-sized businesses with around 20 to 250 users. It’s customizable, according to your business needs. Features include advanced analytics, forecast modelling, compliance tracking, and automated workflow design. The recent introduction of Microsoft 365 Copilot adds generative AI and GPT assistance.

You can use Microsoft Dynamics 365 for financial tracking, supply chain management, sales optimization, customer service support and project management. Microsoft support includes around the clock online and phone assistance. Your business can benefit from enterprise-grade access control, data policies, and encryption standards. Licenses are based on your specific mix of users, devices, features and capacity requirements. You should expect some set up and migration costs too.

Seamless NetSuite Integration with Cloudfy B2B ecommerce Platform

NetSuite

NetSuite ERP is a cloud-based software as a service (SaaS) solution suited to medium and large organizations across multiple industry sectors. It offers over 30 vertical solutions including outdoor and sporting goods. Verticals include predefined roles, performance indicators, reports, dashboards and workflows.

As well as core financial management NetSuite’s unified support includes inventory management, CRM, and business intelligence. You can also integrate with over 400 business applications to help meet your specific requirements.

Advanced security measures include role-based access control, data encryption, disaster recovery, and compliance certification. Support includes a learning portal, training videos, documentation, blogs, and a customer community. NetSuite has a per-user subscription pricing model and has fee tiers depending on the functionality you need.

ERP comparisons

Sage 200 is a flexible, scalable solution suited to growing mid-market organizations. It’s recognized for its features, ease of use and customer support. It has strong financial and inventory management functionality that can streamline processes and provide analytics and reporting. However, it can involve a steep learning curve and customization can add significant costs. It requires initial investment and ongoing maintenance costs as well as licenses, so it’s important to review the overall cost of ownership.

Microsoft Dynamics 365 has many cross-industry customers and is recognized as good value for money for the features it provides. These include streamlined supply chain management, customer service tools and built-in analytics. Familiarity and ease of use help to simplify implementation. It is possible to customize your solution to meet your specific needs although this is limited for some features.

NetSuite is recognized for its user-friendly interface, scope for customization, and overall return on investment. Page speed is sometimes cited as an issue and users might find some of the advanced features challenging to master. Configuration and migration require investment in time and money depending on complexity.

B2B ecommerce and ERP integration for sales in the sports and recreation industry with Cloudfy

Whichever ERP solution you choose for your sports and recreation business, Cloudfy can unlock the power of seamless integration. It’s a one-stop-shop solution with pre-built integrations to streamline your business operations, improve efficiency and enhance customer experiences. You can capture and analyze data about your customers’ online behavior to improve customer service and business planning.

We understand integration is a complex task and our expert team handles it all for you. You can focus on growing your business while we take care of the technicalities.

We’ll simplify importing and exporting data between your cloud-based or on-premises ERP solution and B2B ecommerce platform. You can maintain accurate and up-to-date product information, inventory levels, pricing, customer data, and order details. You’ll minimize manual data entry throughout your operations, deliver reliable and accurate customer service and gain valuable insights.

Find out how to simplify, save and scale operations for your sports and recreation business with Cloudfy and ERP integration. Contact us today.

REQUEST A DEMO ►

Frequently Asked Questions

Integration connects your B2B ecommerce platform and other business systems including an ERP system like Sage, Microsoft Dynamics or NetSuite. Once implemented, real-time data flows seamlessly allowing you to automate business processes. This can simplify inventory management, order processing, customer data management and reporting. Your data is reliably up to date across all your applications so you’ll also reduce administration and errors.

Yes. Product descriptions, images, pricing and other critical data such as inventory levels and customer information are shared across systems. Product information and documentation is synchronized and all kept in one place, along with your customers’ information. You can even deliver bespoke product catalogs based on their contracts and purchasing history.

Your customers’ online orders pass immediately to your ERP system. You can create rules-based workflows so they pass automatically to your warehouse or third-party logistics (3PL) provider. The fulfillment process is faster and more efficient and all the order information is accurate, reducing errors.

Key considerations for integrated B2B ecommerce-ERP business systems include scalability and flexibility. They must accommodate periods of peak demand and keep pace with business growth. You can avoid significant system reconfigurations or technical changes with a well-planned approach. You’re better placed to respond to market changes, increased sales, and new buying trends.

You can significantly reduce your operational costs by minimizing manual data entry which leads to errors and delays. Improved efficiency releases resources you can use to add value in other parts of your business. Overall, you can make you operations leaner and more cost-effective.

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]]> Top 3 ERP Solutions for the Technology Industry https://www.cloudfy.com/articles/top-3-erp-solutions-for-the-technology-industry/ Wed, 17 Jul 2024 13:21:23 +0000 https://www.cloudfy.com/?p=56115 You are already familiar with enterprise resource planning (ERP) giants like SAP’s S/4HANA which is the successor to SAP ECC, Oracle NetSuite and Microsoft Dynamics. They are popular across many different business sectors and offer an impressive selection of features. … Read More

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You are already familiar with enterprise resource planning (ERP) giants like SAP’s S/4HANA which is the successor to SAP ECC, Oracle NetSuite and Microsoft Dynamics.

They are popular across many different business sectors and offer an impressive selection of features. In some cases, you can take a modular approach so you can choose what you need when you need it. However, you might need to sign up for bundles with more functionality than you currently need. You’ll want to review your business requirements to decide whether these options meet the needs of your technology business.

You might also feel that choosing a mainstream solution will simplify integration with your business to business (B2B) ecommerce platform and other business systems.

However, missed deadlines, overrun budgets and unmet goals are common shortcomings in ERP implementation projects. Choosing the right ERP solution for your business is the first essential step to avoid these problems.

A purpose designed B2B ecommerce platform like Cloudfy comes with a powerful application programming interface (API) for customization. You’re free to choose the best in breed ERP solution for your technology business. You can still benefit from B2B ERP-ecommerce integration to take your sales to the next level.

Before you choose an ERP system here are some less well-known options we’ve looked at that you might also consider.

Cloudfy is a B2B ecommerce solution purpose designed for complex operations in the technology industry. It offers robust B2B and direct to consumer (D2C) features to meet your online sales needs.

With data directly from your ERP system you can simplify and scale your online sales. Your seamless customer self-service portal provides end to end order visibility. Pricing, warehouse management, payments, and personalized customer experiences are all simplified. You’ll minimize manual data entry so you can streamline and simplify processes and automate workflows. Accuracy is improved so you’ll have more satisfied customers too.

As a software as a service (SaaS) solution you’ll always be at the forefront of technology with regular updates in the cloud. You can easily scale to meet peak sales demand and it can grow with your business.

B2B ERP Systems for Technology Industry

Which ERP is best for my technology business?

The best solution for your business depends on your customers’ needs and your requirements for functionality, customizations and integrations. It will also depend on your company’s size, budget, future needs and plans for growth. Here we take a look at three ERP options you might not have considered for your technology business.

Epicor

As with many ERP systems you’ll find Epicor offers robust tools for financial control and customer relationship management (CRM). It also provides production and materials (MRP/BOM) and supply chain management tools. You can choose cloud-based or on-premises solutions that are proving popular with mid-sized companies in the manufacturing and technology sectors. The no or low code approach means it’s flexible and it has a simple, intuitive browser-based user interface.

Epicor ERP System

Make-to-order (MTO), engineer-to-order (ETO), configure-to-order (CTO) options make Epicor attractive for rapidly expanding and emerging technology businesses. It’s scalable and modular so you can speed up implementation to support business growth and expansion. Its features include 2D and 3D visual configurations, real-time production and process monitoring, and quality and compliance management. Supply chain and maintenance management and integrated field service automation are also available.

One of the attractions of Epicor is its ease of use, even for infrequent users. It also includes embedded help and training courses, videos, and a training curriculum.

Acumatica

Acumatica also delivers key ERP elements like financial management and CRM alongside production and materials (MRP/BOM) and supply chain management. It’s a cloud-based ERP solution with advanced financial features to handle deferred and recurring revenue, project accounting, contract management, and asset depreciation. It also supports multilingual translations, localized business practices, multicurrency, international accounting and taxes.

Acumatica ERP System

Flexible consumption-based licensing supports collaboration between employees and third parties through access to information and systems. Its open API supports connectivity, big data analytics, robotics, artificial intelligence, machine learning, and the Internet of Things (IoT). It also includes rapid development tools to support evolving business needs.

Users can access certified industry and business applications from the marketplace and free online training is available from its own ‘Open University’.

Syspro

Syspro offers a suite of financial, production and materials (MRP/BOM) management tools particularly suitable for multi-site or multinational operations. It also includes supply chain and CRM solutions. On-premises, software as a service and hybrid deployment options make it a flexible choice for technology companies.

Syspro ERP System

Syspro functionality includes manufacturing operations management (MOM), inventory optimization and management, distribution and procurement. Its low-code or no code approach supports customization and extensibility for growing businesses. You can also tailor your solution with out-of-the-box integrations, connectors, and business process automation tools.

Online training is available through ‘LearnIt’ and the company also provides classroom and on-site training.

ERP comparisons

Each of these solutions offers the core ERP functions you would expect, so your choice will depend on your requirements.

Epicor is a good choice if your business values flexibility and is focussed on data-driven decision-making and customer service. It’s ease of use helps you streamline implementation.

If you’re looking for a complete view of your international operations it’s worth looking closely at Acumatica’s connectivity options. If you have a broad network of business partners it’s consumption-based licensing might also interest you.

Syspro prioritizes customization and extensibility and offers flexibility for businesses that want a long-term business partner to support growth. If data visibility, analysis and informed decision-making are priorities for your business Syspro is worth considering.

B2B ecommerce and ERP integration for sales in the technology industry with Cloudfy

Whatever ERP solution you choose for your technology business, Cloudfy can unlock the power of seamless integration. It’s a one-stop-shop solution for streamlining your business operations, improving efficiency and enhancing customer experiences.

Whether you choose one of the ERP giants or a more industry-specific option we understand integration is a complex task. That’s why our expert team handles it all for you. You can focus on growing your business while we take care of the technicalities.

We’ll simplify importing and exporting data between your cloud-based or on-premises ERP solution and B2B ecommerce platform. You can maintain accurate and up-to-date product information, inventory levels, pricing, customer data, and order details. You’ll minimize manual data entry throughout your operations and deliver reliable and accurate customer service.

Find out how to simplify, save and scale B2B operations in the technology industry with Cloudfy and ERP integration. Contact us today.

REQUEST A DEMO ►

Frequently Asked Questions

ERP systems help you respond more quickly to market changes, which is important in the fast-moving technology sector. An ERP system is designed to streamline management of your business finances and resources. When you implement an ERP system you’ll have real-time analytics to improve your decision making and support business growth. With integrated project management and control you can improve customer engagement and deliver seamless customer experiences.

The technology industry is part of the transformation landscape for all businesses. Innovation and change are part of your everyday operations. This means you must be ready to respond to change at the right time and in the right way.

An ERP system collects and analyzes business data from across your organization in real-time to provide operational and market insights. This helps you to reduce costs, integrate processes and improve communications. Better access to data builds stronger relationships with your customers and suppliers. Your business becomes more agile so you can keep pace with your customers’ needs and expectations.

You can also streamline supply chain management processes including procurement, production planning, scheduling and inventory management. You’ll reduce lead times, improve quality, and minimize costs.

Popular approaches to ERP implementation range from a single company-wide launch to a step-by-step approach according to your business needs. You might choose a solution in the cloud, an on-premises option or go for a hybrid approach.

The first step is to analyze what your business needs from its ERP system, now and in the future. This helps you choose the right ERP solution and the best implementation approach. You’ll also need to take into account your current IT infrastructure and in-house expertise. To keep everything on track you’ll also want effective quality control, key performance indicators (KPIs), and regular reporting.

One of the important benefits of an ERP system is that all your important data is in one place. However, data conversion from multiple existing systems is often one of the biggest challenges. You’ll need to merge and deduplicate your records and check them carefully. If you choose in on-premises solution you’ll need to consider purchasing new servers and workstations alongside connectivity and security. You shouldn’t underestimate the importance of explaining the benefits of change, user training and organization-wide adoption.

Yes, you can centralize data and processes in your ERP system. This reduces manual data entry and minimizes repetitive administrative activities. Automation and integration improve business workflows, reduce errors, and speed up decision-making. Overall, you’ll make much better use of your resources.

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]]> ERP Comparison for the Packaging and Logistics Sectors: SAP S/4HANA vs Oracle NetSuite vs Microsoft Dynamics 365 Supply Chain Management https://www.cloudfy.com/articles/sap-s-4hana-vs-oracle-netsuite-vs-microsoft-dynamics-365-supply-chain-management/ Wed, 12 Jun 2024 10:04:45 +0000 https://www.cloudfy.com/?p=55441 As your business to business (B2B) operations grow they become more complex. Extra employees, customers, products and services often lead to new processes, systems and sources of information. Speed and efficiency can suffer but using the latest technology and automation … Read More

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As your business to business (B2B) operations grow they become more complex. Extra employees, customers, products and services often lead to new processes, systems and sources of information. Speed and efficiency can suffer but using the latest technology and automation tools can help.

Enterprise resource planning (ERP) systems allow growing businesses to organize and manage data and workflows. With the right tools you can simplify and scale activities more easily. ERP-ecommerce integration provides an end to end view of your operations.

For the packaging, distribution and logistics sectors SAP S/4HANA, Oracle NetSuite, and Microsoft Dynamics 365 Supply Chain Management are amongst the leading ERPs.

To tackle modern supply chain challenges, your customers and salespeople need accurate real-time inventory information.

Cloudfy is a business to business (B2B) ecommerce solution purpose designed for complex operations. With data directly from your enterprise resource planning (ERP) system you can simplify and scale your operations in the cloud. Your seamless online portal gives your customers end to end visibility of their orders. 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

Challenges facing the packaging distribution and logistics sectors

Challenges facing the packaging, distribution and logistics sectors

Around the world businesses are developing strategies to tackle supply chain disruptions, reduce their environmental impact and handle increased regulation.

Supply chain disruptions

Wars and disputes, weather, political changes and the economy are all important factors. Resilience requires diversification but this makes operational management more complex.

Packaging assembly

There’s no doubt the sector significantly contributes to carbon emissions. The search for ways to minimize packaging, storage requirements and fuel use is now a priority.

Systems integration

Artificial intelligence (AI), the Internet of Things (IoT), blockchain, and software as a service (SaaS) solutions create both opportunities and challenges. Making everything work together seamlessly demands new skills and approaches across the sector.

Regulations

Continuous tracking and monitoring are needed to meet national and international standards and controls. Companies that fall short of these requirements face significant penalties and fines that affect operations.

B2B Ecommerce ERP System

Which ERP is best for my business?

The best solution depends on your requirements for B2B features, functionality, customizations and integrations. It will also depend on your company’s size, budget, future needs and plans for growth.

Most ERPs are modular, allowing you to select the most useful business functions. These might include accounting, HR and customer relationship management (CRM), for example. Some providers bundle modules together while others allow complete flexibility.

Solutions that use the same code and data across all modules provide a seamless view of all your operations. Non-native modules acquired by a provider might use different codebases and databases to the rest of the ERP system.

Some customers prefer the non-native ERP approach for its flexibility to integrate third-party applications in a ‘best-of-breed’ strategy. However, ERP integrations require additional effort and cost, and separate databases can hinder real-time data handling.

Here we take a look at three of the most popular ERP solutions for the packaging, distribution and logistics sectors.

SAP S4HANA ERP System

SAP S/4HANA

Originating in Germany, SAP has provided business solutions for decades. Its Enterprise Central Component (ECC) client hosted ERP is still widely used. However, it will reach the end of its supported life in 2027.

SAP S/4HANA was launched in 2015 as its flagship ERP solution. SAP’s in-memory database technology processes large amounts of data in real-time so it’s good for larger enterprises. It features advanced analytics, AI, machine learning (ML), automation and integration. Current SAP ECC customers are likely to move to S/4HANA by 2027.

Oracle NetSuite

NetSuite claims to be the market’s first cloud-based ERP solution providing a unified suite of business applications. It’s now part of the Oracle stable of business products.

NetSuite supports both in-house and customer facing functions from finance and accounting to supply chain management (SCM). It uses a unified company-wide database and provides an end-to-end view of your business.

You can customize NetSuite to create automations that streamline processes and workflows. There are tools to support third-party integrations and it offers hundreds of partner applications. It’s used by different sizes and types of businesses around the world.

Microsoft Dynamics 365 Supply Chain Management

Microsoft Dynamics 365 Supply Chain Management

The two core Microsoft Dynamics options are Business Central suited to small to mid-sized businesses and Finance & Operations (F&O) for larger organizations. F&O is a comprehensive ERP solution with strong support for SCM. It has evolved over many years, based on multiple acquisitions. With the help of Microsoft Partners, it’s highly customizable.

MS Dynamics 365 SCM capabilities help optimize demand planning based on historical data and AI-enabled analytics. You can continuously plan replenishment and lead times to maintain stock levels and teams can collaborate in real time.

ERP comparisons

Each ERP solution takes a different delivery approach but all three options are popular with all sizes of business. S/4HANA is the natural successor to SAP ECC, NetSuite offers a single solution and Microsoft Dynamics takes a multi-product approach. Fast-growing organizations might prefer the scope for customization in NetSuite.

S/4HANA might lack some of the key features you need, leading to integrations with other SAP and partner products. For example, S/4HANA uses group reporting for financial consolidation, so you might need additional products and licences.

NetSuite provides an integrated suite of native modules for finance, procurement, warehouse management and inventory management. You can combine them or purchase them separately when you need them. This often means additional third party integrations aren’t needed. NetSuite’s no-code approach allows you to create custom fields, reports and buttons, which is more complex with Microsoft Dynamics 365.

Microsoft Dynamics 365 offers standardized bundles of modules such as finance, sales, customer service, supply chain and project management. If you don’t require all of these tools initially you might find it an expensive option.

Case study: Tomy

Japan’s Tomy is famous worldwide for children’s toys and merchandise. The company chose Cloudfy when it was time to modernize their European B2B ecommerce platform. The company wanted to reduce their total cost of ownership and find better ways to serve their customers online. Their objectives included real-time customer information, seamless digital experiences and simplified IT requirements.

Cloudfy Tomy Case Study: Revolutionizing E-commerce Solutions

Case study: Tetenal

Tetenal Portal Business Central ERP Systems Integration

Tetenal is a major UK-based supplier of paper, ink and printers. The company wanted to improve online ordering and simplify operations. They chose Cloudfy as a robust B2B ecommerce solution to provide an invoice portal, Microsoft Dynamics integration and direct to consumer (D2C) capabilities.

 

Case study: Foodcare

The B2B ecommerce site for Foodcare Systems Australia is fully integrated with Oracle NetSuite. The company specializes in products designed for the Australian food market from food handling and storage to hygiene wear. The company needed a complete B2B and D2C portal.

The new portal meets the needs of specialist B2B and D2C users. They can explore the product range, see prices and discounts and place orders, even without an account. 

FoodCare Systems' B2B ecommerce portal powered by Cloudfy
ERP integration for packaging distribution and logistics businesses with Cloudfy

B2B ecommerce and ERP integration for packaging, distribution and logistics businesses with Cloudfy

You can unlock the power of seamless integration between your B2B ecommerce site and ERP system with Cloudfy. You’ll have a one-stop-shop solution for streamlining your business operations, improving efficiency and enhancing customer experiences.

We understand that setting up and maintaining integrations is a complex task. That’s why our expert team handles it all for you. You can focus on growing your business while we take care of the technicalities.

Importing and exporting data between your cloud-based or on-premises ERP solution and B2B ecommerce platform is simplified. It’s easy to maintain accurate and up-to-date product information, inventory levels, pricing, customer data, and order details. You’ll minimize manual data entry in both systems for reliable consistency and accuracy.

To find out how to simplify, save and scale your B2B operations with Cloudfy and ERP integration contact us today.

REQUEST A DEMO ►

Frequently Asked Questions

The best place to start is with your business priorities. This helps you define the critical capabilities you need from an enterprise resource planning (ERP) system. Delivery is important, so you’ll want to decide whether you need a cloud-based, on premises or hybrid solution. You might not need all the typical ERP features at once such as finance, human resources and customer relationship management. Your business might also have specialist requirements for manufacturing and supply chain management, reporting and analytics.

Worldwide there are probably three leading providers of enterprise resource planning (ERP) systems for packaging and logistics businesses. SAP S/4HANA is a popular choice for larger enterprises and those looking for on-premises solutions. Oracle NetSuite is good for fast-growing small, midsize and large businesses. Microsoft Dynamics 365 Finance & Operations (F&O) provides strong supply chain management capabilities for larger companies.

ERP modules offer specific benefits so the best choice depends on your needs. Financial management is often an important core ERP function. Many other modules such as CRM and SCM feed data into the financial workflows.

The post ERP Comparison for the Packaging and Logistics Sectors: SAP S/4HANA vs Oracle NetSuite vs Microsoft Dynamics 365 Supply Chain Management appeared first on Cloudfy B2B Ecommerce Software.

]]> ERP Comparison: SAP Business One vs SAP S/4HANA https://www.cloudfy.com/articles/erp-comparison-sap-business-one-vs-sap-s-4hana/ Wed, 08 May 2024 14:21:02 +0000 https://www.cloudfy.com/?p=54625 SAP is a German-based software development company offering enterprise (ERP) systems for business operations and customer relationship management (CRM). Founded in 1972 as System Analysis Program (SAP) Development, the company is now a multinational operation. SAP uses in-memory data processing … Read More

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SAP is a German-based software development company offering enterprise (ERP) systems for business operations and customer relationship management (CRM).

Founded in 1972 as System Analysis Program (SAP) Development, the company is now a multinational operation. SAP uses in-memory data processing and supports new technology such as artificial intelligence (AI) and machine learning (ML). Organizations looking for a complete digital platform choose SAP to connect all their business operations. According to SAP, 77% of the world’s transaction revenue touches an SAP system.

On premise or cloud-based solutions provide centralized data management for a single view of data across multiple business functions. This streamlines your complex business processes and provides easy access to real-time insights across all your operations. Workflows, operational efficiency, productivity and customer experiences can all improve.

Table of Contents

Cloudfy provides a comprehensive business to business (B2B) ecommerce solution with pre-built integrations for SAP Business One and SAP S/4HANA.

Ecommerce-ERP integration gives you a single view of your sales, business operations and processes. You can streamline your operations, improve data accuracy, and increase efficiency. You can bridge the gap between B2B ecommerce, your CRM system and electronic data interchange (EDI), for example.

You’ll improve data accuracy and can simplify and automate processes. You’ll save time and money and free up resources for other value-added parts of your business.

Cloudfy’s out-of-the-box SAP connectors work with both SQL and HANA databases so you can easily import master data records. You can replicate SAP pricing logic and near real-time scheduling and synchronize your product information and inventory levels.

SAP’s most widely used ERP solutions are SAP Business One and SAP S/4HANA. Both use SAP HANA (high-performance analytic appliance) as the basis for in-memory database technology. You can host either option in the cloud or locally using Microsoft Windows infrastructure for scalable business solutions.

As you would expect, the enterprise level S/4HANA includes additional support, scalability and security. However, both are technically strong as ERP solutions.

Either might be a good choice for your business’s unique requirements, so here are some things to think about.

ERP Comparison SAP Business One vs SAP S4Hana

Key features – SAP Business One

SAP Business One is a good ERP option for small businesses across multiple sectors including IT, retail, manufacturing, and engineering. It can support every aspect of your business, helping to improve efficiency and manage accounting, sales, customer relationships and inventory. You can choose to implement all its functionality immediately or introduce different modules as needed. Billing is a monthly subscription depending on the number of users in your organization, up to 500 key users.

Finance

SAP Business One doesn’t have the same depth of financial management tools as SAP S/4HANA. It does have robust accounting capabilities and provides bank reconciliation and transfers, budgeting, and fixed asset management.

HR

SAP Business One provides tools for both managers and employees. It’s suitable for a wide range of personnel management activities including recruitment and career development.

Manufacturing

If manufacturing management is a priority for your business, SAP Business One has tools to plan product processes, configure products, and manage work. S/4HANA offers more manufacturing functionality.

Inventory

SAP Business One can provide information about product locations and forecasting. SAP S/4HANA offers a wider range of enterprise-level features.

Purchasing

SAP Business One includes purchasing tools such as invoicing, returns management and purchasing reports. These can all help increase efficiency and reduce costs.

Quality control

SAP Business One can help you produce high-quality products and meet national and international quality control standards. For more in-depth functionality S/4HANA is a better option.

Sales

SAP Business One is designed to meet the sales needs of small and medium-sized businesses. You can track, monitor, and report on a range of sales order management tasks and processes. These include quotations, sales order processing, invoice management and sales reporting.

Key features – S/4HANA

S/4HANA is designed to support larger enterprise-level organizations across multiple sectors. Its modular design allows you to create personalized workspaces designed to increase operational efficiency for complex businesses.

You can integrate all your business functions to optimize operations and manage supply chains. Data collection and predictive analytics help you improve your business model. The price depends on user numbers, revenue and your overall expenditure.

Finance

S/4HANA provides greater depth of financial management tools including real time cash flow management, online payment processing support, and a financial compliance management toolkit.

HR

HR capabilities include recruitment, learning and development management, performance tracking and succession management.

Manufacturing

If manufacturing management is a priority for your business, SAP S/4HANA provides some powerful tools. These include product process planning, product configuration and work in progress (WIP) management. The S/4HANA manufacturing module includes material requirements planning (MRP), bill of materials (BOM) and safety training.

Inventory

S/4HANA can meet the complex needs of large businesses. Its features include bar code and radio frequency identification (RFID) support, inventory monitoring, warehouse management and predictive analytics. You can improve demand planning and potentially save time and money.

Purchasing

S/4HANA purchasing features include supplier segmentation, real-time transactional data tracking and employee self-service. Team members can create, manage and track orders from a central location.

Quality control

Features include material and production lot inspections, early risk detection, and closed-loop quality management support. You can continuously assess processes, identify opportunities for improvement and implement changes to improve quality.

Sales

S/4HANA sales tools are designed to meet the needs of large organizations and provide configurable user roles. Sales features include price management, contracts, workflows, claims, returns, refunds, and customer experience development.

Case study: Cooksmill

UK-based Cooksmill supplies kitchenware, tableware, clothing, cleaning, disposables and appliances to commercial kitchens, caterers and restaurants. They also sell to wholesalers and directly to consumers (D2C). They wanted to streamline their business and improve efficiency by offering more self-service features to their customers.

Cloudfy Cooksmill Case Study

Case study: Tomy

Cloudfy Tomy Case Study: Revolutionizing E-commerce Solutions

Japanese entertainment company, Tomy, merchandise children’s toys around the world. The company chose Cloudfy to modernize their European B2B ecommerce platform to improve customer service and integrate with SAP’s ERP central component (ECC) and S/4HANA.

The company now has a modern ecommerce platform to maintain and grow its European B2B ecommerce business. They have an enhanced customer interface for fast and intuitive purchasing, including real time inventory visibility.

The best B2B ecommerce and ERP integration solution for your business

SAP is well established as a solution provider for manufacturers, distributors and wholesalers. Your choice will depend on the size and complexity of your operations. SAP S/4 HANA provides more functionality but this comes at a price. For smaller but fast-growing businesses SAP Business One might provide all the functionality you need.

Whichever ERP you choose, integration with Cloudfy allows you to create a market leading B2B customer self-service portal.

To find out how to simplify, save and scale your B2B operations with Cloudfy and ERP integration contact us today.

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Frequently Asked Questions

Both SAP ERP offerings are robust and scalable. They are suitable for a wide range of sectors. The main difference is that they are designed for different types of business. Business One is for smaller, fast growing businesses while S/4HANA can meet the needs of larger and more complex operations.

Both are enterprise resource planning solutions providing tools to run your business. These include finance, HR, inventory management, accounting and customer relationship management.

Industries that commonly use SAP include food & beverage, life sciences, oil & gas services, aerospace & defense, manufacturing, distribution, and retail.

SAP Business One and SAP S/4HANA can use either SQL servers or HANA (high-performance analytic appliance) databases.

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]]> ERP Comparison: SAP vs Oracle NetSuite https://www.cloudfy.com/articles/erp-comparison-sap-vs-oracle-netsuite/ Wed, 24 Apr 2024 14:11:51 +0000 https://www.cloudfy.com/?p=54523 Providing consistent digital experiences across channels helps you increase business to business (B2B) sales. A recent survey found 62% of B2B companies increased sales by using ERP-ecommerce integration to deliver high quality digital journeys. SAP enterprise resource planning (ERP) software … Read More

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Providing consistent digital experiences across channels helps you increase business to business (B2B) sales. A recent survey found 62% of B2B companies increased sales by using ERP-ecommerce integration to deliver high quality digital journeys.

SAP enterprise resource planning (ERP) software streamlines your organization’s data processing and information flows. Originally designed for on-premises use, it now provides its wide range of applications and modules in the cloud.

NetSuite was designed for the cloud. It provides ERP and customer relationship (CRM) solutions. Although it was acquired by Oracle in 2016 it continues to operate independently.

Your ERP brings together finance, human resources, manufacturing, supply chain management and procurement. It can help you run almost any type of business. You can avoid data conflicts and save time by consolidating information and automating processes. Almost any business function can improve when you have a good ERP system.

Cloudfy comes with pre-built integrations for leading ERP systems including SAP and Oracle NetSuite. When you integrate your ERP system and Cloudfy B2B ecommerce platform you create an end to end customer service portal. You can automate sales, minimize data entry errors and have a clearer view of all your business operations. What’s more, you don’t have to invest in IT infrastructure and maintenance, so you’ll reduce costs too.

Table of Contents

SAP Key Features

Key features – SAP

SAP covers key business functions including finance, human resources, supply chain management and customer relationship management. It’s popular with organizations that want to integrate and manage all their core business processes with a single software solution.

Business processes

SAP provides preconfigured business processes based on industry best practices, helping organizations optimize their operations. It allows businesses to automate workflows, minimize manual tasks, reduce errors, and improve efficiency.

Reporting

Report Center centralizes all the reporting components from SAP’s different analytical tools. You can create reports for different levels in your organization from a central location including tiles, dashboards, and tables.

Data Integration

Data integration across departments and systems provides a central hub. You can connect different functions and share data in near real time. Removing data silos improves accuracy and provides a complete view of your business. Decision making is improved when you have access to reliable and up-to-date information.

Scalability

As you expand your business operations, SAP can handle increasing data volumes, users, and transactions. This provides an important growth path without the disruption of key system changes.

Oracle NetSuite Key Features

Key features - Oracle NetSuite

NetSuite’s ERP system covers accounting, financial management, inventory, ordering, and billing. It can support both online and in-store sales and improve planning and tracking with professional services automation (PSA). Its customer relationship management (CRM) module helps automate sales, customer service and marketing.

Single data source

With NetSuite you can run your whole business, using a single source of data for multiple purposes. Different software solutions for each business function aren’t needed. Once authorized, your employees can simply log in to access and use the functions they need.

Integration

All NetSuite modules automatically integrate and share information from your central data source. There’s a common user interface which reduces training requirements and improves productivity.

Reporting

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

Flexibility

Businesses in almost any industry sector can use the functionality, apps and tools available in NetSuite. You can select what you need to suit your business and organizational structure.

Scalability

Both fast-growing businesses and established enterprises like the usability and scalability of NetSuite. Implementation and user training are less challenging than you’ll find with some other ERP systems.

Software in the cloud

Like Cloudfy, both SAP and NetSuite are deployed in the cloud so you benefit from flexibility, scalability, and cost-effectiveness. Cloud-based solutions are good for remote teamworking, allowing everyone to access critical applications and information securely, wherever they are. Resources are available when needed and you receive automatic updates and upgrades. There’s no need for extra infrastructure investment, you simply pay a software as a service (SaaS) subscription as you grow.

Case study: Advantage Tent Fittings

Advantage Tent Fittings manufactures and distributes components for military tents. They sell in high volumes to the US government. For their sales to the military, they manufacture tent poles and stakes to meet specific requirements. The company chose Cloudfy to create a B2B ecommerce platform to replace their online catalog. Integration with their SAP B1 ERP system improved the efficiency of their sales ordering process.

ERP Integration with B2B Ecommerce Software

The best ERP and B2B ecommerce integration solution for your business

Your choice of ERP will depend on your organization’s size, industry, budget, and your plans for the future. SAP is well established as a solution for manufacturing and wholesale distribution. NetSuite is popular with fast growing businesses in service sectors, logistics and manufacturing. Whichever ERP you choose, integration with Cloudfy allows you to create a market leading B2B customer self-service portal.

To find out how to simplify, save and scale your B2B operations with Cloudfy and ERP integration contact us today.

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Frequently Asked Questions

Yes, broadly they do. You can use either solution for your finance, customer relationship management, HR, manufacturing and supply chain needs.

If you choose Cloudfy you benefit from pre-built integrations for both SAP and Oracle NetSuite. SAP doesn’t have a native ecommerce module but does offer some integrations. NetSuite offers SuiteCommerce but, unlike Cloudfy, this isn’t purpose designed for complex B2B sales.

With Cloudfy you can adapt processes and workflows to meet your needs. SAP bundles its ERP modules with limited options to opt-out, so you could find this is less flexible. You can choose each module you want with NetSuite, which supports standards-based customization and configuration.

Yes, both offer good reporting and real-time data analysis. There are data visualization tools and you can drill down to the information you need.

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]]> QuickBooks vs Sage: Which is best for B2B ecommerce integration?  https://www.cloudfy.com/articles/quickbooks-vs-sage-b2b-ecommerce-integration/ Wed, 03 Apr 2024 17:48:23 +0000 https://www.cloudfy.com/?p=54184 QuickBooks and Sage are both leading cloud-based enterprise (ERP) accounting solutions. Starting prices for both are just a few hundred dollars per year so they’re accessible for almost any type of business. Each can handle invoicing, inventory management and payroll. … Read More

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QuickBooks and Sage are both leading cloud-based enterprise (ERP) accounting solutions. Starting prices for both are just a few hundred dollars per year so they’re accessible for almost any type of business. Each can handle invoicing, inventory management and payroll.

Many B2B companies are realizing the benefits of integrating customer-facing systems with their back-office applications. In a recent report 45% of B2B organizations surveyed were planning ecommerce integration with cloud-based ERP systems. Over a third said they planned to upgrade their ERP systems this year.

Table of Contents

How do you choose the best ERP and B2B ecommerce integration solution for your business?

Cloudfy is a purpose built business to business (B2B) ecommerce platform designed for complex sales. That’s why it includes integrations with leading accountancy software solutions to streamline business operations.

QuickBooks and Sage integrations are available out of the box to meet the needs of manufacturers, distributors, and wholesalers. It’s valuable when you need to manage external factors like material costs and growing international competition.

You can automate order processing and reduce order enquiries from your customers. Synchronizing your products, inventory, pricing and order histories in real-time is simplified. Your distributors and wholesale customers can view your catalog, place orders, check their accounts and pay invoices easily online.

Sage has options suitable for different sizes of business. You can start with just two users and upgrade as your business grows. You can add payroll and automatic invoicing, receipts, bank statements and invoice payments via Stripe or PayPal, for example.

QuickBooks’ Simple Start entry-level option for one user costs less than many other accounting packages, including Sage. There are also Essentials, Plus and Advanced options. You can add payroll but there’s an extra monthly fee for each employee.

QuickBooks vs Sage

Accounting

Both QuickBooks and Sage provide expense management, invoicing, automatic bank reconciliation and financial reporting with their entry-level plans. Sage also includes inventory management, job costing, bill tracking and basic cashflow reporting. Sage’s higher level plans also offer advanced reporting and accounting tools. As your business grows you can upscale to either Sage Intacct or QuickBooks Desktop Enterprise.

B2B Ecommerce Invoicing

Invoicing

Both QuickBooks and Sage offer unlimited customizable invoices with options such as automatic recurring invoices. Sage also offers batch invoicing. QuickBooks includes invoice-based payment without an additional fee. Sage invoice payments can synchronize with some third-party payment providers for a fee.

Inventory management

All Sage plans provide inventory management which is also included in QuickBooks Plus and Advanced options. With Sage Premium and Quantum, you can generate trackable serialized inventory records. QuickBooks Plus and Advanced offer basic inventory tracking only.

B2B Ecommerce Integration

Integrations

Sage offers around 50 integrations including Stripe, PayPal, Avalara and Fortis. QuickBooks integrates with over 750 third-party business apps. If you favor Sage and need third party integrations Sage Intacct synchronizes with over 350 apps.

Mobile accounting

QuickBooks’ mobile iOS and android accounting apps include invoicing, receipt scanning, expense and mileage tracking and reporting. Sage now also offers apps for expenses, inventory, quotes and invoicing.

Customer service

Customer service

QuickBooks’ parent company, Intuit, customer service reviews include criticisms for limited access to live agents, long waiting times and complicated phone menus. In contrast, each Sage product has its own resource center with access to a community hub and knowledge base. It offers live Q&As, phone-based customer service, online requests for service, and live and pre-recorded courses.

QuickBooks vs Sage – which is best for you?

All Sage plans include inventory management and it can scale as your business grows. There are extensive customer service and education resources and you can manage multiple businesses. However, there are limited third-party integrations and payroll integration relies on Sage Payroll.

QuickBooks provides free one-on-one guided setup for new users and is probably easier to learn for new business owners. However, customer service has received criticism. Its mobile accounting app is popular and it has a live bookkeeping add-on. If you’re likely to need third-party integrations, QuickBooks probably has the edge. If you have employees, you might find the payroll options limited.

Overall, Sage is good for fast growing or midsize businesses and for managing multiple businesses. You can manage your bookkeeping and inventory tracking all in one place. QuickBooks is good for freelancers and smaller businesses requiring straightforward bookkeeping and accounting tools. You can also access a wide range of apps if you’re looking for easy integrations.

Choosing the best solution for your business

Cloudfy is a software as a service (SaaS) B2B ecommerce platform specially designed for complex sales. It provides pre-built integrations for both QuickBooks and Sage.

Find out how to simplify your business, scale as you grow and save money with Cloudfy integrations. Book a free demonstration today.

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Frequently Asked Questions

Complex administration can slow down business growth and affect performance and profitability. Accountancy software and B2B ecommerce integration allows you to scale your business and optimize processes. You can improve customer experiences and keep control of your business data. An integrated online self-service system makes the best use of data, automates processes, reduces errors and streamlines sales.

Yes, when you integrate your accountancy software with your B2B ecommerce platform order information is immediately added to your records. Add a payment gateway and the whole process can be handled seamlessly. There’s no need for manual data entry so you’ll save time and improve accuracy. Most importantly, customers can place their orders when it’s convenient for them.

 

Integration with the right enterprise (ERP) system allows you to show your inventory levels and product information, almost in real time. Your customers can order with confidence and you can rely on accurate stock information.

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