ERPs are the central hub of B2B operations, helping consolidate day-to-day tasks within one system. A well-implemented and integrated ERP system works to improve the day-to-day workflow for ecommerce teams.
Growing your online sales with a website or customer ordering portal is only part of a successful omnichannel strategy. Once you’ve invested in a robust B2B e-commerce platform, and orders start to multiply, most businesses start to see a clear gap; there are too many portals and systems that aren’t connected.
Without the benefits of ERP integration, your team spends hours copying and pasting orders from your e-commerce site into your ERP. They spend more time chasing down pricing mismatches and reconciling stock levels than selling and moving product.
Enterprise Resource Planning tools, while integral to operations, do not come with B2B integrations. They can’t transmit data to your websites, portals, or trading partners. Successful use of Enterprise Resource Planning in e-commerce is dependent on your integration strategy.
This guide will break down how to make ERP integration the catalyst of growth for your ordering ecosystem.
The world of B2B selling has always been one of nuance, based on personal relationships and negotiated pricing structures. Now, however, the same nuances remain while the influence of B2C seeps in. Your buyers want a digital experience that’s up-to-date with inventory and enables purchasing anytime, anywhere.
According to Gartner, by 2025, 80% of all B2B sales interactions will happen digitally, underscoring the imperative for connected, real‑time systems such as ERP‑e-commerce integration to meet modern buyer expectations.
But if your ERP and e-commerce site are not connected, you’ll never have real-time product inventory, and your digital experience won’t deliver the ROI you projected.
ERP integration is a two-way sync of data between channels and your back-end ERP.
That means:
With ERP integration, your e-commerce site becomes part of one unified ecosystem. Your channels are updated in real time, all using the same source of truth.
If you’re managing a smaller business, you might be able to stick with your accounting software and add an integrated B2B portal. If your budget is scarce and you’re having trouble deciding between upgrading to an ERP and implementing an eCommerce site, go for the latter. This will help expand your business and revenue to then invest in an ERP later. A B2B portal differs from an eCommerce site in being wholesale-focused as opposed to consumer-focused. Websites are a great way to market your products and sell directly to consumers, but if you only sell B2B, a portal provides pricing and customer features that aren’t available with ecommerce website builders.
For companies selling direct to consumers, an ecommerce website is your best bet. I you’re not ready to invest in an ERP, but still want your website fully integrated with your accounting system, consider a connector like our Shopify Order Management integration.
For mid-to-large-scale operations, an ERP will provide the modules you need to enhance your wholesale order operations. Adding an integrated B2B portal provides a discreet sales channel that pulls inventory from your ERP into your digital catalog. Customers can order anytime with real-time data pushed directly to your ERP.
For B2C sellers needing more robust modules than an accounting system, upgrading to an ERP and integrating with an ecommerce site is the best move. Just note that ERPs do not provide integration, and you will need a B2B ecommerce layer.
Your B2B website or portal is the front door for your customers, and your ERP is the backbone that manages inventory and fulfillment. Connecting these critical systems transforms disconnected processes into a unified ecosystem.
If your B2B e-commerce site or portal isn’t yet connected to your ERP, you’re leaving margin. Discover how leading suppliers use OrderEase to bridge the gap without costly custom builds.