Ecommerce integration is quickly becoming one of the most critical factors in selecting an ERP. The numbers vary depending on which research you follow, but the total number of online purchases are staggering and growing at exponential rates. Additionally, with the burst of online business during the COVID-19 crisis, we have set a precedent for Ecommerce that will likely never cease.
What this means for business, is if you are not already using Ecommerce, you will more than likely need to build it into your digital roadmap in the very near future. Keep in mind that the ERP/Ecommerce relationship can vary. Some solutions have pre-built Ecommerce functionality while others require bolt-on modules. Either way, there are three factors to keep in mind as you work to select an ERP for your Ecommerce or online business. We also recommend following this order as you select:
- Functional requirements
- Ease of implementation and use
- Cost
The following list illustrates our top choices when selecting an ERP for your Ecommerce business, however, before we get started I need to share a few disclaimers:
1) This list is not meant as a recommendation for any particular business. While Ecommerce is a critical evaluation factor, ERP must be able to handle specific functionality for your business such as finance, inventory, CRM, supply chain, etc. You will still need to conduct a proper software evaluation.
2) For the vendors in the group: I realize that as soon as this blog is posted we will be receiving emails from any ERP solution provider that is not listed below. We recognize that the majority of solutions on the market these days have options for Ecommerce. Below are a few that tend to stand out specifically in the Ecommerce space, but we are not suggesting that other solutions are not viable contenders.
The following list is left in alphabetical order and is not assuming any specific rankings within the Top 5:
Acumatica: Acumatica is one of the fastest-growing solutions for small and mid-size businesses on the market. What brings them on the Top 5 list is not their ease of use, but the integrated functionality surrounding the sale and distribution of goods. Acumatica is quickly working around some initial integration issues with Ecommerce solutions such as Shopify, but the supporting functionality makes Acumatica a great option for SMB Ecommerce businesses.
Oracle NetSuite: A familiar name and one of the world’s leading software solutions, NetSuite is a prime choice for Ecommerce and omni-channel commerce. Key features include connectors to most Ecommerce platforms such as Amazon, Ebay, etc. along with multi-language and currency capability. As NetSuite also brings the ability to manage various channels under the same platform and is user-friendly for mobile devices, it is a great potential option for both B2C and B2B businesses. The primary consideration for NetSuite, however, will be evaluating costs.
Brightpearl: Brightpearl was built for multichannel retailers and high-volume businesses and works with some well-known consumer brands. It may struggle as a complete ERP solution depending on your needs, but this platform was built specifically for Ecommerce and includes integrated financial management, inventory and sales order management, CRM, WMS, and logistics. It is recognized for integrating with all major channels such as Shopify, BigCommerce, Magento, and others.
ERPNext: As one of the longest-standing open-source platform, ERPNext has the ability to build integration with almost anything, including Ecommerce. Additionally, ERPNext has put a focus on retail and distribution verticals that require easy integration with platforms such as Shopify, PayPal, and Amazon. ERPNext is a fairly simple and cost-effective solution and is generally considered best for small business, so may lack the capability for more complex businesses.
Microsoft Dynamics: If you consider who Microsoft is from a perspective of ease-of-use, fully integrated platform, Microsoft is a natural inclusion in our list. While navigating the Dynamics world from the legacy platforms such as NAV, GP, and AX to D365, Business Central, F&O, etc. may be a daunting task, Microsoft’s capabilities surrounding Ecommerce are proven. Costs will likely be higher than other solutions on the market, but Microsoft Dynamics will bring strong functionality and a global presence to support any Ecommerce needs.
