Investing In An eCommerce Friendly ERP System

eCommerce is becoming more and more necessary for every business as shoppers continue to move to buying conveniently online. Most ERP systems are separate from eCommerce solutions with the exception of a few platforms like Netsuite who offer an all in one eCommerce and ERP connected cloud suite. Therefore it is important to think about how your ERP system is going to connect to your separate eCommerce platform when choosing an ERP system.
There are also many other things to look into in regards to eCommerce and ERP. The major things I would look for are:

• Easy integration with your eCommerce platform via prebuilt solution or well-documented API’s
• OmniChannel capabilities to handle phone orders, in-store orders, website orders, wholesale orders, and marketplace orders
• Good fulfillment capabilities for getting orders from online to customer quickly
• Ability to handle drop shipping and multi-warehouse capabilities

Here is a list of ERP systems we have found that connect to most major eCommerce platforms very well and also have prebuilt connections with major platforms like Magento, Shopify, WooCommerce, BigCommerce, Hybris, and more.

Skubana:

Skubana is an interesting one to me because they are a new platform that is focused on omnichannel and order management. They also easily connect to major platforms like Magento, Shopify,  and BigCommerce. They also connect with marketplaces and shipping providers like Fedex and UPS so that orders can be fulfilled from marketplaces, eCommerce, and fulfilled via shipping carriers.
Key Highlights:

• Marketplace Integrations such as Amazon and eBay
• eCommerce Platform Integrations
• EDI Integrations with many vendors like Sears
• Multi-warehouse capabilities
• eCommerce focused

BrightPearl:

BrightPearl is a light ERP that is really more described as an Omnichannel or retail management platform for retailers. They have integrations with Magento, Shopify, and BigCommerce. They do everything from inventory and accounting to POS and fulfillment. They are certainly a fast-growing SaaS solution that is eCommerce focused and a great option for smaller retailers looking to grow.
Key Highlights:

• Marketplace Integrations such as Amazon and eBay
• eCommerce Platform Integrations
• Retail focused
• eCommerce focused
• SMB focused

Netsuite:

Netsuite is a fast-growing enterprise resource planning software built on the cloud that can handle both small and large company needs. Netsuite was recently acquired by Oracle and is now becoming a leader in the ERP space as part of the massive organization that is Oracle. It is a great option because it has a full suite of CRM, ERP, and eCommerce products that can scale to larger companies.
Key Highlights:

• Full suite of CRM, ERP, and eCommerce all in one platform
• Reasonably priced for SMB companies
• Enterprise capabilities to scale as you grow
• Owned by Oracle with heavy future investment in the platform
• Large growing user base
• Leading ERP platform according to Gartner

Microsoft Dynamics:

Microsoft Dynamics is a leading ERP solution that has multiple versions, 365, AX, GP, and Nav. It seems pretty clear Microsoft is entirely focused on the cloud 365 version, as that is the main part of their website and marketing at this point. Their platform is mostly focused on finance, operations, sales, customer engagement, and fulfillment. They don’t have their own eCommerce connectors but there are many 3rd party solutions on the market to connect Microsoft Dynamics with Magento and other major eCommerce platforms.
Key Highlights:

• Full suite of CRM, ERP, and eCommerce all in one platform
• Reasonably priced for SMB companies
• Enterprise capabilities to scale as you grow
• Owned by Oracle with heavy future investment in the platform
• Large growing user base

SAP:

SAP is widely considered the leading ERP solution for both SMB and large enterprise companies. They have a large market share and multiple offerings for smaller cost conscious companies as well as more enterprise products focused on bigger companies such as SAP Business One and SAP ERP. SAP also has their own eCommerce product Hybris, so they are a very eCommerce focused company too.
Key Highlights:

• Full suite of CRM, ERP, and eCommerce products
• Many third-party connectors for top eCommerce platforms
• Both SMB and Enterprise products
• Enterprise capabilities to scale as you grow
• Large user base
• Gartner ERP Leader

Odoo:

Odoo is an interesting cloud-based ERP software that is clearly focused on the small business client. They have a collection of apps covering websites, sales, and operations so that it can be used as a full-blown ERP or for specific purposes too. They have SMB friendly pricing starting at 25 per month per user. Odoo has integrations with major eCommerce platforms like Magento and Shopify and is very friendly for eCommerce focused businesses.
Key Highlights:

• Full suite of CRM, Operations, and eCommerce products
• Many third-party connectors for top eCommerce platforms
• SMB focused suite of products
• Growing SaaS user base

Freestyle Solutions:

Freestyle Solutions, formerly Dydacomp, is mostly focused on order management but is also a very strong ERP option for eCommerce focused SMB companies. They definitely focus on SMB companies and their new solutions are completely cloud-based. Their ERP solution is great for multi-channel and eCommerce so they could be a great fit for the modern growing SMB company focused on eCommerce

• Core focus on order management
• Prebuilt integration with Magento
• Multichannel / Omnichannel focus
• Strong connection with Magento

Epicor:

Epicor is a leading manufacturing focused ERP solution targeting mid-size companies. Epicor is focused on manufacturing but has solutions for retailers and distributors too. Epicor has recently expanded its cloud offering and also partnered with a leading eCommerce platform Magento to improve its eCommerce capabilities. Epicor has a full suite of ERP, operational, financial, and CRM products to handle most back office situations. Their partnership with Magento shows they want to invest in integrating with a leading eCommerce platform rather than building one themselves.
Key Highlights:

• Partnered with Magento
• Full suite of CRM, Operations, ERP and financial products
• SMB focused suite of products
• Solutions for Manufacturing, retail, and distributors
• Investing in new SaaS versions

Infor:

Infor is a leading ERP platform that serves a large range of small to very large customers. The Infor products are heavily expanded to the cloud and focus on a large range of industries such as aerospace, defense, and retail. They recently launched some AI products and are continuing to innovate in the ERP space. They also have a partnership with AWS showing their commitment to the cloud.
Key Highlights:

• Partnered with AWS
• Full suite of CRM, Operations, ERP and financial products
• Solutions for manufacturing, retail and many other types of businesses
• Constantly evolving and improving their ability to integrate with eCommerce platforms via API’s

Sage:

Sage is known heavily for its accounting and payments products that often tie closely to eCommerce platforms like Magento or Shopify. There are many connectors between Sage and Magento or other major eCommerce platforms allowing for potential cost-effective integrations.

• Core focus on financial products
• Full ERP products for beyond financial use
• Sage pay for payment processing
• Many prebuilt modules for integrating with platforms like Magento and Shopify