How Can ERP Integrations Benefit Ecommerce Businesses?

With 64% of businesses planning to implement Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP) systems within the next three years, it’s clear many companies are prioritising workforce productivity, efficiency, and data management.

Some businesses still overlook ERP integrations because of fears around cost, resources, or the impact on day-to-day operations. But this shouldn’t be the case. In fact, ERP integrations can save you both time and money in the long term.

In this blog, we’ll explain what ERP integrations are, outline the four biggest business benefits, and show why they’re too important to ignore.

What is an ERP?

An Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP) system brings together business functions such as sales, customers, finance, HR, and supply chain into one place.

The core purpose of an ERP is to streamline processes and make day-to-day operations easier. There are many ERP systems on the market, with three of the most common being NetSuite, Microsoft Dynamics 365 and SAP.

What is an ERP integration?

An ERP integration connects your ERP system with other business applications such as your ecommerce platform, CRM or finance software. The goal is to share company-wide data across systems to boost productivity and efficiency.

Common applications ERP systems integrate with include:

• Business Intelligence (BI) software
• Customer Relationship Management (CRM) software
• Ecommerce platforms like Shopify, WooCommerce or Magento
• Online marketplaces
• Project management tools

What are the benefits of an ERP integration?

ERP integration delivers a wide range of benefits including streamlined processes, improved data visibility, better collaboration, reduced costs and stronger customer service.

Studies show ERP integrations can improve processes by 95% and cut operational costs by 23% (Forbes, 2024).

Here’s how those benefits play out in practice:

Accurate, real-time data

Integrating your ERP with other applications gives you a single source of truth. This removes data silos and provides real-time visibility across departments in one place. It reduces errors, speeds up access to information, and makes reporting clearer.

Automate manual tasks

With a fully integrated ERP, you can automate time-consuming workflows. For example, instead of manually updating stock levels in your ecommerce platform, an ERP integration can automatically feed live stock updates so your site is always accurate.

Enhanced collaboration

When everyone works from the same system, collaboration becomes easier. Teams can share and access data quickly, make faster decisions, and work more productively. It also creates a more enjoyable way of working.

Better customer service

Real-time access to customer data and order history means your sales and support teams can deliver faster, more personalised service. This improves customer satisfaction and retention, and ultimately drives sales growth.

If you’re considering an ERP integration but not sure on the best approach, get in touch and we’ll book a call to talk through your ERP system.