Does your business struggle with manual data entry and synchronization?
Do you think enterprise resource management (ERP) systems are only for major corporations?
In fact, an ERP system can help you run almost any type of business. You can avoid data conflicts and save time by consolidating information and automating processes. You can bring finance, human resources, manufacturing, supply chain management and procurement all under one roof.
Almost any business function you can think of can improve when you have a good ERP system. You can make sure everything works seamlessly to help you outperform your competitors. When you integrate your ERP with your business to business (B2B) ecommerce platform you create an end to end customer service portal.
ERP and B2B ecommerce integration for improved customer service and increased loyalty
Oracle Fusion and NetSuite are both powerful cloud based ERP systems. They provide integrated platforms of applications, information and features that can simplify and streamline customer self-service.
Many B2B ecommerce companies rely on ERP software integration to reduce administration and improve customer experiences. Cloudfy’s B2B ecommerce platform has pre-built integrations with Oracle Fusion and NetSuite so you can choose the option that best suits your business requirements.
Oracle is a well-known ERP solution provider offering both Oracle Fusion and NetSuite. Here we look at the similarities and differences.
Table of Contents
Why does your business need ERP?
You can centralize all your essential business information and processes to improve data sharing, collaboration and operations. By minimizing data duplication and synchronization you save time, boost productivity, and can make better-informed decisions. Overall, communication and workflows improve when everyone shares the same information in near real time. You can automate business processes to reduce your costs and improve customer service.
What is NetSuite?
NetSuite is a cloud based ERP system providing a single database for accounting, financial management, inventory, ordering, and billing. Professional services automation (PSA) supports planning and tracking projects and online and in-store sales. Other modules include customer relationship management (CRM) to automate sales, service and marketing, human resources, performance management and payroll.
Scalability makes it popular with growing businesses and established enterprises. It’s easy to use so it can be introduced with less training or pain points than many other ERP systems. Robust reporting and analytics support business processes and decision making.
Because NetSuite is in the cloud users can access it from anywhere with a secure internet connection. This is good for remote teamworking, allowing everyone to access critical information wherever they are. Customers pay a software as a service (SaaS) subscription which doesn’t require technical infrastructure or maintenance.
Popular NetSuite features
As the name suggests, criminals can hold your company’s critical information to ransom. They can smuggle software into your business systems that encrypts your data. Only they have the encryption key that unlocks your information. However, making a payment doesn’t guarantee you’ll get your data back. Regulators and insurers increasingly advise against making ransom payments.
Sometimes, criminals simply threaten to encrypt your data and demand payment when they haven’t accessed your systems. Or they might introduce a screen locker that stops people using their computers. Your first level of protection is to have access to skilled IT professionals who can quickly identify whether an attack is real or threatened. If criminals gain control of critical data none of your security scans or restoration processes will help.
The damage caused by ransomware is much greater than the price of the ransom. As well as the ransom itself, many businesses lose revenue and future business opportunities.
Without access to your business critical systems, you can’t make sales or support your customers. Adverse publicity damages your reputation and might deter customers and investors in future. The costs of recovery could even put your business survival at risk.
Regular backups for your key data and business systems allow you to respond and recover from ransomware attacks quickly. While you might lose some information you can get everything up and running again without paying the ransom or damaging your reputation.
Unification
You can run your whole business using NetSuite if you wish. All your key data is in one place and can be used for multiple purposes. You won’t need different software solutions for each business function. Authorized employees can simply log in to access and use the functions they need.
Integration
All NetSuite modules are automatically integrated and share information from the same source. This means there’s a common user interface for everyone which reduces training requirements and improves productivity.
Based in the cloud
NetSuite was created as a cloud application in contrast to many other hosted or hybrid ERP systems. Updates and upgrades take place automatically and it can grow with your business.
In-depth reporting
The bigger your business becomes the more data you’ll have. NetSuite’s reporting capabilities simplify reporting and measurement. Role-based dashboards provide employees, managers and executives with the information they need to make informed decisions.
Flexibility
Businesses in almost any industry sector can use NetSuite because of its extensive functionality. Apps and tools are available to customize processes to suit your organizational structure.
What is Oracle Fusion?
Oracle Fusion is also cloud based, offering extensive features that make it a good choice for larger integrated operations. It provides apps and data handling capabilities that allow you to manage your business from a single platform. It’s good for self-service, agent-assisted service, and field service workflows. It streamlines finance, procurement, supply chain management and human resources.
The launch of order-to-revenue in the cloud in 2021 provided improved visibility, efficiency and order to cash processes. It helps coordinate sales channels and fulfillment, provides tracking and insights into customer needs.
However, for organizations still using older on-premises legacy systems specialist integrations might be needed.
Popular Oracle Fusion features
Communications
You can connect online self-service and agent-assisted customer support with billing, ordering, offers, and subscriptions. This helps you improve customer experiences and reduce the cost of service.
Planning
Automated workflows connect customers and your field service teams. It’s easy to access assets, supply chain information and billing. Oracle Fusion helps you predict bottlenecks that could lead to downtime so you can improve efficiency and increase service-related revenue.
Customer service
Customer self-service tools reduce enquiries about orders, servicing and billing. They speed up issue resolution and help to make sure you make the best use of your sales and service resources.
Supply chain management
Oracle Fusion’s supply chain management application covers all the key processes. You can improve inventory management, order management, demand planning, manufacturing, and logistics. Your customer service and field-based teams can share accurate and reliable real-time information about supply chain performance.
Ease of use
Role-based dashboards, unified worklists, guided business processes, and built-in analytics help your teams improve performance. Sales predictions, trending, forecasting and reporting help streamline measurement and planning.
Oracle’s Digital Assistant uses artificial intelligence (AI) to support text, chatbots, and voice interfaces.
Case Study - Foodcare
Foodcare Systems Australia is a customer-centric business meeting the needs of the food industry in Australia. Their products range from food handling and storage solutions to hygiene wear, footwear and safety equipment and supplies. Their new hybrid B2B and direct to consumer (D2C) ecommerce site needed to integrate seamlessly with their NetSuite ERP system. They now have NetSuite JCurve integration that takes full advantage of Cloudfy’s specialist B2B ecommerce functionality. B2C site visitors can see the wide product range, prices and bulk discounts and place orders without an account. Trade prices for B2B customers are only available for registered users after they log in.
The best ERP integration choice for your business
Your choice will depend on your organization’s size, industry, budget, and existing IT infrastructure. Like Cloudfy, both oracle Fusion and NetSuite are SaaS solutions so you can streamline your infrastructure and maintenance requirements. Whichever you choose, integration allows you to create a market leading B2B customer self-service portal.
Find out more about the benefits of Cloudfy and ERP integration. Book a free demonstration today.
