ERP & Ecommerce: The Key to B2B Digital Success

Composable ERP & Ecommerce for B2B Success

B2B Manufacturers are under increasing pressure to provide digital buying experiences. Yet, many are held back by outdated, rigid technology that limits flexibility and scalability. 

A vital issue is the disconnect between ERP systems and commerce platforms. This leads to inefficiencies, data solos, and poor customer experiences, which are common themes we heard at the Acumatica Summit. 

The solution to these challenges is a composable approach integrating modern ERP and ecommerce. With Acumatica's Value Added Resellers (VARs) and a Digital Agency (DA) like Acro Commerce, manufacturers can modernize their tech stacks efficiently, creating a future-proof foundation for scaling.

Modern B2B Buyer Expectations 

Customers expect the same intuitive self-service buying experiences they find in B2C.  Decision makers and purchasers today have grown up buying with their phones, and this expectation is now the same for their businesses.

Working together with Acumatica, here are some examples of what  customers want: 

• Real-time inventory
• Personalized recommendations
• Seamless transactions

Updating ERP and commerce together is a daunting task. Many companies still rely on monolithic or all-in-one solutions. These are solutions that promise everything. But instead of being built for your business, you must build your business to fit these monoliths.

Monolithic platforms

• Make integrations difficult and costly
• Prevent quick adaptation to market changes
• Deliver poor user experiences

The challenge isn’t just recognizing the problem. It’s now how to modernize workflows with as few disruptions to existing operations as possible. 

Consequences of Outdated Technology

Failing to adapt has real repercussions. Manufacturers sticking to outdated technology risk:

• Losing customers to competitors who are meeting buyers' needs
• Higher operational costs from maintaining inefficient systems
• Inability to scale their build
• Reduced agility when meeting customer demands

Plainly put, legacy tech stacks are a bottleneck to growth. The longer companies wait, the harder it will be to catch up.

Combining ERP with Composable Commerce: The Solution for B2B

The answer lies in composable commerce. 

Acumatica is the heart of the B2B tech stack and the best ERP for composable architecture. We rely on the ERP expertise of our VAR partners, like The Answer Company, to build and maintain the best solution for your business. 

Using our robust partner ecosystem and Gesso, Acro’s decoupled accelerator, we separate the front-end user experience from the back end to allow your tech stack to scale alongside your business.

Choosing the right technology is crucial, but it isn’t the whole story. Success depends on the proper implementation strategy. 

This is where VARs and DAs work together to tailor a solution specific to your business needs. Agencies bring the expertise to design and execute a seamless digital experience, while VARs ensure backend systems integrate smoothly, reducing implementation friction and maximizing ROI.

If you’re beginning your digital journey, check out Which to Tackle First: Ecommerce or ERP, which we co-authored with The Answer Co. For a deeper understanding of the tech and strategies, download our whitepaper, Beyond the Assembly Line, for a detailed look at the future of manufacturing.