Using Magento as an e-commerce platform is a process which inadvertently leads to the issue of integration with Enterprise Resource Planning software or ERP. As a key component in the process of tracking an inventory of a business and its changes, ERP simply needs to be integrated with the platform where online sales take place. Magento ERP integration is a necessity because the manual entry of data between the two platforms is simply not possible after a certain level of growth, where the data becomes bigger and more complex. But, even though both platforms can provide any business with multiple advantages, the process of Magento ERP integration needs to have clearly established goals. Here are the things that should be considered when integrating Magento with an ERP system.
Understand the order management process of e-commerce website
The very first requirement is to understand the workflow and the elements of Magento’s product related data setup. This e-commerce platform has an order management process that is specific, along with the setup and management of products that move through it Product-related data can be controlled using attributes, the same ones which are used to control the variation of a product and similar relevant information that is then directed into the ERP system converting the same order. This is why Magento ERP integration requires an understanding what product data is currently organized or will be organized in the Magento structure. These factors include things like types of products, attributes and sets of attributes, and other data that Magento will pass along into the ERP.
Understand Your ERP
Each ERP system operates using different parameters and settings. Because of this, it is important to know the system that is being used by a business, along with knowing Magento’s specifications. The more a business knows about these two systems, the easier the process of Magento integration can prove to be Lacking this knowledge could turn the same integration into a true nightmare and demand an extensive use of third party experts who might not understand the exact specifications and needs for a business in question. ERP platforms usually include a lot of possibilities and features which can be fully customized. This makes understanding how an ERP is used very important in determining that will be needed from Magento integration in the future.
What Data Should Be Passed Back and Forth Between ERP and Magento?
This decision is connected to several important questions about the overall Magento integration process. Should the integration include a two-way data stream which sends information between Magento and ERP, or should the same stream go just in one of these? How often does the data need to pass through – once every 10 minutes or once per work day? What types of data need to be used in this connection and should it include customer information, price, or something else? In any circumstance, it will most likely be necessary to create a compromise, according to the company’s needs and budget. At other times, the software capabilities included in the Magento ERP integration process will provide the reference frame of what can or cannot be achieved. Data that should be passed between these platforms in almost any circumstance includes shipments, inventory, customers, orders and product data.
Budget and Time-frame
Like in the case of any other substantial task that connects software platforms which carry out online commerce, a time-frame, and a budget must be considered. Magento ERP integration in this regard is influenced by the type of integration, which can be fully automated or manual to a degree (semi-manual). It is also influenced by the amount of touch points, which come in the form of one-way points and bi-directional points. Both factors will significantly impact the required time for the project completion and its cost. This is why Magento integration with an ERP system can take anywhere from four weeks up to a period of several months.
Choose the Integration Solution – Custom, Standard or Tailored
In any Magento ERP integration, there are two main routes anyone can take. First one is to choose a pre-built connector like the ones offered by Logic Broker, eBridge Connections or Modern Retail. The second one includes building a custom connection from the ground up. The second option will almost definitely be more expensive, but they should always be compared to the pre-built offers, where a business should identify what they require and what is currently of no use to them. Finally, there is the tailored option of Magento integration, which is sort of a compromise between the previous two In this case, a business can leverage the pre-built solution and combine them with the option of tailoring the integration process and its behavior, according to their rules and needs. This way, they can receive a drag-and-drop solution for integration that does not require any complex coding or an in-depth technical knowledge.
Conclusion
When it comes to Magento ERP integration, every business needs to make decision and choose the option that best suits their needs. The process of making the right choice includes understanding all necessary e-commerce system elements, including both ERP and Magento. It also includes defining the types of data that will be transported between them, setting a budget and a time-frame for the integration and finally choosing the integration solution itself. Through this process, any Magento ERP integration can result in complete success.
source: http://www.business2community.com/tech-gadgets/things-consider-integrating-magento-erp-system-01256426#0xtKTxr2rt5PbkcT.99
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