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B2B Supply Chain Management in eCommerce

Updated  | 5 min read

How B2B Supply Chain Management Works

Supply chain management (SCM) refers to the series of processes that begin with product manufacturing with raw materials and end with delivering finished goods to the customer. In the business-to-business, or B2B, business model, customers are other businesses rather than individual consumers.

B2B supply chain activities aim to make products available in the most efficient way. An eCommerce supply chain includes the processes of planning, design, production, storage, inventory management, and order fulfillment.

e commerce inventory management

Some companies are able to own every stage of their business supply chain, meaning the manufacturers as well as the distributors work for the same overarching company. However, many businesses need to collaborate with other organizations and outsource different steps of the supply chain process.

This means that other suppliers, distributors, etc. that partner with these businesses are each responsible for completing certain steps within the process chain.

Increase Sales by Improving Your B2B Supply Chain Solution

Effective B2B eCommerce supply chain management starts with an SCM system. A good SCM system or software solution helps you optimize business relationships, streamline and automate supply chain processes, and forecast supply and demand. Proper B2B architecture must be followed closely.

Each of these factors increases efficiency and thereby customer satisfaction and sales.

Optimize Relationships

Optimizing the relationship between suppliers, manufacturers, and customers means fostering strong working relationships through effective communication. This can include supply chain managers setting up systems for regular communication such as weekly check-ins or using cloud-based systems that allow all parties to have access to updated information.

You also need to be aware of potential changes or risks that might occur and have protocols in place to deal with them effectively.

Automate B2B Supply Chain Processes

Streamlining and automating B2B supply chain processes can help increase production efficiency and minimize delays in product delivery. Automation can involve introducing robotic technology into manufacturing lines or investing in software that helps coordinate tasks across different sites.

Streamlining processes can include implementing lean management principles to reduce wasteful activities, simplifying organizational structure and procedures, and reducing paperwork where possible.

Supply chain management refers to fulfillment centers and warehouse operations

Plan Ahead Effectively

Forecasting supply and demand lets your organization (as well as business clients and partners) plan ahead when deciding how much inventory to order or strategizing marketing campaigns. Artificial intelligence, analytics tools, and automatically generated reports can help predict customer behavior and optimize B2B stock levels so you're maximizing sales opportunities while minimizing costs associated with overstocking.

Real-Time Tracking

A comprehensive B2B supply chain solution provides real-time visibility into the supply chain, including your inventory and production schedules, enabling prompt responses, informed decisions, and improved customer relationships.

Challenges and Advantages of B2B Supply Chain Management

E-Commerce supply chain management systems for inventory tracking

Challenges of B2B SCM

B2B eCommerce supply chain management can be complex, particularly for B2B businesses that may not own the entire supply chain. When multiple companies are involved in the supply chain, B2B procurement participants need to be on the same page. A miscommunication or out-of-date information at any point in the B2B supply chain can slow down the entire process.

This has consequences down the line when a customer doesn't receive their order when expected. This may result in the customer contacting customer service resources to resolve the issue.

Due to the nature of B2B eCommerce, B2B SCM must meet stricter deadlines. While the consumer in B2C may want their product as soon as possible, the business in B2B needs the product by a specific time and day to run its own operations from there.

E-Commerce business operations to fulfill customer orders

Advantages of B2B SCM

When it comes to eCommerce supply chain management, SCM software has made things easier for B2B eCommerce in many ways. With access to online systems, instant data transfer, and multiple ways to communicate, your company has access to a wider range of suppliers and better ways to facilitate those relationships, enabling partnerships that weren't previously available.

You can also compare prices online for different members of the B2B supply chain and aggregate information about how much you're spending and where, allowing you to reduce operating costs if anything becomes unnecessary, inefficient, or too costly.

Additionally, with ERP software integration, your eCommerce company can have quick access to information at each stage of the B2B supply chain. This helps point out growth opportunities for a better customer experience, improved methods for selling goods, and other key elements for your business.

E-Commerce supply chain management systems for e-Commerce businesses

ERP Software Integration and Supply Chain Management

With software integration of eCommerce business systems, your B2B company can combat the challenges of complex supply chains and benefit from online SCM systems. SCM and ERP integration gives you a better solution than using them separately or without full integration. Let's go over why.

Seamless Data Transfer

With integrated eCommerce, when one system updates, so does the other. No more manual entries or guesswork. You'll have the power to make informed decisions for the best possible outcomes because you'll have up-to-date data in all your business systems, which gives you a better view of the whole picture.

More Automated Workflows

Integrating your ERP and SCM software allows you to automate more processes, such as B2B inventory management workflows. This saves time, reduces overhead, and minimizes errors.

Shipment Tracking

Shipping integration with supply chains, along with ERP and SCM integration, will give you not just shipment tracking, but also shipping updates for you and your customers. Plus, you'll be able to offer multiple options for shipping and delivery, depending on which carriers you integrate with.

Timely Fulfillment

Consistent information helps ensure that schedules are kept to deliver to the customer in a timely manner. Automating processes can reduce your eCommerce business's operating costs and save time. Integrating your ERP with your SCM system benefits you, the entire B2B supply chain, and your customers.

ECommerce supply chains matched with enterprise resource planning software

Clarity Can Help

For nearly 20 years, our team at Clarity has helped eCommerce businesses integrate their business supply chain eCommerce systems with their other software. Using our integration platform, Clarity Connect, our custom integrations have helped our clients save valuable time and resources for their B2B projects. To find out more about how Clarity can help your company improve supply chain management processes, contact us today!

Web development.

FAQ

 

Supply chain management is essential for B2B businesses to be successful, as this is what allows the business to run. SCM software helps by automating workflows, improving communication, and providing up-to-date supply chain data. With a comprehensive eCommerce supply chain system, an eCommerce business can identify areas where your business can save money and plan ahead effectively.

An inventory management system can lead to a more effective eCommerce supply chain, especially when it is paired with a solid eCommerce supply chain strategy. ECommerce-integrated supply chain software can integrate a warehouse management system, fulfillment centers, reverse logistics, and more.

Effective supply chain management inventory management software can also respond quickly to changing customer needs with visibility into the entire supply chain, increasing customer satisfaction due to increased supply chain efficiency. This efficiency can also lead to substantial cost savings.

By leveraging an SCM software solution for supply chains, your business can ensure that operations run smoothly and increase profitability in the long run.

 

B2B integration is a connection between two or more business software systems. It can be between systems in the same organization, or between different organizations. B2B integration technology helps businesses securely connect their systems together so they can easily share data with each other.

Integrated software allows businesses to create custom and automated workflows that make certain processes—such as supply chains for finished and raw materials—easier, faster, and more accurate.

 

EDI stands for Electronic Data Interchange. It is used by businesses to securely and efficiently exchange data between their systems, so everyone stays up to date on their relevant processes. B2B businesses use EDI in eCommerce as a way to communicate data with partners and clients. EDI helps businesses streamline operations, reduce costs, and gain valuable insights into their operations.

 

Supply chain management plays a crucial role in enhancing customer satisfaction for businesses.

  • It ensures product availability by optimizing inventory levels and demand forecasting, preventing stockouts, and ensuring customers can find what they need when they need it.
  • It helps in reducing lead times through efficient transportation and production processes, ensuring timely delivery to customers by improving supply chain operations.
  • Quality control measures within the supply chain can help identify and rectify any defects or issues before products reach the customer, thereby improving overall product quality.
  • When you improve supply chain management, it can lead to cost efficiencies. Reduction of supply chain costs can be passed on to customers through competitive pricing.
  • Complex supply chains enable businesses to offer a wider range of products and variations, catering to diverse customer preferences. This variety can attract a broader customer base and increase market share.
  • Communication and transparency in the supply chain, achieved through technologies like tracking systems, provide customers with real-time updates on their orders, enhancing trust and satisfaction.

These benefits of improving supply chain operations collectively contribute to higher customer satisfaction levels, ultimately driving business success.

 

A supply chain disruption will have a significant impact on eCommerce businesses. These problems can lead to delayed product deliveries, causing customer dissatisfaction and potential loss of trust. Shortages of essential components or inventory may result in out-of-stock situations, leading to missed sales opportunities. Rising transportation costs and logistical challenges can also increase operational expenses, potentially reducing profit margins.

Also, uncertain lead times can disrupt sales forecasts and inventory management, leading to inefficiencies. Ultimately, these disruptions can hinder eCommerce businesses' continuity and competitiveness in the rapidly evolving eCommerce market.

 

Here are the most common reasons for integrating ERP with your eCommerce supply chain management system.

  1. Improved Visibility: ERP integration provides real-time visibility into the entire eCommerce supply chain management system, allowing for better tracking of inventory, orders, and shipments.

  2. Enhanced Efficiency: Streamlining processes through integration reduces manual data entry and eliminates silos within eCommerce supply chain management systems, leading to increased operational efficiency.

  3. Optimized Inventory Management: ERP & supply chain integration helps in maintaining optimal inventory levels, preventing overstock or stockouts by aligning demand and supply to make a more efficient supply chain.

  4. Accurate Demand Forecasting: Access to comprehensive data enables more accurate demand forecasting, creating better supply chain strategies for planning and resource allocation.

  5. Cost Reduction: By automating processes and minimizing errors, ERP integration helps reduce operational costs associated with inventory management, order fulfillment, and procurement. It can also help with cash flow for eCommerce companies.

  6. Faster Decision-Making: Real-time data availability enables quick decision-making, which is crucial for adapting to market changes and addressing eCommerce supply chain disruptions promptly.

  7. Improved Customer Satisfaction: Timely and accurate order fulfillment, along with better communication and inventory tracking, contributes to enhanced customer satisfaction.

  8. Supplier Collaboration: Integration fosters collaboration with suppliers, enabling better communication and coordination, which is vital for a smooth and efficient eCommerce supply chain.

  9. Compliance Adherence: ERP systems often come with features to ensure regulatory compliance, helping organizations meet legal requirements in the eCommerce supply chain.

  10. Data-driven Insights: Integration provides valuable data insights that can be used for continuous improvement, strategic planning, and identifying areas for optimization to create a more effective eCommerce supply chain.

Still have questions? Chat with us on the bottom right corner of your screen #NotARobot

Author
 
Autumn Spriggle is a Content Writer at Clarity Ventures with experience in research and content design. She stays up to date with the latest trends in the eCommerce and software development industries so she can write content to help people like you realize the full potential for their business.

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