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Manufacturing & Distribution eCommerce

ECommerce and supply chain management Solutions designed specifically for integration & automation of Manufacturing & Distribution

Top 10 Benefits of a Manufacturing & Distribution eCommerce Platform

  1. The Digital Divide Will Begin to Separate Companies

  1. Generating Alternative Income Streams

  1. Sharing Information Bi-directionally

  1. Automating Product Catalog Feeds, Update the Supply Chain

  1. Delivering a User-Friendly Experience

  1. Managing an Evolving Workforce

  1. Earning Better SEO Rankings

  1. Developing an Inbound Marketing Strategy

  1. Adding New Technology

  2. Tracking & Measuring Results

 

 

KEY TAKEAWAYS

  • Solutions for manufacturing and distribution eCommerce are crucial as they streamline operations, enhance efficiency, and improve customer experience.

  • These solutions—such as improvements to supply chain management—automate and integrate processes, reducing manual tasks and errors. They also optimize inventory management, enabling accurate demand forecasting and cost savings.

  • ECommerce business platforms provide a global reach, expanding business opportunities and revenue potential, delivering an improved customer experience through personalized recommendations, secure transactions, and real-time tracking leading to customer satisfaction and loyalty.

  • Integration with existing systems ensures seamless data flow, while data-driven insights facilitate informed decision-making. Overall, these solutions are essential for competitiveness, growth, and success in the digital marketplace.

Custom B2B, Distributor Portal, EDI-integration & More

Top 10 Benefits of a Manufacturing & Distribution eCommerce Platform

Building a robust Manufacturing & Distribution eCommerce platform has become increasingly important to stay competitive in today's digital markets. Although many companies have become successful using traditional wholesale practices, there are new technologies, buyers with different demands, and a need for faster communications that require a platform that offers multiple user services and ordering options.

Generational Buyers

Millennials have changed the face of purchasing and marketing, and many successful sellers for the next 30 or 40 years will be those who embrace advanced and current technologies to deliver goods and services to those that have grown up in a digital world.

It's come to the point where even if you've done business successfully the same way for decades, the next generation of buyers has not, and will not want to deal with outdated and inconvenient purchasing processes. There are too many other options online for them to switch to.

Customers also demand more customizations, special pricing, and the ability to order from other manufacturers from marketplace platforms of curated products that are industry-specific.

E-Commerce supply chain management improves operating costs.

How to Grow with the Customer

Both manufacturers and distributors must collaborate with a larger group of stakeholders, which include buying committees, social media connections, specialty vendors, and key organizations in the supply chain. Each of these groups wants access to information 24/7, and they want to work more closely with manufacturers and distributors through responsive platform features instead of playing complex games of phone and message tag.

Data and technology have transformed almost every part of everyday life, and to ignore that reality—just because that's the way a company has operated for 100 years--is shortsighted and risky. Established customers die, relocate, find new suppliers and choose new iterations of products. Barriers to entry and commercialization are rapidly falling because of leaner processes and new technologies like additive manufacturing and eCommerce integration. These factors keep attrition rates high, so it's essential to replace lost business with new sales based on modern marketing practices.

E-Commerce supply chain operations can reduce shipping costs.
Preparing for Your New "Digital" Customers

The Digital Divide Will Begin to Separate Companies

In the United States, the potential for factory earnings by adopting digital best practices is estimated at $3.7 trillion by 2025. [1] The most innovative and successful manufacturers today put their customers first by delivering great online experiences to each visitor. Those companies that don't optimize for the digital age will fall increasingly behind as younger decision-makers take over senior positions in businesses, and the divide will grow greater. Remember what happened to Blockbuster, who started life as an innovative company, but failed to continue innovating their business. One study found that brand attraction depends more today on enriched interaction online, convenient self-service, and appealing digital experiences. [2] Another report found that 67 percent of the average buyer's journey is made digitally. [3]

That's why it's so important for decision-makers to recognize the digital mandate and upgrade their platforms to meet the needs of today's informed, powerful online buyers. The benefits of an enterprise B2B manufacturing & distribution eCommerce solution include the following advantages:

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Generating Alternative Income Streams

A robust, eCommerce integrated supply chain manufacturing platform provides the self-service tools and streamlined management necessary to open alternative income streams such as marketplace sales platforms, short production runs, and customized products. Customized platforms designed specifically for manufacturing and distributing usually have stronger customer self-service features that enable faster decisions from multiple, customer-specific pricing, detailed information on inventory, raw materials, supply chain, compliance guidelines from multiple countries and taxing jurisdictions involved in global marketing, and faster shipping with integrated connections to various carriers.

A well-managed supply chain can help with reverse logistics.

Sharing Information Bi-directionally

In today's business environment, it's imperative to share information internally and externally to streamline processes, update inventory management software, collaborate, and market with customized content.

Manufacturers and distributors can automate intelligence gathering, enable real-time information sharing, generate custom reports based on a stakeholder's level of authorization, monitor employees, and gain valuable insights about their customers from platform analytics and user behavior. It's also important to engage customers by communicating with them, knowing their needs, soliciting their opinions, and responding to their complaints and concerns.

An e-Commerce supply chain can exceed customer expectations.

Automate Product Catalog Feeds, Update the Supply Chain

Companies can promote new product launches, update product particulars, change prices and create custom pricing tiers. Companies can create catalogs-within-catalogs for special buyers, preferred customers, and authorized buyers within a given client's company. Managing big product catalogs and thousands to millions of SKUs becomes simplified. That's why platforms designed for Enterprise B2B custom implementations, such as Clarity ecommerce works so well.

Delivering a User-Friendly Experience icon

Delivering a User-Friendly Experience

A well-designed platform automatically generates the right display for customers, prospects, and multiple decision-makers based on the type of device each person uses. Customers can have custom dashboards for ordering products and special features such as product configurators to speed up order completions. Scheduling shipments, recurring orders, and returns should be easy and hassle-free, and the right eCommerce platform can make those processes easy and automatic.

An e-Commerce business solve supply chain issues with an efficient supply chain.

Managing an Evolving Workforce

Manufacturers and distributors often deal with associates from multiple countries, cultures, and even time zones. Some staff members might work from home while others work at multiple branches, factories, and sales offices. Unlike past generations, few companies can survive long if they run “sweatshop” operations.

Companies find it increasingly difficult to attract and retain top talent, and an integrated platform can make it easier by providing employee self-service options, online onboarding, and other HR tools. Efficiency and collaboration drive productivity more than salary savings and negative reinforcement. Most companies now allow workers to BYOD (Bring Your Own Device), which allows the staff to work anywhere. Mobile technologies on the floor allow workers to connect with customers, stakeholders, and managers.

E-Commerce businesses can increase inventory visibility with better supply chain management.

Earning Better SEO Rankings

B2B manufacturing resourcing operations often don't realize how strongly B2C convenience has permeated the modern culture. Today's business buyers no longer rely on loyalty, word-of-mouth referrals, relationships with sales staff, and price as the main drivers of where they buy. Business buyers are also retail consumers, and they want the same conveniences that they get from retail sites. Unhappy customers can easily search the Internet for alternative suppliers, so it's critical to rank highly in organic searches.

A world-class manufacturing custom eCommerce platform—like Clarity eCommerce—is always correctly coded for on-page SEO for each product, allows category landing pages, provides product and category XML sitemaps, and the platform can build brand awareness with the right content and off-page backlinks from other respected websites. Regular monitoring can detect broken links.

Developing an Inbound Marketing Strategy icon

Developing an Inbound Marketing Strategy

Today's B2B eCommerce platforms can make the most of what customers do online. The data includes how long visitors spend on each area of a website, which products cause visitors to pause and what areas seem to be pain points. Content can be monitored the same way regardless of whether it's on the website or posted elsewhere. Keyword usage, requests for assistance, and other browsing habits can help to create a full visitor profile that manufacturers and distributors can use to craft custom promotions and website displays and to refine content to make it more appealing. Marketers can use inbound marketing insights to give customers the content they need directly through email campaigns.

ECommerce supply chain management can improve cash flow.

Adding New Technology

Manufacturers and distributors face a market where more and more products have Internet-enabled sensors that report key data. Sensors can track consumer devices, calibrate driverless cars in automotive manufacturing, automate deliveries of parts and subassemblies, and track production progress in real-time.

Collecting data from these sensors and disseminating it to the right departments require a robust platform where everything is well integrated. A platform geared to manufacturing can enable predictive maintenance and monitoring of equipment conditions throughout the operation.

Supply chain management helps those in the e-Commerce industry with supply chain issues.

Tracking & Measuring Results

The manufacturing process often moves slowly from inception to finished product. That's why it can be difficult to measure the benefits of enterprise B2B eCommerce from indirect promotions such as content marketing and social engagement. An enterprise-class platform doesn't forget, and it doesn't lose information.

The system can monitor long-term sales relationships, customer communications, sales leads, customer behavior on-site and off-site, track supply chain issues, and monitor market trends to spot opportunities and threats. Automated triggers can send the right information to authorized staff when key conditions are met. The system can also send customized marketing messages based on this intelligence. A robust system can even monitor a company's reputation online, find product reviews and discover any negative or positive mentions of a given company.

Integrating with Multiple Systems-Applications icon

Integrating with Multiple Systems

Integrating new technologies often causes major problems for companies that use legacy systems, manual processes and older technologies. Each update and software addition can create challenges, downtime, and inefficiencies unless the platform has a strong API layer where ERPs, CRMs, and EMRs like Salesforce, Oracle, Dynamics, Sage, NetSuite, and hundreds of other line-of-business applications can be connected securely to specialized endpoints that disseminate the information to multiple operating areas. Updates will then create fewer problems because the endpoints will still deliver the information where it's designed to go despite software changes.

The staff will only have to enter information once to distribute it everywhere it needs to go. These are just a few of the benefits of integration. Clarity Connect is a companion platform to Clarity eCommerce, which provides that integration platform to interconnect your front office (website, distributor portal, eCommerce storefront, etc.) to your back office (Financial app, Fulfillment, Shipping, Logistics, Inventory, ERP, CRM, etc.)

Get Ahead of Rapidly

Evolving Digital Technology

Upgrading your business to function successfully in today's manufacturing and distribution markets must take center stage in your long-term planning. Digital marketing is only going to become more pervasive, and it already plays a critical role in almost every area of business. Building a robust platform can be daunting unless you enlist an experienced developer to guide you through the pitfalls and highlight the opportunities.

The manufacturing and distributing industries need to embrace modern digital marketing to remain successful, and an experienced, collaborative developer could be a great business partner and resource for your operation.

Give Clarity a call today to discuss your eCommerce supply chain management needs, and let us help you come into the digital age with a competitive advantage. We offer a complimentary discovery process to get your eCommerce business off on the right foot, so get in touch today.

 

An eCommerce supply chain can reduce costs and improve fulfillment centers.

 

iSupply chain management can improve customer service.

References:

[1] ecommerceTimes.com: Microsoft Buys Xamarin to Boost Cross-Platform Development www.ecommercetimes.com

[2] Smart Insights: Mobile marketing statistics 2016 www.smartinsights.com

[3] Gartner.com: Gartner Says by 2017, Mobile Users Will Provide Personalized Data Streams to More Than 100 Apps and services Every Day www.gartner.com

FAQ

What are the key features of manufacturing and distribution eCommerce solutions?

Manufacturing & Distribution eCommerce solutions typically offer a range of features tailored to the unique requirements of these industries. Key features include order management, inventory tracking, supplier management, automated shipping and logistics, real-time data analytics, integration with other business systems (such as ERP or CRM), and customization options to adapt to specific manufacturing and distribution workflows.

How does manufacturing and distribution eCommerce improve efficiency?

By automating various manual tasks and integrating different stages of the manufacturing and distribution processes, eCommerce solutions enhance efficiency significantly. They eliminate time-consuming manual data entry, streamline order processing and fulfillment, minimize errors, optimize inventory levels, facilitate accurate demand forecasting, and enable faster and more reliable shipping and delivery. All these factors contribute to improved overall operational efficiency.

Can manufacturing and distribution eCommerce solutions handle complex manufacturing processes?

Yes, modern manufacturing and distribution eCommerce solutions are designed to handle complex manufacturing processes. They can accommodate custom product configurations, manage bill of raw materials, handle assembly processes, and seamlessly integrate with manufacturing execution systems (MES) and enterprise resource planning (ERP) systems, as well as software like a warehouse management system. These solutions are scalable and flexible to adapt to the specific needs of various manufacturing industries.

How does eCommerce and supply chain management enhance the customer experience?

ECommerce supply chain management enhances the customer experience by offering convenience, transparency, and efficient order fulfillment. eCommerce platforms enable customers to browse and purchase products from anywhere at any time, providing a seamless and user-friendly shopping experience.

Integration with supply chain management systems allows real-time visibility into inventory levels, accurate order tracking, and timely delivery. This ensures faster and more reliable fulfillment, reducing delays and improving customer satisfaction. Additionally, supply chain management helps businesses optimize operations, minimize stockouts, and provide accurate product information, resulting in improved trust, loyalty, and overall customer experience. Overall, supply chain costs are reduced as efficiency is increased.

Are manufacturing and distribution eCommerce solutions secure for supply chains?

Security is a crucial aspect of the manufacturing and distribution of eCommerce solutions. They employ robust security measures, including data encryption, secure payment gateways, user authentication, access controls, and compliance with industry standards and regulations. It is important to choose reputable eCommerce platforms or providers that prioritize data protection and implement regular security updates.

Can existing manufacturing and distribution systems be integrated with eCommerce solutions?

Yes, most manufacturing and distribution eCommerce solutions are designed to integrate with existing systems such as ERP, CRM, supply chain management, logistics processes, inventory management software, and shipping systems. Integration allows seamless data flow between different systems, ensuring accurate and real-time information across the organization. It eliminates the need for manual data entry and enhances overall process efficiency.

What are the potential cost savings with manufacturing and distribution eCommerce?

Implementing manufacturing and Distribution eCommerce solutions can lead to significant cost savings. By automating manual tasks, reducing errors, optimizing inventory levels, and improving operational efficiency, businesses can reduce labor costs, lower inventory holding costs, improve warehouse operations, better supply chain efficiency, minimize shipping errors, and enhance supply chain visibility. Additionally, eCommerce platforms often offer subscription-based pricing models, eliminating the need for large upfront investments.

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