Retail ERP: core features, benefits & integrations
August 15, 2023
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Head of Itransition's ERP Center of Excellence
Retail ERP is enterprise resource planning software that leverages a combination of built-in modules and software integrations to support B2B and B2C retailers in a variety of tasks and business operations. Itransition delivers retail ERP systems to bring together data from across the departments of your online and offline business, provide real-time visibility into your merchandising processes, and help you make smarter, evidence-based decisions.
of the retail companies surveyed achieved their intended customer experience goals after adopting an ERP
Panorama Consulting, 2022
About Itransition
10+ years delivering ERP services
50+ completed ERP projects of different scales across various industries
Hands-on expertise in delivering out-of-the-box, custom, and hybrid ERP solutions
An Odoo Silver Partner
A NetSuite Solution Provider
ERP for retail: key features
Asset management
Inventory management
Warehouse management
Supply chain management
BI & reporting
Inventory management
Warehouse management
Order management
Customer relationship management
Finance management
Loyalty management
Returns management
BI & reporting
Supply chain management
Asset management
Core ERP features for retail
Order management
Customer relationship management
Returns management
Loyalty management
Finance management
Looking for a trustworthy ERP consultant?
We integrate retail ERP software into your established software infrastructure and facilitate real-time data exchange between the systems, making the ERP solution a single source of truth for your business. We use available APIs and integration tools or develop custom connectors to tie ERP software with the following systems:
To supervise your ecommerce ecosystem and promote your sales channel strategies.
To amplify ERP's built-in analytical features and foster data-driven decision making.
To automate routine marketing workflows, such as email campaigns and lead qualification.
To fast-track day-to-day HR processes, assess employee performance, and optimize staff allocation.
To harmonize your order, warehouse, and inventory management operations across multiple retail stores.
To monitor asset conditions and equipment operation in real time via sensors and cameras.
To support personalized customer journeys and identify upselling and cross-selling opportunities.
To speed up transaction processing, gather sales data, and adjust product restocking.
Retail ERP selection checklist
Custom vs out-of-the-box
Custom ERP
Tailored ERP features and modules, but higher upfront costs and longer development times.
Out-of-the-box
Faster deployment, but limited customization capabilities and long-term costs for licenses.
On-premises vs cloud-based
On-premise
Full control over your system and data security, but reduced scalability.
Cloud-based
Faster implementation and superior storage flexibility, but potential licensing concerns.
Horizontal vs vertical
Horizontal
Comprehensive suite for businesses with complex operations, including manufacturing and logistics.
Vertical
Highly specialized ERP for companies requiring a smaller set of advanced, retail-focused features.
Software costs
- Deployment model
- The range of features and modules
- Customizations
- Adoption urgency
- License fees
- Post-release maintenance and support
- Technical and non-technical resources
Need help with choosing an optimal tech stack for your retail ERP project?
Best ERP platforms for retail
If you opt for a platform-based ERP retail solution, we recommend you pay attention to the following market-leading tools.
- Real-time order and stock visibility
- Products and prices management
- Marketing and sales automation
- Quote automation
Deployment model
- Online SaaS
- PaaS
- On-premises
Target companies
- Full-cycle order management
- Supply chain planning
- Advanced financial management
- Built-in BI
Deployment model
- Cloud-hosted
Target companies
Epicor
- Global supply chain management
- Business intelligence and analytics
- Customer relationship management
- Financial accounting
Deployment model
- On-premises
- Hosted
- Cloud-based SaaS
Target companies
- Stock levels optimization
- Shipping automation
- Streamlined order processing
- Centralized real-time retail data management, and more
Deployment model
- On-premises
- Private cloud
- SaaS
Target companies
Brightpearl
- Omni-channel management
- Ecommerce and marketplace integration
- Automated real-time accounting
- In-store point-of-sale software
Deployment model
- Cloud-hosted
- Open API
Target companies
Retail ERP implementation roadmap
1
Assessment
2
Design
3
Planning
4
Development
5
Deployment
6
Post-launch support
Business benefits of ERP in retail
Increased productivity & profitability
- Process automation and standardization
- Accurate KPI assessment
- Streamlined human resources operations
- Improved staff allocation
Informed decision-making
- Unified data hub and backup
- Business intelligence querying
- Workflow visibility
- Sales trend forecasting
Omnichannel retail
- Mobile commerce features
- Multiple contact centers (email, chat, social media)
- Integration with the ecommerce ecosystem
- Data collection from online storefronts
Regulatory compliance
- Financial reporting automation
- Transparent data governance
- Data protection and cybersecurity
- Advanced accounting features
Enhanced customer experience
- Customer segmentation
- Targeted sales promotions
- Shipment tracking and notifications
- Customer journey visibility
- Self-service features
Build a solid retail ERP solution with Itransition
- Analysis of business needs and technology environment
- ERP solution architecture design
- ERP software selection
- ERP strategy creation and roadmapping
- ERP implementation support
- ERP consulting
- ERP testing
- Custom ERP development
- ERP migration
- ERP customization
- ERP support and maintenance
- ERP integration
Retail ERP adoption challenges & their solutions
Concern
Recommendation
Unexpected implementation costs
Unexpected implementation costs
Cost overruns are not uncommon in ERP adoption, but you can mitigate this risk through careful budgeting. Don't overlook the costs of staff training, software licensing, customization, and other expenses you may incur after the release.
Finding the right ERP provider
Finding the right ERP provider
After defining your software requirements and shortlisting suitable retail ERP vendors based on their offer, ask them for POCs and demos, clarify their TCO, and don't underestimate negotiations, as they may result in remarkable savings.
Resistance to change
Resistance to change
Ensuring top management's commitment and overcoming your staff's hesitation can be facilitated by highlighting early ERP adoption successes, involving end-users in the planning phase, and promoting effective training initiatives.
All-at-once or progressive adoption
All-at-once or progressive adoption
While implementing a full array of ERP modules into your workflow represents the best option to save time and money, a phased adoption may be a good choice for companies with established business processes and a conservative corporate culture.
Get value from your retail ERP with Itransition
Automating your retail business end to end
In addition to retail ERP, Itransition can deliver a wide range of management software solutions tailored to your needs and upgrade your business infrastructure further.
Customer experience consulting
We help you streamline customer service, simplify communications, and customer data analysis with custom or platform-based CX solutions.
Digital commerce
We digitize your front- and back-office operations to help your business make its digital presence competitive.
Customer portals
We build portals for customers to manage their orders, deliveries, and requests in addition to self-service options.
Robotic process automation
We integrate RPA bots into your workflows to automate manual data handling, customer support, and reporting tasks.
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