B2B companies often require an e-commerce strategy to maximize efficiency. Impex Stones needed an e-commerce strategy to reduce manual tasks and improve its sales process. Discover how Impex Stones overcame its challenges by implementing an ERP integrated solution by k-eCommerce.
Business Challenge – Finding a Way to Eliminate Manual Tasks
Impex Stones specializes in natural and decorative stones to install on interior and exterior walls. Based in Quebec, Canada, the company sells its products through 400 retailers. The company initially ventured into online commerce by creating a Shopify website, which made it easy for the company to sell its products. However, the system was not integrated with Impex Stone’s Avantage accounting solution, which was a drawback.
- The lack of integration required employees to handle time-consuming tasks manually, such as:
- Updating the Shopify store using an Excel spreadsheet
- Inputting orders into the accounting software
The order-taking process involved receiving orders by fax or email. Employees entered the orders individually into the accounting system before printing them out. One order took anywhere from eight to twelve sheets of paper.
- Other pain points included:
- Inability to integrate data to the web store
- Inefficient means to provide information to customers
Switching to an ERP system didn’t resolve these issues. The company had no way to integrate its data into the web store. The additional steps were time consuming and manually entry sometimes resulted in errors.
In addition, Impex Stones only sells products to retailers, and its customers sometimes had questions involving installation and maintenance. The company needed to find a better way to provide this basic information to their customer base.
- An ideal web store solution would:
- Integrate within its ERP and accounting systems
- Reduce paperwork
- Automate data inputs and order processing
Software Solution – k-eCommerce Platform
Impex Stones realized that ERP integration was the missing piece in its e-commerce strategy. By integrating a k-eCommerce web store with its ERP system, Impex Stones was able to virtually automate many basic activities. For example, the company automated order processing, inventory management, and invoicing.
Additionally, the company created a product catalog to provide information pertaining to proper installation and maintenance for its customers. The company was able to use high-quality images, instructional videos, and detailed specs to demonstrate how to install and care for each product.
During the implementation process, Impex Stones faced unique layout and navigation needs. The design team at k-eCommerce presented a detailed mock-up within two weeks of the initial meeting, while assistance from the project manager and support team allowed Impex Stones to configure the platform to match its requirements.
Final Results
Impex Stones was able to save time after implementing the ERP-integrated solution. It eliminated manual tasks, such as inputting customer orders and invoices into the accounting system, which enabled the company’s staff to focus on more critical business activities.
E-commerce is another way to bring its products to market, as Impex Stones is a B2B company. Within two months of launching a custom web store, 45% of orders were processed through the website. The remaining orders occur through email. Employees enter those orders into the ERP system, reducing paperwork.
Implementing the ERP-integrated solution was a long-term investment for Impex Stones. The company plans to expand deeper into Ontario and to the eastern United States by partnering with major retailers.
