If you're searching for a new ecommerce platform, you’ll find no shortage of options on the market. However, one crucial factor that’s often overlooked in the selection process is the integration of your ecommerce solution with the rest of your business systems. This connection is vital, especially if you’re looking to leverage integrated data for an optimized customer experience. NetSuite’s unified commerce solution, SuiteCommerce, offers significant advantages by running ecommerce alongside other business functions on a single platform.
Key Benefits of Unified Commerce with NetSuite
Cost Savings and Simplified Maintenance
NetSuite’s SuiteCommerce platform minimizes the need for complex integrations with business systems, as everything runs on one unified database. This seamless connectivity translates to cost savings, fewer maintenance issues, and smoother operations. Instead of spending time and resources connecting disparate systems, you can focus on what matters—growing your business.
Streamlined Data Flow and Accurate Information
With a unified commerce platform like NetSuite, ecommerce operations, order management, inventory, and customer data are consolidated. Orders placed online instantly reflect in your order management system, and any pricing updates in the catalog are immediately visible to customers. This integration ensures consistency and accuracy across all channels, eliminating data duplication and preventing costly data sync issues.
Improved Customer Experience
NetSuite’s unified approach enhances the customer experience by making it easier for them to interact with your business. For instance, customers can view real-time inventory levels, receive customized pricing, and place orders that are processed instantly. Unified commerce allows businesses to present a professional, responsive buying experience, which builds customer trust and satisfaction.
What is Unified Commerce?
Unified commerce means running ecommerce as part of a comprehensive business management system. NetSuite’s unified business system includes ecommerce, product management, inventory management, order management, customer relationship management (CRM), warehouse management, shipping, billing, and more. Instead of managing separate software for ecommerce, NetSuite integrates these capabilities into one platform, creating a seamless workflow from order placement to fulfillment.
For example, when a customer browses your site, they see real-time product availability, personalized pricing, and order details, all of which flow directly into the order management system for streamlined processing. Unlike traditional ecommerce systems, which operate outside of core business systems and often require complex integrations, NetSuite’s unified commerce approach eliminates silos and allows data to move freely between systems.
Enhancing Customer Experience with Unified Commerce
At NetSuite, we believe in “Suiteness,” a term used to describe the synergy of workflows, data, and team members working together to drive business success. NetSuite’s unified commerce enables this “Suiteness” by creating a cohesive experience across all touchpoints in the customer journey.
1. Collaborative Ecommerce with CRM Integration
In many businesses, ecommerce and CRM systems operate independently, creating disjointed customer interactions. However, with unified commerce, your CRM and ecommerce functions work together. For instance, customers can generate their own estimates online, which are then synced to the CRM for sales teams to manage. Special pricing set up in NetSuite is available across all channels, and sales reps can adjust prices or offer discounts in real time, with instant updates on the ecommerce site.
2. Self-Service Product Configuration (CPQ)
Many companies rely on configure, price, quote (CPQ) tools to handle complex pricing and product customization. With SuiteCommerce, NetSuite allows customers to access these configurations directly, providing an interactive buying experience. Sales teams are freed from routine quote management, focusing on higher-level tasks while still monitoring and guiding customers as needed.
3. Self-Service Support
Unified commerce with NetSuite CRM also enhances self-service capabilities for customer support. Customers can log their own cases directly into NetSuite, where support teams can access full histories and conversation threads. Customers have the ability to create, update, and even close cases themselves, minimizing the need for additional systems and allowing a more responsive, integrated support experience.
Business Benefits of Unified Commerce
Apart from enhancing customer experience, unified commerce provides valuable business benefits.
1. Eliminating Integration Complexities
By using a single unified platform, businesses avoid the challenges of integrating multiple systems. Complex software integrations are notorious for creating data inconsistencies and requiring constant upkeep. NetSuite’s unified commerce ensures that your ecommerce and back-office systems run on the same database, reducing the need for synchronization and allowing for faster, accurate data flow.
2. Lower Costs and Reduced Overhead
Every integration between systems comes with a cost—both in time and resources. Unified commerce with NetSuite minimizes these costs since all systems are already part of one platform. Businesses don’t need to worry about maintaining connections or addressing integration issues, leading to lower overall costs and fewer technical issues.
3. Centralized Data and Enhanced Operational Efficiency
Operating with a single, centralized database for ecommerce, inventory, and customer information helps prevent data silos, duplication, and errors. The streamlined data flow enhances operational efficiency and makes it easier to manage orders, inventory levels, and customer interactions. Real-time data access enables businesses to make quick decisions, optimizing operations for better outcomes.
Unified Commerce for Various Industries
NetSuite’s unified commerce is ideal for a wide range of industries, each with unique needs that benefit from a single-platform approach.
B2B Businesses
B2B companies with complex pricing structures can benefit significantly from NetSuite’s SuiteCommerce. Whether it’s MSRP, volume pricing, or customer-specific discounts, unified commerce ensures accurate pricing on the ecommerce site. Customers see the exact price they’re entitled to, as all pricing logic is built into the system without requiring additional setup.
Wholesale and Manufacturing
Wholesale and manufacturing businesses can leverage real-time stock availability to assure just-in-time customers of exact inventory levels. Fast-moving industries require inventory transparency to make quick purchasing decisions. SuiteCommerce provides live stock data from NetSuite’s inventory management system, ensuring customers know what’s available in real time.
How Easy is It to Implement Unified Commerce with NetSuite?
For existing NetSuite users, implementing SuiteCommerce is straightforward. Since it’s natively built on the NetSuite platform, there’s no need for additional integrations or data transfer setups. NetSuite also offers a rapid implementation program with a fixed cost, so businesses can get up and running quickly.
Key Steps to a Successful Unified Commerce Launch
Product Structure: Organize product descriptions, taxonomy, and categories for easy browsing and accurate representation.
Branding and Visuals: Use quality images, banners, and static content that reflect your brand and products accurately.
Launch Strategy: Plan for an effective site launch, including customer announcements and internal preparations.
Employee Training: Use NetSuite’s Web Store Administrator training to familiarize your team with the new system.
A unified commerce approach simplifies processes, integrates seamlessly with existing NetSuite data, and allows for a streamlined customer experience across all touchpoints.
Why Unified Commerce Matters for Modern Businesses
In today’s fast-paced digital landscape, customers expect a seamless and responsive experience across all channels. By leveraging NetSuite’s unified commerce solution, SuiteCommerce, businesses can eliminate system silos, reduce costs, and offer a superior customer experience. Unified commerce combines ecommerce, CRM, inventory, and other critical functions into one platform, helping businesses stay agile, efficient, and customer-focused.
If your business is looking to upgrade its ecommerce capabilities, consider the advantages of unified commerce. NetSuite’s SuiteCommerce can deliver the efficiency and seamless integration that modern businesses need to thrive. Reach out to our team to learn more about a demo and pricing.
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