How Fashion Brands Sync Their ERP With a Wholesale Platform Without Disruption

Syncing an ERP (Enterprise Resource Planning) system with a wholesale platform is a crucial step for fashion brands looking to create a single source of truth for their business data. By connecting all the systems used in the day-to-day operations of their wholesale business, brands can maximize efficiency, which is essential for those looking to scale.

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But fashion brand ERP wholesale integration comes with challenges. The process of syncing can disrupt operations and orders already in progress, causing delays. Manual errors made during the sync can also lead to data mismatches and, in some cases, overselling.

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This blog offers a comprehensive guide to syncing a wholesale platform with an ERP system in the most non-disruptive way, so fashion brands can continue their wholesale operations without delay. 

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What Does ERP and Wholesale Platform Integration Mean?

ERP and wholesale platform integration refers to the act of syncing a fashion brand’s backend systems with its front-end ones. A real-time data sync between the two allows for automated processes and better workflows.

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ERPs are the back-end systems that usually handle inventory, finance, and orders. They provide a centralized hub for information and ensure that all departments have access to the same data, so that, for example, once an order is placed, warehouse inventory levels are updated, and revenue is updated in the financial records. 

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Wholesale platforms like JOOR are primarily front-end systems used by buyers and brands to conduct business. Buyers log into the platform to view virtual showrooms and place orders on digital linesheets. Brands can use direct messaging tools within the platform to communicate with buyers directly and nurture their business relationships post-delivery to improve chances of reorders, driving growth. 

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Connecting both of these systems together allows for a seamless flow of data between backend and front-end operations. Sharing information in this way reduces the need for manual work and offers brands a complete overview of their wholesale business.

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Why Syncing with a Wholesale Platform Is Critical 

Syncing an ERP system with a wholesale platform greatly improves business accuracy, speed, and visibility for fashion brands. It also allows for:

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• Real-time inventory accuracy: allows all teams to see up-to-date stock levels at all times

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• Faster order processing: automated systems help orders move to fulfillment more quickly, increasing efficiency.

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• Reduced manual errors: automation eliminates the risk of human errors

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• Better forecasting: real-time updates give a more complete picture of buyer behaviour, allowing for accurate demand forecasting

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• Omnichannel visibility: syncing systems creates a single source of truth for all areas of business

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Common Challenges Brands Face During ERP Integration

Integrating an ERP system with a B2B wholesale platform can often come with challenges. These include:

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• Data silos: specialized wholesale tools often cannot communicate properly with other newer systems. This makes it difficult for information to flow between them, leading to fragmented and inconsistent data.
  
  

• Manual processes: ERP systems will struggle to create a flow of real-time data if parts of the business still rely on manual data entry. Older, more traditional practices involving complex spreadsheets can be harder to centralize.
  
  

• Inventory mismatch: Human error and differing inventory logic can lead to stock levels that ERP will struggle to reconcile.
  
  

•  Poor system compatibility: older systems are often much harder to integrate with newer ones and can drastically slow down implementation.
  
  

• Disruption to ongoing sales: integration often requires temporary shutdowns of some systems, which can impact daily operations and negatively affect customer experience.

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How Apparel Brands Sync ERP With Wholesale Platforms Without Disruption 

ERP integration with wholesale software requires a structured, step-by-step approach to avoid disruption:

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Use API-Based, Real-Time Integration

APIs (Application Programming Interfaces) are systems that help to connect differing types of software and allow data to flow better. They can assist with real-time inventory, order, and product sync during the integration process. 

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Pre-Configure ERP Before Integration

ERP systems can be configured with pre-built, industry-specific settings to ensure crucial business processes, pricing rules, and warehouse workflows remain consistent before the sync goes live. 

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Ensure Controlled Data Mapping

Standardizing pricing and inventory rules between systems ensures that data is accurately aligned across all systems pre-sync. 

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Automate Order Flow Between Systems

By automating orders, they can move into the ERP without manual data entry, improving speed and accuracy and reducing the chances of errors.

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Set-Up Real-Time Inventory Allocation

Separating inventory pools with a designated digital system helps to prevent overselling and stock conflicts, as each channel has a core quantity of product. 

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Test Integration Before Full Rollout

Isolated sandbox testing allows a brand to check that all elements of the integration are working before releasing the full system. Brands will often opt for a phased rollout, as this makes it easy to identify errors and correct issues before a problem becomes too large. 

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Key Benefits of ERP and Wholesale Platform Sync

Syncing ERP systems with wholesale platforms improves efficiency, accuracy, and decision-making.

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‍Some of the biggest benefits of system integration include:

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• Real-time inventory visibility: all areas of the business can see accurate stock levels at all times, allowing for more strategic demand forecasting.

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• Faster fulfillment: automation speeds up the fulfillment process, allowing brands to replenish stock more quickly, lower inventory costs, and capitalize on trending items.

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• Better customer experience: a streamlined wholesale order process is highly appealing to buyers and makes them much more likely to continue a retail relationship with a brand.

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• Reduced operational costs: automated systems reduce the need for manual labour, allowing operational cost savings to be made.

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• Data-driven decision making: with access to a centralized source of truth for all business data, fashion brands can make smarter decisions based on a complete overview of their business, helping to spearhead growth.

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Best Practices for Seamless ERP Integration

Successful ERP integration requires a structured and cross-functional approach. 

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Choosing an ERP with pre-built integrations can drastically reduce the chances of disruption occurring during the synchronization process, but it is also important to ensure all internal teams are aligned on the synchronization and understand what this means for their department.

To prepare for the sync, all internal teams should ensure that all of their data is clean to allow for a smooth transition to new systems. Once the integration has begun, it should be closely monitored so that any issues can be quickly addressed, as these can quickly snowball into much larger problems.

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JOOR integrates with over 100 ERPs and offers over 100 custom pre-built APIs to ensure that the merging of your systems is seamless. From Zedonk and Shopify to NetSuite, Apparel Magic, and AIMS360, we can make your wholesale platform sync feel effortless. Book a demo to learn more here. 

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FAQs

What is ERP integration in wholesale fashion? 

ERP integration in wholesale fashion refers to the act of syncing the backend systems of a fashion brand with a wholesale platform like JOOR.

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Why is syncing inventory with ERP important? 

Syncing inventory is a crucial step in streamlining wholesale fashion processes as it allows all areas of business to work from the same data. This way, the chances of stockouts or underselling are greatly reduced. It also allows for better demand forecasting. 

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How do APIs help in ERP integration?

APIs help connect differing types of software and allow data to flow better. This can be extremely useful during ERP and wholesale platform integration when some systems requiring synchronization may be older or more specialized than others. 

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What are the risks of not syncing ERP with wholesale platforms? 

Failing to sync an ERP system with a wholesale platform leaves fashion brands with back and front systems that cannot communicate or share data with each other. This can lead to inventory mismatches, over- or underselling, and poor demand forecasting. Buyer experience may also be negatively affected. 

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Can ERP integrations disrupt operations?

Yes, sometimes ERP integrations often require temporary shutdowns of some systems, which can disturb fashion wholesale operations and negatively impact customer experience, particularly if a brand has not put any precautionary measures in place. 

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What systems can ERP integrate with in fashion? 

ERP can integrate with many of the most commonly used wholesale fashion tools, including B2B platforms like JOOR and ecommerce platforms like Shopify, PLM and POS systems, as well as finance and accounting software.