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ERP-SYSTEMS AND

E-COMMERCE:

A PLUG-AND-PLAY

SOLUTION

Text: Nico Hoeijmans // Photos: ...
Changing a traditional business model is not easy. Processes have been in place for a long
time. Altering such a workflow requires guts. Often, additional processes created to evolve
the current business are hard to integrate with the ERP-system in place. What happens if the
requested change requires more than just some ERP-system add-ons? How do you evolve a
traditional offline business model into a successful omnichannel business strategy?

evolutionary thinkers growth. It was truly a groundbreaking solution. However, like
To answer these questions, we have to look at the many aspects of life, times change, and markets evolve. With
Rpast. It was in the 1980s that managers working at the rise of the internet, online shopping became increasingly
innovative companies started to rethink their processes. In popular and quickly, it was much, much more than just a
this period, the first Enterprise buzz for computer wizkids.
Resource Planning (ERP) “FOR DECADES, Unfortunately, it turned out
systems emerged. Nowadays, that traditional ERP-systems
THEIR ERP-SYSTEM HAS
ERP-systems such as SAP and were - and still are - not that
Microsoft Dynamics, have been well equipped for this online
around for years. These systems business.
focus on providing managers STREAMLINED THEIR
with all the information A new transformation
available in their business. IIt turns out that the
Inventory management, BUSINESS AND BOOSTED transformation that ERP-
logistical processes, finance systems require for online
GROWTH.”
and administration and sales business is insufficient. As
channel all together in one online shopping is typically
place. In the early days of ERP- scalable, fast and agile, there
systems, it was considered an is a need for a system that
unprecedented luxury. matches these criteria. Even though we can all name a
traditional company that has successfully managed its
Many medium and large enterprises thank their growth in businesses using one of the popular ERP-systems, we can
part to having and using an ERP-system. For decades, their also name a company that finds this very challenging. What
ERP-system has streamlined their business and boosted becomes clear is that many large SMEs and businesses

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