DIY or Plug-in
02 May 2011 by Kevin Geraghty
When asked to open their interface to the web for quoting, ERP vendors respond in different ways.
Which is closest to your situation?
- Actually, we rarely come across that need...
That may be so; but this is a growing market and if you do not come across these opportunities you are missing out on additional revenue. The probability is that your customers are already looking into this and talking to others about it. Typically this ranges from web designers to alternative ERP vendors, but in most cases they are talking with specialists like us.
- Concern...
This opens our interface to the world and without appropriate security could corrupt the main ERP system. When it comes to quoting, this includes non-account customers which is an even greater risk. Lets advise the customer that a lengthy review is required or persuade the client that this is not a good idea at all.
- No problem, we have a module already...
You already offer the ability for customers to place orders and track them online. Placing orders online becomes a little harder where product knowledge is required to prevent errors getting into the system, and your configurator module is not user friendly enough for non trained users. We will however need to consider how we licence this as many of the Quote users may not be account customers and the security issues still exist.
- We can develop this...
You have the bones of the system and will just need to increase enhance the web interface and security. In fact your developers are working on it now and a beta will be available shortly; however they are finding that it is not so simple as just enhancing the existing the existing system particularly where flexibility in document output is concerned and the configuration module needs to be completely re-engineered if it is to work for non expert users.
- Lets work with an expert in this field...
You fully understand the complexities in this area, particularly where quotes are concerned. You also appreciate the benefits that online quoting will bring to your client. You know that this is a growth area and that you need to move fast to maintain brand loyalty. You already have a OEM agreement in place with a specialist vendor and you can offer a tailored pilot for comment within hours.
The likely scenario is that your organisation contains one or more of these traits. Equally likely is that your customer is not prepared to wait, if you cannot offer this service they will go to someone that can - their web designer or direct to a specialists like us.
We know because we are talking with clients like this on a daily basis. We also know that a joint approach with the ERP vendor offering our solution is likely to genrerate the most favourable result and additional revenue quickly.
