Online retailers often have several systems in place in addition to the eCommerce platform. Useful tools may include a product information management (PIM) system, an enterprise resource planning (ERP) system, and various customer management and marketing systems.
Because of the large amount of data and the varying internal operating models the renewal of systems is often a rather large process. We know how to make it as straightforward as possible. In this blog post, I’ll share my top three tips for upgrading your eCommerce systems – whether it’s upgrading your eCommerce platform, getting a PIM, or upgrading your ERP.
1. Don’t just move data, but also seize the opportunity to improve its quality and change business models
A system reform provides an excellent opportunity to improve data quality and processing. However, few reform projects are able to allocate sufficient time to data development, often ending up with existing data (such as product data) being transferred to the new system as is. It is therefore important to ensure that the implementation of the system does not end there, but the work continues actively after the project.
In the best case, however, the time required to integrate the data has been calculated into the project plan in advance. By taking data enrichment and process development into account at the system renewal stage and during the data migration from the old system to the new one, unnecessary redundant work is avoided later on. It is important to be able to look at product information, for example, first and foremost from the customer’s perspective – what kind of information they need, how they want to use it (e.g. filters versus category tree) and how the overall system best serves them.
2. Do not underestimate the importance of baseline mapping
The groundwork of the project, i.e. digging and mapping the baseline, may seem to be the most frustrating part of the project, because the focus is already so firmly on the end result you are working towards. However, if this work is not done and things are not discussed with the system supplier and the crucial “why” questions are not asked, you quickly make things even worse.
If the foundations are shaky, too much is left to assumption. This results in surprises that slow things down and, at worst, even steer the project in the wrong direction. If there is no common understanding of why you are doing something and for whom, it is not really worth doing it at all.
3. Identify what to hold on to and what to give up
The biggest stumbling block in eCommerce connected systems modernization projects is that it is assumed or attempted that the new eCommerce (or other system) works exactly as the old one did. It’s important to know what you don’t want to lose, because it pays to hold on to what’s good and what works. But don’t get hung up on the small stuff – instead, think honestly about why something is good. Is it good for the customer? Or for the staff? Or is the idea of functionality based on not having to learn something new and thus getting away with it? In these matters, you have to be able to look far ahead. If necessary, a knowledgeable partner can challenge your thinking at the right points, and propose more workable alternatives.
Managing change within the company also plays an important role. Change will almost always be resisted, but even small actions can lower the threshold. Involving staff, listening to everyone and communicating openly about the progress of the project are key. The most important thing in the project is also honest, smooth and agile collaboration and communication with your chosen partner – when these are in place, the right partner will be able to ask questions, guide and prioritize the whole with your help.
Is it time to modernize your eCommerce systems?
Pinja offers profitable trade growth partnerships and digitalization solutions for service companies. Find out more about our retail services here: Trade and services and our eCommerce system solutions here: eCommerce solutions and Product information management.
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