When you're striving for scalability and agility, unified ecommerce using Microsoft Dynamics enterprise resource planning (ERP) can drive your digital transformation.

ERP integration will provide seamless customer experiences, so a simple solution might seem to be Dynamics eShop for the ecommerce solution. It has been designed to use Microsoft Dynamics NAV, 365 Business Central (BC) and Finance and processes (F&O).

However, Cloudfy was created to meet the requirements of business to business (B2B) ecommerce companies. It has a full range of B2B features and includes out-of-the-box integration with Microsoft Dynamics.

So, before you make your decision, here are some considerations.

Why integrate Microsoft Dynamics and ecommerce
All types of businesses are discovering the strength of ecommerce to provide multiple purchasing options for their clients to allow them to buy when it's easiest and many convenient on their behalf. However, expectations are high therefore the experience should be seamless, including inventory management, easy ordering and processing, and ideal customer service.

Transferring data in near real time involving the ERP and ecommerce systems means one of the barriers to business growth is removed. Smooth communication across your unified ecommerce and ERP systems will deliver accuracy and speed. Minimizing manual input is one of the easiest ways you are able to optimize your utilization of resources, control costs and increase margins. Integration allows ways to be streamlined and automatic, including order fulfillment, shipping and payment.

Integration also helps to improve the quality of inventory and product information in one system to ensure that any updates could be automatically synchronized.

Most importantly, integration helps you to improve decision making because you have a single source of accurate information that is always readily available for advanced analytics, reporting, and forecasting.

Customers will see brand consistency across channels and may buy with confidence based on current product and stock information, they are able to see their order status instantly, and returns can be simplified.

Cloudfy vs Dynamics eShop – a comparison
Integrated with Microsoft Dynamics, both Cloudfy and Dynamics eShop can deliver real-time data across your web channels to streamline operations and simplify data management. However, since Cloudfy is made to use all the leading ERP systems it's robust and versatile solution. Having a powerful application programming interface (API) there's also lots of scope for customization.

With both options you can:

• display personalized pricing, payment terms, and discounts using the single supply of information held in your Microsoft Dynamics ERP, along with orders, invoices, payment history and online payments
• show real-time inventory info on your ecommerce site
• deliver multi-storefront, multi-currency, and multi-language functionality for international ecommerce
• use built-in marketing tools for example discounts, coupons, and other up-selling and cross-selling techniques.

Dynamics eShop provides a suite of ecommerce options including hosting, seo (SEO), marketing, web design and development, as well as an extensive range of connectors and add-ons. However, making them all work together increase seamlessly could be a time-consuming and expensive process. It doesn't provide a Cloudfy's single coherent ecommerce platform that can grow with your business.

Pricing
Dynamics eShop offers attractive hosting costs along with a single perpetual license fee which will attract small enterprises with limited budgets. You can choose which options you want to use in your overall solution therefore it can seem to be like a saving since you are only spending money on the thing you need. However, customization to create your choices interact effectively can add to costs and later additions as the business grows could alter the financial picture.

Cloudfy's three pricing tiers derive from order volume instead of transaction value, making it a very cost effective option. With so many in-built ecommerce functions and integrations you will need less customization so you'll convey more predictable upfront fees, making it easier to create and manage your overall budget.

Scalability
Cloudfy is a software like a service (SaaS) solution which benefits from regular updates within the cloud. You will receive upgrades and security enhancements to keep you at the forefront of ecommerce developments, with the Cloudfy team available for support when you need it. Cloudfy is also scalable, therefore it can grow and flex together with your business which means you do not pay for resources that you aren't using.

In contrast, with your a wide range of customer options Dynamics eShop ecommerce development and innovation will probably be limited. Should you require extensive customization your ongoing support may also be a challenge.