Sage eBusiness vs CertiPro’s E-Link eCommerce Integration – Comparing eCommerce Platforms

Companies can extend the functionality of their Sage application into their eCommerce store with both the Sage eBusiness Web Services module and an ERP eCommerce integration. The Sage eBusiness module is an out-of-the-box module made by Sage that adds eCommerce functionality to Sage 100. An ERP eCommerce integration is middleware that sits between your ERP and an eCommerce platform and allows information to flow between them. Both the eBusiness module and an ERP integration automate manual processes, reduce manual data entry, and improve customer service.

Below we’ll outline both what Sage eBusiness and an eCommerce integration are, and the benefits they provide to businesses and customers.

What is Sage eBusiness?

Sage 100 eBusiness Web Services is a platform-independent interface specifically designed for programmers and web developers to integrate Sage 100 (formerly Sage MAS 90 and Sage 200) with third-party applications like eCommerce platforms. It adds simple out-of-the-box eCommerce functionality to your Sage ERP application. eBusiness utilizes HTTPS encryption for maximum security and was built using Windows® Communication Foundation (WCF). You can enable eBusiness for one company, multiple companies, by roles, and by areas of access.

eBusiness Web Services is easy to set up using the Configuration Utility. You’ll be able to limit and add new Data Entry Points, utilize User Defined Fields (UDFs), Development Partner Fields, and reduce the bandwidth overhead for Web Services. With eBusiness Web Services, requests are easily handled via the Object Cache. Users will be able to define any fields that are used within your Sage 100 application, including UDFs.

The eBusiness module includes Web Services Description Language (WSDL), which supports Visual Studio, Web Reference, Sun Java’s JAX-WS, and the built- in PHP SoapClient. WSDL reduces the complexity of any generated proxy classes, while Standard W3C Simple Object Access protocol (SOAP) enables efficient and secure communication between the client and server. Communications are stateless and atomic, meaning an operation either completes successfully or does not occur, which results in clean communications without partial completions or irregularities.

What is an ERP eCommerce integration?

A ERP integration connects ERP software like Sage with eCommerce platforms and allows them to communicate. Data flows from one system to another via Data Connection Points, which are customizable so companies can configure the integration to work exactly the way they and their customers need.

Some integrations form one-way syncs, meaning information will flow in only one direction. As an example of how a one-way eCommerce integration might work, new orders placed online will flow into your ERP for streamlined order processing. Information like a customer’s order history or stored address information in your ERP will be not transmitted to your website. With a bidirectional ERP integration, information will sync in both directions. As an example of how this might work, new orders placed online will flow into your ERP, while previously stored address information saved in your ERP will auto-fill when the customer places their order. Customers will also be able to access their past order history, which is stored in your ERP, for easy repeat ordering.

Middleware like ERP eCommerce integrations is usually provided by Independent Software Vendors, which are also known as ISVs. These ISVs should be experts in both your ERP and eCommerce platforms, although in some cases your ERP integration provider will also be your web developer or ERP implementation partner. In other cases, your web developer, ERP implementation partner, and middleware provider may be three separate companies.

ERP eCommerce integrations automate repetitive processes, reduce manual data entry and data entry errors, and streamline both the online ordering process and backend ordering processing.

Pros and Cons of Sage eBusiness

There are pros and cons to going with Sage eBusiness or an eCommerce integration like E-Link. Many of the benefits they provide for businesses are similar—including reducing data redundancy, reducing operational costs, and improving internal productivity—but the differences between them are crucial when it comes to choosing the right solution for your business.

Sage eBusiness Pros

1. Native Sage module. That means you never have to worry if it will integrate with Sage, or if it will stop working when Sage updates.
2. Affordable. Sage eBusiness is a lower cost option that provides many customization capabilities available in more expensive integration options.
3. Easy to manage. Since it’s a native, out-of-the-box solution, it’s simple to manage. Usually, the same people will manage your Sage 100 application and eBusiness module.
4. Fast implementation time. Since it’s an out-of-the-box application, it’s fast and easy to install.

Sage eBusiness Cons

1. Less flexibility. An out-of-the-box system like Sage eBusiness offers limited functionality compared to E-Link, which is highly customizable.
2. Fewer Data Connection Points. eBusiness has fewer data connection points than E-Link. This means fewer types of data will sync between your Sage ERP application and eCommerce site.
3. Fewer benefits. Since E-Link offers greater flexibility and more Data Connection Points than Sage eBusiness, it also provides more benefits. As an example, E-Link will automate more manual processes than eBusiness because more data syncs between Sage and your eCommerce site.
4. Less scalable. E-Link has no transaction or product limits. It’s designed to for scalability to enable business growth.

Our E-Link tool provides another huge benefit, particularly for B2B businesses. Placing a typical B2B order is often a complex and very manual process, involving negotiated pricing or inventory, generating multiple quotes, and multiple phone calls or email threads. E-Link replaces that with a simple online customer portal. It includes customer-specific pricing and inventory. That means even your trickiest B2B customers will be able to place custom orders online, reducing customer service phone calls and emails.

Please see the chart below laying out some of the differences between Sage eBusiness and our proprietary E-Link integration tool.

Migrating Sage eBusiness to an ERP eCommerce Integration

Often, the systems that worked great when a company started out become more and more of a bottleneck as the company grows. Maybe you need greater flexibility and more customizations, or maybe your system can’t handle your rising transaction volumes. That’s where Sage ERP implementation and migration experts like CertiPro come in.

We help businesses assess their needs and select the ERP and eCommerce solutions that work best for them. We specialize in eBusiness migrations, as well as others forms of ERP and ERP data migrations. Click the button below to schedule a consultation and see what CertiPro can do for your business.