Every successful e-commerce business comes to a point where it must connect its ERP system with a third-party logistics provider.
A NetSuite 3PL integration helps businesses looking to expand their operations and support supply chain management.
While there are several ERP solutions, I find NetSuite to be the most suitable cloud software, giving your business the agility to accommodate its scaling needs.
It improves communication between core business units, allowing a smooth flow of information.
There are several benefits of this integration.
Let’s explore that in detail.
Key Takeaways
- 79% of 3PLs have reported higher profitability.
- A NetSuite 3PL integration is necessary when scaling any business, especially retail manufacturing, and e-commerce.
- Integrating your 3PL with NetSuite can increase data accuracy, automate 3PL data, and help you predict product demand more effectively.
- You can use SuiteTalk and SuiteFlow to optimize your NetSuite 3PL integration.
NetSuite 3PL Integration – A Quick Overview
It’s important to understand what a NetSuite 3PL integration can do for your business.
A NetSuite 3PL integration is a process that establishes a seamless flow of information between NetSuite (your ERP solution) and your 3PL provider (your logistic operations).
So what type of data is exchanged between the two systems?
- Inventory Levels
- Order Processing Status
- Order Data
- Shipping Details
- Customer Information
This integration automates the flow of information, entirely eliminating manual data entry.
A NetSuite 3PL integration can eliminate data inaccuracies that are impossible to avoid with manual data entries. It helps in increasing productivity and has a positive impact on your operations.
Your business can also benefit from this integration only if you choose a reliable tool.
A reliable tool improves the chances of data accuracy as it conducts an extensive audit of order processing.
The purpose of this integration is to implement a data-driven approach to your business.
What it does is it takes your supply chain management to its maximum efficiency.
5 Undeniable Benefits of A NetSuite 3PL Integration
A 3PL integration supports your warehouse and transportation processes, helping you with the distribution of goods.
Most manufacturing, retail, and e-commerce businesses leverage NetSuite 3PL integration to support warehousing, shipping, and other core business operations.
While NetSuite has established itself as one of the best ERP solutions for managing inventory, sales, and order fulfillment, a 3PL adds substantial value to your overall operations, giving you better control, higher productivity, and improved customer experience.
Here are the five benefits of a NetSuite 3PL integration that add undeniable value to your workflow.
1. Updated Transactional Records
A NetSuite 3PL integration gives you real-time records via data packets known as EDIs and APIs.
Both EDIs and NetSuite APIs are responsible for successful data synchronization between the inventory and order data, giving you higher visibility.
It is a common practice of e-commerce businesses to sync their order information with NetSuite as it helps them manage their inventory more effectively.
A Shopify 3PL integration does this by increasing overall data transparency.
This integration makes it easy for larger companies to meet requirements for larger orders. Every transaction is automatically traced.
When EDI and API data sync gets automated, it strengthens your processes, making order fulfillment smoother.
2. Assess and Predict Increasing Product Demand
NetSuite is a powerful ERP solution that gives you complete control over your production management.
It has a centralized database that monitors the complete lifecycle of your operations – from the minute an order is placed till it is delivered to the customer at their doorstep.
This means it keeps track of the procurement process, order processing, fulfillment, and shipping.
With this integration, you get access to Material Requirement Planning, a planning tool offered by NetSuite.
This tool automates inventory management so you can check your stock level before confirming the order.
And yes, everything is automated and requires zero manual input.
3. Smooth Access to Data
NetSuite is a cloud-based ERP solution, meaning it gives access to users regardless of their geographical location.
So, whether you are working remotely or you’re an in-house employee, you will have complete access to data.
In addition, you can access this data from a computer system or your smartphone device.
The reason for sharing this information with you is to let you know how NetSuite cultivates a culture of collaboration within an organization. And this is true for your 3PL integration as well.
A NetSuite 3PL integration allows you to track the following data:
- Purchase order
- Sales Orders
- Inventory levels
- Receipts
- Returns
- Order Fulfillment
4. Keep Data Accurate and Up-To-Date
You may be unable to keep track of all the latest updates if you continue practicing manual logging.
Not to forget, it can be mentally draining and incredibly time-consuming for your employees to manually monitor and track the latest developments.
Think of all the data that an e-commerce business has to track on a daily basis. From order processing to shipment address, inventory status, order fulfillment, and even accounts and daily cash flow. This is next to impossible if you’re planning to scale.
Manual data entry is also prone to human error, and no matter how hard you try, its synchronization is never seamless.
On the other hand, NetSuite 3PL integration automates data synchronization, so you have updated and accurate information at any time.
Automation is not only the need of the hour but also necessary for growth. It saves you time and money, freeing you to shift your focus on strategizing core business processes.
5. Automate 3PL Data
The best thing you can do for your business is to let the software manage your data instead of employing a separate resource.
This way, you don’t have to worry about training the next employee who gets hired for that particular job.
NetSuite is the most reliable solution for handling your data as it eliminates data inconsistencies, helping you automate crucial business processes.
When you let NetSuite automation handle your workflow, you don’t have to worry about issues with EDI data tracking.
Instead, all your troubleshooting issues are fixed without requiring any manual input.
3 Reasons You Should Go For A NetSuite 3PL Integration
A NetSuite 3PL integration is necessary for any business planning to expand. Here are three reasons why you should consider integrating them.
1. Inventory Management On Your Tips
Have you ever been in a situation where you’ve been clueless about the amount of stock you’ve left?
That’s a nightmare for any business owner.
With this integration, you never have to make a guess. You’ll know how much stock you’ve left in your warehouse.
When you have an answer at your fingertips, it becomes easier to make decisions.
Having knowledge is empowering – especially when you run a business!
2. It Enhances Data Accuracy
When you initially begin a business, sending order information from your database to your 3PL can be a hassle.
With this integration, data migration becomes easier.
Imagine getting a confirmation notification from a customer on your online store and having this information automatically updated on your NetSuite database as well as your 3PL.
3. Operational Efficiency
This integration reduces the need to manually enter data into your systems.
It helps you avoid human error, saving you a lot of time as well.
And when you automate data entries, the results are quite obvious.
For example, you can see how all information is updated in real-time, and that too, without any mistakes.
This empowers you to make faster but more informed decisions.
It also makes your workflow easier and more efficient as your employees spend less time on administrative tasks and more time on core business activities.
Operational efficiency can give you the opportunity to use your time and resources well. It improves productivity, and as a result, your return on investment.
3 Actionable Tips for A Successful NetSuite 3PL Integration
Now that you’ve understood the benefits of a NetSuite 3PL integration, let’s go through the top three actionable tips to ensure a successful integration.
1. Use SuiteTalk for Integration
The best thing you can do to ensure a smooth implementation is to use a third-party platform like Celigo to perform this integration.
You can also use NetSuite’s SuiteTalk API for a successful integration. This tool makes the data exchange between the two systems almost seamless.
What is important for you to keep in mind is that you must have a clear understanding of the data points. Know how you want to synchronize specific data.
Mark the following numbers to prevent any blunders from happening.
- ID numbers
- Inventory counts
- Shipment tracking number
- Serial number
2. Create Customized Workflow
SuiteFlow is yet another NetSuite feature that will enhance your workflow.
You can use SuiteFlow to create customized plans that will automate responses for specific problems or actions.
For instance, if an order gets placed in NetSuite, its details can immediately be shared with the 3PL to speed up order fulfillment.
3. Set Real-Time Inventory Updates
If you’re looking for ways to optimize this integration, make sure you set up real-time inventory updates. It will ensure you’re aware of your stock levels.
It is important to have real-time updates as it directly reflects on your online store.
Imagine saying you have a product available for sale when in reality you’re out of stock. That can be a major blunder.
The Bottom Line
Prepare your business to scale by implementing a NetSuite 3PL integration.
Integrating your ERP with a third-party logistics provider supports your core business operations, especially supply chain management.
This integration is your business’s steady support as it increases data transparency, automates operational processes, and improves workflow efficiency.
Ledger Labs, with its 12+ years of experience and access to the latest technologies, can help you make this integration a success.
Book a consultation today to discuss this matter further.
