The Power of Website Integration

The Power of Website Integration

Daniel Nelson | 22/07/2009

Websites and web solutions are certainly no longer considered as mere online brochures. Today a company’s website is more often considered an integrated business tool whether it be utilised for sales & marketing or for customer service. Website solutions have become more complex and incorporated into business and marketing strategy across a business than ever before. Powerful integration can deliver a range of benefits across a business from customer service to finance. I have included some summaries of website integration projects we regularly undertake here at Wiliam.

ERP integration

New ecommerce developments rarely require the website to manage a separate “allocation” of stock. The requirement of double entry and separate management can significantly reduce an Ecommerce projects ROI and is one of the biggest complaints from website administrators and stake holders. Website integration with an ERP allows stock levels to be shown in real-time and even allows advanced workflow value adding such as automatic reordering to really keep website management time to a minimum and maximise ROI.

Accounts Payable

Some savvy professional services businesses are providing additional tools to their clients to encourage on time payment and reward timely payment. Payment gateways for paying invoices provide convenient alternatives to clients. Often Amex reward points can be strong incentives to have your bill paid on time. Whilst clearly not suitable for every business advocates are adamant the CC service charges are well worth the cash flow benefits of having invoices paid on time.

Enterprise Content management website integration

Many businesses are finding ways of unlocking and monetising the content available yet locked within their business. Web services from document management systems have long starred in intranet solutions but the trend of porting customer relevant documents and articles from Enterprise content & document management systems such as Documentum is a more recent phenomenon.

Service industry transparency

Many service industry clients are recognising the benefits of integrating internal project management software with client web portals to provide clients with real-time access to project progress and deliverables. Client relationship teams are given the opportunity to concentrate on high quality engagements with their clients rather than communicating milestones. This improved transparency can deliver a diverse range of benefits.

These examples are just a small sample of the website integration solutions being successfully delivered and utilised. Wiliam employs a team of business analysts and Information Architects to plan and document and test integration projects to ensure solutions are driven and succeed based on strong well defined business and user requirements. For more information feel free to post a question or send through an enquiry.

tags: Business ,  e-commerce