Epicor P21 BigCommerce Integration Guide for Distributors

3 min read ● Silk Team

In today’s rapidly evolving digital economy, distributors and manufacturers need to leverage technology to streamline operations, improve customer service, and scale their businesses efficiently. One effective solution that is gaining popularity is Epicor P21 BigCommerce integration. This integration connects Epicor Prophet 21 (P21), a comprehensive distribution ERP system, with BigCommerce, the leading eCommerce platform, creating seamless synergy between your back office operations and online sales channels.

If you’re a distributor or manufacturer looking to streamline your business workflow and expand your eCommerce capabilities, this comprehensive guide will walk you through everything you need to know about integrating Epicor P21 with BigCommerce.

Understanding Epicor P21 and BigCommerce

Before we dive into the integration details, let’s briefly describe the two platforms:

• Epicor Prophet 21 (P21) is a widely used ERP solution designed specifically for wholesale distributors and manufacturers. It helps companies manage inventory, purchasing, sales, financial data, and customer relationships through a centralized system.
• BigCommerce is a robust SaaS eCommerce platform known for its scalability, flexibility, and comprehensive functionality, targeting both B2B and B2C merchants. It enables companies to create customizable online stores, manage orders, and offer a seamless shopping experience.

Why Integrate Epicor P21 with BigCommerce?

For distributors and manufacturers, maintaining accurate inventory, pricing, and order details across ERP and eCommerce platforms is critical. Manually synchronizing or disconnecting systems typically results in errors, delays, and unhappy customers. Here are the key benefits of integrating Epicor P21 with BigCommerce:

1. Real-Time Data Sync
   The integration automatically syncs product information, stock levels, pricing, customer and order data between Epicor P21 and BigCommerce in real time. This reduces manual data entry and minimizes errors.
2. Improved Inventory Management
   With real-time inventory updates, distributors avoid overselling or out-of-stock items. The integration ensures that product availability on your BigCommerce site accurately matches the current inventory tracked in P21.
3. Simplified Order Processing
   Orders placed in BigCommerce are automatically imported into Epicor P21’s order management system. This speeds up order fulfillment, reduces duplicate records and improves order accuracy.
4. Improved Customer Experience
   Customers receive up-to-date product information, transparent inventory status and faster order processing. Additionally, custom pricing or contracts managed in P21 can be reflected in the BigCommerce storefront.
5. Scalable Business Operations
   As your eCommerce presence expands, the integration supports growing order volumes and complex product catalogs without sacrificing operational efficiency.

Key Features to Look for in Epicor P21 BigCommerce Integration

When choosing an integration solution, look for:

• Two-Way Sync: Ensure that it supports a two-way data flow: updates from BigCommerce should be reflected in P21 and vice versa.
• Product and SKU Matching: Seamlessly match product SKUs across both systems for accurate inventory and pricing management.
• Order and Customer Sync: Automatically sync customer accounts and order details with status updates.
• Pricing and Discounts: Rules support for custom pricing, volume discounts, and contract prices created in P21.
• Error Management and Reporting: Clean up logs, notifications, and dashboards to track sync status and troubleshoot issues quickly.

Best Practices for a Successful Integration

1. Data Validation: Clean and standardize product, customer, and inventory data before starting the integration to avoid discrepancies.
2. Rigorous Testing: Run pilot tests with small subsets of data to validate products, pricing, and order flows.
3. Train the Team: Ensure your sales, inventory, and customer support teams understand how the integrated system works.
4. Schedule Regular Updates: Keep your integration software up to date to take advantage of new features and bug fixes.
5. Work with Experts: Work with experienced integration specialists who understand both the Epicor P21 and BigCommerce ecosystems.

Conclusion

The Epicor P21 BigCommerce integration enables distributors and manufacturers to bridge the gap between back-office ERP functionality and advanced eCommerce solutions. By connecting inventory, pricing, customer, and order data, companies can operate more efficiently, reduce errors, and provide exceptional customer service.

If you’re ready to digitally transform your distribution or manufacturing business, investing in this integration could be a game changer. Always pay special attention to choosing a reliable integration partner and follow best practices to maximize the synergy benefits of Epicor P21 and BigCommerce.

Use the full power of your ERP and eCommerce platforms. Start integrating Epicor P21 with BigCommerce today and watch your business thrive in the competitive digital marketplace!