Kerridge Commercial Systems has integrated OnePlace, the online merchant catalogue from NMBS, into K8 for the “complete ERP solution.”
OnePlace is a Product Information Management (PIM) and B2B trading platform for merchants and suppliers with NMBS membership. The platform allows suppliers to “easily and securely” upload up-to-date product and pricing data for their merchant customers to view online.
Additionally, all the data is literally in one place, available to view on a single centralised platform in one standardised electronic format. That way, users can order knowing the rich product data is accurate and validated before ordering.
James Mitchell, Managing Director of Kerridge Commercial Systems in the UK and Ireland, said: “This exciting integration means our customers can now access all the benefits of NMBS OnePlace from the main screen in K8. Customers can view accurate product data in real-time, and because the online catalogue is digital, it helps them take another step towards becoming paperless and seeing sustainability and profitability go hand-in-hand.”
Traditionally, merchants and distributors consult supplier catalogues or websites when ordering products, especially those outside their typical stock profiles. With this direct integration, however, K8 users can browse the OnePlace catalogue directly from the Order or Quotation Entry screen in K8 before bringing item details, costs and images back into the transaction.
Such a feature is designed to give K8 users a wealth of data to use at their fingertips, helping them to improve customer service. Additionally, the smooth functionality ensures accuracy with data entry by eliminating keying errors.
With many companies aiming to cut their carbon emissions and reduce the amount of waste they produce, integrating OnePlace into K8 is also said to offer further advantages. For example, any merchant or wholesaler looking to go paperless will find introducing a digital catalogue into daily use beneficial as there’s no need for catalogue storage or disposal.
Additionally, having photographs and rich product data on the screen increases order accuracy, helping companies cut down on incorrect orders to get them right the first time.
However, James notes that the benefits continue beyond that. He continued: “By collating product data into one place and ensuring it is always updated, K8 integrated with OnePlace means merchants and wholesalers can now offer their customers enhanced customer service.
“They can instantly give customers up-to-date and accurate product information. Afterwards, any transactions feed into K8 automatically, making everything seamless from the perspective of quotes, records, and reporting. Also, merchants no longer need to source rich product content and manually upload it to their system. Instead, everything is handled by the suppliers, so merchants and wholesalers can get on with servicing their customers’ needs.”
By combining a recognised and standardised PIM system with a market-leading business management system, KCS says that K8 now offers merchants and wholesalers a completely integrated ERP solution for running a successful business. K8 users, the company argues, can conduct smooth, intuitive sales order processing, create professional-looking quotes, and handle all aspects of the stocking process, along with how deliveries are processed and optimisations occur throughout the warehouse.
