The challenge

Before implementing Stock2Shop’s integration solution, Ackermans encountered ecommerce challenges that impacted their operational efficiency, inventory accuracy and overall customer experience.

The business relied on a custom-built enterprise resource planning (ERP) system to manage product data across its PIM and third-party logistics service (3PL). However, due to frequent integration errors, this system faced data synchronisation challenges that caused inventory discrepancies. In addition, when order sync errors or delays occurred, the workflow lacked the transparency necessary to quickly identify the problem, rectify it to the customer’s satisfaction and reconcile discrepancies within the ERP.

Change management

Faced with operational bottlenecks, Ackermans sought a more streamlined and automated approach to ecommerce management. Stock2Shop built a system that replicated the client’s existing workflow, while making allowances for an incremental shift towards greater efficiency.

Early in the project, the priority was to establish an integration that was not only more stable, but also made it easier to pinpoint where sync errors were occurring. Once this was achieved, Stock2Shop worked with the Ackermans team to consolidate various data streams into a centralised product information repository. This streamlined the distribution of data while automating fulfillment and financial workflows for a more efficient, accurate and scalable ecommerce ecosystem.

By the end of the Ackermans integration, the groundwork had been laid for rapid deployment across other retail business units within the group.

Value added by Stock2Shop integration

Stock2Shop’s integration significantly streamlined Ackermans’ ecommerce operations, solving key challenges related to stock management, order processing, fulfillment automation and financial reconciliation and tracking.

1. Accurate and automated stock synchronisation

Stock2Shop consolidated data across various systems within Ackermans, including their ERP, PIM and 3PL, to ensure real-time stock updates on their Shopify ecommerce platform. This has mitigated the risk of overselling and inventory discrepancies, with Ackermans reporting an immediate reduction in short picks of over 65%.

2. Efficient product categorisation and data enrichment

By integrating with a categorisation database, Stock2Shop was able to sync product attributes and categories from one data source. This has reduced manual data entry, enhanced product updates and improved the accuracy of product listings. The automation product enrichment is particularly beneficial during seasonal product changeovers, which necessitate the processing of large volumes of data.

3. Streamlined order and refund processing

Stock2Shop’s solution optimised order handling by automatically sending fulfillment instructions to the 3PL and generating the invoice in the ERP accordingly. This ensures that the invoices and credit notes are generated correctly and at the right time, and that the ERP inventory is accurate.

On the occasion that the 3PL is unable to fulfill an order in its entirety, Stock2Shop introduced an automated process that instantly refunds the customer via the payment gateway. Any coupons or markdowns associated with the order are taken into consideration, ensuring that the customer is refunded the right amount. This has reduced the need for manual intervention from the admin team, greatly improving customer satisfaction.

4. Automated order reconciliation

Once a paid Shopify order is received by Stock2Shop, payment reconciliation data is retrieved from the payment gateway and associated with the invoice that is subsequently generated in the ERP. Deals and markdowns are allocated correctly in the ERP by Stock2Shop to ensure accurate margin impact, allowing for greater visibility on business performance across the various cost centres.

5. Scalability

The Ackermans integration was developed by Stock2Shop in such a way as to make it replicable across other businesses within the group. This means that subsidiaries such as Speciality can implement the solution with relative ease in the future.