Since the COVID-19 pandemic, there has been a heavy shift in consumers to a Do-It-Yourself (DIY) mindset, making sure their cars stay driven for longer thanks to their own maintenance and upkeep, as well as having fun customizing their vehicles. In 2023, according to the Auto Care Association, there was more than $35.5 billion (a 12.2% increase from the year prior) worth of aftermarket parts sold with eCommerce tools with 56% of all online light vehicle aftermarket parts sold to DIY customers. This substantial growth is great for businesses that have an online presence because there is more opportunity than ever to sell directly to these people.
However, that also means today’s distributors and retailers face the challenge of delivering a seamless consumer experience to compete with the likes of major industry players like Amazon. Pair that with the need to also run the backend of the business and it can all feel incredibly overwhelming. Businesses need a unified technology solution that supports real-time data synchronization, omnichannel capabilities to sell on platforms like Amazon, and actionable insights to keep pace with consumer expectations—all while scaling efficiently. That’s where Acumatica’s Retail Edition comes in.
With its robust feature set and native eCommerce connectors, Acumatica sets a new standard for enterprise resource planning (ERP) in eCommerce, empowering automotive businesses to thrive in today’s demanding market.
Why Automotive eCommerce Businesses Need Modern ERP Tools
The shift to eCommerce in the automotive industry has created exciting opportunities but it also brings challenges, like complex inventory management, high customer expectations for quick delivery, and the need for synchronized data across multiple sales channels.
Without an ERP system designed to unify your selling ecosystem, it’s easy to get overwhelmed by disconnected tools that create bottlenecks. This is why investing in ERP technologies like Acumatica Retail Edition is crucial.
What Sets Acumatica’s Retail Edition Apart
Acumatica’s most recent updates to its Retail Edition elevate the capabilities of automotive eCommerce businesses, offering real-time data management, automated workflows to ensure product information is always up to date, seamless integrations to major eCommerce players like Amazon, BigCommerce, and Shopify, and new B2B support for those that sell to other organizations. Here’s a closer look at the standout features:
1. Real-Time Data Synchronization
One of the biggest challenges for automotive eCommerce businesses is ensuring that inventory, product listings, and financials remain up to date across all platforms. Acumatica solves this with real-time, bi-directional data flow, ensuring that any updates reflect instantly in your online storefronts and internal systems.
Whether a customer places an order or new stock arrives in the warehouse, data automatically syncs across all channels. This significantly reduces mishaps like manual data entry errors, overselling, or delayed restocking – ensuring better operational efficiency and customer experiences.
2. Automated Product Information Sync
Acumatica enables businesses to easily manage complex product data, automating updates for inventory titles, descriptions, images, categories, pricing, and metadata. This feature is particularly critical for automotive eCommerce businesses, where large catalogs often have varying product specifications. Automated sync ensures details are accurate, reducing site maintenance time, enhancing trust with your customers, and bringing new products to market quickly.
3. Native Integrations for Amazon, BigCommerce, and Shopify
Acumatica’s built-in connectors for Amazon, BigCommerce, and Shopify take omnichannel operations to the next level. For example, businesses can now:
- Leverage Acumatica’s Amazon connector to manage orders fulfilled by Amazon (FBA) or by your own merchant team (FBM), all while tracking sales fees and reconciling statements effortlessly.
- Sell automotive accessories on multiple Shopify storefronts while synchronizing your operations in real time with Acumatica.
- Use the native BigCommerce integration to easily manage promotions and discounts for sales campaigns in real time.
These connectors were built by the Acumatica team, so they eliminate the need for costly middle-men solutions. This saves businesses both time and resources while ensuring seamless integration between your ERP system and eCommerce platforms.
4. B2B Support for Automotive Retailers
With the growing demand for B2B eCommerce, Acumatica empowers businesses to handle both business-to-business (B2B) and business-to-consumer (B2C) sales under one unified platform. Automotive parts distributors can now cater to wholesalers and retail customers seamlessly, offering tailored experiences such as custom pricing for business clients or quick reordering options for high-volume buyers.
One way to do this is through Acumatica’s Shopify connector which allows businesses to sell their products to other companies while having advanced features like managing customer hierarchies, controlling payment terms, and even configuring custom pricing rules.
The Benefits for Automotive Distributors and Retailers
By leveraging Acumatica’s Retail Edition, automotive businesses gain access to a wide range of benefits that directly address the pain points of their industry:
- Operational Efficiency: Eliminate inefficiencies caused by manual data entry and disconnected systems.
- Customer Satisfaction: Provide accurate inventory data, fast turnaround times, and personalized experiences.
- Scalability: Handle increased demand smoothly with Acumatica’s cloud ERP infrastructure. Whether you’re processing 100 or 700,000 orders per week, the technology scales with ease.
- Data-Driven Decision-Making: Use automated reports and dashboards in Acumatica to gain actionable insights, such as identifying your most profitable SKUs or uncovering seasonal trends.
- Cost Savings: Spend less on managing multiple tools by leveraging Acumatica’s native connectors and automation capabilities.
Why Acumatica is a Game-Changer for Automotive eCommerce
Industry leaders and innovative automotive retailers are already using Acumatica to transform their operations. PC Bennett’s client DiamondBack Truck Covers has completely avoided out-of-stock parts and late part orders since being introduced on the platform. The system’s real-time visibility and automated workflows ensured seamless order fulfillment amidst record-breaking demand.
With Acumatica, businesses no longer need to rely on cumbersome spreadsheets or disconnected tools to operate. Instead, businesses have one unified source of truth that simplifies complex eCommerce workflows and lets them focus on growth.
Get Started with Acumatica
Navigating the future of automotive eCommerce requires robust tools that streamline operations, scale with demand, and improve both the employee and customer experience. Acumatica’s Retail Edition delivers all of this and more, making it the ideal solution for automotive businesses looking to lead in a competitive market.
Don’t just adapt—thrive. Explore how Acumatica can redefine your eCommerce operations.
Watch a demo from our team today to see the Acumatica Retail Edition in action and discover how these enhancements can transform your automotive business.
