Integrating NetSuite, a cloud-based ERP system from Oracle, with BigCommerce, a leading e-commerce platform, is a strategic move to streamline operations and enhance customer experiences. This integration brings together financial management, inventory control, order fulfillment, and customer relationship management under one cohesive system.

In this article, we’ll take a look at the challenges and benefits of integrating two powerful systems: NetSuite and the e-commerce platform BigCommerce. From challenges to benefits, we delve into the topic of integration to help you make informed integration decisions.

What is NetSuite?

NetSuite is a cloud-based enterprise resource planning (ERP) and customer relationship management (CRM) software suite owned by Oracle. It offers a wide range of functionalities for managing various aspects of a business, including financial management, customer relationship management, e-commerce, inventory management, and more.

NetSuite in Brief

USEFUL: Take a look at the following video to learn more about NetSuite’s user interface (UI).

What Is BigCommerce?

BigCommerce is a leading e-commerce platform that empowers businesses to create, manage, and optimize online stores. It offers a range of tools and features for selling products and services on the internet.

With customizable templates, secure payment options, and multi-channel selling capabilities, BigCommerce enables businesses of all sizes to establish and grow their online presence effectively.

BigCommerce Key Features and Capabilities

USEFUL: Must-Have BigCommerce Integrations

NetSuite-BigCommerce Integration Features

Product Management: Product information such as titles, descriptions, and prices can be synchronized between NetSuite and BigCommerce. Any updates made in NetSuite are reflected in BigCommerce and vice versa.

Inventory Sync: Real-time inventory levels are shared between the platforms, helping to prevent overselling and maintaining accurate stock information.

Order Sync: When an order is placed on BigCommerce, it can be automatically transferred to NetSuite. Order details, customer information, and payment details are synced.

Customer Data: Customer profiles, including contact information and order history, can be shared between the systems, ensuring a consistent customer experience.

Payment Processing: Payment information from BigCommerce orders can be integrated with NetSuite’s financial management features.

Key Benefits of NetSuite-BigCommerce Integration

Integrating NetSuite with BigCommerce can offer significant benefits for businesses by streamlining operations and providing a seamless experience for both customers and administrators.

Important Considerations for NetSuite Integration

Challenges Faced During Integration

Integrating BigCommerce with NetSuite can provide numerous advantages, but there can also be challenges and potential issues that you might encounter during the integration process. Here are some common problems that BigCommerce store owners might face when integrating with NetSuite.

Data Synchronization Issues: Ensuring that product information, inventory levels, customer details, and order data are consistently synchronized between BigCommerce and NetSuite can be complex. Inaccurate or delayed synchronization can lead to discrepancies and customer dissatisfaction.

Complex Mapping: Mapping data fields and structures between BigCommerce and NetSuite can be challenging, especially if the two platforms have different data models. Deciding how data translates from one system to another requires careful planning.

Custom Workflows: If your business has unique processes or workflows, the out-of-the-box integration might not cover all your needs.

Technical Expertise: Integrating two platforms often requires technical expertise, including understanding APIs, data formats, and integration tools. If you lack this expertise in-house, you might need external help of experts.

Data Quality: Ensuring data accuracy is crucial. If your data is inconsistent, outdated, or contains errors before integration, these issues might propagate to both systems.

Performance Impact: Depending on how the integration is implemented, it could potentially affect the performance of either or both platforms, especially if data synchronization is frequent and involves large amounts of data.

Security Concerns: Integrating systems involves data sharing, which raises security concerns. Ensuring that sensitive customer information and business data are protected during the integration process is vital.

Maintenance and Upgrades: Both BigCommerce and NetSuite may release updates, and your integration should remain compatible. This might require ongoing maintenance and updates to your integration solution.

Cost: Integration projects can incur not just the financial investment in integration tools or services. These costs can include development, testing, training, and ongoing support.

Scope Creep: Integrations might start simple but expand in scope as you identify more opportunities to optimize processes. Managing scope management plan is important to avoid overcomplicating the integration.

User Training: Your team might need training to effectively use the integrated systems. Training becomes especially important if there are changes to existing workflows.

To mitigate these potential challenges, it’s recommended to:

Every integration is unique, so the challenges you face will depend on your specific business requirements, the complexity of your processes, and the chosen integration approach.

Navigating the Complexity of Data Mapping in BigCommerce to NetSuite Integration

Complex mapping refers to the process of defining how data fields and structures from one system (in this case, BigCommerce) correspond to and interact with data fields and structures in another system (NetSuite).

When integrating two platforms, you need to determine how information from one system translates into the format and context of the other system.

Here’s a more detailed look at complex mapping when integrating BigCommerce with NetSuite:

1. Field Mapping

Each data field in BigCommerce needs to be mapped to its equivalent or related field in NetSuite. For example:

However, the complexity arises when:

2. Data Transformation

In many cases, data needs to be transformed from one format to another during integration. For instance:

3. Tax and Shipping Logic

Tax and shipping rules might differ between BigCommerce and NetSuite. Mapping tax codes, rates, and shipping methods accurately is crucial for accurate order processing.

4. Hierarchical Data

If your products are organized into categories or hierarchies, you need to map how these categories relate between BigCommerce and NetSuite.

5. Order and Customer Data

When integrating orders and customer information, consider how the data flows from the point of sale to NetSuite. This includes handling customer profiles, order history, payment information, and shipping details.

6. Custom Fields and Extensions

Both BigCommerce and NetSuite allow for custom fields and extensions. Mapping these custom fields correctly is important to capture all relevant data.

7. Inventory and Stock Levels

Mapping inventory levels, including real-time updates, backorders, and product availability, is essential for preventing overselling or stockouts.

8. Multi-Channel Integration

If you’re selling on multiple platforms besides BigCommerce, such as marketplaces or brick-and-mortar stores, mapping and synchronizing data across all channels becomes even more complex.

Thus, complex mapping can be challenging due to the differences in data models and requirements between platforms. However, working with integration experts can simplify this process and ensure accurate data transfer between BigCommerce and NetSuite.

Choosing the Right Integration Path: Ready-Made Connectors vs. Custom Integration

The decision between using ready-made connectors or hiring an integrator company for custom integration depends on various factors, including your business needs, budget, timeline, and the complexity of the integration. Here’s a breakdown of the advantages and considerations for both approaches:

Ready-Made Connectors: Advantages

Speed: Ready-made connectors are pre-built solutions that are designed to quickly connect specific platforms like NetSuite and BigCommerce. They often have plug-and-play functionality, reducing implementation time.

Cost-Effective: Ready-made connectors can be more cost-effective compared to custom integrations since the development work has already been done. They generally involve lower upfront costs.

Less Technical Expertise Required: These connectors are often designed to be user-friendly, requiring less technical expertise to set up and maintain.

Flexibility: Ready-made connectors might not cover all your unique business requirements. They are designed to work for a wide range of businesses, so customization options could be limited.

Scalability: As your business grows and your needs become more complex, a ready-made connector might start to show limitations.

Specific Requirements: If your integration requires specific workflows, data transformations, or processes that aren’t covered by the connector, you might need to compromise or consider a custom solution.

Custom Integration by an Integrator Company: Advantages

Tailored to Your Needs: Custom integrations can be designed to fit your exact business processes, workflows, and requirements.

Scalability: A custom integration can grow with your business and adapt to changing needs over time.

Complex Workflows: If your integration involves intricate data transformations or involves multiple systems beyond just NetSuite and BigCommerce, a custom solution might be more suitable.

Enhanced Data Control: With a custom integration, you have more control over how your data flows between systems.

Advanced Automation: Custom integrations can incorporate advanced automation features tailored to your specific needs. This can reduce manual data entry, minimize errors, and streamline your business processes.

Optimized Performance: Integrator companies can fine-tune custom integrations for optimal performance. They can optimize data synchronization processes, reducing latency and ensuring real-time or near-real-time updates.

Long-Term Cost Efficiency: While custom integrations may have higher upfront development costs, they can result in long-term cost savings. You won’t be constrained by ongoing subscription fees associated with third-party connectors, and you can adapt the integration as your business evolves.

Comprehensive Support: Many integrator companies offer comprehensive support packages, including regular maintenance, updates, and troubleshooting. This can ensure the long-term stability and reliability of your custom integration.

Cost and Time: Custom integrations are generally more expensive and time-consuming to develop compared to ready-made connectors. Development, testing, and deployment can take longer.

Remember that the decision between ready-made connectors and custom integration should be based on a thorough assessment of your business’s unique needs, budget constraints, and long-term goals. Custom integration is a powerful option for businesses looking to optimize their operations and gain a competitive edge in the marketplace

Why Involve Experts for Integration

Involving experts from an integration company like EDI2XML can greatly benefit businesses when it comes to complex integrations like BigCommerce and NetSuite:

About EDI2XML

EDI2XML is an integration company with a proven track record of successfully executing various integrations, including complex ones like BigCommerce and NetSuite. With a team of experienced professionals, EDI2XML offers:

Expertise: We specialize in bridging the gap between different e-commerce platforms and business systems like ERP/CRM, ensuring smooth data flow and efficient processes.

Tailored Solutions: We understand that each business is unique. Our team can customize integrations to align with your specific workflows and requirements.

Security: Data security is a priority for us. We implement robust security measures to protect your sensitive data during integration.

Efficiency: Through our experience, we’ve developed efficient strategies to minimize implementation time while maximizing accuracy.

NetSuite and BigCommerce Integration: Conclusion

When it comes to complex integrations like BigCommerce and NetSuite, involving an integration expert like EDI2XML can save you time, mitigate risks, and ensure that your systems work harmoniously. Our experience, knowledge, and dedication to providing tailored solutions can make the integration process a smoother and more successful endeavor.

Feel free to contact us for expert integration services tailored to your business needs. Our team of specialists is committed to delivering seamless and efficient solutions that drive your e-commerce success.