Beginners Guide to ERP Integrations

What is ERP Integration?

Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP) integration is the process of connecting your ERP system with other software solutions (like your CRM, e-commerce platform, or warehouse system) to ensure seamless data flow and business process automation.

Without integration, teams often waste time entering the same data into multiple systems,  leading to errors, delays, and inefficiencies.

Why ERP Integration Matters

• Real-time data sharing between departments (sales, inventory, finance, HR)
• Automation of workflows (eg., invoicing, shipping, order updates)
• Improved decision-making with unified dashboards and analytics
• Reduced manual data entry and risk of human error
  

Popular ERP Systems at a glance

‍SAP S/4HANA

Best for: Large enterprises, complex ops

Type: Cloud/Hybrid

Market leader with robust finance, SCM, and manufacturing modules. Highly configurable and powerful.

Oracle ERP Cloud

Best for: Global corporations, finance

Type: Cloud

Strong financial tools, analytics, and automation. Scales well for enterprise-grade operations.

Microsoft Dynamics 365

Best for: Mid-large businesses, general use

Type: Cloud/On-prem

Modular ERP with great integration into Microsoft tools like Teams, Outlook, and Power BI.

SYSPRO

Best for: Manufacturers & distributors

Type: Cloud/ on Prem

Offers deep functionality in production planning, inventory control, and supply chain visibility. Known for its ease of use, quick deployment, and strong support for industry-specific needs.

NetSuite (by Oracle)

Best for: SMEs and fast-growing companies

Type: Cloud

Fully cloud-native with rapid deployment and strong features for finance, e-commerce, and services.

Odoo

Best for: Small businesses, customisation

Type: Open-source

Affordable, modular, and highly customisable. Great for companies wanting flexibility.

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3 Common ERP Integration Workflows

Here are three workflows that are most commonly automated when integrating an ERP with other parts of a tech stack:

1. ERP + CRM Integration (e.g., Salesforce + SAP/Oracle)

Objective:

Keep sales and customer data synchronised across departments.

Workflow prompts:

• When a deal is marked as "Closed-Won" in Salesforce, automatically create or update the customer record in SAP.
  
  
• Once the record is created in SAP, automatically generate and return any related invoice details, order fulfillment status, and billing history to the corresponding Salesforce account or opportunity record.
  
  
• Display the customer's payment status and credit balance in Salesforce in near real-time so sales reps can view financial standing without switching systems.
  

Benefits:

• Better coordination between sales and finance
  
  
• Faster order-to-cash cycles
  
  
• Accurate revenue tracking

2. ERP + E-Commerce Integration (e.g., Shopify + NetSuite)

Objective:

Automate online order processing, inventory sync, and fulfillment.

Workflow prompts:

• When a customer places an order on Shopify, automatically push the order details (items, quantities, customer data, shipping method) into NetSuite to initiate fulfillment.
  
  
• As items are picked, packed, and shipped, NetSuite updates inventory levels and generates tracking numbers.
  
  
• These updates (e.g., shipping status, carrier info, tracking URL) sync back to the Shopify order.
  
  
• Shopify sends a real-time shipping notification with tracking to the customer.

Benefits:

• Prevents overselling and stockouts
  
  
• Speeds up order fulfillment
  
  
• Improves customer experience

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3. ERP + Warehouse Management Integration (e.g., Dynamics 365 + WMS like Clarus)

Objective:

Improve warehouse accuracy and efficiency.

Workflow prompts:

• When a purchase order is created in Microsoft Dynamics 365, automatically push the order line items, quantities, SKUs, and delivery instructions to the WMS.
  Once packed and shipped, the WMS sends shipment confirmations, tracking numbers, and any adjustments to picked quantities back to the ERP.
  
  
• Inventory levels are updated in Dynamics 365 based on what was actually shipped, not just what was ordered.
  
  
• If returns are initiated (via customer or shipping exception), the WMS logs return data and sends condition, quantity, and restocking status to the ERP.
  
  

Benefits:

• Real-time inventory tracking
  
  
• Better warehouse efficiency
  
  
• Accurate financial reporting

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Integrating ERPs into your tech stack requires aligning both data architecture and business logic between disparate systems. This involves:

• Data Mapping & Transformation: Identifying data structures (e.g., customer records, orders, invoices) in the ERP and external systems, then transforming them to match the appropriate formats (JSON, XML, or proprietary schemas). Middleware or integration platforms often handle these transformations to maintain data integrity.
  
  
• API Utilisation: Modern ERPs provide RESTful or SOAP APIs for secure access to key business objects. API calls enable CRUD operations (Create, Read, Update, Delete) for synchronising data between systems while maintaining proper authorisation protocols (OAuth 2.0, API keys, etc.).
  
  
• Event-Driven Architecture: Many integrations leverage webhooks or message queues (Kafka, RabbitMQ) to trigger workflows in real time when actions occur (e.g., new orders, stock adjustments). This minimises lag and reduces batch processing dependencies.
  
  
• Data Synchronisation & Conflict Resolution: Continuous synchronisation ensures systems stay aligned, but error handling is crucial. Building retry mechanisms and reconciliation processes prevents data loss or duplication.
  
  
• Scalability & Performance: When dealing with high transaction volumes (e.g., e-commerce orders feeding into ERP), asynchronous processing may be necessary to prevent bottlenecks and maintain system performance.
  
  

Versori AI helps streamline these complexities by using machine learning to optimise data mapping and workflow automation across ERP integrations. By analysing historical data flows and identifying patterns, Versori AI can reduce setup time, enhance error resolution, and improve overall data accuracy, making integration smoother for both technical teams and business users.

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