By Ruth Richter • July 20, 2018
Last month, we shared how easy it is to connect Sage 100 to an ecommerce aggregator. Aggregators—or a “one to many” model allowing multiple businesses to sell via one platform—are a tremendous boon for helping small businesses expand their reach in the marketplace.
But there may come a time when the aggregator model you’re using no longer makes sense. ROI Consulting customer, Leedstone, found this. As their business grew, they reached the volume that justified moving off their aggregator and going with a direct integration to their Amazon platform. It was time to remove the middle man (and the fees) from their sales process. Whether it’s time to switch to a more robust service or you’ve simply outgrown the need to function through an aggregator, there are some things you’ll want to make sure you take into consideration when breaking away from your current ecommerce aggregator.
Plan Ahead
The first step is to check the contract obligations. The majority of contracts are full year contracts and renew automatically. Once the year is coming to a close, most aggregators require 30 days’ notice prior to release. Knowing up front enables you to plan for the migration time so that it will take place in time for the release from the contractual obligations.
Make Sure You’re Getting What You Want
Do a thorough background check on your new solution. You’ll want to make sure the new solution you are moving to will provide all of the requirements you are currently offering, and hopefully more. Does the new integrator have the ability to synchronize all of the data necessary to make the shopping process seamless? Be realistic about whether intended platform can meet your current and your future business demands. Beyond business demands, your solution provider should offer the right level of IT and compliance support, as well as quality customer service.
What’s the Deal with Data Migration?
Data migration may be the biggest hurdle you face when considering whether or not to leave your current aggregator. In fact, according to a recent MPA survey, data migration issues are the top reason brokers choose not to leave their current aggregator.
Just as we recommended how companies can use IN-SYNCH by ROI Consulting to connect their data to their aggregator for initial set-up, ROI Consulting can also provide data import services to retain the important history. Built to connect multiple channels, carts, and platforms via real-time synchronization, IN-SYNCH can put this same synchronization to work for your aggregator transition. Connecting IN-SYNCH to your old aggregator and your new direct integration ensures that information flows freely and any on-going fees are fixed no matter how much volume you reach.
IN-SYNCH Can Be Your Wingman
No matter what you’re planning—moving to an aggregator for the first time, moving to a new aggregator, or breaking up with your aggregator altogether—the one constant you’ll want in your relationship is IN-SYNCH. Maintain confidence in your data integration no matter what your relationship status is. Ready to move on, but still not quite sure where to start? ROI Consulting and IN-SYNCH have your back. Contact ROI Consulting or give us a call at 402-934-2223, ext. 1.
