How To Integrate Magento With Accounting Software

Multi-channel selling has become a ‘must’ in many industries in recent years.  An unfortunate downside to this is that many businesses find the differing system requirements for each selling channel incredibly difficult and/or expensive to integrate, if its even possible at all.  The result?  Inefficiencies and reduction in productivity due to double entries, frustrating data loss and so on.  At some point the business owner finds they are asking the question, “how to integrate my online store (and other apps) with my accounting software?”

Relatively recent advances in cloud based systems and their associated API’s (a tool allowing data to be shared) has resulted in a boom in integration providers and connectors.  Businesses can now pay these connector providers a monthly fee (SAAS model) for “x” number of integrations between platforms.  Think cloud accounting software, point of sale, customer relationship management, invoicing, etc etc…all integrated on a live, or very close to live, basis.  For us, the benefits are obvious, but we realise that most business owners don’t have the time or technical knowledge to achieve this.  That’s why we are about to explain how to integrate Magento with accounting software…(we say Magento, but we also mean many other e-commerce platforms too!)

Operating an online store with Magento is a breeze once you’ve had a play around with it for a little while, however the task of recreating customer data, invoices, payments and more,  in your accounting system is time consuming, inefficient and frustrating.  With the use of a cloud based app connector/integrator (OneSaas, Slyncy, Nchannel to name a few), you can now simply install an extension in your online store, and have a two way data share/connection between your cloud accounting program and your online store.  Customer, sales and payment data will seamlessly flow into your accounting software and inventory data will seamlessly flow back into Magento.  The extensions are almost always available on Magento Connect but will require specific configuration depending on your specific business needs and setup.  Don’t worry, as business consultants specialising in e-commerce, we are here to help!

Businesses using the above integrations don’t just gain efficiency through minimal double entry of data, the above also enables businesses to integrate traditional selling channels and the associated inventory, with their online channels.  Previously businesses have either run the risk of upsetting customers, with news their product was already out of stock, because the online store wasn’t updated, or perhaps even had to run a second inventory for their online store…a massive increase in working capital and a cash flow constraint.  Now businesses can safely manage one inventory for multiple selling channels…the efficiency gains are one thing, it’s the increase in customer satisfaction and reduction in working capital that really excites business owners!

If you feel this might benefit your business, contact us today for more info on how E-Improvement Consulting can help.  We don’t just offer web development and design, as business consultants specialising in e-commerce, we take the time to really understand your business and help you succeed online and in store.