When we start in an e-commerce or we seek to improve an online business, we can confuse certain concepts related to the internal management of the website.
When we talk about internal programming at once, we relate certain acronyms that refer to elements that have to do with each other, but when it comes down to it, they are completely different.
Some of these acronyms are ERP (Enterprise Resource Planner) and CMS (Content Management System).
Differences between CMS and ERP
ERP (Enterprise Resource Planner)
ERP means Enterprise Resource Planning; it is a business management system that comprises different modules in charge of managing each company area and automates a large number of internal processes.
The software groups all the information that is shared in all the departments of the organization.
Having an ERP system improves the management of any kind of business; thus, the system comprises the main tasks of each department such as production, planning, shipments, inventory management, accounting, sales, and database of clients among other functions.
Connection between your ERP with e-commerce store
If your online page is a corporate area, something like a card, there will be no problem with the ERP and your website working separately.
However, if we are talking about an online commerce company, the collaboration between ecommerce and the ERP is essential to control billing, customers, stock, or returns from the same platform, with which all processes will be automated.
For this reason, it will be very important that the connectivity between the company and the ERP is strong since it will improve daily tasks, save expenses, and help management in general.
CMS (Content Management System)
Of all the necessary elements to start an electronic business, one of the most important is the CMS (Content Management System).
CMS is a software that allows the creation of a website and manages the content intuitively, without the need to have much knowledge in programming or computing.
CMS has a Backend (Control Panel) that is responsible for managing all the information that appears on your online site.
Thanks to the CMS system, you can design and create web pages, online stores, blogs, update, add or delete images or texts in a simple and very secure way.
Difference between ERP and CMS
Although the ERP and the CMS are integrated and are fundamental elements for the success of an ecommerce, the functions and utilities are completely different.
These are the main differences between ERP and CMS
1. From the ERP, we manage all elements related to stock, billing, and warehouses, among others.
2. 2. On the other hand, the CMS manages the e-comemrce structure and contents where the purchases are made along with the different forms of payments.
The importance of having these two tools integrated is always advised.
If this integration is not carried out correctly, we will be wasting the functions of these tools and we will have to carry out additional work that would already be automated if the integrated CMS and ERP were used correctly.
As an example, if we do not have a well ntegrated CMS and ERP, we would have to pass our e-commerce orders from the CMS to the ERP and then upload the ERP catalogs to the CMS.
Best CMS for e-commerce
If you are thinking of starting your business online, at Algoratma we explain why PrestaShop is currently the best CMS to start your ecommerce business.