Low-code webshop solutions for employee stores

For readers in a hurry:

• Order portals in companies are usually based on ERP systems such as SAP, Oracle, MS Dynamics and also map the order process including the approval process.
• External webshops connect to these order portals and appear to the user as a uniform portal. Cost centers, user authorizations and article numbers are seamlessly transferred from the ordering system to the web store.
• After selecting the goods in the external web store, all order data is transferred back to the order portal so that the approval process can take place immediately.
• Finally, the order is sent to the supplier with the shopping cart details from the external web store and the data from the ordering system. This system can be rolled out to any number of suppliers.
• For the user, everything appears to be from a single source and can be used intuitively like public web stores.

As soon as orders for office supplies or other products and services become more complex, manual processes and confusing systems quickly lead to frustration among employees. Webshop solutions in the form of employee stores can offer an effective alternative here. In addition to a smooth and transparent purchasing process, they can strengthen employee motivation and loyalty to the company. They also significantly reduce the workload of the purchasing department, as employees are able to work on a "self-service" basis.

Successful implementation of employee stores with web store solutions

An employee store is an internal platform through which employees can order office supplies or products and services at discounted rates that have been centrally negotiated by the purchasing department. Many companies offer their employees such an ordering portal as a web store solution for a wide range of services: Company smartphones, office furniture, IT equipment, company cars, flowers and much more. In the background of these eProcurement systems (electronic procurement systems) there is usually an extension of the ERP system (SAP, Oracle, MS Dynamics, etc.). Within these systems, the ordering processes including approvals by superiors and subsequent posting in financial accounting can be realized. The company's own webshop is another extension of the eProcurement system, which provides the user with the familiar shopping experience.  

In our blog post "Efficient supplier integration into your order portal", we show you how you can quickly and easily integrate new suppliers who do not yet have a webshop tailored to your company into your order portal - within just a few days or weeks.

Efficient processes thanks to specialized systems

What is behind the magic of such webshop solutions for employees? How does the ordering process work so smoothly? If you take a closer look, there are several systems in use here: 

• An ERP system such as SAP, Oracle or MS Dynamics, in which all master data, authorizations, etc. are stored; 
• an eProcurement platform such as WPS4 as an add-on to the ERP system, via which the employee's ordering process is handled; 
• a catalog service such as wescale or meplato, via which the data is exchanged between the eProcurement platform and the external webshop in a standardized eCommerce format; 
• a flexible low-code platform such as Oracle APEX with Oracle Autonomous Database as an external web store. 
• Optionally, an integration platform such as Workato can be used to facilitate data exchange between meplato and Oracle during shopping cart creation and between WPS4 and the supplier's ERP system during final order transmission.

Sounds complex? Yes and no. End-to-end business processes usually make use of specialized individual systems. "One system does it all" is rarely the case. The requirements are too complex, the respective function too specialized. Most systems are installed once and then only configured when something new needs to be connected. In our example, the external webshop is "new", while WPS4 and meplato only need to be configured slightly in order to interact with the webshop and the supplier's ERP system.

Why low-code? 

Many of these functionalities are offered by low-code platforms out-of-the-box or can be generated very quickly on the basis of ready-made components. Although you may not have all the freedoms of pro code, these are generally of little consequence. After all, you're not developing software for self-driving cars or SpaceX rockets.

Low code is ideally suited for rapid application development 

Webshop solutions: What you should consider

It quickly becomes clear that a web store solution as an order portal for employees is an essential "necessary evil", but is not an end in itself. Implementation is quickest with a low-code platform that enables graphical software development and already includes the workflow of a web store as a ready-made module. Three manufacturers stand out here: 

OutSystems, Mendix and Oracle APEX

While OutSystems scores points with its attractive interfaces and largely graphical application development, including in the business logic and database, it is less attractive in terms of price. Often a low five-figure sum is due annually to develop an application - clearly too much for some people.

Mendixnow a subsidiary of Siemens, is losing its appeal due to its lackluster sales. Apparently, the focus is on large customers and enterprise applications - which is a great pity, as this pioneer of low-code offers a powerful solution.

Oracle APEX stands out positively - especially in terms of price and sales. Although some PL/SQL scripts have to be written, Oracle offers everything that a small - and large - professional web store needs for the use case described above. In addition, the costs are only a fraction of what OutSystems or Mendix charge. Oracle calls this pay-as-you-go. The more the webshop comes under "load", the more expensive it becomes. Fair! What's more, the application generally runs maintenance-free in the cloud, so no installation is necessary. Deal!

Conclusion

Employee stores are an effective tool for increasing employee efficiency and satisfaction and significantly reducing the burden on purchasing. With low-code technology, companies can respond quickly and flexibly to the needs of their employees and develop customized solutions, often at a low total cost. The combination of user-friendliness, cost efficiency and speed makes implementing an employee store a breeze. 

If you are planning to set up an employee store in your company or need support with the implementation, we are here for you. Contact us today for a no-obligation consultation! Together, we will design a tailor-made solution that will make shopping easier for your employees and help your company move forward. Success guaranteed!

About Business Automatica GmbH:

Business Automatica reduces process costs by automating manual activities, increases the quality of data exchange in complex system architectures and connects on-premise systems with modern cloud and SaaS architectures. Applied artificial intelligence in the company is an integral part of this. Business Automatica also offers automation solutions from the cloud that are geared towards cyber security.