BigCommerce and SOS Inventory Management: A Step-by-Step Guide

Managing inventory is a crucial aspect of running a successful e-commerce business. As businesses grow, so do their inventory needs, and it becomes essential to have an efficient system to handle products, orders, and logistics. BigCommerce is a popular e-commerce platform that offers robust features for online stores. However, its inventory management capabilities may not be enough for businesses with complex needs. This is where SOS Inventory comes in, providing advanced inventory management, order processing, and accounting features that can seamlessly integrate with BigCommerce.

In this article, we’ll explore how BigCommerce and SOS Inventory management work together, their individual benefits, and why combining them could be the perfect solution for your inventory management needs.

What is BigCommerce?

BigCommerce is an e-commerce platform designed to help businesses build and scale their online stores. Known for its flexibility and ease of use, BigCommerce is popular among small to medium-sized enterprises as well as large corporations.

Key Features of BigCommerce

1. User-Friendly Interface: BigCommerce is designed to be user-friendly, allowing even beginners to set up and manage an online store with ease.
2. Responsive Themes: BigCommerce offers a wide variety of mobile-friendly themes that are fully customizable, enabling businesses to create a unique shopping experience.
3. Multi-Channel Selling: With BigCommerce, you can sell products on multiple platforms, including Amazon, eBay, and social media channels like Facebook and Instagram.
4. SEO Tools: BigCommerce provides SEO tools and features that help businesses improve their search engine rankings, driving more organic traffic to their online stores.
5. Payment Gateway Integration: The platform supports a wide range of payment gateways, including PayPal, Stripe, and Square, making it easier to accept payments from customers worldwide.
6. Inventory Management: BigCommerce includes basic inventory management tools, but they may be limited for businesses with complex inventory needs.

While BigCommerce offers some inventory management features, such as stock tracking and product categorization, it may not be sufficient for businesses with extensive inventory or intricate supply chains. That’s where SOS Inventory comes in.

What is SOS Inventory?

SOS Inventory is a cloud-based inventory management software designed to work seamlessly with platforms like BigCommerce. It offers a suite of tools for managing inventory, orders, and accounting, making it an ideal choice for businesses looking for more advanced features than those offered by standard e-commerce platforms.

Key Features of SOS Inventory

1. Comprehensive Inventory Tracking: SOS Inventory provides detailed tracking of inventory items, including serial numbers, lot numbers, and expiration dates.
2. Order Management: With SOS Inventory, you can manage purchase orders, sales orders, and shipments, allowing for smoother order processing and fulfillment.
3. Multi-Location Support: The software supports multiple warehouses and locations, making it easier to track inventory across different sites.
4. Accounting Integration: SOS Inventory integrates with accounting software like QuickBooks, allowing you to synchronize financial data with inventory transactions.
5. Manufacturing and Assembly Management: For businesses involved in manufacturing, SOS Inventory offers features to manage work orders, bills of materials, and production processes.
6. Real-Time Syncing: SOS Inventory updates data in real-time, ensuring you have accurate information on stock levels, order statuses, and more.
7. Reporting and Analytics: The software provides detailed reports and analytics, helping businesses make data-driven decisions about inventory and supply chain management.

Benefits of Integrating BigCommerce and SOS Inventory

Combining BigCommerce and SOS Inventory allows businesses to leverage the strengths of both platforms, creating a comprehensive solution for managing e-commerce operations. Here are some key benefits of integrating BigCommerce with SOS Inventory:

1. Improved Inventory Accuracy

By integrating BigCommerce with SOS Inventory, businesses can maintain accurate inventory records across multiple sales channels. The integration make sure that stock levels are automatically updated in real-time, reducing the risk of overselling or stockouts.

2. Streamlined Order Processing

SOS Inventory offers advanced order management features that make it easier to process orders from BigCommerce. Orders placed on BigCommerce are automatically synchronized with SOS Inventory, where they can be managed and fulfilled efficiently. This reduces manual data entry & minimizes errors in the order fulfillment process.

3. Enhanced Multi-Location Management

For businesses with multiple warehouses or retail locations, SOS Inventory provides robust tools to track inventory across different sites. Integrating with BigCommerce ensures that stock levels are consistent and accurate, regardless of where your products are stored.

4. Better Financial Insights

SOS Inventory’s integration with accounting software, such as QuickBooks, provides businesses with a comprehensive view of their financial data. This allows for more accurate financial reporting and helps businesses make informed decisions based on up-to-date information.

5. Customizable Reporting and Analytics

The integration provides access to detailed reports and analytics, which can be customized to meet the unique needs of your business. This helps you identify trends, monitor sales performance, and optimize inventory levels, ultimately boosting profitability.

6. Scalability for Growing Businesses

As businesses grow, their inventory management wants become more complex. The integration between BigCommerce and SOS Inventory provides a scalable solution that can accommodate growth without sacrificing efficiency. This makes it ideal for businesses looking to expand their product offerings or enter new markets.

Learn More: How to Create a BigCommerce Trial Store

How to Integrate BigCommerce and SOS Inventory Management

Integrating BigCommerce with SOS Inventory is a straightforward process that can be completed in a few steps:

Step 1: Sign Up for SOS Inventory

If you haven’t already, sign up for an SOS Inventory account. The software offers different pricing plans based on your business needs, so choose a plan that aligns with your inventory requirements.

Step 2: Connect BigCommerce to SOS Inventory

In your SOS Inventory account, navigate to the integration settings and select BigCommerce as the platform you want to connect. You’ll need to provide your BigCommerce API credentials, which can be found in your BigCommerce account settings.

Step 3: Configure Integration Settings

Once connected, you can configure the integration settings to determine how data is synced between BigCommerce and SOS Inventory. You can choose to sync products, orders, and inventory levels automatically, ensuring that both platforms stay up-to-date.

Step 4: Map Product Data

Map your product data from BigCommerce to SOS Inventory. This involves matching product SKUs, categories, and other attributes to ensure consistency across both platforms.

Step 5: Test the Integration

Before fully implementing the integration, test it to ensure that data is syncing correctly between BigCommerce and SOS Inventory. Place a test order on BigCommerce and verify that it appears in SOS Inventory as expected.

Step 6: Monitor and Optimize

After setting up the integration, monitor its performance and make any necessary adjustments to optimize the workflow. SOS Inventory provides customizable reports that can help you identify areas for improvement in your inventory management process.

Best Practices for Using BigCommerce and SOS Inventory Management

To get the most out of your BigCommerce and SOS Inventory management, integration, consider these best practices:

1. Regularly Update Product Information

Keep product information up-to-date to avoid discrepancies between BigCommerce and SOS Inventory. This includes updating product descriptions, prices, and stock levels as needed.

2. Use Barcode Scanning for Accuracy

Consider implementing barcode scanning for inventory management to improve accuracy. SOS Inventory supports barcode scanning, which can help reduce manual errors and streamline stock tracking.

3. Monitor Inventory Turnover

Use SOS Inventory’s reporting tools to monitor inventory turnover and identify slow-moving products. This can help you optimize stock levels and make informed purchasing decisions.

4. Train Your Team

Ensure that your team is familiar with both BigCommerce and SOS Inventory. Proper training can help streamline operations and reduce the likelihood of errors.

5. Leverage SOS Inventory’s Support Resources

SOS Inventory offers support resources, including documentation and customer support, to help you get the most out of the software. Take advantage of these resources if you encounter any issues or need assistance with the integration.

Conclusion

BigCommerce and SOS Inventory management are powerful tools for managing an e-commerce business. While BigCommerce provides a solid foundation for building and scaling an online store, SOS Inventory adds advanced inventory, order, and financial management capabilities. By integrating these two platforms, businesses can enjoy a seamless and efficient solution that supports growth and enhances operational efficiency.

Whether you’re just starting with e-commerce or looking to expand your existing business, the BigCommerce and SOS Inventory integration can provide the tools and features you need to succeed. With accurate inventory tracking, streamlined order processing, and better financial insights, you’ll be well-equipped to take your business to the next level.