Did you know that manual reorder processing costs distributors upwards of $100 per order and leads to costly errors? In the fast-paced distribution world, manual reordering no longer cuts it.
In the high-stakes world of distribution, B2B buyers expect speed, accuracy, and simplicity. Manual reordering processes are no longer sustainable for businesses looking to scale and meet modern expectations. If you’re running on Infor CloudSuite Distribution (CSD), you’re already ahead on the ERP front—but to fully optimize the buyer journey, it’s time to rethink how you handle reorders.
This guide explores how Infor CSD users can automate B2B reorders by integrating with robust eCommerce platforms like Adobe Commerce, Magento Open Source, BigCommerce, and Shopify Plus, rather than relying solely on ERP-native tools like Infor Rhythm.
In this blog, we’ll explore-
- Why Automating B2B Reorders Matters?
- Why Infor CSD Users Should Consider eCommerce-Driven Reorder Automation
- Key Features That Streamline B2B Reordering with Infor CSD Integration
- Why Modern eCommerce Platforms Go Beyond Reordering
- Best eCommerce Platforms to Automate Reorders with Infor CSD
- Considering Infor Rhythm for Your B2B eCommerce?
- Looking for a Superior B2B User Experience?
- Want Faster Deployment and Lower Costs?
- Need a Richer Set of B2B Features Out-of-the-Box?
- How Important Is Seamless ERP Integration?
- Planning for Omnichannel and Headless Commerce?
- Want a Robust Integration Ecosystem?
- Growing Your SKU Count or Customer Base?
- Need Modern Development and Deployment Tools?
- Looking for Advanced Analytics and Personalization?
- Expanding Globally or Managing Multiple Sites?
- Why Partner with DotcomWeavers for Your B2B Reorder Automation Journey
Let’s dive deeper into every aspect to give you a complete picture.
Why Automating B2B Reorders Matters?
For distributors managing extensive product catalogs and serving recurring buyers, the reorder process is vital. Manual methods, such as phone calls, spreadsheets, and siloed systems, not only slow down operations but also heighten the risk of:
- Human errors in order entry
- Missed reorder windows
- Inventory stockouts or overstocks
- Poor customer experience
The Hidden Costs of Manual Reorders
Manual reorder processes introduce inefficiencies and hidden costs that can significantly impact a distributor’s bottom line:
- High Processing Costs: The average cost to manually process a single purchase order ranges from $50 to $150, with a median cost of about $100.
- Order Errors Are Expensive: The average cost of an order error is approximately $17,800, considering factors like returns, reshipping, and customer dissatisfaction.
- Delays in Order Processing: Manual orders take longer to process, leading to delayed shipments and strained customer relationships.
- Limited On-Time Fulfillment: Only a few of the companies relying on manual sales orders can fulfill the orders on time.
The Shift Towards Automation
Recognizing these challenges, many B2B companies are transitioning towards automation:
- Digital Sales Channels: E-commerce is rated as the most effective sales channel by 35% of B2B buyers, surpassing in-person sales (26%) and other traditional methods.
- Automation in Sales Interactions: By the end of 2025, it’s projected that 30% of all B2B sales interactions will be fully automated, leveraging AI to streamline procurement and enhance accuracy.
Why Infor CSD Users Should Consider eCommerce-Driven Reorder Automation
Infor CSD provides powerful back-end capabilities. But for customer-facing efficiency and buyer satisfaction, it needs to be paired with a flexible, scalable eCommerce platform.
Infor Rhythm, while integrated, lacks the flexibility, UX, and feature depth offered by industry-leading eCommerce platforms. Distributors need more than just an online portal—they need a digital buying experience that mirrors B2C convenience while maintaining B2B complexity.
Modern eCommerce platforms offer:
- Customer-specific pricing & catalogs
- Quick order pads, requisition lists, and reorder from history
- Real-time inventory synced from Infor CSD
- Scalable architecture for growing SKUs and customer tiers
- Self-service buyer portals
If you’re using Infor CSD but still relying on limited tools like Rhythm, you’re only scratching the surface of what’s possible. Dive into the full guide to see how pairing Infor CSD with a modern eCommerce platform can simplify reorders, enhance buyer satisfaction, and future-proof your distribution business.
Key Features That Streamline B2B Reordering with Infor CSD Integration
Automating B2B Reorders: What It Looks Like
Automating reorder workflows in B2B is about marrying operational efficiency with a seamless buyer experience. When your eCommerce platform is deeply integrated with Infor CSD, the benefits multiply—both for internal teams and customers. Here’s how it works:
Buyers can build multiple reorder templates based on seasonality, projects, or departments. These templates reduce ordering errors and enable easy approval routing. Advanced platforms allow syncing requisition lists with ERP purchase orders for better financial control.
Support for bulk SKU entry, barcode scanning, and CSV imports streamlines high-volume orders. Smart validation alerts buyers if SKUs are discontinued or have pricing updates, reducing costly mistakes.
Multi-user account management with role-based permissions enables corporate buyers to manage budgets, approvals, and order history in one centralized location. Integration with Infor CSD ensures real-time visibility into invoices and payment terms.
Automate reorder workflows using dynamic rules such as minimum stock levels, reorder points, seasonal demand, or historical purchase velocity. These can be combined with AI-driven forecasting to suggest optimized reorder quantities.
Why Modern eCommerce Platforms Go Beyond Reordering
While seamless reorder automation is essential, modern eCommerce platforms offer a wider range of capabilities that deliver significant operational benefits and enhanced buyer experiences—areas where native Infor Rhythm tools may fall short. Here’s a quick look at these additional advantages:
- Real-Time Inventory Visibility
Multi-warehouse stock tracking and drop-ship integrations provide buyers with accurate, up-to-the-minute product availability, improving order fulfillment and customer satisfaction.
- Flexible Pricing & Contract Management
Platforms support dynamic customer-specific pricing, volume discounts, promotional offers, and contract compliance, ensuring accurate and personalized pricing aligned with ERP data.
- Robust Approval Workflows & Purchase Controls
Multi-tier approval routing, spend limits, and audit trails help enforce purchasing policies and governance, critical for larger organizations with complex buying hierarchies.
- Advanced Reporting & Analytics
Integrated dashboards combine eCommerce and ERP data to deliver actionable insights on reorder trends, customer behavior, inventory forecasting, and key performance metrics.
- Scalable & Future-Ready Architectures
Cloud-native, API-first designs enable businesses to expand SKUs, add new integrations, and adopt headless commerce or microservices architectures with ease.
- Enhanced Security & Compliance
Enterprise-grade authentication (SSO, MFA), PCI compliance, data privacy controls (GDPR, CCPA), and role-based access protect sensitive information and transactions.
For a smooth and successful B2B reorder automation with Infor CSD and modern eCommerce platforms, partnering with experts like DotcomWeavers makes all the difference. We specialize in building scalable, integrated solutions on platforms like Adobe Commerce, Magento Open Source, BigCommerce, and Shopify Plus, ensuring seamless workflows, real-time data sync, and a superior buyer experience. Let DotcomWeavers simplify your reorder process and help your business grow efficiently.
Comparing Rhythm and BigCommerce? This blog outlines why BigCommerce is the best platform for Infor CSD users who need flexibility and faster deployment.
Best eCommerce Platforms to Automate Reorders with Infor CSD
For Infor CSD users aiming to move beyond basic portals and fully optimize B2B reordering, selecting the right eCommerce platform is crucial. Below is a side-by-side comparison of four leading platforms—each offering unique advantages based on your operational complexity, growth stage, and integration needs.
| Platform | Best For | Key Features | Infor CSD Integration |
|---|---|---|---|
| Adobe Commerce | Large distributors with complex catalogs and enterprise workflows |
|
Deep, bi-directional integration via middleware or custom APIs |
| Magento Open Source | Mid-sized distributors seeking flexibility without high licensing costs |
|
Integrations built or deployed using prebuilt connectors |
| BigCommerce | Distributors needing a modern solution with fast deployment |
|
Connect via middleware (Dell Boomi, MuleSoft) or custom APIs |
| Shopify Plus | Fast-growing distributors prioritizing ease-of-use and rapid time-to-market |
|
Integration via third-party middleware (Celigo, Patchworks) or custom-built connectors |
Considering Infor Rhythm for Your B2B eCommerce?
While Infor Rhythm is Infor’s native eCommerce solution, it often falls short compared to leading modern platforms like the benefits of Adobe Commerce Infor integration, BigCommerce, Shopify Plus, and Magento Open Source. Here’s why Infor CSD users should look closely at these alternatives before deciding.
Looking for a Superior B2B User Experience?
Modern platforms offer intuitive, responsive interfaces with saved carts, reorder from history, requisition lists, real-time product availability, and personalized portals—features that mimic the B2C experience buyers expect, improving satisfaction far beyond what Rhythm typically delivers.
Want Faster Deployment and Lower Costs?
BigCommerce and Shopify Plus enable rapid SaaS deployment with minimal backend setup, while Magento offers powerful staging and optimization tools. This lowers the total cost of ownership and accelerates time-to-market, unlike Rhythm’s more monolithic and slower setup.
Need a Richer Set of B2B Features Out-of-the-Box?
Approval workflows, credit limits, custom checkout logic, price books, CSV uploads, and product configurators come standard or via apps on modern platforms, while Rhythm often requires heavy customization to provide similar capabilities.
How Important Is Seamless ERP Integration?
With open, API-first architectures supporting REST and GraphQL, modern platforms integrate live inventory, pricing, customer data, and order syncing with Infor CSD in real-time, ensuring operational efficiency and visibility that Rhythm struggles to match.
Planning for Omnichannel and Headless Commerce?
Adobe Commerce and BigCommerce support headless setups across web, mobile, kiosks, and marketplaces, plus easy integration with PIM, CRM, and marketing automation tools. Rhythm’s monolithic design limits these modern commerce strategies.
Want a Robust Integration Ecosystem?
Modern platforms connect easily with middleware like Dell Boomi, Celigo, MuleSoft, and Jitterbit, plus popular CRMs, PSPs, tax, and PIM tools—giving you a flexible ecosystem far beyond Rhythm’s native capabilities.
Growing Your SKU Count or Customer Base?
Platforms like Adobe Commerce handle large catalogs (100k+ SKUs) and complex pricing, currencies, and warehouse setups, scaling with your business—something Rhythm often cannot support efficiently.
Need Modern Development and Deployment Tools?
Git-based deployments, automated testing, and cloud-native environments enable continuous improvements on modern platforms, features largely missing from Infor Rhythm.
Looking for Advanced Analytics and Personalization?
Built-in or third-party tools like Adobe Sensei and GA4 deliver rich insights and personalized experiences that modern platforms excel in, while Rhythm’s capabilities are more basic.
Expanding Globally or Managing Multiple Sites?
Modern eCommerce platforms handle multiple storefronts, brands, and languages from a single backend with localized pricing and compliance support, critical for growth beyond what Rhythm typically offers.
To sum up, if you’re an Infor CSD user considering Infor Rhythm, it’s worth exploring Adobe Commerce, Magento Open Source, Shopify Plus, and BigCommerce. These platforms deliver a far more flexible, scalable, and buyer-friendly B2B commerce experience that can grow with your business.
Evaluating Adobe Commerce as an alternative to Rhythm? Explore how Adobe Commerce delivers deeper integration and advanced B2B features for Infor CSD users in this article.
Why Partner with DotcomWeavers for Your B2B Reorder Automation Journey
Automating B2B reorders with Infor integration and modern eCommerce platforms is a game-changer for operational efficiency and customer satisfaction. However, executing such integrations and building a seamless, scalable reorder system requires deep technical expertise and industry experience.
That’s where a trusted partner like DotcomWeavers comes in. With years of proven success in developing robust B2B e-commerce solutions, DotcomWeavers specializes in integrating enterprise-grade ERPs, such as Infor CSD, with leading e-commerce platforms, including Adobe Commerce, Magento Open Source, BigCommerce, and Shopify Plus. We understand the complexities of B2B workflows, from requisition templates and approval routing to real-time inventory visibility and advanced pricing logic.
Our approach ensures your reorder automation not only runs smoothly but also scales effortlessly as your business grows. By leveraging our expertise, you’ll benefit from:
- Customized integration tailored to your unique business needs
- Seamless syncing between your ERP and storefront for error-free orders
- Enhanced user experience for your corporate buyers
- Scalable architecture designed for performance and future growth
- Ongoing support to keep your reorder workflows optimized
Simplify your B2B reorder process and get access to new efficiencies with DotcomWeavers — your partner in building next-generation eCommerce experiences powered by Infor CSD and cutting-edge technology.
About the Author: Amit Bhaiya
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