Integrating Kerridge K8 with tradeit: A Game-Changer for Builders' Merchants

In the fast-evolving digital landscape, builders' merchants are increasingly turning to integrated technology solutions to streamline their operations, enhance customer experience, and stay competitive. As the make-up of the industry and their customer base evolves, with younger tradespeople more attuned to web ordering, checking stock via their mobile devices, or managing their account online, builder’s merchants must adapt their digital offering.

One of the most effective strategies is the integration of a robust ERP system, such as Kerridge K8, with a powerful ecommerce platform like tradeit. Let’s explore how this synergy is transforming the operations of builders' merchants

Kerridge K8 ERP is a sophisticated cloud-based ERP & business management solution adopted by a wide range of distributors, merchants and wholesalers. It offers a suite of features tailored to meet the complex needs of builders' merchants, including inventory management, order processing, customer relationship management (CRM), and financial accounting. Integrating the Kerridge K8 ERP system with the tradeit ecommerce platform brings together the best of both worlds, creating a seamless, efficient, and powerful solution for builders' merchants far outside the scope of most ecommerce solutions.

Integrating Kerridge K8 with tradeit

Using Kerridge K8 integrated into the tradeit ecommerce platform helps to streamline your business processes by replicating features online to ensure day-to-day tasks require little or no manual intervention, improve operational efficiency, and maximise ROI.

“Red have been flexible in helping to develop particular functionality to suit some of our ‘more quirky’ product offerings which aren’t sold as ‘each’ in single units in Kerridge K8.”
Ecommerce Manager, KRM Building Supplies

With Kerridge offering a whole scope of functions aimed at wholesale, distribution, and various different types of merchant (builder's, timber, tile, plumber's, electrical), being able to access those functions online requires both a feature-rich ecommerce platform as well as robust and proven integrations from an experienced partner.

Having such comprehensive levels of integration with Kerridge means the combined systems can effectively operate like one, driving your ecommerce business and ensuring your future online growth. The capability of tradeit means key customer, product, pricing, stock, and order information from Kerridge can easily be shared with online customers providing them with a feature-rich, self-service portal capable of supporting them 24/7/365.

The comprehensive features in Kerridge can be replicated online through integration with tradeit including:

User Access

Roles-Based Permissions

User-level access can be defined in Kerridge (including across different company entities, departments or branches) based on a user's role. This same access can then be applied in tradeit done to a granular level, ensuring only those with the correct permissions can see what you want them to.

Customer controls

In tradeit, companies can assign permissions to staff members meaning they can only access and carry out tasks for which they are approved. For example some users may only be able to raise quotes, but may require another to approve them before they are able to be turned into an order.

Pricing

Timber Tally

Historically, timber is often ordered by the pack for each profile (2” x 1” etc) and each pack is made up of lengths (usually between 2.1m and 5.4m) that equal the total number of linear metres in a pack. However, until that pack arrives with the merchant they are unaware of the exact contents and breakdown of quantities of each length. This means that many merchants only input pricing in bulk in Kerridge (i.e. often just pricing per 100m even though it’s sold in pre-cut lengths).

Nevertheless, tradeit is still able to take the bulk price from Kerridge and calculate the exact price of items in the defined quantities in which they are sold online, meaning that when that one price is updated in Kerridge, the new prices for each length are automatically calculated in tradeit. For example, timber could be priced per 100m in Kerridge but sold in set lengths like 2.4m, 3.6m, 4.2m etc… So, when a length is sold online the selling price is automatically calculated in tradeit from the price of the 100m length.

For these products, stock is often classed as the total combined length of all the different sizes and quantities added together, so when a length is sold online it is removed from the total stock (i.e. there is 173.4m in stock and somebody buys 2 x 3.6m lengths, the total stock is reduced to 166.2m).

Timber can also be sold in pre-defined lengths with pre-defined prices as is normal for other products, or you can use a mixture of both, all of which is calculated and output in tradeit.

Product Pricing per sqm

Similarly, other products like block paving or artificial grass may be priced per m² in Kerridge, rather than per unit. This is then reflected online with customers able to purchase online by area coverage (as that is likely to make more sense to them and provide a superior user experience) as well as by unit. Most people are unlikely to know exactly how many paving blocks they will need, so it’s far easier for them to know the area they need to cover.

Not only that, any rules from Kerridge regarding the minimum number of m² that needs to be ordered can be applied to any products, as well as any quantity steps required (i.e. artificial grass may be priced per m² but can only be sold in 4m² amounts as it comes off a roll). These rules can also be applied directly in tradeit if not in Kerridge.

Example of product that is available to order by area coverage (m²)

Customer Pricing

We've already looked at specific product pricing above, but Merchants can also set up pricing structures in Kerridge and then replicate them online based on the customer. This could include different pricing for customers based on their location, pre-agreed status, group, or spend. Some merchants also offer different pricing in different branches which can be replicated online by identifying a user's location from either their login or IP address.

Users can also be automatically assigned to customer groups with different pricing in place - these might be based on their previous spend for example. Product pricing can also have MOQs and quantity-based discounts applied in Kerridge and output online via tradeit.

Stock & Orders

Stock Management

Stock can be managed at a branch level and then output online based on the user’s nearest or chosen branch (Using tradeit’s stock checker tool, users can then see their ten closest branches and which have stock, all pulled from Kerridge). If some items are held centrally or drop shipped from the supplier, their availability can also be displayed based on the next available date for delivery. tradeit can apply a number of different rules and workflows around the management of out of stock items, depending on a merchant's business requirements which can be displayed to users online where necessary.

Quotation Management

Use tradeit's quotation capabilities to allow users to build quotes online which can then be pushed to their my account or and/or email and be converted to orders. Call centre users can also build quotes for customers, including adjusting pricing at the basket and push them to their account and via email.

Quotes can also be managed and created in Kerridge and then pushed to users' online accounts in tradeit.

Order Routing

Route online orders to the nearest branch for fulfilment, fulfil from a central location, drop ship directly from suppliers, or use a mixture of all depending on product type and/or availability. You can even split the basket so items are shipped from different locations within the same order, or move stock between branches for fulfilment, and then output collection or delivery times to users based on transferring stock, if required.

Promotions & Loyalty

Promotions

Create offers and promotions using tradeit's advanced promotions engine and then push those discounted orders into Kerridge, or set up promotions (3 for 2, 10% off, or buy one get one free for example) in Kerridge and then replicate them on your website.

Loyalty

tradeit also features two different loyalty schemes (points-based or spend & save) that can be implemented online and across branches.

In conclusion

The integration of the Kerridge K8 ERP system with Red Technology's tradeit ecommerce platform is a game-changer for builders' merchants. By streamlining operations, enhancing customer experience, and providing comprehensive business insights, this integrated solution empowers builders' merchants to thrive in the competitive ecommerce landscape. For those looking to transform their digital operations and drive business growth, the Kerridge K8 and tradeit integration offers a powerful and effective solution.