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by Ahmed Eid, Lead Developer D365 Solutions at Bluefort Imagine a finance manager, overwhelmed by the daily task of manually exporting critical data from Microsoft Dynamics 365 FSCM to SharePoint, finally reclaiming hours of productivity. Or picture a sales operations manager who needs to export and share sales orders daily with the fulfilment team, constantly battling time-consuming processes that leave room for errors. This guide reveals how you can achieve the same transformation they did by building a Power Automate flow that seamlessly handles these processes for you. Whether you're managing monthly financial reports, automating the export of sales orders to streamline operations, or ensuring real-time updates for stakeholders, automating data export to SharePoint can save time, reduce errors, and boost efficiency across your organization. In this article we are going to demonstrate an example of exporting sales orders, you can define the entities that you want to export in the export package. Step 1: Set Up Export in FSCM Create/Identify a Data Entity: identify or create the data entity in FSCM that holds the information you want to export. Ensure the entity is available for O-Data access. Enable Data Management Framework: navigate to the Data management workspace in F&O and ensure your data entity is enabled for export. Data Export project: create data export project. You can configure this to run full or incremental. Step 2: Create a Power Automate Flow Now, use Power Automate to retrieve the exported file and save it to SharePoint. Log in to Power Automate: go to Power Automate and sign in with your credentials. Create a New Flow: Click on Create and select Automated Cloud Flow. Name your flow (e.g., " Export data D365FO ") and select a trigger. For this scenario, you can use the Schedule - Recurrence trigger to automate the process on a set schedule. Add an Action to export the package: Add the action Fin & Ops Export package action. Configure it to export the export project created in the earlier step, specifying the instance, definition group (project name), action as specified and the legal entity. Get the execution status of the export project: Initialize a Variable to hold the export project status named Execution status. Add Do Until action to keep looping till the status turns to succeeded. Add Fin and Ops action to get the package execution summary, this needs the Execution Id passed from the output of the earlier step of exporting the package. The action is named GetExecutionSummaryStatus. Add a step to set the created variable with the previous action output. Once the export package execution is over in Fin and Ops, this will end the loop giving the green line to go to the next steps. Add Fin & Ops action to get the export URL: Add actions and choose GetExportedPackageURL action and specify the execution Id. Add an Action to Save to SharePoint: Add the action Upload file from URL, specify the source as the output of the previous step, the destination file path is the file name, and you can choose either to overwrite the file if exists or no. Configure Get File content to get the content from the previous step specifying the File Id which is found from the previous step output. Use Create file on SharePoint action to create the file from the contents of the previous step. specify the SharePoint site address, Folder to use to save the file, file name and file content. Optional - Notify Stakeholders: Add an action to send an email or Teams notification to stakeholders once the file has been successfully saved to SharePoint. Step 3: Test and Validate the Flow Run a Test: Manually trigger the flow or wait for the scheduled trigger to run. Ensure the file is exported from F&O and saved to SharePoint. Validate the Output: Check the SharePoint library to confirm the file is saved correctly. Verify the file content matches your expectations. Tips for Optimization Error Handling: don't let failed exports catch you off guard! Build in condition checks and error-handling steps to ensure your flow gracefully navigates hiccups and keeps things running smoothly Dynamic File Names: use expressions to create dynamic file names based on the date or other parameters. Security: don't let failed exports catch you off guard! Build in condition checks and error-handling steps to ensure your flow gracefully navigates hiccups and keeps things running smoothly Conclusion Transform the way you manage data with the power of automation. By combining Microsoft Dynamics 365 FSCM with Power Automate, you can eliminate manual processes, reduce errors, and boost efficiency. Imagine never worrying about missed exports or data delays again! Your automated flow takes care of it  all, from exporting sales orders to delivering timely updates to your SharePoint library. Why wait to level up your operations? Start creating your Power Automate flow today and experience the freedom to focus on what truly matters: making strategic decisions, driving growth, and empowering your team. The future of streamlined data management is just a few clicks away!

by Warwick Swain, Business Consultant at Bluefort Subscriptions are everywhere - from streaming services to monthly subscription boxes for coffee lovers. For companies managing recurring subscriptions across multiple entities, like a coffee company with a dedicated roasting subsidiary, the process goes beyond simply delivering coffee beans. Behind the scenes, sales orders and purchase orders work in tandem to fulfil these monthly subscriptions, creating seamless intercompany processes. With solutions like Bluefort’s LISA for subscription management, these processes become even more efficient, especially in an intercompany setting. Today, let's explore how sales orders and purchase orders work together in a coffee subscription model and how Bluefort’s LISA simplifies the flow. Coffee Subscription Basics: Sales Orders and Purchase Orders At the heart of any intercompany subscription model are sales orders (SO) and purchase orders (PO). Think of a coffee subscription: every month, customers expect a fresh bag of coffee beans. To meet these expectations, coffee companies need to manage internal orders and logistics between their customer-facing entity and their roasting subsidiary. In an intercompany setup, this means: The customer-facing company generates a purchase order to request coffee beans from the roasting subsidiary. The roasting subsidiary generates a sales order in response to the purchase order, confirming that it will roast, package, and deliver the beans. This structure keeps both entities aligned and ensures accurate inventory, timely deliveries, and streamlined financial records. Step-by-Step Coffee Subscription Process with Intercompany Orders Let’s break down the coffee subscription workflow to show how the purchase order (PO) and sales order (SO) processes keep everything flowing smoothly. Step 1: Customer Signs Up for a Coffee Subscription (Purchase Order Creation) The customer subscribes to a monthly delivery of freshly roasted coffee beans. This order signals the customer-facing coffee company to place an internal purchase order with its roasting subsidiary. In the coffee subscription model, this internal PO specifies coffee preferences, bean types, and delivery schedules. It acts as a formal request to the roasting subsidiary to prepare the coffee beans, ensuring timely fulfilment. Step 2: Roasting Subsidiary Generates a Sales Order Once the roasting subsidiary receives the purchase order, it creates a sales order (SO) in response. This document confirms the details of the customer order, including the variety of coffee beans, the quantity needed, and the upcoming delivery dates. The sales order ensures the roasting subsidiary understands what to prepare each month, so the main company’s customer orders can be fulfilled on time. This intercompany SO-PO relationship allows the two entities to stay aligned, working like gears in a well-oiled machine. Step 3: Roasting and Packaging of Coffee Beans With the sales order in place, the roasting subsidiary begins the roasting and packaging process, ensuring each batch meets the specified quality and flavour profile. This step is where the roasting subsidiary gathers raw beans, roasts them to perfection, and packs them according to customer preferences. The roasting subsidiary’s internal processes mirror a commitment to quality and consistency, just as the SO and PO documents mirror each other, ensuring that each entity stays updated and financially aligned. Step 4: Fulfilment and Delivery After roasting and packaging, the beans are either shipped to a fulfilment centre or delivered directly to the customer, depending on the company’s setup. This fulfilment completes the monthly order cycle for the subscription. With each fulfilled delivery, the sales and purchase orders are matched up to track inventory, financials, and customer satisfaction. The roasting subsidiary’s internal sales order is reconciled with the customer-facing company’s purchase order, keeping both entities synchronized. Step 5: Monthly Billing and Financial Reconciliation The beauty of a subscription model is the recurring billing that follows each month. The customer-facing coffee company charges the customer for their monthly subscription. Internally, the roasting subsidiary charges the customer-facing company for the roasted beans, creating a recurring intercompany transaction. Each cycle’s financials are balanced to reflect the revenue earned by the customer-facing company and the roasting costs covered by the roasting subsidiary. By maintaining accurate intercompany records, this step supports the entire subscription model’s financial health. Enter Bluefort’s LISA: Automating the Subscription Lifecycle If manually handling intercompany transactions sounds complex, that’s because it is. This is where Bluefort’s LISA subscription management shines. Built for Microsoft Dynamics 365, LISA automates the recurring billing, fulfilment, and financial reconciliation processes. Here’s how LISA simplifies each part of the subscription lifecycle in a coffee subscription model. Automated Synchronization of Sales Orders and Purchase Orders LISA automatically generates and synchronizes sales and purchase orders across entities. Instead of manually inputting each order, the coffee company’s customer-facing entity can rely on LISA to seamlessly transfer order data to the roasting subsidiary, preventing errors and saving time. Recurring Billing and Revenue Recognition LISA automates the monthly billing cycles, ensuring that each entity receives its due share of revenue and expenses accurately. For instance, the roasting subsidiary’s SO and the main company’s PO are synchronized, ensuring both entities are credited appropriately. The system’s revenue recognition features simplify intercompany accounting, reducing manual interventions. Subscription Lifecycle Management From initial sign-up through recurring renewals, LISA manages customer preferences, scheduling, and financial reconciliation for each subscription cycle. Changes to the customer’s preferences, order quantities, or billing are instantly reflected in the intercompany systems, keeping the subscription process smooth and agile. Conclusion: Streamlining Subscription Success with LISA The journey from bean to brew, or from sales order to purchase order, requires coordination and efficiency. The sales order-purchase order process in a coffee bean subscription model illustrates just how crucial it is to align operations between entities, especially for companies managing recurring subscriptions. By automating these processes, Bluefort’s LISA makes it easier for companies to offer exceptional subscription services with a fully connected, intercompany ecosystem. In doing so, LISA not only keeps coffee flowing but also keeps the entire operation running as smoothly as a perfectly roasted cup of coffee.

The subscription retail industry has seen phenomenal growth, but delivering a product isn’t enough to keep customers loyal anymore. With consumer expectations evolving, loyalty has shifted from simple product satisfaction to deeper, experience-driven engagement. Emotional loyalty - the connection customers feel toward a brand that aligns with their values and provides meaningful interactions - is now the gold standard. A report from Forbes suggests that emotional attachment is the biggest driver of value, being responsible for about 43% of business value. Subscription retailers that embrace this change are poised to create unshakable relationships with their customers – a tribe of brand ambassadors. In this article, we explore how subscription retailers can cultivate emotional loyalty through personalized engagements, community building, gamification, and data-driven optimization. The Loyalty Shift: Beyond Products The landscape of customer loyalty is rapidly changing. A study from Deloitte shows that 57% of consumers are more likely to remain loyal to brands that align with their values, and 86% are willing to pay more for better experiences. This shift is even more pronounced in the subscription sector, where 77% of consumers with retail subscriptions buy more products from the brands they have relationships with [17]. For subscription retailers, this means moving beyond delivering a box of goods every month. Creating emotional loyalty requires understanding customers on a deeper level and meeting them where they are—both emotionally and physically. This involves not only providing high-quality products but also delivering a cohesive brand experience that resonates across every touchpoint. Personalization: The Cornerstone of Emotional Loyalty Personalization is crucial in building emotional loyalty. Customers want to feel seen and understood, and subscription retailers have a unique advantage—they hold detailed data on preferences, purchasing habits, and feedback. To leverage this information effectively: Create tailored subscription bundles or exclusive product recommendations. Offer flexibility, allowing customers to pause, swap, or modify their subscriptions. Proactively suggest upgrades or additional services based on customer usage patterns. The impact of personalization is significant. Studies show that 78% of customers are more likely to repurchase from a company that personalizes their experience. Moreover, when a shopping experience is highly personalized, customers are 110% more likely to add additional items to their baskets and 40% more likely to spend more than they had planned [23]. Building a Community Around Your Brand Emotional loyalty thrives when customers feel part of a community. Subscription retailers can achieve this by creating environments that encourage interaction, sharing, and belonging. Consider offering: Exclusive forums where customers can connect and discuss their experiences. Regular online or in-person events to engage with subscribers. VIP perks for top-tier customers, such as early access to new products or behind-the-scenes content. The power of community in building loyalty is evident: 71% of customers will advocate for a brand based on their emotional connection to it [24]. This word-of-mouth marketing amplifies a retailer's reach and builds trust organically. Gamification and Emotional Rewards Gamification is a powerful tool for deepening customer engagement. Creating tiered loyalty programs, point-based systems, or interactive challenges can make the subscription experience more dynamic and rewarding. The effectiveness of gamification is backed by data: Brands incorporating gamification into their customer engagement strategies see a 47% rise in engagement, a 22% rise in brand loyalty, and a 15% rise in brand awareness. Gamified loyalty programs for email marketing campaigns can enhance customer lifetime value by 48% and conversion rates by 15% [23]. Embracing Sustainability and Social Responsibility Modern consumers are increasingly conscious of sustainability and social responsibility. Subscription retailers can tap into this trend by: Offering eco-friendly product options or packaging. Supporting social causes aligned with brand values. Providing transparency about sourcing and production practices. This approach resonates strongly with customers: 78% of consumers say environmental practices influence their buying decisions [14]. By incorporating these elements into their loyalty programs, subscription retailers can create deeper emotional connections with their environmentally conscious customers. Leveraging AI for Predictive Analytics and Personalization Artificial Intelligence (AI) is revolutionizing how subscription retailers understand and cater to their customers. By harnessing AI algorithms to analyze customer preferences and purchase history, companies can: Predict future needs and preferences. Offer hyper-personalized product recommendations. Optimize pricing and promotional strategies. The impact of AI in loyalty programs is significant, with 93% of businesses recognizing AI's crucial role in customer service and retention [37]. Conclusion The future of subscription retail lies in creating experiences that resonate on an emotional level. By embracing personalization, community-building, gamification, sustainability, and AI-driven optimization, subscription retailers can build the emotional loyalty needed to stand out in an increasingly crowded market. The statistics speak for themselves: customers with an emotional relationship with a brand have a 306% higher lifetime value and are 71% more likely to recommend the brand to others [17]. As customer expectations continue to rise, retailers that invest in creating meaningful, data-driven connections will secure not just subscribers but passionate advocates. In the end, the strongest loyalty is earned by making customers feel valued, understood, and part of something bigger than just a transaction. The future of subscription retail belongs to those who turn boxes into experiences and transactions into relationships. Bluefort Bluefort is the Microsoft Cloud Partner and the Centre of Subscription Excellence for Microsoft Dynamics 365. Trusted by SMB and Enterprise customers alike, Bluefort delivers cutting-edge solutions for subscription management, from financial workflows to full-scale ERP systems. With a deep focus on industries like Retail & eCommerce, SaaS, Memberships, and IT services, Bluefort helps businesses optimize recurring billing, automate payment processes, and scale operations seamlessly. By leveraging Microsoft’s intelligent cloud platform, Bluefort empowers organizations to thrive in the subscription economy with streamlined efficiency and exceptional customer experiences.

In 2025, the retail landscape has undergone a seismic shift, with artificial intelligence (AI) and immersive technologies at the forefront of this transformation. A recent study by Gartner reveals that 95% of customer interactions in retail will be powered by AI by 2025, marking a dramatic increase from just a few years ago. This article explores how these cutting-edge technologies are not just meeting but dramatically exceeding customer expectations, creating a new paradigm in retail experiences. AI-Powered Hyper-Personalization The era of one-size-fits-all retail is long gone. Today's AI systems have evolved far beyond basic personalization, creating deeply individualized experiences that feel almost prescient to consumers. Real-Time Behaviour Analysis Modern AI algorithms analyse customer behaviour in real-time, considering factors such as browsing patterns, purchase history, and even contextual data like weather and local events. This allows retailers to offer product recommendations and promotions that are not just personalized but contextually relevant. According to a study by McKinsey, AI-driven personalization can reduce acquisition costs by up to 50% and increase revenues by 5-15%. Predictive Personalization Leading retailers are now employing AI models that predict future customer needs and preferences. For instance, Amazon's recommendation engine uses machine learning to analyse consumer behaviour and suggest products that match individual preferences, leading to increased customer satisfaction and higher conversion rates. Emotional AI Integration Perhaps the most groundbreaking development is the integration of emotional AI. Retailers like Sephora are using facial recognition and voice analysis in their virtual try-on experiences to gauge customer reactions to products, fine-tuning recommendations based on emotional responses. Immersive Shopping Experiences The line between digital and physical retail has blurred significantly, with immersive technologies creating engaging, multi-sensory experiences that were once the realm of science fiction. Advanced Augmented Reality (AR) AR has moved beyond simple product overlays. IKEA's AR app allows customers to not just place virtual furniture in their homes but also simulates how the furniture will age over time and how it interacts with different lighting conditions throughout the day. This level of detail in AR applications has led to a 36% increase in conversion rates for retailers implementing these technologies. Virtual Reality (VR) Showrooms Luxury car manufacturers like Audi have created fully immersive VR showrooms where customers can customize and test drive vehicles in various virtual environments. This technology has expanded to other high-end retail sectors, allowing customers to experience products in context before making significant purchases. A study by Retail Perceptions found that 71% of consumers would shop at a retailer more often if they offered AR experiences. Haptic Feedback Integration The latest development in immersive retail is the integration of haptic feedback technology. Online clothing retailers are now offering "virtual fitting rooms" where customers can feel the texture and weight of fabrics through advanced haptic gloves, bridging the tactile gap in online shopping. This technology is expected to reduce return rates by up to 30% in the fashion industry. Seamless Omnichannel Integration The concept of omnichannel has evolved into a truly unified commerce experience, where the boundaries between online and offline shopping cease to exist. Unified Customer Profiles Retailers now maintain a single, comprehensive view of each customer across all touchpoints. This allows for seamless transitions between online browsing, in-store visits, and mobile app interactions, with each channel informed by interactions on others. According to a report by Harvard Business Review, customers who use multiple channels spend an average of 4% more in-store and 10% more online than single-channel customers. Real-Time Inventory Synchronization Advanced AI systems manage inventory across all channels in real-time. Customers can check in-store availability online, reserve items for in-store pickup, or have out-of-stock items shipped directly from another location, all managed by a centralized AI. Walmart's implementation of AI-driven inventory management has led to a 16% reduction in out-of-stock. Intelligent Assistants AI-powered assistants now accompany customers throughout their shopping journey, accessible via mobile app, in-store kiosks, or even holographic projections. These assistants provide consistent, personalized service across all channels, remembering preferences and past interactions. A study by Juniper Research predicts that chatbots will save retailers $439 billion annually by 2025, up from just $7 billion in 2019, and growing to $72 billion. AI-Driven Operational Efficiency Behind the scenes, AI is revolutionizing retail operations, leading to improved efficiency, reduced costs, and enhanced customer satisfaction. Predictive Inventory Management AI algorithms now predict demand with unprecedented accuracy, considering factors ranging from social media trends to weather forecasts. This has led to a 30% reduction in overstocking and a 25% decrease in lost sales due to stockouts across the retail. Automated Supply Chain Optimization AI-powered systems continuously optimize supply chains, adjusting routes and schedules in real-time based on traffic, weather, and even geopolitical events. This has resulted in a 20% reduction in shipping times and a 15% decrease in logistics costs for early adopters. Smart Loss Prevention Advanced computer vision and machine learning algorithms have dramatically reduced shrinkage. Walmart's implementation of AI-driven loss prevention technology has led to a 35% reduction in theft and a 50% decrease in false alarms. Ethical AI and Data Privacy As AI becomes more pervasive in retail, ethical considerations and data privacy have moved to the forefront of industry concerns. Transparent AI Policies Leading retailers now provide clear, accessible information about how AI is used in their operations and how customer data is processed. Amazon, for instance, has introduced an "AI Transparency Centre" where customers can view and control how their data is used in AI-driven recommendations. Ethical AI Frameworks The retail industry has collaborated to establish ethical AI frameworks, ensuring that AI systems are developed and deployed responsibly. These frameworks address issues such as bias prevention, data privacy, and the ethical use of emotional AI. A survey by Capgemini found that 62% of consumers would place higher trust in a company whose AI interactions they perceived to be ethical. Customer Data Control Retailers are giving customers unprecedented control over their data. Target's "Data Dashboard" allows customers to view, edit, or delete any personal data used in AI systems, fostering trust and transparency. In conclusion, the retail landscape of 2025 is characterized by deeply personalized, immersive experiences powered by ethical AI systems. Retailers that have embraced these technologies are not just meeting customer expectations; they're anticipating and exceeding them in ways that were unimaginable just a few years ago. As we look to the future, it's clear that the most successful retailers will be those that continue to innovate, pushing the boundaries of what's possible while maintaining a steadfast commitment to customer trust and ethical practices. Bluefort Bluefort is the Microsoft Cloud Partner and the Centre of Subscription Excellence for Microsoft Dynamics 365. Trusted by SMB and Enterprise customers alike, Bluefort delivers cutting-edge solutions for subscription management, from financial workflows to full-scale ERP systems. With a deep focus on industries like Retail & eCommerce, SaaS, Memberships, and IT services, Bluefort helps businesses optimize recurring billing, automate payment processes, and scale operations seamlessly. By leveraging Microsoft’s intelligent cloud platform, Bluefort empowers organizations to thrive in the subscription economy with streamlined efficiency and exceptional customer experiences.

As we move deeper into 2025, the subscription economy continues to transform traditional business models across manufacturing and distribution sectors. According to McKinsey, subscription-based revenue streams have grown 5x faster than traditional sales models since 2021, compelling industrial leaders to adapt their operational infrastructure. However, many organizations still grapple with outdated, manual subscription management processes that create substantial operational inefficiencies. This is particularly evident in companies with large product catalogues and complex distribution networks spanning multiple countries—a scenario where manual intervention becomes increasingly problematic as subscription volume grows. Microsoft Dynamics 365 Finance & Supply Chain Management serves as the foundation for financial operations, supply chain logistics, and core business processes. While it provides robust ERP capabilities, subscription lifecycle management requires additional automation to handle mid-cycle modifications, proration calculations, and revenue recognition. This is where LISA Enterprise seamlessly extends Dynamics 365, ensuring a fully integrated, automated subscription management experience The Hidden Costs of Manual Subscription Management Manual subscription lifecycle management represents a significant yet often overlooked drain on financial and operational resources. Research indicates that organizations relying on manual subscription modifications can experience up to 72-hour latency in processing customer changes, resulting in considerable error rates, especially during peak demand periods. These inefficiencies translate into tangible financial losses, with some manufacturing enterprises reporting significant value in write-offs annually due to billing system misalignments. The challenges extend beyond direct financial impact. When subscription modifications require manual backend updates through proprietary ERP interfaces, the process introduces substantial operational friction. Finance teams can spend considerable hours per adjustment calculating pro-rated credits using spreadsheets - a process that becomes exponentially more complex when managing thousands of active subscriptions across multiple product lines and distribution channels. This administrative burden diverts valuable resources from strategic initiatives and creates bottlenecks that impede growth. Perhaps most concerning is the impact on customer experience. In today's competitive landscape, businesses expect real-time responsiveness from their suppliers. When subscription changes take days rather than minutes to process, customer satisfaction inevitably suffers. For manufacturers where just-in-time inventory management is critical, such delays can disrupt entire production schedules and damage long-term business relationships. Key Subscription Lifecycle Pain Points in Manufacturing and Distribution Several specific pain points characterize manual subscription management in enterprise manufacturing environments: Manual Subscription Modifications When customers need to adjust delivery intervals, shipping addresses, or order quantities mid-cycle, traditional ERP systems often require manual intervention. This creates a cascade of inefficiencies, as each change must be manually propagated across multiple systems—from CRM to ERP to logistics platforms, and longer for third party integrations especially when customized. For organizations with thousands of active subscriptions, even minor modifications quickly overwhelm administrative capacity, creating backlogs that compromise service levels. The absence of self-service capabilities further compounds this challenge. In today's digital-first environment, business customers expect the ability to make subscription adjustments independently through intuitive interfaces. When such functionality is unavailable, each modification generates a service ticket that must be manually processed—extending resolution times and increasing operational costs. Proration Calculation Challenges Mid-cycle subscription changes necessitate complex proration calculations to ensure accurate billing. Without automated systems, finance teams must manually determine appropriate credits or additional charges for partial billing periods—a process fraught with potential errors. A Forrester analysis found that manual proration processes result in calculation errors in approximately 9% of cases, leading to either revenue leakage or customer disputes. The complexity increases exponentially when dealing with subscription models involving multiple components, tiered pricing structures, or volume-based discounts. Each variable introduces additional calculation requirements that manual systems struggle to accommodate with consistency and precision. Revenue Recognition Complexities Manufacturing organizations transitioning to subscription models face considerable revenue recognition challenges that traditional ERP systems weren't designed to handle. Under ASC 606/IFRS 15 compliance standards, subscription revenue must be recognized over the service delivery period rather than at initial invoice—creating complex accounting requirements that manual processes struggle to manage effectively. Finance teams using conventional systems often resort to maintaining separate spreadsheets for tracking deferred revenue, creating a parallel financial system prone to errors and inconsistencies. This approach becomes particularly problematic at month-end and year-end closes, when reconciliation between systems can delay financial reporting by days or even weeks. For publicly traded manufacturing enterprises, these delays introduce compliance risks and reduce financial transparency. The situation grows exponentially more complex when handling subscription modifications, where revenue must be reallocated across revised service periods. Manual recalculations of revenue schedules following mid-term changes frequently introduce accuracy issues which directly impact financial statement accuracy and audit readiness. Cross-Channel Visibility Gaps Modern manufacturing organizations operate across multiple sales channels, from traditional field sales to e-commerce platforms and even emerging immersive technologies. Without integrated subscription management systems, these channels often function as operational silos, creating visibility gaps that compromise the customer experience. For example, sales representatives visiting client sites may lack real-time visibility into changes made through e-commerce platforms, leading to contradictory information being provided to customers. Similarly, back-office staff processing subscription modifications may be unaware of concurrent changes being negotiated by field teams, resulting in conflicting updates that generate inventory allocation conflicts and fulfilment errors. The Automation Solution: LISA Enterprise powering Microsoft Dynamics 365 Addressing these challenges requires a comprehensive approach to subscription lifecycle automation. The combination of Microsoft Dynamics 365 and Bluefort's LISA Enterprise platform offers a particularly powerful solution for manufacturing organizations seeking to streamline subscription management processes. Automated Proration and Billing Adjustments Perhaps the most significant advantage of an integrated subscription management solution is automated handling of complex billing scenarios. LISA Enterprise's proration engine automatically calculates appropriate adjustments when subscriptions are modified mid-cycle, ensuring accurate billing without manual intervention. This functionality extends to various scenarios, including: Subscription upgrades or downgrades Quantity adjustments Temporary suspension of deliveries Early renewal or cancellation Add-on services or products The system maintains comprehensive audit trails for all adjustments, providing complete transparency for both internal finance teams and customers. This visibility is particularly valuable during financial audits and compliance reviews, where manual adjustments often face heightened scrutiny. Advanced Revenue Recognition LISA Enterprise provides advanced revenue recognition automation that aligns perfectly with ASC 606/IFRS 15 requirements. The system automatically generates appropriate revenue recognition schedules based on subscription terms, with built-in intelligence to handle complex scenarios such as multi-element arrangements, variable consideration, and contract modifications. Revenue schedules adjust dynamically when subscription terms change, eliminating manual recalculations and ensuring compliance with accounting standards. The solution provides finance teams with real-time revenue forecasting capabilities, enhancing financial planning while reducing month-end close times by up to 65% compared to manual approaches. Self-Service Portal Capabilities LISA Enterprise extends Dynamics 365 with robust self-service capabilities that empower customers to manage their own subscription modifications. Through intuitive interfaces, customers can adjust delivery schedules, update shipping information, modify order quantities, and make other changes without requiring manual intervention from administrative staff. These self-service capabilities not only enhance customer satisfaction by providing immediate control over subscription parameters but also dramatically reduce administrative workload. Changes made through the self-service portal automatically propagate across integrated systems, eliminating the need for manual updates and reducing the potential for transcription errors. Multi-Channel Coordination Bluefort's LISA Enterprise addresses the critical challenge of cross-channel visibility by providing a unified subscription management platform that integrates with all customer touchpoints. This integration ensures that subscription information remains consistent regardless of which channel customers use to interact with the organization. Sales representatives gain real-time visibility into subscription status and historical modifications through mobile applications, enabling informed conversations during client visits. Similarly, customer service teams access comprehensive subscription histories when addressing inquiries, eliminating contradictory information that undermines customer confidence. This unified approach is particularly valuable for organizations managing subscriptions across multiple entities or subsidiaries. LISA Enterprise's capabilities for handling intercompany transactions ensure that all entities maintain synchronized records, even when subscriptions involve complex internal fulfilment processes. Integration with Microsoft Dynamics Ecosystem As an extension of Microsoft Dynamics 365, LISA Enterprise leverages existing investments in Microsoft's technology stack. The platform integrates seamlessly with other Dynamics modules, including: Dynamics 365 Finance for revenue recognition and financial reporting Dynamics 365 Supply Chain Management for inventory allocation and fulfilment Dynamics 365 Sales for opportunity management and pipeline visibility Power BI for comprehensive subscription analytics and performance monitoring This ecosystem approach eliminates integration challenges that often plague standalone subscription management solutions, providing a cohesive platform that supports the entire subscription lifecycle from initial sale through recurring fulfilment and renewal. ROI and Business Impact Organizations implementing automated subscription management solutions typically realize substantial returns on investment. Bluefort research indicates that automation of subscription processes can reduce administrative costs by  up to 75% whilst  almost entirely eliminating billing errors. For large, global manufacturing organizations, these efficiencies can translate into annual savings exceeding millions in direct labour costs alone. Beyond cost savings, automated subscription management delivers significant operational benefits. Order accuracy improves dramatically, with fulfilment errors decreasing by 85-90% following implementation. Customer satisfaction metrics typically show double-digit improvements, reflecting enhanced responsiveness and service consistency. Perhaps most importantly, automated subscription management creates a scalable foundation for subscription growth. By eliminating manual bottlenecks, organizations can expand their subscription offerings without proportional increases in administrative overhead—a critical advantage in competitive markets where agility determines success. Conclusion: Building a Future-Ready Subscription Foundation For manufacturing organizations committed to subscription model growth, automated lifecycle management represents not just an operational improvement but a strategic imperative. The combination of Microsoft Dynamics 365 and Bluefort's LISA Enterprise provides a comprehensive solution that addresses the full spectrum of subscription management challenges, from customer self-service to complex financial calculations and multi-channel coordination. By implementing these technologies, forward-thinking manufacturers can eliminate the operational friction that impedes subscription growth while delivering the seamless experience that customers increasingly expect. The result is a subscription management foundation that supports not just current business requirements but future expansion into new markets, products, and revenue models. See LISA Enterprise in action. Book a free demo today and unlock a more agile, automated future for your business.  

Most subscription customers love control. Autonomy goes one step further, giving customers access to their subscriptions when they want it. Autonomy, in the form of self-serve portals, boosts customer satisfaction, while saving you time and resources.  This article explores how it all works, and what you need to give customers the choice they want.    In this article: What is Subscription Customer Autonomy? What Happens Without Subscription Customer Autonomy  Why Don’t Subscription Retailers Give Their Customers the Option of Autonomy? Subscription Customer Autonomy- What’s In It For a Retailer?  Customer Autonomy- What Do You Need To Give It? How to Get it All Done, Fast  There’s no doubt about it - the retailers with the best customer experience tend to do better.   This is especially true with subscription customers because they have a longer relationship instead of the interaction that comes from usual one-off purchases.   One of the emerging trends in subscription retail is the idea of autonomy. That’s giving customers the power to manage their own subscriptions on the terms that suit them best.   It’s one of the easiest ways to keep them happy.   But many retailers don’t provide this level of experience. Whatever their reason for doing so, that’s good news for you. If your retail business offers autonomy, you’ll attract new customers from your competition.   This article will explore all things autonomy, from what it involves, how it impacts customers and businesses, and what you will need as a subscription retailer to boost your customer success by giving them autonomy.  What is Subscription Customer Autonomy?   Autonomy is simply a high level of control that customers can enjoy over their subscriptions. This allows them to independently create subscriptions that best meet their needs at any given time.   As a customer, when you walk into a shop or grocery store, you’re not generally looking for intervention. You know what you want, you grab your basket, get what you need, pay, and get out. It’s quick, and it’s done.   Your customers might want the same experience. That doesn’t mean you never give any help, guidance, or intervention! But it’s up to them as the subscriber to decide, instead of you.   So what aspects of the subscription package does autonomy cover?  Renewals: When customers have control over when their subscriptions renew (instead of a surprise auto-renewal), this gives them time to financially plan and make any adjustments in subscription packages that meet their current budget.   Add-ons and cross-sells: Customers’ needs change all the time. So do their wants. If they have to wait to be offered them, they might go somewhere else. But if they can access additional goodies 24-7, they’re far more likely to buy them.  Payment terms: It’s a sensitive subject. Customers don’t want to be on hold before they discuss circumstances or situations. They also don’t want to have a nightmare paying for their subscriptions. They should be able to decide and change terms like payment frequency and enjoy flexibility like skipping a payment if it’s needed.  Pausing: Customers love the pause option. And why not- life is unpredictable. Circumstances, needs, and decision-makers change. Letting customers put everything on pause without losing out on their goods and usage stops them from churning to a competitor that offers them exactly what they need.    Timing: It’s common for a retailer with more limited resources to make customers wait until someone from customer service or sales can get on the phone with them to talk through options. That’s not sustainable long-term, especially if your customer lives far away. People need to be able to get what they need in the time that they have.   Packaging: Sometimes customers want something different. If they notice new packages, new products, or new pricing, they might find it more desirable. Making them wait till the end of a contract (especially in the case of them paying more than a different plan would require) makes them vulnerable to churn.   Options show the customer that you’re here to meet their needs. It also builds loyalty and trust.   What happens to retailers who can’t or won’t give customers what they want?  What Happens Without Subscription Customer Autonomy?    There are undeniable impacts when customers have no autonomy over their subscriptions.   Here are some of the most common we’ve seen in our customers before they got help:  Churn: A subscription retailer’s worst enemy. Churn rate is already high, so anything that makes it worse can leave you very vulnerable. When customers feel stuck in a plan that costs too much, is a pain, or doesn’t meet their needs they get frustrated and leave. Why would they stay if competitors offer control and flexibility? Bad brand reputation: Guarding a reputation is important. Customers will tell their friends, family, and people on reviews or message boards about any inflexibility and control issues your brand has. It can be hard to get a good reputation back. Missed revenue opportunities: When customers can buy what they want when they want it, they’re far more likely to…buy. And not go to your competition. If they have to wait, or can’t get what they want, that’s a missed opportunity for more money coming in.   More resources and delays: When customers must wait for your business to help them with their contracts, that means your teams have to give their time. That’s less time for something else. It can also burden teams and create a backlog filled with delays. You’re saddled with higher operational costs, long wait times, and frustrated workers and customers.  All these factors can damage a business. Suffering more than one can put your business’ health at risk.   And the saddest thing is that in all this, the customer likely wanted to stay. The circumstances just made it too difficult, inconvenient, or expensive.   This begs one big question…  Why Don’t Subscription Retailers Give Their Customers the Option of Autonomy?   Most of the time, retailers who deny their subscription customers autonomy don’t do it just for the sake of it. There are often obstacles that get in the way.   Creating a system that enables customer autonomy (especially the kind 24-7, and allows for changes in pricing, terms, etc.) must be efficient and reliable. After all, it connects all the teams from customer service, sales, finance, and fulfillment. Retailers could be worried about how that could cost them.   And sometimes the customer is not always right. Retailers might have concerns that customers don’t know their own needs, or how upgrades and term changes work. If they make mistakes, that can cause a lot of trouble and disrupt service and revenue.   Some retailers have outdated tech that would simply not allow for information integration between teams. It may not be sophisticated enough to enable the creation of customer portals. Upgrades might seem time-consuming and disruptive, which could make a retail business struggle even more.   Of course, sometimes decision-makers in the retail business might simply fear change. Autonomy goes again the way it’s been done. It might need a cultural shift. It might be hard to implement.   And the last reason we see frequently is a simple lack of knowledge of autonomy. Retailers might not be aware of the existence or importance of autonomy and just rely on customer service to do all the heavy lifting. They also might not understand its impacts.    Fortunately, all these problems aren’t permanent. Retailers just need to know what they have to gain from customer autonomy.  Subscription Customer Autonomy - What’s In It For a Retailer?  Now you know what it can cost you to not give your subscription customers a level of autonomy.   But what do you have to gain?  Cut costs: When customers take care of subscription management admin themselves, that means fewer queries for customer service to have to handle. No chasing answers from sales or finance. That means lower operational costs, and your teams are free to concentrate on higher-value work.   Better customer loyalty: When customers trust you (and vice versa), they feel more empowered. They keep control, avoid nasty surprises and charges, and know that you’re on their side. They’re far more likely to stay, which cuts churn.    More money coming in: Customers who can change, add to, or upgrade their subscriptions themselves are far more likely to buy them because they can. When you add flexible payments and methods that suit their needs, you have a lot more inbound revenue that you wouldn’t have otherwise.  Better brand position and reputation: Most subscription retailers do not offer customer autonomy. That means you’ll have an automotive advantage because you’re giving customers choice, power, and trust. And that can only benefit your brand reputation and positioning as you attract new customers and strengthen your existing customer relationship. Everyone wins.   Happier staff: Once your subscription customers have the power to manage their subscriptions, that takes so much pressure off your teams. They have fewer routine tasks. They don’t have the pressure of a stack of repetitive messages asking for information. That means they can focus more on what they love - the high-value work they were hired to do in the first place.   If these benefits sound tempting to you, where do you as a subscription retailer begin?   Customer Autonomy - What Do You Need To Give It?     To successfully offer customer autonomy, subscription retailers need to implement several key components:  Create a navigation-friendly interface: Customers can only experience and enjoy autonomy with a site that’s logical and easy to navigate. This means your site needs to be accessible, with clear instructions and intuitive dashboards.  Dedicate a self-service portal: Self-service portals are the way to go. They allow for adjustments, changes, payment methods, upgrading, downgrading, and product viewing history. Special bonuses for automated offers that are plugged into their needs.  Secure and reliable payments: Customers need to know that payments are secure and incorporate the payment method that works best for them. When you provide flexibility in subscription pricing, fees, and payments, you’ll keep them on-side. Support where and when they need it: Of course, when customers experience autonomy, they still might need a little support. They might have a question that needs to be answered. That’s why real-time support including bot-driven chats, videos, FAQs, etc. can help answer questions and give guidance before there’s an issue. Personalization: This is absolutely essential for subscription customers. Your customers expect it, and many of your competitors offer it. Personalization shapes an excellent customer experience. Your business can then make specific recommendations and offers, as well as give a tailored CX that suits individual needs. Your customers feel valued, and are more likely to boost their upgrades, add-ons, and cross-sells. You might be thinking, “These are great, but my resources are already stretched. How can I deliver what the customer wants, when I don’t have the time or resources to do it?”  Fortunately, there’s something that can do it all for you.   How to Get it All Done, Fast    There’s no point in pushing yourself and your people to the limit if you don’t have to. Not when there’s a solution that does everything for you.   The right automated subscription software can bring you the platform you need to give your subscription customers the autonomy they want.   And it cuts down on your overheads while boosting revenue while delivering MORE than just customer autonomy. In other words, you get bonus goodness.   It can automate tasks like:   Managing the self-service portal including automatically adjusting customer subscription changes in packaging, pricing, terms, etc.   Creating a real-time free flow of information between customer service, finance, sales, and marketing so nothing gets lost between the cracks.   Cuts delays in information (no more chasing!)    Invoice creation, reminders, etc. With no more human errors.  Creating personalized offerings and pricing plans, offering them at the right time   Spotting when customers are at risk of leaving   Payment collection and ledger reconciliation   Adherence to compliance issues and regulations   Think of how much time and effort automating these tasks would save you and your teams.   You get lower operational costs.   You get more revenue coming in.   And the best bit is that this platform scales. You can grow as fast as you want, with no additional burden on your business.   Conclusion     The bottom line is that automation is not just about giving the customer the autonomy they want. It’s giving you back your time, cutting your costs, and positioning your business in the best place possible.   Don’t risk keeping your customers in a place where they leave, unsatisfied. Be known and rewarded for giving them what they want.   Have any more questions? Book a free Discovery Call with our team today.

Customers love retail subscriptions. But subscriptions are only popular when they offer the prices that customers want. This article is an in-depth look at the appeal of subscriptions to retailers, subscription pricing models, and how personalization can help retailers give their customers the packages they want. It also reveals the best kind of technology that delivers all the ingredients needed to get subscriptions right.    In this article: Subscriptions in Retail - Why Do People Love Them? Types of Pricing Models Where Bad Decisions Hit the Hardest Plot Twist - A Personalized Pricing Model is the Way One Solution for Everything Retail subscriptions are extremely popular with customers. But only if the price is right.   There’s a lot of pressure to choose the best pricing models for the subscriptions. Make the wrong decision, and you could lose customers (and revenue) for good.   But the right pricing strategy will keep the customers you have, attract new ones, and boost your profits.   If you’re a retailer with subscription plans or you are considering offering subscriptions, read on to discover what kinds of pricing will work for you, and how you can enjoy the benefits the best pricing models can bring your business.  Subscriptions in Retail - Why Do People Love Them?   When done right, customers and retail businesses love subscriptions. Here’s why:    Convenience: Subscriptions give consumers an easy way to get products they want and need when they need it. No more repeat purchasing decisions. No more inconvenient trips to the store.  Customer loyalty: Subscriptions require a long-term retailer/customer relationship. There’s ample opportunity to build loyalty to your brand and cut churn.  Differentiation: Subscription differentiate your brand from competitors by giving your customers a unique experience.   Predictable revenue: One-off purchases give no stability. However a steady and predictable revenue stream provides a great foundation for better financial planning and stability. Subscription businesses have grown 4.6 times faster over the past decade compared to the S&P 500.  (SaaS) sector outperformed other SEI sectors in between 2022-2023, with 12.3% revenue growth on average.  Subscriptions work across most retail sectors.   Even for retail businesses that have large, single-purchase products (like cars, boats, industrial farm equipment, etc.) retailers have found creative ways to incorporate subscriptions, including regular parts and servicing and add-on complimentary products.   But no matter how creative the subscription offering, there’s one thing more important. Pricing.   What type of pricing options does a retailer have?  Types of Pricing Models  There are plenty of choices that retailers can consider for their subscription service pricing:  Fixed: This is the most common model. It involves offering a set price for each subscription over a certain time period. Though it’s easy to understand, it might not meet the needs of every customer.   Usage-Based: Meant more for subscriptions involving consumption (like broadband or royalty-free music), this model charges customers based on their product usage. This generally works best for customers who have fairly consistent consumption rates.   Tiered: This variety of pricing levels depends on which level of products and services appeal most to the customer. They choose a plan that suits their needs. The only drawback is that the terms of each plan can be more complex.   Freemium: Subscription customers get a standard service of basics for free, and if they’re ready for more, they get premium features at a cost. Though this model attracts a wider customer base (which is great for general brand awareness), it can be challenging to convert them to paying users.   Dynamic: Subscription prices change depending on availability, demand, etc. This is another model that can be more complex.    It can be difficult to figure out which one is right for both the retailer and the customer.   But manually choosing to price risks mistakes. There are so many variables to keep track of. It’s really not a place for guesswork.   How is it possible to figure out the optimal price points that boost profitability and please customers?  How long does it take to figure out whether your customers like your pricing?  What happens when circumstances change and prices must be adjusted?  How do you keep your sales team motivated when pricing models are wrong or have to change?  On top of that, manually adjusting and updating the pricing and terms for each customer in your base is time-consuming and steals your labor resources.  And when the pricing’s wrong, churn and missed opportunities get costly. The good news is that there’s one pricing model factor that doesn’t go wrong.  Plot Twist - A Personalized Pricing Model is the Way   Personalization can make any pricing model a lot more appealing.  Customers both love and expect personalization across their experience, starting with pricing.   This involves subscription plans tailored to incorporate their wants, needs, buying behavior, demographics, and segment.    Personalized plans are hassle-free because they’re easy to understand. They save the customer from choice blindness. They offer value for money because the combination reflects who they are as a customer.   Personalization works across the pricing models too. Here are some examples of how it could work:    Tiered - A beauty subscription box company could base their tiers on past purchasing and preferences. A customer who primarily buys skincare could be offered a tier that includes premium and new, cutting-edge products. Usage-Based - Not only would a customer receive offers based on their usage patterns, but they could be offered exclusive product sessions or discounts for loyalty. Freemium - A software company could send a customer targeted promotions that complement how they use specific free features, enabling them to unlock a unique combination of advanced tools that meet their needs. Flat Rate - A meal kit delivery service could offer personalized add-ons based on the customer’s preferences, like special ingredients, or free desserts, or bonus portions for their favorite meals.  Personalization makes a difference because it shows customers that the business pays attention to them and their needs. And they back that up with action.   Now, this might sound great to you. But it also begs the question, “How do I get all of this done?”  One solution can handle everything for you - the pricing model choices, the keeping track of subscriptions and terms, any last-minute changes, add-ons and upgrades, and all the personalization needed.  One Solution for Everything   It’s simply robust subscription management software. That’s all you need.   It automates these tasks:   Powered by AI, all customer data (including purchase history, behavior, demographics, location, and preferences) is tracked and analyzed in real-time. AI breaks it into segments, microsegments, and individuals so that each can be reached and nurtured throughout the entire lifetime of the relationship.  On top of that, it spots and creates selling opportunities including renewals, add-ons, upgrades, and cross-selling. It tracks subscription term dates. It can create new offerings that complement customer needs and usage too. And it channels them at the right time. This brings in additional revenue that may have been missed otherwise.    The solution offers automated responsiveness that makes pricing models flexible and agile to anticipate/react to changes in circumstances. It also collects and analyzes customer feedback to refine and improve pricing strategies over time.  The right solution doesn’t just easily bring in subscription revenue. It saves countless hours and costs as well.   It knocks down silos between marketing, sales, and finance, removing the hours wasted between teams chasing information on customers, products, usage, and contract terms.   It automates the entire invoicing and payment process. That includes everything from billing cycles, payments, invoicing (without human errors), payment reminders, payment collection, and reconciliation. This includes automatically recognizing revenue.   The data and analysis created the reports needed for audits, compliance (no matter where the location of your customers) and the most informed strategic financial decisions. It monitors performance and KPIs to make recommendations for change too.   And it consolidates inventory management systems so that everything works together.  Scaling isn’t a problem - no matter how fast you grow your customer base, operations automatically keep ticking away.   Retailers that choose good solutions get all the benefits of the right subscription pricing models while saving time and resources.   At Last, A Complex Solution Made Simple Important decisions are usually harder to make. However, the right software solution will make both the decision and implementation easier.   All what’s left is a happy customer base and a reliable new revenue stream.   Curious to see what the right solution could do for your retail business? Book a free Discovery Call with our team today.

Retailers used to running physical stores can miss opportunities to sell and expand their business with E-Commerce. This article talks through the limitations of bricks-and-mortar, how E-Commerce can boost your business, and where to find the best retail E-Commerce help.   In this article: Why Bricks and Mortar Isn't Enough for Retailers Anymore  What E-Commerce Can Give Your Business How the Right Solution Can Crush Obstacles Easily The Impact of Bad Decisions on Subscription Retail SMBs The Secret to Good Decisions Is In Plain Sight   AI-Driven Insights: How They Give You Everything You Need  A well-designed brick-and-mortar retail space can bring a lot of joy.   But it isn’t enough. Not these days.   They’re not enough to meet the demands of modern customers or to expand your consumer base.   If you want to expand, grow, and make your mark, it's important to consider offering online shopping.    But as a retailer, adding an e-commerce strand and creating an online store might feel completely overwhelming. Where do you begin?   We’re here to reassure you that the shift is not as daunting as you may think. You just need good information and the right tools to start bringing in all the benefits that e-commerce delivers.  Why Bricks and Mortar Isn't Enough for Retailers Anymore  Bricks-and-mortar stores do provide a shopping experience that many customers love. Around 94% of customers still shop in physical stores.    However, the exclusive brick-and-mortar store does have real limitations.   Reach: You’re stuck with customers in your general geographic location, which means you cut your business off from the global market. At least 52% of shoppers shop internationally.   Costs: Physical stores demand high overhead costs, including everything from rent, heating/AC, security, staff, etc. rent, utilities, etc. 6 in 10 experts say an online store is cheaper to start, and 8 out of 10 says it’s cheaper to run, with 75% saying bricks and mortar doesn’t break even as quickly.  Consumer Behavior and Preference: It’s a fact that online shopping grows each year. Online retail sales around the world have dramatically risen from $1.3 trillion in 2014 to $4.4 trillion in 2023, and by 2027, it’s expected to hit $8 trillion, accounting for nearly a quarter of total retail sales.  Expanding your bricks and mortar store through E-Commerce will help you stay competitive. If you stay bricks-and-mortar only, you risk losing out to your competition because they will meet the customers where they are.  What E-Commerce Can Give Your Business   There are plenty of potential benefits of an online store.  Here are a few of the most popular:  Increased Reach and Accessibility - Not only will your brand be able to reach that global audience, but your products will be more accessible. And because your online store can run 24-7, your customers can buy what they want, when they want it.   Scalability: You might be used to having to hire extra help to deal with much more seasonal demand, and those costs can add up. But growing your base (both temporarily and long-term) doesn’t necessarily stretch your resources in the same way. Most of the process is automated, and online fulfillment isn’t as costly as it is in-person (unless you're selling massive products, like ships).   Customer Insights: It can be difficult, if not impossible, to get in-person customers to fill out surveys and give feedback. But online, this comes without any effort. You get detailed and valuable analytics from your customer data. This helps you understand what they like and their behavior much more.  Personalization: Not only does data give you information on segments and opportunities, but you can personalize shopping experiences for your customers. This boosts conversion rates and meets expectations while boosting your revenue by up to 40%.   These benefits are extremely tempting; every retailer could use each one of them.   Of course, creating an online store can feel daunting. There are important factors that a retailer has to consider.   A website has to be created (or expanded to accommodate E-Commerce). The site must contain an intuitive and user-friendly interface. It needs data and financial security for compliance and safety. Mobile optimization creates a great customer experience on the go. A rock-solid secure payment process brings you your cash.   Stock management is a little different too. Because customers can purchase your products at any time, stock levels can change frequently. This can require real-time updates. Fulfillment and delivery logistics have to be fast and efficient.   Rather than the 9-5 (or whatever your hours), customer service has to expand to 24-7 availability. Returns and exchange policies should be clear and easy for both parties.     At first glance, it sounds like a massive effort. But it doesn’t have to be. Not with the right solution.  How the Right Solution Can Crush Obstacles Easily   When you get the right software, things get a lot easier.   In fact, once the right solution is in place, you’re mostly to find you have more time to focus on the things you want to do.   Like interacting with customers, thinking about the future of your brand, and creating the best strategies moving forward. It's the stuff you don’t have time to do because you’re stuck in permanent admin.   You might be wondering how that’s possible, but software can ease not only the creation of an e-commerce strand, but it can take care of the obstacles for you:   Financial management: Everything from correct billing to automated payments (using the payment platforms that customers love), reconciliation, reports, and audit preparation can be a cinch that saves lots of money and time. It also ensures a hassle-free experience for you and your customers.  Inventory: Real-time inventory tracking that perfectly suits 24-7 shopping will help you avoid the dreaded stockouts and overstocks, which saves you money and customer alienation while protecting you from emergency supplier exploitation.   Customer Relationship Management (CRM): These systems give you invaluable insight into your existing and potential customers by crunching the data. You’ll discover customer behavior across regions and countries, pricing variations, segmentation, product/add-on recommendations, and everything else you need to offer that personalized experience they expect and love.    Security: It can bring you robust security measures, including legal compliance (no matter which region you sell in) including SSL certificates, and PCI compliance. Everything that protects customer data and builds trust. Conclusion  A retail brand needs everything possible to build and differentiate its brand.   Expanding from bricks and mortar to E-Commerce via an online store can give you the best of both worlds. All you need is the right solution to help you do it.   Curious about how a solution could put you on the right path? Book a free Discovery Call with our team today.