CUSTOMER STORY
Merola Tile
Merola Tile: Automating e-commerce with Sage 300 integration
The integration of Sage 300 and WooCommerce helped Merola Tile remove manual order entry. This also provided immediate inventory updates and improved overall workflow. As a result, order fulfillment became faster. Stock visibility improved, and both customers and the operations team had a better experience.
The Story of Merola Tile
Merola Tile is a well-known name in the tile industry. It was founded by brothers Kevin and John Merola. Their journey started in the Italian American neighborhoods of Brooklyn, New York. They began as a small local tile business in 1983. It has since grown into a global brand that focuses on style, innovation, and customer satisfaction.
Merola Tile blends Italian-inspired art with modern design, providing a large selection of durable tiles for homes and businesses. Today, Merola serves over 20,000 customers through 650 distributors and retail partnerships, including a partnership with the home improvement company Home Depot. The company has a team of over 500 employees and artisans around the world, showing its commitment to quality and service.
The company uses WooCommerce for online sales and Sage 300 ERP for all backend operations, including inventory, accounting, and order management.
Managing Growth Without the Manual Work
Before integration, Merola Tile used WooCommerce to manage online sales. They took care of all inventory, accounting, and order management in Sage 300 ERP. Since the two systems were not linked, the operations team had to enter each order and update stock levels by hand. This process was time-consuming and often caused mismatches.
- Delays in Order Processing
Each WooCommerce order required manual entry into Sage 300. This slowed down the entire order-to-shipment cycle and affected delivery timelines. - Mismatched Inventory Data
Each WooCommerce order needed manual entry into Sage 300, which slowed down the entire order-to-shipment cycle and impacted delivery timelines. - Errors in Product and Price Updates
Product details, descriptions, and pricing had to be manually adjusted in both systems. This increased the risk of errors and outdated listings online. - Extra Workload for the Operations Team
Employees spent hours checking data between WooCommerce and Sage 300. They struggled to focus on customer support and business growth.
These manual processes made it hard for Merola Tile to keep accuracy, speed, and visibility across its expanding sales channels.
The Challenges
The following are some major issues faced by Merola Tile before implementing automation:
1. Order Processing Delays
Before APPSeCONNECT: Online orders were printed and then manually typed into Sage 300.
Impact: Orders waited for manual entry, which slowed down fulfillment, making it harder to ship goods quickly.
2. Inventory Discrepancies
- Before APPSeCONNECT: Stock levels were managed in Sage 300 but were not updated right away on WooCommerce.
- Impact: The online store sold items that were out of stock. This led to customer disappointment and required the operations team to follow up with communication.
3. Product Data Errors
- Before APPSeCONNECT: Product updates in Sage 300 sometimes needed separate manual changes in WooCommerce.
- Impact: Inconsistent product details or pricing online caused customer confusion and support tickets.
4. Increased Workload
- Before APPSeCONNECT: The operations team spent a lot of time on data entry and correcting resulting errors.
- Impact: This took time away from more important tasks like customer service and business growth.
The Solution: How APPSeCONNECT Transformed Operations
The implementation connected Sage 300 and WooCommerce, focusing on the core business process: order-to-fulfillment.
Order Synchronization
- What it does: Web orders transfer directly from WooCommerce to Sage 300.
- Result: Orders are instantly ready for processing, allowing the warehouse to begin picking and packing sooner.
Inventory Alignment
- What it does: Stock levels from Sage 300 automatically update WooCommerce.
- Result: Shoppers see accurate availability, which greatly reduces stockouts and customer complaints.
Product Data Consistency
- What it does: Ensures product information is uniform across both systems.
- Result: Customers view reliable and up-to-date product pages, improving trust in the brand.
Order Status Visibility
- What it does: Status changes in Sage 300 (e.g., Shipped) update the WooCommerce order record.
- Result: Customers can check their status online, reducing support requests and enhancing their experience.
The Implementation Journey
The APPSeCONNECT team set up the integration using Merola’s current workflow. They mapped the data to fit the Sage 300 structure, keeping the setup simple and familiar. After going live, the syncs began to reduce manual input and improve internal coordination.
The Results & Impact
The integration created a more efficient and precise operational environment for Merola Tile.
- Faster Order Processing: Orders move from the online store to the ERP instantly, speeding up fulfillment.
- Improved Operational Accuracy: Eliminating manual data entry reduced errors and ensured data consistency.
- Real-Time Stock Visibility: Teams and customers always see accurate, up-to-date inventory data.
- Better Customer Experience: Quicker fulfillment and reliable stock information led to higher customer satisfaction.
- Streamlined Workflow: The operations team was relieved of routine data entry, allowing them to focus on more valuable activities.
Key Highlights
Key Highlights
- End-to-End Automation: Automatic sync across orders, inventory, product data, and order status.
- Zero Manual Data Entry: Data is entered once in the right system and shared automatically.
- Business Efficiency: The whole workflow is faster, more accurate, and significantly reduces the workload on the team.
Why It Matters
Connecting the frontend e-commerce system, WooCommerce, with the backend ERP, Sage 300, solves common problems in online sales. Merola Tile can now handle more online orders without needing extra staff for data entry. This helps them grow their business while keeping their focus on quality and service.
G2 Review:
Headquarters:
New York
Industry:
Manufacturing
ERP System:
Sage 300
Ecommerce:
WooCommerce
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