Built-in portal or Portal by Webisoft?
Many ERPs offer a customer portal, either included or as an add-on, depending on the ERP and edition. It is the first thing to check. Here is how it compares.
How they compare.
| Topic | Your ERP's built-in portal | Portal by Webisoft |
|---|---|---|
| Availability | Included or an add-on, depending on your ERP and edition. | Works with 12 ERPs through their APIs. |
| Scope | Usually the basics the vendor chose: orders, invoices, sometimes quotes. | Modules you pick: orders, quotes, invoices and payment, shipments, returns, service, account and users. |
| Internal tools for your team | Rarely part of the portal. | Included: exceptions, approvals, inventory, pricing, fulfillment, dashboards. |
| Fit to your process | You adapt to the vendor's screens. | Built around your pricing, credit and approval rules. |
| Look and branding | Limited to what the vendor allows. | Your brand. |
| If you change ERP | The portal stays with the old ERP. | Portal by Webisoft works with 12 ERPs, so the portal can be reconnected to the new one. |
| Vendor support | One vendor for ERP and portal. | Portal by Webisoft supports the portal; your ERP vendor supports the ERP. |
| Time to go live | Varies. | 5 days for the standard modules. |
| Try it before a call | Varies. | A live demo you can click through now, no form. |
Choosing between them.
When is the built-in portal enough?
When your customers only need to see orders and invoices, the vendor's screens fit how you work, and you do not need internal tools. Then start with what your ERP includes.
Can Portal by Webisoft run next to the built-in portal?
Yes. Both read the same ERP, so you can keep the built-in portal for some customers or tasks and add Portal by Webisoft modules where it falls short.
Does the built-in portal need extra licenses?
It depends on your ERP and edition; some include it, some sell it as an add-on or per user. Check with your vendor or reseller.
Weighing other options?
- Webstore or app platform?Selling online to new buyers, or serving the customers you already have?
- Portal or ERP logins?Hand out ERP seats, or give customers a portal built for them?
- Build it or start from a platform?Build it with your own team, or start from a platform?
- EDI or a customer portal?EDI for your big trading partners, a portal for everyone else?
- Email and phone, or a portal?Keep keying in emailed orders, or let customers order themselves?
Compare it with yours
Open the live demo next to your current portal and click through the same tasks.