SwiftCloud were proud to sponsor Huddersfield Unlimited's second Business Forum which centred around digital innovation, in which here at SwiftCloud, we know all about.

The event which brings together local businesses from the Huddersfield area and gives them the opportunity to make new business contacts and put people in touch with each other.

The event featured insight from a B2B ecommerce expert, our very own James De Jong who talked about how SwiftCloud are leading the way in terms of digital innovation within a B2B landscape.

Overall it was a fantastic event and it was fantastic to catch up with other businesses from the local area.

SwiftCloud, a Yorkshire based, leading B2B eCommerce software company, is thrilled to announce a strategic partnership with Shipster, a Manchester based, cutting-edge custom eCommerce Shipping Integration Platform. This collaboration marks a significant milestone in the evolution of streamlined and efficient B2B technology, based in the North of England.

The partnership will enable Shipster to offer SwiftCloud's advanced B2B eCommerce capabilities to its clientele, allowing them to handle complex orders, streamline their B2B operations, and manage bespoke pricing and stock effortlessly.

Whilst SwiftCloud users can now benefit from Shipster's sophisticated shipping automation features, allowing businesses to optimise their logistics operations and reduce manual efforts in managing shipments. Shipster's customisable shipping options will empower users to tailor their shipping strategies according to specific business needs, providing a personalised and flexible experience for both sellers and buyers.

"We are excited to partner with Shipster to offer a new level of efficiency and convenience to our clients," said James Clarkson, CEO at SwiftCloud. "This collaboration aligns perfectly with our commitment to providing innovative SaaS solutions that empower businesses to thrive in the digital marketplace."

Shipster's Managing Director, Tony Cheetham, expressed enthusiasm about the collaboration, stating, "Our partnership with SwiftCloud marks the convergence of leading technologies in B2B Ecommerce and shipping integration. Together, we aim to unlock new possibilities for growth, success and value for our respective customer base."

About Shipster: Shipster is a custom eCommerce Shipping Integration Platform dedicated to supporting the growth of eCommerce businesses by providing unmatched shipping customisation that goes beyond off-the-shelf solutions. The platform is exceptionally flexible and already integrated with 100+ couriers and other eCommerce platforms. The software has recently won both Direct eCommerce and UK eCommerce Awards (2023).

We're thrilled to announce that Adventoris were named the Yorkshire business of the year in the businesses up to 50 employees category.
The event which was hosted by thebusinessdesk.com was held at the Queens Hotel in Leeds and was the culmination of a judging process which included judges coming to the Adventoris offices and a further pitch to the judges.

It’s testament to the achievements of the Adventoris team over the last 12 months which has seen us open our brand-new offices, win some prestigious clients, continue to grow, innovate, and power the digital ordering of over 215 B2B companies through our flagship SwiftCloud product.
We'd like to extend thanks to all our team, our investors, everyone at TheBusinessDesk.com, the fantastic team at Faith Brand Communications and of course our incredible clients who made this possible.

Tracking key B2B ecommerce ordering metrics is crucial for understanding the performance of your online store and making data-driven decisions to optimize sales and customer satisfaction. Here are some key metrics you should keep track of:

Average Order Value: AOV is the average amount of money each customer spends per order. It is calculated by dividing total revenue by the number of orders. By tracking this you can compare the average order value of orders placed using your ecommerce platform to the AOV of customers using other more traditional methods of ordering.

Average Order Volume: The average order volume is the amount of orders on average which are placed through your ecommerce platform. The average amount of orders should be growing each month as more of your customers gravitate towards a digitalised ordering method.

Repeat Purchase Rate: This metric shows the percentage of customers who make more than one purchase from your store over a specific period. It helps measure customer loyalty and retention. If a customer is using your ecommerce platform repeatedly then chances are they are satisfied with the platform and are happy with the offering. If they are for example, a one time user and then never use the platform again or are sporadic in using your platform it could signal room for improvement.

Customer Lifetime Value (CLV): CLV is the predicted net profit attributed to the entire future relationship with a customer. It helps you understand the long-term value of each customer to your business. By offering a B2B ecommerce solution, your business is adapting to the change in buyer behaviour and cultivating customer relationships that will last a long time.

Cost Per Order: This is how much it costs your business to process an order. The traditional methods of ordering such as telephone, fax or in person purchasing are usually much more expensive as they often need more human interaction or are more prone to error. The cost per order of your customers who use your B2B ecommerce platform should me much cheaper than customers using traditional methods.

Time To Purchase: This is the amount of time it takes a customer to place an order, from start to finish. Your B2B ecommerce platform should be head and shoulders above your other methods of ordering when it comes to time to purchase.

In the landscape of Business-to-Business (B2B) transactions, the traditional ordering process has long been the cornerstone of ecommerce. However, despite its familiarity and historical prevalence, it's essential to recognize and address the inherent flaws that persist within these systems. As we delve into the intricacies of traditional B2B ordering, a clear need for a paradigm shift emerges.

1. Manual Processes and Inefficiencies: Traditional B2B ordering often relies heavily on manual processes, including phone calls, emails, and paperwork. These methods are not only time-consuming but also prone to errors, leading to delays and misunderstandings between parties. In today's fast-paced business environment, such inefficiencies can hinder competitiveness and impede growth.

1. Limited Visibility and Transparency: Traditional ordering systems lack real-time visibility and transparency into inventory levels, order statuses, and pricing. This lack of insight can result in overstocking or stockouts, missed sales opportunities, and disputes over pricing or delivery terms. Without access to accurate and up-to-date information, businesses struggle to make informed decisions and adapt to market dynamics effectively.

1. Fragmented Communication Channels: Communication between buyers and sellers in traditional B2B ordering often occurs through disparate channels, including phone calls, emails, and fax. This fragmentation can lead to miscommunication, misunderstandings, and delays in order processing. Additionally, tracking conversations and maintaining a centralized record of interactions becomes challenging, hindering accountability and collaboration.

1. Limited Scalability and Flexibility: Traditional B2B ordering systems are often rigid and difficult to scale or customize according to evolving business needs. This lack of flexibility can constrain innovation and hinder the adoption of new technologies or business models. As companies strive to adapt to changing market demands and consumer expectations, the limitations of traditional ordering systems become increasingly apparent.

1. High Costs and Low ROI: Maintaining and operating traditional B2B ordering systems can incur significant costs, including labour expenses, paper-based documentation, and IT infrastructure maintenance. Despite these investments, the return on investment (ROI) may be limited due to inefficiencies, errors, and missed opportunities inherent in these systems. As businesses seek to optimize their operations and improve profitability, the cost-effectiveness of traditional ordering processes comes under scrutiny.

1. Security and Compliance Risks: Traditional B2B ordering systems may pose security and compliance risks, particularly concerning data privacy, payment processing, and regulatory requirements. Without robust cybersecurity measures and adherence to industry standards, businesses are vulnerable to data breaches, fraud, and legal liabilities. Addressing these risks becomes paramount in an increasingly interconnected and regulated business environment.

In conclusion, the flaws inherent in traditional B2B ordering systems underscore the need for a fundamental re-evaluation of how businesses conduct transactions and manage their supply chains. Embracing digital transformation initiatives, adopting integrated e-commerce platforms, and leveraging emerging technologies such as artificial intelligence and blockchain can empower businesses to overcome these challenges and thrive in the modern marketplace. By embracing innovation and reimagining B2B ordering processes, businesses can unlock new opportunities for growth, efficiency, and competitiveness in an ever-evolving landscape.

Offering digital ordering to trade customers is crucial for several reasons:

1. Convenience: Digital trade provides convenience to trade customers by allowing them to place orders anytime, anywhere, without the constraints of traditional business hours. They can place orders from their office, job site, or even on the go using their smartphones or computers.
2. Efficiency: Digital trade ordering streamlines the ordering process, reducing the time and effort required for both the customer and the supplier. Customers can quickly browse products, check availability, and place orders without the need for lengthy phone calls or emails. This efficiency can lead to increased order frequency and larger order sizes.
3. Accuracy: Manual order entry can lead to errors, such as incorrect product codes, quantities, or delivery dates. Digital ordering systems can help minimize these errors by providing customers with real-time product information, pricing, and inventory levels. This can improve order accuracy and reduce the likelihood of disputes or returns.
4. Inventory Management: Digital ordering systems can integrate with inventory management software, allowing suppliers to track stock levels in real-time and optimize their inventory levels accordingly. This helps ensure that trade customers have access to the products they need when they need them, minimizing stockouts and backorders.
5. Customer Satisfaction: Offering digital ordering demonstrates a commitment to customer service and satisfaction. Trade customers appreciate suppliers who make it easy for them to do business, and providing a user-friendly digital ordering platform can enhance the overall customer experience.
6. Competitive Advantage: In today's digital age, many businesses expect the convenience of digital ordering as standard. By offering this service, suppliers can gain a competitive advantage over those who rely solely on traditional ordering methods. It can attract new customers and retain existing ones who value the convenience and efficiency of digital ordering.

In summary, offering digital ordering to trade customers is important because it improves convenience, efficiency, accuracy, inventory management, customer satisfaction, and provides a competitive edge in the market.