Magento is Ending B2B Support – What Distributors Should Do Next

Magento’s recent choice to end B2B support has created confusion throughout the distribution sector. For years, it has been a reliable B2B ecommerce platform, assisting distributors, manufacturers, and wholesalers in optimizing operations, boosting B2B sales, and providing customized experiences through powerful B2B online stores. As Adobe changes its priorities and slowly eliminates B2B features, companies depending on Magento’s B2B capabilities need to reevaluate their digital commerce approaches.

This shift presents considerable obstacles, but it also creates opportunities for improved, more scalable B2B commerce solutions. As the industry shifts, distributors need to respond promptly and assertively. The question is: what’s next?

In this article, we will examine the effects of Magento’s shift, discuss the best alternatives available, and emphasize how to choose an ecommerce platform suitable for the future in B2B. By adopting contemporary B2B ecommerce trends and adhering to established best practices, distributors can safeguard their operations for the future and remain competitive.

What Does Magento’s Move Mean for B2B Businesses?

Magento’s choice to discontinue support for B2B has a significant impact on businesses that have depended on its sophisticated B2B functionalities for an extended period. Historically, Magento offered crucial functionalities such as customized catalogs, tiered pricing, account management, and wholesale ordering elements vital to any competitive B2B commerce platform.

The elimination of these capacities impacts a wide range of stakeholders:

• B2B distributors handle extensive and intricate product inventories spread over various categories.
• Producers and distributors provide tailored pricing, discounts, or tax arrangements according to buyer classifications.
• Leading electrical distributors in 2023 that utilized Magento for handling recurring orders, quote requests, and large transactions.
• Businesses utilize Magento’s B2B ecommerce platform for connections with CRMs, ERPs, and OMS ecommerce processes.

In the absence of continuous support, updates, or security fixes, these B2B ecommerce sites powered by Magento face an increased risk of:

• Security risks arise from outdated plugins and extensions that lack support.
• Compatibility challenges with external systems and advancing technologies.
• Operational inefficiencies are caused by outdated architecture or manual processes.

To ensure their operations remain viable in the future, B2B brands are required to assess different ecommerce providers that deliver strong, scalable, and contemporary B2B ecommerce solutions that meet the current digital commerce requirements.

Why It’s Time to Switch B2B Ecommerce Platforms

Adobe’s roadmap indicates a definite shift towards enterprise and direct-to-consumer. This results in B2B suppliers and distributors being neglected, facing an outdated commerce B2B framework, and an elevated total cost of ownership.

This shift presents a perfect opportunity to review your current ecommerce system and plan a move forward:

• Security & Compliance: Ageing B2B modules will soon no longer satisfy current compliance requirements.
• Scalability Challenges: Outdated Magento platforms struggle to adapt to the dynamic needs of modern B2B commerce solutions.
• Innovation Shortcomings: New technologies such as headless e-commerce and sophisticated OMS (OMS ecommerce) systems lack comprehensive support from Magento’s outdated B2B framework.
• Customer Expectations: Today’s consumers anticipate seamless digital experiences, which are more achievable with newer B2B sales platforms and marketplace B2B solutions.

What Should Distributors Do Next?

As a reliable ecommerce partner for distributors, DCKAP advises a carefully thought-out migration strategy. Here’s your detailed guide:

1. Evaluate Your Current B2B Ecommerce Platform

Begin by recognizing shortcomings in your existing Magento configuration. 

• Are my features developed with custom code that’s difficult to manage?
• Is my website optimized for mobile devices and capable of scaling?
• Am I able to easily handle pricing or workflows tailored to customers?

This assessment will assist in outlining your needs for a B2B ecommerce solution that is prepared for the future.

2. Evaluate Modern B2B E-commerce Platforms

The positive aspect is that Magento isn’t the sole option available. Today, platforms like BigCommerce B2B Edition, OroCommerce, and Shopify Plus offer comprehensive features tailored specifically for modern B2B commerce needs.

You ought to evaluate e-Commerce platforms by considering:

• Flexibility in customization
• Integration features with ERP, PIM, and OMS
• Assistance for headless e-commerce frameworks
• Simplicity in overseeing B2B processes such as quote handling, purchase authorizations, and more.

The ecommerce platform you choose for B2B should enable future growth, automation, and multi-channel sales.

3. Consider a Headless Ecommerce Approach

Headless e-commerce divides the frontend from the backend, enabling B2B companies to develop rapid and adaptable experiences across various channels, mobile, web, marketplace, and retail locations.

Advantages of headless for B2B:

• Quick, adaptable interfaces
• Integration with ERPs and CRMs through APIs
• Improved efficiency and safety
• Ensuring protection against platform dependence in the future

For manufacturers and distributors dealing with complex product data in B2B ecommerce, headless technology revolutionizes the process.

4. Implement a Scalable, Integrated System

A successful B2B migration should include:

• An effective B2B transition ought to encompass:
• ERP Integration: Harmonize pricing, inventory, and orders.
• PIM (Product Information Management): Manage extensive, intricate catalogs.
• OMS (Order Management System): Streamline large order processing
• CRM Integration: Consolidate customer information

At DCKAP, we assist clients in executing comprehensive, end-to-end B2B commerce solutions through our integrator, DCKAP Integrator, and our adaptable B2B ecommerce platform configurations that minimize obstacles and increase flexibility.

5. Design for B2B Ecommerce Best Practices

Contemporary B2B e-commerce goes beyond mere transactions; it focuses on generating value. Employ best practices to guarantee that your platform improves customer experiences:

• Tailored Portals: Customized dashboards for various clients.
• Bulk Purchase Tools: Fast order forms, stored lists, and repeat ordering.
• Dynamic Pricing: Pricing, quotes, and contracts tailored for individual customers.
• Self-Service Capabilities: Allow customers to handle their orders and information.

The objective is to provide your B2B online shops with a consumer-level experience, supported by robust backend functionality.

Embracing B2B Marketplace Platforms for Greater Reach and Flexibility

As Magento discontinues its B2B features, transitioning to a B2B marketplace platform is a tactical decision that can assist distributors in remaining competitive and adaptable in the current changing e-commerce B2B industry. Marketplace platforms provide considerable benefits compared to conventional models:

• Multi-vendor capability: Facilitate various sellers within a single online shop, broadening product selection and serving a larger audience.
• Better buyer experience: Buyers enjoy the convenience of a single shopping destination featuring clear pricing, comprehensive product details, and straightforward comparisons.
• Integrated scalability: Effortlessly incorporate additional vendors, categories, or areas without redesigning your backend framework.
• Enhanced integrations: The majority of platforms accommodate OMS, ecommerce, CRM, and ERP systems, facilitating smooth operations and improved access to data.
• Quicker market entry: Particularly advantageous for B2B ecommerce in manufacturing, enabling products to arrive at customers more swiftly and with reduced distribution expenses.
• Optimized order management: Automate pricing quotes, bulk orders, and fulfilment processes to improve efficiency and accuracy.

By implementing a B2B commerce platform equipped with marketplace features, distributors can stay in tune with present B2B ecommerce trends and make sure their operations are prepared for sustainable growth.

Final Thoughts: The Future of B2B Ecommerce is Agile

As Magento distances itself from the B2B sector, distributors need to move quickly to remain competitive. The emergence of wholesale ecommerce platforms, marketplace B2B ecosystems, and B2B ecommerce trends such as headless architecture are reshaping the definition of what B2B can and must become.

Don’t hold off for Magento to end your business. Collaborate with specialists such as DCKAP and adopt contemporary B2B ecommerce platforms designed specifically for expansion. Prepared to Transition from Magento?

If you are one of the leading electrical distributors in 2023 or a producer seeking an improved B2B tomorrow, DCKAP is ready to assist you. From evaluating your existing Magento configuration to establishing a new B2B ecommerce platform, we ensure your transition is smooth and successful.