At SPS Commerce, we take a different approach – with results. Our approach ensures that 98% of suppliers are fully digital with retailers within 3 months. No casual onboarding. No “do-it-yourself” integrations. But a proven, outsourced approach where we take everything off your hands.

How does it work?

We always start with the network. SPS Commerce has the largest retail network in the world. Chances are that many of a retailer’s suppliers are already digitally active through our platform. That means: no new customization, just simply connect.

This is followed by active onboarding. Our team – no generic support desk, but supply chain experts – contacts each supplier. We guide them personally, in their language, and coordinate the right digital form of collaboration: EDI, web portal or API. No one-size-fits-all, but a solution that does work. And yes, even the ‘difficult’ suppliers are included.

After 3 months, the job is done. The retailer has a fully digitized supplier base, standard message flows and real-time insight into performance. From that moment on, the retailer can manage delivery reliability, deviations and improvement processes – with data that is correct.

Our philosophy is simple: digitization only works if you make it scalable and supplier-friendly. The power is not in technology alone, but in actually managing adoption. That is exactly where the difference lies.

Retailers who take this approach see their supply chain change from reactive to predictable. They save operational costs, avoid errors and can scale with confidence. And more importantly, they build sustainable partnerships with their suppliers – digital and future-proof.

It’s time to see supply chain digitization not as an IT project, but as a strategic growth tool. And that starts with the right approach. One that really works – for everyone in the chain.

The gap between customer expectations and operational reality

Modern consumers expect instant availability, error-free deliveries and real-time updates. But while the front end of retail is becoming increasingly digital and customer-centric, the back end of the operation is often stuck in Excel lists, emails and outdated systems. Order management is rigid, inventory management is based on assumptions, and the customer experience ultimately suffers as a result of this blind spot.

The root of the problem: fragmented information

Many retailers have modern ERP or WMS systems, but these systems are often not or partially integrated with those of suppliers. This creates noise in the ordering process. Stock that is available “on paper” turns out in practice to be delayed, damaged or reserved elsewhere. Orders are incorrectly estimated or adjusted too late, and the customer has to deal with back orders or incorrect delivery times.

The solution is in digitization with suppliers

It is time that we organize supply chain digitization not only within our own walls, but rather extend it to our suppliers. Through EDI integrations or supply chain collaboration platforms, retailers can involve suppliers in the order process in real time. Consider:

• Real-time inventory updates from suppliers in your own system
• Automatic order confirmations and delivery forecasts
• Track & Trace of shipments from the moment of production
• Digital performance monitoring of suppliers

These forms of integration not only provide more control, but also a more proactive approach: deviations are spotted early so that quicker action can be taken.

The bottom line: better customer experience and more efficient operations

Through digitization on the supplier side, retailers not only increase delivery reliability, but also reduce failure costs, returns and excess inventory. Moreover, promises to customers can be based on actual data instead of estimates. And that makes all the difference in a market where customer experience has become the competitive advantage.

In conclusion

Retailers who want to operate in a truly customer-centric way must invest not only in the front end, but also in the back end of their operations – and especially where it is currently least visible: at the supplier. Supply chain digitization does not stop at the front door. Only when we digitally connect the entire chain can we speak of future-proof retail.