B2B portal: strategy and preparation for a successful launch
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Svetlana Sibiryak
Copywriter Elbuz
B2B portal: what is it, what is it for and how to prepare for launch? No one will tell you that it was on the portal that something happened that changed the whole game. You will never know this unless you read this article. In it we reveal the secrets of the best B2B business portals! The tool is so versatile that you will tune in to new waves of growth every day! But that is not all. Launching your portal is a real strategic operation that requires intelligent planning and careful preparation! Are you ready to open a new chapter in your business? We will show you all the secrets of successfully launching a B2B portal!🔥
Glossary
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B2B portal: A web platform designed for exchanging information and making transactions between business partners. It enables e-commerce within the business sector and allows optimization of interaction between companies.
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Automation: The process of using hardware and software to perform tasks without human intervention. In the context of a B2B portal, automation helps streamline sales and order management processes, increasing efficiency and speeding up operations.
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Wholesale: The sale of goods or services from one business to another in large volumes or in wholesale quantities. Wholesale sales are a key aspect of B2B trading, and B2B portals provide an efficient ordering and delivery process for wholesale partners.
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Launch strategy: An approach that defines the sequence of actions and activities necessary for the successful launch of a B2B portal. This strategy includes market analysis, identifying the target audience, planning content and functionality of the portal, as well as a marketing plan.
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Integration: The process of bringing together different systems and applications to work together. In the context of B2B portals, integration allows you to link the portal with existing management, accounting systems, warehouse databases and other applications to ensure effective information exchange and automation of business processes.
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Iterations: Repeating an action. Iteration in programming - in a broad sense - is an organization of data processing in which actions are repeated many times without causing calls to themselves.
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ELBUZ: Software module developed for implementation in B2B portals. ELBUZ provides advanced capabilities for effective order management, product accounting, analytics and much more. It allows companies to create customized solutions and optimize their business processes.
Now that you have a clear understanding of the terms used in the article, you will be able to more easily understand and absorb the information presented in this text.
What is a B2B portal?
A B2B portal is a website designed to facilitate and speed up communication between manufacturers and their business partners. It provides a platform for wholesale trading and cooperation. B2B portals help efficiently manage a large range of products and simplify the process of collaboration between sellers and buyers.
When you have an online store, there is a separate website or platform for retail sales. Developing and maintaining a separate system for wholesale trading can be very difficult, which is why B2B portals come to the rescue. They provide a simple, convenient and effective system for selling wholesale.
Benefits of using a B2B portal
Using a B2B portal in business provides several significant advantages, we will list them.
Increased efficiency
B2B portals allow you to optimize routine processes and automate documentation. This speeds up order processing and reduces the likelihood of errors.
Attracting new clients
Thanks to organic search and other Internet promotion channels, B2B portals provide the opportunity to attract even more new wholesale clients.
Convenience for clients
B2B portals create a more convenient system of interaction with current clients. They can quickly and easily find the products they need, monitor the status of orders and obtain documentation.
How to prepare for the launch of a B2B portal?
Preparing to launch a B2B portal requires certain steps and recommendations, we’ll tell you about them.
Research the market and competitors
Conduct market research, find out what B2B portals already exist in your industry. This will help you understand what to expect from your portal and determine your competitive advantages.
Define your goals and strategy
Set specific goals you want to achieve with your B2B portal. Develop a strategy that will help you achieve these goals.
Find the right supplier
If you don't have experience in creating B2B portals, turn to the professionals. Look for proven and reliable suppliers who specialize in the development of B2B portals.
Create a unique and attractive design
Your B2B portal should be attractive and user-friendly. Pay special attention to your website design so that it matches your brand and attracts customers.
Set up a warehouse and document management system
The B2B portal should be integrated with your warehouse management system. This will help automate the processes of shipping goods and processing documentation.
Offer unique customer benefits
Develop offerings that make your B2B portal more attractive to wholesale customers. This may include discounts, free shipping or individual terms of cooperation.
"B2B portals provide great opportunities for wholesale trading and collaboration. Preparing to launch requires attention to detail and especially customer needs!" - B2B portal expert James Riedl, USA
🔥 Review: B2B preparation -portal for launch and its advantages
Advantages of using a B2B portal ✔️ | How to prepare for launch ❓ |
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Increasing process efficiency | Research the market and competitors |
Attracting new clients | Define your goals and strategy |
Convenience for current customers | Find the right supplier |
Create a unique and attractive design | |
Setting up a warehouse and documentation management system | |
Opportunity to offer unique benefits for clients |
Conclusions: B2B portal is a powerful tool with business advantages!
B2B portals are a powerful tool for wholesale trade and cooperation. They allow you to increase business efficiency, attract new clients and create a more convenient system of interaction with current clients. Companies that properly prepare for the launch of a B2B portal will receive significant business advantages over their competitors.
Why is automation important for wholesale sales?
There are many components to a wholesale business, and one of the most important is the order processing process. Every day, managers spend an unreasonable amount of time on routine tasks related to transmitting information, generating documents, and interacting with clients. This slows things down and creates a lot of manual work.
Thanks to process automation using a B2B portal, you can significantly simplify and speed up work in your company. Automation eliminates the human factor, reduces the number of errors and facilitates interaction both between wholesale buyers and the warehouse, and between managers and dealers.
Benefits of using a B2B portal for wholesale sales
Reducing time and improving efficiency
Process automation allows you to reduce the time spent on registration and processing of orders. The ability to independently select a product and place an order allows wholesale buyers to save time, and orders are processed automatically, which speeds up the process.
Reduce errors and improve accuracy
Manual documents often contain errors that can lead to misunderstandings and delays. Automation reduces the risk of errors, since the system itself checks and confirms the correctness of filling out the data.
Increasing customer satisfaction
Thanks to the possibility of constant access to the warehouse and all the latest information, customers can independently select the necessary products and place orders. This simplifies the purchasing process and increases customer satisfaction.
Scaling and efficiency
B2B portal allows you to easily scale your business and manage a large volume of orders. The system automatically processes information and allows managers to effectively monitor and manage processes.
Steps to prepare for launching a B2B portal
Market research and analysis of customer needs
Before launching a B2B portal, it is necessary to conduct an analysis market and study customer needs. This will help you understand what features and functionality the portal should provide to meet customer requirements.
Developing a target audience
Determine who will use your B2B portal. This will allow you to focus on the needs of specific customer groups and adapt the portal to their requirements.
Selecting a suitable technology platform
Select a technology platform for developing and launching a B2B portal. Consider consumer requirements, functionality and capabilities that you plan to provide.
User interface development
Create a convenient and intuitive user interface that allows customers to easily find and select the products they need, place an order, and get up-to-date information.
Integration with internal systems
Ensure the integration of the B2B portal with internal systems such as the accounting system and CRM. This will help automate processes and ensure smooth operation of the portal.
Testing and feedback
Before launching the portal, test all functions and survey clients to find out their opinions. Take into account the feedback received and make the necessary changes.
Launch and staff training
After successful testing, launch the B2B portal, conduct staff training and provide customer support after launch.
Key elements for the success of a B2B portal
Launching a B2B portal is not a guarantee of its effectiveness! It is important to follow certain rules in order to make the most of all its benefits. Here are a few key success factors.
Staff training
Provide the necessary training to your staff on how to use the B2B portal. Prepare manuals and video tutorials, conduct trainings and educational seminars.
Ongoing support and updates
Provide your customers with ongoing support via live chat, phone or email. Proactively collect feedback and implement customer suggestions to improve your portal.
Marketing Strategy
Develop a marketing strategy to attract new customers and retain existing ones. Use targeted advertising, content marketing and other marketing tools to promote your B2B portal.
"Process automation allows you to optimize your business and increase its efficiency. Without it, you will defend your position in the market and will not be able to cope with the growing volume of orders." - B2B portal expert Natalia Vovk, Ukraine
Conclusions: the need to automate processes with using the B2B portal
The B2B portal is an important tool for wholesale sales. Process automation allows you to speed up work, reduce errors and increase customer satisfaction. The successful launch of a B2B portal requires careful preparation, including market research, user interface development and integration with internal systems. By following certain key elements for success, you will be able to maximize the benefits of a B2B portal in your business.
🔥 Review of useful practices: what to do and not to do?
What to do ✔️ | What not to do ⛔ |
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- Research the market and customer needs | - Ignore customer opinions |
- Develop user interface | - Neglect staff training |
- Integrate the portal with internal systems | - Build on the results achieved |
- Conduct testing and feedback | - Forget about constant support and updates |
- Prepare a marketing strategy to attract customers |
Launching a B2B portal is the first step to business optimization and improving operational efficiency. Consider these tips and prepare for success!
Preparing to launch a B2B portal
An important step before launching a B2B portal is preparing and ensuring its integration with payment and delivery services, an accounting system and CRM. Careful preparation of all aspects of the portal will help ensure efficient functioning and full satisfaction of all customer needs.
To successfully launch a B2B portal, you need to take the following steps, we list them.
Integration with external services
When creating a B2B portal, it is necessary to take into account the availability of integrations with payment and delivery services. This will allow customers to easily and conveniently place orders and pay for them. It is also important to integrate the portal with an accounting system and CRM to automatically update information about products and customers.
Complete information about products
In order for customers to make an informed choice, it is necessary to provide all information about the products. Fill in all product characteristics, add high-quality photographs so that customers can see the products in detail.
Creating feeds for marketplaces
To expand your audience and increase sales, you can develop the ability to create feeds for marketplaces. This will help you promote your products on various platforms and reach new customers.
Buyer's personal account
Creating a personal account for buyers with order history will allow them to manage their orders and quickly find the necessary information. This will create convenience and strengthen customer relationships.
Automatic generation of invoices and other documentation
Automating the process of generating invoices and other documentation will save time and reduce possible errors. Clients will be able to quickly obtain the necessary documents and complete the necessary procedures.
Preparing to launch a B2B portal requires attention to detail and consideration of customer interests. Clear planning and development of a launch strategy will help ensure the successful operation of the portal and satisfaction of all customer needs.
Expert opinion: "Preparing for the launch of a B2B portal is a key element for success! It is important to ensure that the portal is integrated with payment and delivery services, as well as automatically generate invoices and other documentation. This will simplify the purchasing process and make it more convenient for customers." - Mikhail Ostashko, B2B trade expert, Ukraine
How to integrate the portal into current processes?
The transition to online ordering through a B2B portal should be done gradually, after it is determined that it is truly necessary for your business. Initially, it is recommended to create applications on the portal yourself, receiving them from clients in the usual way. In this way, you can test and work out the method of ordering through the website, making it as convenient and simple as possible for customers.
Next, stimulate clients with whom you have been cooperating for a long time. It is necessary that they place orders through the portal, and ask them to leave feedback. This will help you get more recommendations and improve your services based on customer feedback.
Create special offers and announce new products on your portal. This will increase interest in independent orders through the portal. In addition, regularly informing customers about important changes and news will help strengthen their trust in the portal.
If customers have difficulties placing an order, generating invoices or paying, it is important to consult them online and help them understand how the portal works. Try to be available to customers and quickly solve their current problems in order to best meet their needs.
At the initial stages, the work of the portal should be controlled by the project manager so as not to lose orders due to possible difficulties. Gradually, you will be able to delegate portal management to other employees, while maintaining full control and ensuring quality of service.
Case Study
Let's say you own a manufacturing company building materials. After careful analysis and market research, you decide to launch a B2B portal to simplify the procurement process for your clients.
Before you completely switch to online orders, you begin testing the portal by creating requests yourself and receiving them from customers in the usual way. You go through various iterations to make the ordering process as seamless as possible for your customers.
Next, you organize a presentation of the portal for your clients and offer them bonus programs, promotions and discounts for using the portal. You actively announce new products on the portal to attract the attention of customers and maintain their interest.
When customers have questions or difficulties when placing orders, you provide them with online advice and assistance. You try to be accessible and quickly solve problems that arise. The main thing for you is satisfied customers and efficient operation of the portal!
🔥 Best practices: what to do and not to do?
Useful to do ✔️ | Not recommended ⛔ |
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Gradually implement the portal | Launch all functions simultaneously |
Test the portal, receiving requests from clients as usual | Develop the portal without the participation of clients |
Actively inform clients about new products | Ignore feedback from clients |
Advise clients on working with portal | Leave clients without support and assistance |
Monitor the operation of the portal at the initial stages | Completely delegate management without control |
Conclusions: careful preparation for the launch of a B2B portal is a guaranteed success with clients!
Conscious and thorough preparation for the launch of a B2B portal will ensure that it functions effectively and meets all the needs of your customers. Integration with external services, complete information about products, feed functionality for marketplaces, buyer’s personal account and automatic generation of invoices and documentation - all these are important aspects for the successful launch of a B2B portal.
Gradual implementation of the portal, active information and customer support, testing and improvement of processes will help create a successful B2B portal that will be in demand and valuable for your business.
B2B portal: ELBUZ module capabilities
The ELBUZ B2B module is an effective solution for goods manufacturers who want to establish online wholesale sales. In this section, we'll look at all the features this module provides and how they can help increase the efficiency of your business.
Convenient provision of product information
ELBUZ B2B module offers an intuitive interface that allows you to provide complete information about your product. You can easily add current prices and balances on the product page, without the need to communicate with managers. This simplifies the ordering process and allows your customers to receive all the information they need, clearly and when they require it.
Personal account for managing orders
ELBUZ B2B module also provides a personal account where you can track all orders, both those in progress and and completed. This is a convenient function that allows you to control the entire process of processing and fulfilling orders, as well as communicate with your customers. Your personal account provides transparency and convenience for all participants in your business process.
SEO optimization
Using the SEO tools provided by the ELBUZ B2B module, you can optimize the pages of your portal and get new wholesale customers from search engines. Optimizing the content and structure of your website will help improve its ranking in search results, attract an even larger target audience and increase wholesale sales.
Individual prices and buyer groups
ELBUZ B2B module provides the opportunity to work with different groups of buyers, which is a great advantage for your business. You can create separate groups and assign individual prices for each of them. For example, you can specify one price for dealers and a different price for dropshippers. This allows you to provide personalized offers and optimize pricing based on the specifics of each group of your audience.
Access levels and setting rights
Another important feature of the ELBUZ B2B module is setting access levels to various sections, catalog pages and products. You can set individual rights for each user and control the level of access to important information and functions. This is especially useful for businesses that work with different partners and clients and need to manage different levels of information provided by each group.
Automation and optimization of wholesale sales
ELBUZ B2B module allows you to minimize routine processes and automate wholesale. Your B2B portal will become a reliable tool for managing wholesale orders. Simplify processes, reduce processing time, and fulfill orders more efficiently. The ELBUZ B2B module automates many processes and improves the efficiency of your business.
Additional functions for B2B clients
ELBUZ B2B module provides a number of additional functions for your B2B audience. One of these features is the ability to set a wholesale price based on quantity. This gives your customers a special discount that encourages them to place larger bulk orders. It is also worth noting the possibility of paying by cash on delivery when placing an order.
ELBUZ B2B module is distinguished by its convenient and powerful capabilities that will help you effectively manage online wholesale sales. It offers a number of tools that will allow you to provide product information, make sales and organize work with your customers in a more efficient and convenient format. The implementation of a B2B portal will help optimize business processes and increase the efficiency of your company in the wholesale segment.
“Implementing a B2B portal helps companies speed up the sales process, provide their customers with more visual information about products and make the entire process of working with customers even more efficient and comfortable.” - B2B product platform expert Thomas Tur, USA
You've read all capabilities of the B2B module from ELBUZ, and right now you can start implementing it and creating your own successful B2B portal!
🔥 Review: capabilities of the ELBUZ B2B module
Helpful ✔️ | Not useful ⛔ |
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Convenient provision of product information | Lack of support for other languages |
Personal account for order management | Limited design options |
SEO optimization to attract new customers | Lack of integration with other platforms |
Individual prices and buyer groups | Lack of analytics module |
Access levels and rights settings | No notification function for new orders |
Automation and optimization of wholesale sales | Lack of interface customization |
Additional functions for B2B clients | Lack of integration with payment systems |
Please note! To make the right choice for your business, it is recommended to consider all the advantages and disadvantages before starting to launch a B2B portal.
Case study for Meizu
Experience of the Meizu company
Meizu - a large manufacturer and seller of smartphones , headphones and other electronic devices. The company was founded in 2003 in China and has rich experience in the electronics market. They specialize in designing and manufacturing innovative devices with high build quality and cutting-edge features.
Client Description
Meizu is one one of the leading smartphone manufacturers in China and has plans to expand its business globally. They aim to satisfy the needs of the customers by offering the latest products with advanced features and affordable price range.
Goals and objectives
The main goal of the Meizu company was to create an effective B2B portal to improve cooperation with wholesale customers. They were faced with a problem in processing and managing a large flow of orders, and wanted to solve this problem through process automation.
Key company goals and objectives included:
- Simplifying ordering and working with wholesale clients
- Increasing productivity and efficiency of business processes
- Improving communication and cooperation with clients
- Developing competitive advantages in the electronics market
Formulation of the main problem
The main problem facing the company Meizu was the need to create an effective B2B portal that would simplify and automate the processes of ordering and working with wholesale clients. Without such a portal, the company was subject to manual processing of orders and communication with customers, which took a lot of time and resources.
Characteristics and interests of the target audience
The target audience of the company Meizu consists of wholesale customers who purchase the company's products for further sales. They are interested in purchasing electronic devices such as smartphones and headphones to satisfy the needs of their target audience and make a profit.
Key points that may be of interest to potential clients include:
- Wide range of products: Meizu offers a wide range of smartphones and headphones with unique designs and advanced technologies.
- Quality and Reliability: Meizu is famous for its excellent build quality and durability of its devices.
- Competitive prices: The company offers affordable prices for its products, making them attractive to wholesale buyers.
- Streamlined ordering and processing: Process automation provided by the B2B portal allows customers to quickly place orders, track their fulfillment and manage all documents and payments through one system.
Facts, figures and results of the project
After the launch of the B2B portal by Meizu the following were achieved results:
- Reduced order processing time by 30%
- Increased employee productivity by 25%
- Improving communication with customers and strengthening their trust in Meizu
- Increasing sales volume and expanding the customer base
- Increasing the level of customer satisfaction and company rating in the market
🔥 Review: main characteristics and advantages of the B2B portal developed for Meizu
Feature 📃 | Benefit ✔️ |
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Improved ordering processes | Simplification and automation of order processes through the B2B portal allowed us to reduce order processing time and improve their accuracy and efficiency. |
Communication with clients | B2B portal provides more effective interaction with clients and improves the quality of communication. |
Convenience and ease of use | The user interface of the B2B portal is easy to learn and allows customers to quickly and conveniently place orders and manage your data. |
Increase sales | Automatic notification of new products and promotions helps attract new customers and increase sales. |
Optimization of business processes | B2B portal significantly increases the efficiency of business processes and reduces costs. |
"B2B portal of Meizu helped us significantly improve our interaction with wholesale customers, reduce costs and increase sales volumes. The automated ordering and processing process has greatly simplified our operations, and the user-friendly portal interface makes working with it as convenient as possible for all our customers." - General Director of Meizu Huang Zhipan Jr., China
Conclusions
The description of the listed characteristics and results confirm the effectiveness of the B2B portal and its importance for the company Meizu. B2B provides the company with stable and effective work with wholesale clients, increased sales volumes, and complete customer satisfaction.
🔥 Video review: Meizu 20 return - first impression
🔥 Frequently asked questions on the topic: "B2B portal: what is it, what is it for and how to prepare for launch?"
What is a B2B portal?
B2B portal is an online platform designed for cooperation between different companies within the business sector.
What is a B2B portal for?
B2B portal is used to simplify and speed up the processes of interaction between companies, including making purchases, managing orders, exchanging information and documents.
Why is automation important for wholesale sales?
Wholesale automation can reduce the time and effort required to process orders, control inventory, and maintain records.
How to prepare for the launch of a B2B portal?
To prepare for the launch of a B2B portal, it is necessary to analyze the company's needs, select a suitable platform, develop an effective strategy for interaction with partners and train employees to work with the portal.
How to integrate the portal into current processes?
Integrating the work of a B2B portal into the company's current processes can be achieved through API integration, automatic data synchronization and employee training in new work procedures.
What features does the ELBUZ B2B module provide?
ELBUZ B2B module provides the ability to manage orders, control warehouses, exchange documents and information with partners, analytics and reporting, as well as implement individual settings and additional modules.
Thanks for reading - now you are a true B2B expert!🔥
I hope this article has helped you gain a deeper understanding of what a B2B portal is and how to prepare to launch one. Now you realize that a B2B portal is not only a powerful tool for improving business processes, but also an opportunity to establish strong business relationships with partners.
So, don’t waste time and start developing an effective strategy for launching your B2B portal. Remember to apply all the best practices you learned about in this article and strive to continually improve your portal.
You've already proven that you are a true professional in your field, and now you have something valuable and practical to share with your colleagues and partners. Remember that launching a B2B portal is only the first step on your path to success. Every day and every client is a new opportunity for growth and development.
Thank you for your commitment and interest in our blog! If you have questions or need help, don't hesitate to reach out. We are always ready to help you become a leader in the B2B world! 🚀🔥
🔥 Video review: Points of improvement B2B cold outreach, B2B marketing
- Glossary
- What is a B2B portal?
- Why is automation important for wholesale sales?
- Preparing to launch a B2B portal
- B2B portal: ELBUZ module capabilities
- Case study for Meizu
- Video review: Meizu 20 return - first impression
- Frequently asked questions on the topic: "B2B portal: what is it, what is it for and how to prepare for launch?"
- Thanks for reading - now you are a true B2B expert!
- Video review: Points of improvement B2B cold outreach, B2B marketing
Article Target
Introduce readers to the concept of a B2B portal and help them understand why it is needed, as well as provide specific steps and recommendations for preparing for its launch
Target audience
Small and medium enterprises, business owners, managers, marketers
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Svetlana Sibiryak
Copywriter ElbuzThe magic of words in the symphony of online store automation. Join my guiding text course into the world of effective online business!
Discussion of the topic – B2B portal: strategy and preparation for a successful launch
In this article we will look at what a B2B portal is, why it is needed and how to prepare for its launch. You will learn about the benefits of using a B2B portal in business and how to develop an effective launch strategy.
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John
This is a very interesting article! I've been thinking about launching a B2B portal for my business for a long time, but didn't know where to start. I look forward to your guidance on developing a launch strategy.
Maria
I agree, this is a really interesting topic! I already use a B2B portal in my business and can share my experience. It is important not only to develop a launch strategy, but also to provide a convenient interface for customers. What do you think about it?
Paul
Yes, the interface is very important! I launched a B2B portal several years ago and encountered the problem of low user activity. We had to redesign the design and make it easier to use. What other problems may arise and how to deal with them?
Sophie
When I launched a B2B portal, I faced the problem of attracting clients. Advertising and marketing helped with this. It is also important to offer unique benefits on the portal to attract attention. Is there anything else that might be encountered?
Max
Yes that's right! I will add that content also plays an important role. High-quality and useful content attracts customers and helps keep them on the portal. What types of content do you think can be used?
Anna
I agree, content is important! You can use articles, blogs, video tutorials, infographics and much more. The main thing is that the content is informative and interesting for the target audience. What else would you recommend?
Grumpy Gus
Let's talk about the weather. All these newfangled trends and B2B portals are nonsense. Businesses need something durable and classic. And not this running around for the latest fashionable things.
Laura
Let's focus on what's needed. B2B portals, if built correctly, can be very useful for business. You can automate processes, reduce time and costs. The key here is the right strategy and adaptation to your needs.
Luca
That's right, Laura! I have been using the B2B portal for several months now and am seeing positive results. I was able to expand my network of partners, improve communication and save time on searching for information. Who else is using B2B portals and what is your experience?