Key Takeaways

  • Orders with 200–300 SKUs processed in minutes instead of manual entry
  • Avoided hiring an additional 4–6 staff for data entry
  • ROI achieved within approximately 6 months

About the Customer

C.E. Smith Company is a contract manufacturer specializing in precision metal stampings, fabrications, and assemblies for a variety of industries. Under the SMITH™ brand, the company is a recognized leader in boat trailer parts and sells through major retailers, distributors, and direct-to-consumer eCommerce channels.

The Challenge

While C.E. Smith had already integrated EDI with its ERP system to support B2B transactions, its eCommerce operations remained disconnected. Orders placed through its website had to be manually entered into the ERP system, leading to:

  • Time-consuming manual data entry, especially for large orders with hundreds of SKUs
  • Increased risk of errors in order details, pricing, and shipping information
  • Inefficient workflows across B2B and B2C order channels
  • Growing operational strain as order volumes increased

The company needed a unified solution to integrate both EDI and eCommerce channels with its ERP system to eliminate redundancy and improve efficiency.

The Solution

C.E. Smith implemented the TrueCommerce Shop eCommerce platform (previously Nexternal) and integrated it with its existing TrueCommerce EDI solution and Global Shop Solutions ERP system.

Key components of the solution included:

  • Seamless integration of eCommerce and EDI order channels into a single ERP workflow
  • Automated import of online (B2C) orders into ERP, eliminating manual rekeying
  • Centralized transaction management through the TrueCommerce platform
  • Continued use of TrueCommerce EDI to automate B2B transactions with major retailers
  • A single-vendor solution simplifying support, upgrades, and system management

This unified approach ensured that all orders, whether from retailers or direct customers, follow the same automated processes.

We frequently get orders that have 200 to 300 SKUs,” Ms. Smith describes. “These would take forever to enter by hand—now they’re done in a few minutes, and we don’t have to worry about making errors while we’re typing all those addresses, numbers and other items.

Lisa Smith, Account Manager, C.E. Smith Company, Inc.

The ability to integrate eCommerce with out ERP system was the key factor in our decision to move Nexternal.

Scott Noyes, Purchasing Manager, C.E. Smith Company, Inc.

I don’t know how we’d do business without EDI today.

Lisa Smith, Account Manager, C.E. Smith Company, Inc.

Brand Element

Detailed Results & Business Impact

By integrating its eCommerce platform with EDI and ERP systems, C.E. Smith significantly improved operational efficiency and order accuracy.

Manual data entry for online orders was eliminated, dramatically reducing the time required to process orders, even those with hundreds of SKUs. This not only improved productivity but also minimized the risk of human error in order details, pricing, and shipping information.

The unified system enabled seamless data flow between order channels and the ERP, ensuring consistency and reliability across the business. Automation also allowed staff to focus on higher-value activities instead of repetitive administrative tasks.

In addition, the scalable TrueCommerce platform supports increasing order volumes and new trading partners without adding complexity. Improved accuracy, faster processing, and a better eCommerce experience contributed to stronger customer satisfaction and reduced abandoned carts.

The company also benefited from reduced infrastructure management and IT overhead, as well as simplified support through a single vendor. Overall, the solution delivered rapid ROI and positioned C.E. Smith for continued growth.