Order entry app versus B2B webshop: what is the difference and when do you choose which?
Trading companies are digitizing their order processes at a rapid pace. This often raises the same question: should you choose an Order Entry app or a B2B webshop? Both solutions support placing orders, but they're designed for different processes, users, and situations within the supply chain.
In this article, you'll learn the key differences, how both solutions handle product data and integrations, and when each choice makes sense.
What is an Order Entry app?
An Order Entry app is often an internal digital tool for efficiently entering and processing orders. The app is typically used by account managers, inside sales, or representatives who place orders on behalf of customers. Some providers also offer an Order Entry app for customers so they can easily log in and order from anywhere, anytime.
Features of an Order Entry app
- Focused on speed and error-free ordering
- Both online and, in some cases, offline ordering capability
- Uses current product data, pricing, and customer agreements
- Often available on mobile and tablet, and sometimes desktop
- Tightly integrated with ERP and PIM systems
- Supports complex price lists, volume discounts, and contract terms
An Order Entry app replaces manual entry via Excel, email, or phone and streamlines the order process both internally and externally.
What is a B2B webshop?
A B2B webshop is an external digital channel where business customers place orders independently. The webshop is focused on self-service and availability, similar to e-commerce but tailored to business logic.
Features of a B2B webshop
- Customers place their own orders
- Available online
- Product data, pricing, and assortment per customer
- Integrations with ERP, PIM, and logistics
- Focus on customer experience and convenience
A B2B webshop is especially suitable for repeat orders and customers who want to order independently without sales involvement.
The main differences at a glance
User and context:
- Order Entry app: internal and external use by employees and customers
- B2B webshop: external use by customers
Order complexity:
- Order Entry app: suitable for standardized and complex orders, online and offline use, customer agreements, and exceptions
- B2B webshop: suitable for standardized and repeatable orders
Process goal:
- Order Entry app: speed, control, scalability, and error reduction
- B2B webshop: customer experience and self-service
The role of product data
In both solutions, product data is crucial. Think of article information, pricing, availability, and logistics characteristics. The difference lies mainly in presentation and use. An Order Entry app displays data functionally and compactly. A B2B webshop focuses more on navigation, filtering, and context for the customer.
When should you choose an Order Entry app?
An Order Entry app makes sense when:
- Orders are placed by sales or inside sales teams
- Pricing agreements vary significantly per customer
- Orders are complex or exceptional
- Speed matters more than presentation (standardized designs, no customization)
- You want to scale without adding headcount or even to free up resources
- There's significant phone or in-person customer contact
This is often the case in wholesale, industrial, and technical distribution sectors.
When should you choose a B2B webshop?
A B2B webshop is a better fit when:
- Customers want to order independently
- The assortment is largely standardized
- There are many repeat orders
- Digital customer experience plays a major role (custom designs, not standard templates)
For trading companies with a broad customer base and recurring orders, this is often a logical step.
Combining an Order Entry app and B2B webshop
In practice, we often see organizations already using one of the two solutions, often a B2B webshop. However, an Order Entry app and B2B webshop can reinforce each other well when they work from the same data and processes.
Important prerequisites for this:
- One central source for product data, such as a PIM
- Consistent integrations with ERP
- Clear process agreements per channel
This way, sales can work with an Order Entry app while customers order themselves via the B2B webshop, without data being managed twice. The hybrid variant is an Order Entry app where both environments are available. This gives you an internal version for sales and representatives and an external version for all your customers.
The combination of both creates efficiency gains in your organization and order process.
The role of modern data and process solutions
Solutions like PLGGR support this hybrid model. PLGGR positions itself as a platform for product data, order processes, and integrations within trading companies.
Within this landscape, we see that:
- PLGGR | PIM serves as the central product data layer
- PLGGR | Order Entry App supports internal and external order processing with an Order Entry app for both representatives and customers
- Integrations ensure consistent data flowing to ERP and webshops
The strength lies not in the channel itself, but in the underlying data streams and process logic.
Conclusion
An Order Entry app and a B2B webshop solve different problems. The right choice depends on your order process, customers, and level of complexity.
Previously, you'd choose one system or the other. You choose an Order Entry app when control, speed, standardization, and scalability are central. Choose a B2B webshop when self-service and customization are important.
But with the advent of hybrid variants like PLGGR | Order Entry app, you can now choose the combination—the best of both systems. Supported by a solid data foundation, this makes for the most future-proof solution for trading companies looking to grow and scale without hiring additional headcount.
