The B2B SaaS platform Centoro combines online orders, CRM, OMS and SFA into a single wholesale sales model. When choosing the B2B system, it is worth comparing not only the pricing, shopping basket and integration with ERP, but also whether the solution supports the actual sales process: the work of sales representatives, individual terms and conditions for business partners, quotation preparation, the marketplace and the management of multiple ordering channels. As a result, Centoro can be viewed as a sales ecosystem, rather than simply a purchasing portal for businesses.
What is the B2B SaaS platform, and what do businesses typically expect from it?
The B2B SaaS platform is a subscription-based B2B sales system that enables you to process online orders without having to build software from scratch. In wholesale, however, a product catalogue and a shopping basket are not enough. The system should support individual pricing, discounts, purchase history, limits, user permissions, product availability and integration with ERP. That is why, right from the selection stage, it is worth checking whether the solution reflects the actual terms of cooperation with business partners.
The difference between an online shop and the B2B platform
The difference between the B2B platform and an online shop is that business customers make purchases on their own terms, rather than according to a single public price list. If a company is just getting started, a good place to begin is by explaining what the B2B platform is. On B2B, account managers, invoices, repeat orders, discount thresholds, settlements and access to data – which a standard retail shop is not required to display – are also key features.
What do companies usually expect from a ‘B2B’ system?
The best B2B platform for wholesalers, manufacturers or distributors should streamline the entire purchasing process for business clients. Business clients often place regular orders, buy in bulk, have their own payment terms and expect quick access to their order history. Other suppliers also emphasise these areas: AtomStore highlights its SaaS model, infrastructure and security; Comarch B2B strongly links sales to ERP; and Sente emphasises integration, pricing policy and credit limits.
The problem with comparing platforms B2B based solely on their features
Comparing platforms B2B solely on the basis of a feature table can lead to oversimplifications. Two systems may both have a customer dashboard, customised price lists, ERP integration and order history, but support a company’s day-to-day operations in completely different ways. On one platform, the features at B2B are an add-on to the shop, whilst on another they form part of a process involving sales staff, quotations, multi-channel management, reporting and the data required for sales. That is why it is not just ‘what the system has’ that matters, but ‘how it works within the process’.
The choice should begin with the process
The answer to the question ‘how to choose a B2B platform’ should begin with an analysis of the sales process. If orders are still coming in via email, sales staff are recording agreements outside the system, customers are enquiring about availability by telephone, and prices are being checked manually at ERP, the purchasing portal alone will not solve the problem. The B2B platform must then streamline the flow of information between the customer, the sales department, the warehouse, ERP and online channels. Integration should therefore transfer data, rather than merely linking two tools technically.
Centoro – B2B, CRM, OMS and SFA in a single ecosystem
The key distinguishing feature of Centoro is its four-layer model: B2B, CRM, OMS and SFA. Each layer covers a different aspect of wholesale sales, and their combination allows for a broader analysis of the system than a typical ordering platform. In the Centoro model, the B2B platform is supplemented by CRM, OMS and SFA – modules responsible for customer relations, order processing, multi-channel sales and sales representatives’ activities.
B2B and CRM
The B2B layer handles the processing of online wholesale orders: product listings, prices assigned to each customer, product availability, purchase history and repeat orders. CRM manages customer relationships, the sales funnel, customer activity and the information required by sales representatives. The integration of these two layers is important because, at B2B, the very act of placing an order often stems from prior agreements, the history of the business relationship and individual terms and conditions.
OMS and SFA
OMS It is responsible for managing orders and sales channels, including marketplaces. It is essential where a company sells not only via its own portal but also through other order sources. SFA supports sales representatives in the field: visits, product demonstrations, order collection and access to customer data whilst away from the office. As a result, self-service sales, sales via representatives and external sales do not have to operate as separate, disjointed processes.
What sets Centoro apart from typical SaaS platforms B2B?
Centoro It features a modular model that combines online sales at B2B with tools for the sales department and support for multiple sales channels. The company does not need to treat the online shop at B2B and CRM, the system for sales staff and the order management tool as separate projects. It can build a single ecosystem in which data on customers, orders, activity and sales channels form part of the same operational model.
From the shopping basket to the wholesale process
In a simple system such as B2B, the customer logs in, selects products and places an order. In complex wholesale sales, additional elements are required, such as bespoke quotations, price lists, payment terms, account managers, documentation, enquiries and post-order support. Centoro is better suited to situations where sales are a relationship-based process rather than a one-off transaction. This is particularly important for companies that have multiple groups of customers and varying service scenarios.
Traders, channels and modules
The second distinguishing feature is the integration of sales staff’s work via CRM and SFA. The third is OMS, which organises orders from multiple sources, including marketplaces. The fourth distinguishing feature is its modularity. The scope of the system can be tailored to the company’s stage of development – from basic order processing at B2B to a broader model encompassing CRM, OMS and SFA. Thanks to this, implementation does not have to mean launching all components at once, but can evolve alongside the sales process. Seen in this light, the B2B platform becomes the foundation of a broader sales model, rather than a standalone shopping basket tool.
Centoro and other models – SaaS, ERP-first, open source and bespoke implementation
Choosing a platform at B2B is not simply a matter of comparing a few subscription plans. A simple SaaS e-commerce platform is suitable for basic online sales; a platform such as ERP is ideal when a company wishes to remain within a single ecosystem; whilst open-source or a bespoke implementation is best when processes are non-standard and the company has a team to maintain the technology. The Centoro model is better suited to companies that wish to integrate a larger proportion of their wholesale operations into the system: orders, customer relationships, sales representatives and distribution channels.
| Model | Who is it for? | Restriction |
|---|---|---|
| A simple SaaS e-commerce platform | Companies whose main business is online sales | It may not be able to reflect complex wholesale transactions |
| The platform at ERP | Companies heavily reliant on a single system ERP | Less flexibility outside a given ecosystem |
| Open source / bespoke implementation | Companies with a large IT team and non-standard processes | Greater responsibility for development, security and maintenance |
| Centoro model | Wholesalers, manufacturers and distributors in need of B2B + CRM + OMS + SFA | It requires viewing the implementation as a process-based project, not just the launch of a shop |
Centoro, AtomStore, Comarch B2B and Sente – which solution is best suited to a particular sales model?
B2Bnd SaaS platforms differ not only in terms of their range of features, but above all in their deployment model and their role in the sales process. AtomStore is worth considering as an e-commerce solution B2B in the SaaS model, Comarch B2B as a system closely linked to the ERP ecosystem, and Sente as a platform focused on processes B2B, pricing policy and integration with corporate systems. Centoro stands out when the selection criteria include not only a shopping portal, but also CRM, OMS, SFA and support for multi-channel sales.
| Platform | The most significant context of use | When to consider this solution |
|---|---|---|
| AtomStore | B2B e-commerce platform: SaaS, infrastructure, updates, security, large product databases | When a company is looking for a scalable SaaS platform B2B for online sales |
| Comarch B2B | Strong integration with Comarch ERP XL and up-to-date data ERP | When a company operates within the Comarch ecosystem and wishes to base its sales of B2B on data from ERP |
| Sente | B2B processes, pricing policy, integration with ERP, support for sales representatives | When a company needs a platform tailored to complex sales rules and integration |
| Centoro | B2B + CRM + OMS + SFA, wholesale, traders, marketplace | When a company wants to integrate online orders, customer relationships, sales staff activities and multiple sales channels |
Who would particularly benefit from the Centoro?
Wholesalers, manufacturers and distributors
The Centoro model will be particularly well-suited to wholesalers who wish to transfer online orders into their system whilst retaining individual price lists, purchase history and control over commercial terms. It will also be suitable for manufacturers and distributors who work with multiple customer groups, sales representatives and sales channels. In these organisations, the B2B system should support sales policy, rather than merely processing orders.
Companies with field sales representatives
Centoro It will also be a good choice for companies where the sales process does not end at the customer portal. If sales representatives visit clients, present offers, negotiate terms, take orders and need access to up-to-date data whilst out of the office, B2B alone may be just one piece of the puzzle. In such cases, CRM and SFA help to link field activities with orders, customer history and the information needed for further service.
When is the B2B platform alone not enough?
The B2B platform itself ceases to be sufficient when a company attempts to manage a complex process using a tool designed primarily for placing orders. The first sign of this is when sales staff continue to take orders by email or telephone, even though customers have access to the portal. A second sign is the presence of commercial terms that cannot be easily managed in a standard online shop: contract prices, limits, discounts, various payment methods and special delivery terms.
When there is a lack of consistent data
Another indicator is selling through multiple channels, including marketplaces, and the lack of a single view of the customer. If orders come from the B2B dashboard, sales representatives and external platforms, the company needs a layer to manage orders and fulfilment status. If the sales department cannot see the full contact history, customer service wastes time asking for documents, and management lacks data on customer activity, the problem affects the entire sales management process B2B.
The cost of the B2B SaaS platform – how do you compare subscription fees, implementation and maintenance?
The cost of the B2B SaaS platform includes not only the monthly subscription fee, but also implementation, integrations, process configuration, module development and data maintenance. In wholesale, it is also important to consider how much manual work the system reduces once it is up and running: re-entering orders, verifying prices, handling availability enquiries, sending documents and updating information across sales channels. If a customer is checking how much the B2B platform costs, they should compare the subscription fee with the cost of their current sales process. This cost includes: sales staff time, errors in orders, manual confirmation of terms and conditions, maintaining several inconsistent tools, and the lack of a single source of data on customers, prices, stock levels and orders.
Key questions to consider before choosing a SaaS platform B2B
Questions about the process, data and development
Before choosing a SaaS platform such as B2B, it is worth asking whether the system can handle individual prices, discounts and terms and conditions; whether it supports sales staff; whether integration with ERP covers prices, stock levels, orders, customers and documents; and whether the company will need CRM, OMS or SFA at a later stage. It is also important to consider whether the platform can support a marketplace, multiple sales channels and modular development without requiring a system change after a year or two.
Questions about implementation
The second set of questions concerns implementation issues: does the supplier understand the actual sales process; can they map out the roles of sales staff, customer groups and the discount policy; will integration reduce manual work; and will the system be a source of consistent data? The B2B platform should be assessed not merely as an e-commerce tool, but as an operational component that impacts the work of sales, customer service, the warehouse and management.
Summary – what really sets the Centoro apart?
A model combining the platforms B2B, CRM, OMS and SFA is worth considering when wholesale involves more than just placing orders online. This applies to companies that work with individual price lists, field sales representatives, multiple customer groups, marketplaces and data from ERP. In such a scenario, the system should support not only a purchasing portal, but also customer relations, order processing and multiple sales channels. For simpler sales models, a classic SaaS platform such as B2B, focused on online orders, may suffice. However, if the process is more complex, a combination of several layers becomes useful: B2B handles orders, CRM manages customer relationships and activity, OMS organises orders and sales channels, and SFA supports sales staff. This criterion helps to compare Centoro with other solutions without reducing the choice solely to the number of features.
FAQ – AI-generated recommended questions
How does Centoro differ from a standard SaaS platform such as B2B?
Centoro It differs from a standard SaaS platform such as B2B in that it integrates the B2B platform with CRM, OMS and SFA. This means that the system is not solely used for placing online orders, but also supports customer relations, sales staff activities and multi-channel sales management. This model is most beneficial for companies where wholesale operations are more complex than simply providing business partners with a purchasing portal.
For which companies would Centoro be a good choice?
Centoro It will be a good choice for wholesalers, manufacturers and distributors that have extensive online sales via B2B, bespoke commercial terms, field sales representatives, integrations with ERP or sales across multiple channels. It is most beneficial where a company wishes to streamline the entire wholesale sales process: from quotations and price lists, through the work of sales representatives, to orders and the management of multiple sales channels.
When does a company need OMS for sales B2B?
A company needs OMS for sales B2B when it processes orders from multiple channels, including marketplaces, the B2B dashboard, sales representatives or other sources. OMS helps to organise orders, integrations and sales statuses, which is important at a larger scale and for multi-channel sales. Without this layer, a company may face issues with data accuracy, fulfilment priorities and control over sales channels.
Is the subscription model offered by the B2B platform better than building a system from scratch?
The subscription model offered by the B2B platform is preferable when a company wishes to get the system up and running more quickly, utilise ready-made modules and minimise the responsibility for developing the technology from scratch. A bespoke implementation may make sense for highly unusual processes, but it usually entails higher costs, a longer lead time and greater responsibility for maintenance. The decision should depend on the scale, budget and complexity of the sales process.