Brightpearl

[SeanM1234]

Need to upgrade our current systems and have (almost) settled on Brightpearl. However, it doesnt support foreign currency accounts (at least not in the way we need it to).

Can anyone suggest similar systems that incorporate inventory management and accounting (including foreign currency accounts)?

I've used Sage Line 50 in the past and great as an accounting tool, I wasnt keen on the stock management side.

Xero was suggested by my book-keepers - but they weren't able to say which inventory management add-on would be best as they had no experience of that side.

Any suggestions?
thanks

 

[seoswat]

hmmm, possibly Pegasus Opera 2

Or quick books maybe

 

[GraemeL]

Xero was suggested by my book-keepers - but they weren't able to say which inventory management add-on would be best as they had no experience of that side.

Hello.

I looked at Xero and rejected it because it could not handle purchasing adequately. However, my accountant is an expert in Xero (and Sage) http://www.staffordandcompany.co.uk/ and he did suggest an add on that would make it work. Sorry, cant recall what it was. They have some sort of arrangement with both software suppliers.

G

 

[IanDade]

Try www.storefeeder.com

Great stock and channel management software with a Xero integration

 

[Stanton22]

Try Linnworks? Not sure on the international side of it though.

 

[SeanM1234]

Thanks for the suggestions everyone. Have had a busy few days looking at them but think I still have a way to go. Here's what I found (in case it helps anyone else)

Opera II: might well do the trick, but to be honest it doesnt look all that dissimilar to how Sage runs (which I already have but don't like in Inventory management). Havent contacted them about pricing yet but having looked at their website - I get the feeling its not going to be cheap.... But, I may be proved wrong, so Im not giving up just yet.

Quickbooks: Might work with "ACCTivate!" - still looking into this one.

Xero: This is the one my book-keepers are trying to push me towards (as they are also Xero resellers) but based on that and the fact they know nothing about the add-on's for inventory management and CRM that I would need, I'm resisting.

Linnworks: Not multi-currency

Storefeeder: With the options we'd need it would be too expensive (£400+/month). Had to give up on this one.

For me, I really like the look and feel of Brightpearl, but my book-keepers have some reservations about the multi-currency issues. But of course, B/P tell me its all fine and "this is how it does that..." But then, my bookkeeper brings up another scenario and more potential problems!!

Anyway, once again, thanks for all your suggestions. It seems I still have a lot of work to do...

PS. If anyone on here is on Brightpearl - please PM me and let me know your experience of it? - cheers

 

[Tommyr]

I find brightpearl very bitter sweet.

the service is shocking.

although the system on the whole works well the magento intergaration we have been force to move to has been an utter nightmare and so time consuming its just not feasible to add products regularly and quickly.


I came on this forum to ask about an alternative to BP as I am fed up to the back teeth of a system that just causes me headaches. I also do not feel appreciated as a customer and when ever we have a problem i would say 50% of the time dont get a satisfactory answer.

Trouble is maybe I take if for granted. I have never used any other system and frankly I need to try them before I go further with my comments on BP.

 

[a8star]

I find brightpearl very bitter sweet.

the service is shocking.

although the system on the whole works well the magento intergaration we have been force to move to has been an utter nightmare and so time consuming its just not feasible to add products regularly and quickly.


I came on this forum to ask about an alternative to BP as I am fed up to the back teeth of a system that just causes me headaches. I also do not feel appreciated as a customer and when ever we have a problem i would say 50% of the time dont get a satisfactory answer.

Trouble is maybe I take if for granted. I have never used any other system and frankly I need to try them before I go further with my comments on BP.

Hi Tommyr

I have signed up to Brightpearl and am using magento.

I completely agree with your opinion about brightpearls service.

I am really struggling with them with my magento store. I even paid for the implementation. £2.7k

Could you share more detail about your issues.

 

[Jack@GillespieBS]

Hi all,

If any Brightpearl users want independent support then feel free to contact us.

We deliver support on integrated systems including Brightpearl and already have a large number of clients we support regularly on Brightpearl issues, big and small.

Call or email for a free consultation.

Kind Regards

Jack Newcombe
GillespieBS
0330 330 1078
jack at gillespiebs.co.uk

 

[Tommyr]

Hi Mike,

the biggest problem with Brightpearl as you have mentioned has been the service. Many of the staff seemed under educated on the technical problems and so answers to small technical issues take days sometimes weeks to be fixed which cause us servere disruption.

By far the biggest blunder was when they charged us close to 1k for a new website when we launched our new business. The website was launched and built by them on their platform and was growing nicely. however some two months after it was built I got an email saying that they were planning to switch off support and they webstore program and move over to Magento. Our website was in the very early stages and they expected us to pay a further 1,500 to change the store over to a magento platform. You would think tha they would have mentioned this before we signed up for the web store!! It must have been months planning before this

We refused to pay and they eventually agreed to do the work for free using one of their technicians.

They messed the integration up so badly that we lost invaluable time and google rank juice. As a result we have never quite recovered and still have major problems today ( mainly because we have had to learn many new skills for the integration with little support.

There is no one worth talking to about it. there are plus point to it which is why we stayed. I understand it well now and when it runs smoothly I think it must save me an extra wage. However we still have technical issues with the integration with Magento. its a complete mountain to climb in terms of undertdnsing it and still we have random stock problems which no one can explain. They just palm you off as a magento issue.

I dont have time or patience to look for another system. The service I have noticed has improved recently but when I think of the name I just get anrgy which I suppose isnt a good sign

Happy to help in any way I can.

I have had a very very stressful 12 months....and still feel bitter inside about the whole thing.

getting the hang of it now though and things are looking up but I suggest you get some external support because there are issues that no one can help you with - even the people that built it

excuse spelling I am rushing

 

[Tradebox]

Hi Mike

If you are happy to use Sage for stock control and foreign currency then you could use Tradebox to integrate your sales channels. Have a look at the marketplaces section of our website to learn about integration with specific channels. Each Videos & Guides section will show you how this is achieved. Please get in touch if you have any questions.

 

[spinlessplates]

Love Xero, it is an amazing accounting system
SpinLessPlates is just going through final steps to become a Xero add on partner because we add full purchase order facilities, product inventory management, task management and contact management as well as quoting, order acknowledgement and invoicing.
We also have a full API so you can link up to your website as well (have had users web developers link to Magento in past)

 

[spinlessplates]

Love Xero, it is an amazing accounting system
SpinLessPlates is just going through final steps to become a Xero add on partner because we add full purchase order facilities, product inventory management, task management and contact management as well as quoting, order acknowledgement and invoicing.
We also have a full API so you can link up to your website as well (have had users web developers link to Magento in past)
Oh and it has multi currency built in but reverts everything back to your base currency for reporting

 

[BigTimeTrader]

There are many 3rd prty platforms. All I say is typically the more u pay the better u get. For a platform to do 85% of automation then expect to pay around £1k per month.

People say /that's very expensive/ I say - this does all I require and more, it saves me and team in excess of 10 hours per day, makes zero mistakes with math, works 24/7, does not take holiday or sick days and gives us the tool to grow the firm and works out at less then €1 er hour.

BP gets mixed reviews, u should consider ESP.

 

[Jack@GillespieBS]

I agree with BigTimeTrader, like he said a heavily automated system which works well will cost money.

This means that if you are forking out lots for a system (especially if you're a small company) then;

1. Make sure the system is right for you.

-Do your research and don't rush into any decisions. Different systems will favour different types of companies.

2. Make sure you get the implementation spot on.

-The biggest thing I've found through supporting my clients with integrated systems is that they've spent lots of money on these systems but have failed to implement properly. I know it sounds like common sense but if these clients had come to us first when they get the system (to get it set up correctly), then in the long run they would have saved heaps of money. As it is a lot of clients currently don't. This means we have to rectify historical problems which costs the business in day-to-day trading errors and in actually fixing the problems.

3. Get good support.

-Even if it is a hour phone call once a week with someone with expertise (not always from the software company itself). This means that if any mistakes are happening then they can be rectified straight away as opposed to being left and becoming an even bigger and costly problem.

4. Train your staff.

These systems aren't going to be picked up straight away, so make sure your staff are properly trained to ensure mistakes aren't made.

Hope this helps

Jack