Linnworks and Stock Control/Inventory management

[cupcakewrappers]

I have been working on a new site for the past 2 months and it is now built. It's exactly how we want it, we are ready to stock but we have hit a wall and it is holding up everything.

We still can't figure out an effective way to manage and control stock with bluepark alone. We have realised that we need an external stock control system and we are looking at our options. We are feeling very positive about business and growth and we are keen to implement a system that is effective under pressure.

We have read many posts here on the forum and we are getting the impression that many people have a similar problem and so try and muddle through using fixes, spreadsheets, manual data input etc but we are looking for something more lean and streamlined.

We have been considering Linnworks. We have read all of the posts on the forum about Linnworks and there are some templates that exist here that help to synchronise the two but we have been disappointed to realise that there is no simple way to get data out of bluepark and into linnworks or it seems anything else. We are happy to keep our minds open and consider other stock control solutions but we cannot find anything that will synchronise with bluepark and we would welcome any suggestions.

We really like bluepark and are keen to find a satisfactory solution if anyone can help.

[Dave]

Well it may not be exactly how you want it but unlike many systems out there BP does have very, very good export and import routines to get the product/order data out and back in. Also if you are on the top package you can add data scheduling to the list which will automate the import/export process.

We don't use it but as far as I am aware the there are people running BP/Linnworks Integration quite successfully and maybe someone will come along and offer a bit more assistance.

In the future BP will release an API which will allow more integration with other systems but at the moment if you can't work with BP standalone or with the Linnworks integration you will be struggling.

[cupcakewrappers]

HI Dave, Thanks for your reply. I agree that bluepark has good import/export routines and automation. I would be interested to know what system you use yourself for inventory/stock management?

I received a great suggestion this morning but we don't think it would work for Forget about stock control within the BP system and make everything "never out of stock". Then export the orders every night and import them into a stock management system for back order reporting etc.

But one of the problems we are having is pushing back stock levels into bluepark and showing live stock levels on BP but maintaining a stock control system that allows us to place orders with our suppliers for out of stock items. We keep small number of stock for each product and need to place orders every day or every few days so bluepark really needs to show our customers when products are out of stock as we do not accept back orders at present.

[Neil]

Like i said this can be done with a csv feed and a excel template with some macros writen.

Would be able to strip out a list for each supplier which can be sent as csv or copied into an email.

Updated stock levels imported straight back in.

[john]

An API would be the answer and would stop people leaving BP for other platforms and attract a lot of new users, it was promised as the next upgrade over 2 years ago so I wouldn't hold your breath, the recent Magento like improvements plus an API would certainly make us think seriously about coming back to BP.

The problem is I still remember the post by Richard 18th September 2009 -

"I will be getting in touch with Linnworks at some point this month to discuss the integration requirements and possibilities, as soon as PCI DSS is signed off as complete (PCI has a deadline of October 1st)."

[dan1el]

An API would be the answer and would stop people leaving BP for other platforms and attract a lot of new users, it was promised as the next upgrade over 2 years ago so I wouldn't hold your breath, the recent Magento like improvements plus an API would certainly make us think seriously about coming back to BP.

The problem is I still remember the post by Richard 18th September 2009 -

"I will be getting in touch with Linnworks at some point this month to discuss the integration requirements and possibilities, as soon as PCI DSS is signed off as complete (PCI has a deadline of October 1st)."

Hi John,

Are you not currently with BP then?

[john]

No, not since April last year, I still think BP is a brilliant package but it just has some serious ommissions that would be easy to fix yet for some reason haven't been.

Our business has changed completely in the last 12 months and our own site is now really just a shop window and not our main revenue earner, we are now undergoing a drastic revamp of the business in preparation for semi-retirement and reducing our product lines from 1800 to more like 4-500 so BP is still a main contender when we inevitably change platforms again to a more economic package.

[dan1el]

No, not since April last year, I still think BP is a brilliant package but it just has some serious ommissions that would be easy to fix yet for some reason haven't been.

Our business has changed completely in the last 12 months and our own site is now really just a shop window and not our main revenue earner, we are now undergoing a drastic revamp of the business in preparation for semi-retirement and reducing our product lines from 1800 to more like 4-500 so BP is still a main contender when we inevitably change platforms again to a more economic package.

Sounds exciting, good luck with everything

[icegems]

An API would be the answer and would stop people leaving BP for other platforms and attract a lot of new users, it was promised as the next upgrade over 2 years ago so I wouldn't hold your breath, the recent Magento like improvements plus an API would certainly make us think seriously about coming back to BP.

The problem is I still remember the post by Richard 18th September 2009 -

"I will be getting in touch with Linnworks at some point this month to discuss the integration requirements and possibilities, as soon as PCI DSS is signed off as complete (PCI has a deadline of October 1st)."

As you are no longer a customer of BP and haven't been for a considerable time now, I am wondering why you still have posting rights, given that you only ever seem to come on to the forum to churn up the same old same old?

[john]

As you are no longer a customer of BP and haven't been for a considerable time now, I am wondering why you still have posting rights, given that you only ever seem to come on to the forum to churn up the same old same old?

I guess it's because the BP forum is an open forum for all opinions and not just resticted to sycophants. If you have a problem with that I suggest you request Richard to ban me from posting.

It is still my opinion that BP combined with LW is a fantastic package for anybody that wants to trade on several platforms and keep complete control of their stock, no other combination comes near at the price (or several times in some cases).

[icegems]

I guess it's because the BP forum is an open forum for all opinions and not just resticted to sycophants. If you have a problem with that I suggest you request Richard to ban me from posting.

Oh dear John, not good to result in name calling is it?

Rich does read his forums and I am sure if he saw fit to revoke your posting rights given all the negative comments you are still posting and given that you obviously do not have any positive contribution to make then he will do, far be it for me to tell him what to do.

[cupcakewrappers]

I didn't expect such a passionate response to my post! I think that John's remarks are valid whether or not he is Bluepark customer. In John's opinion "bluepark is a brilliant package" and I agree with him. I would suggest that John is airing his frustration simply because he can see that an easy way of integrating bluepark with other platforms would benefit both his company and bluepark equally.


We certainly would welcome an easy option integration with bluepark and a stock management software. We are a small business but with the launch of our new site we are planning to grow and we need a stock management system that we can grow into that will easily integrate.

[john]

Thanks Cupcakewrappers, perhaps we can now get back on the subject of suggestions to answer your stock control requirements, at least I now remember why I stopped posting on here in the first place!

[dan1el]

I didn't expect such a passionate response to my post! I think that John's remarks are valid whether or not he is Bluepark customer. In John's opinion "bluepark is a brilliant package" and I agree with him. I would suggest that John is airing his frustration simply because he can see that and easy way of integrating bluepark with other platforms would benefit both his company and bluepark equally.


We certainly would welcome an easy option integration with bluepark and a stock management software. We are a small business but with the launch of our new site we are planning to grow and we need a stock management system that we can grow into that will easily integrate.

Well moderated Lets all be friends here, after all we are all after the same thing, right?

Have you tried to phone Rich and ask for his thoughts on the matter? Is an API integration in the pipeline? if so when can you expect this?

[Dave]

I am certainly not trying to gain any brownie points with Rich and don't like being called "a servile self-seeker who attempt to win favors by flattering influential people".... Thanks John!

You can't signup for BP and then expect it to meet all your requirements. There is a free trial for a reason and that's to allow people to evaluate the package to ensure it fits their business model. If not move on and look elsewhere or go with BP and work with what it currently offers.