In an ever-evolving business world, marketplaces and e-commerce platforms are drastically changing the dynamics of business-to-business (B2B) transactions in Colombia. This is shown by data compiled by the Colombian Chamber of Electronic Commerce (CCCE), which highlights this revolution: E-commerce closed 2022 with a staggering annual growth of 38.4%, boosting online sales to 55.17 trillion COP and digital transactions to 332.4 million, an impressive 22.1% growth compared to 2021.
In this dizzying panorama, several trends are shaping the future of B2B e-commerce in Colombia. Mobile shopping is pioneering as more and more people choose to transact via their mobile devices. It has become imperative for businesses to ensure their websites are optimized for these tools and provide a smooth experience on smartphones and tablets.
As early as 2023, a significant change in consumer demands that goes far beyond whims is on the horizon. Personalization, which itself has become an entrenched expectation, is taking on new dimensions. Customers not only crave tailor-made experiences but also focus on more complex and comprehensive aspects.
In addition to environmental considerations, companies are expected to integrate complicated interfaces designed specifically for each consumer. At the same time, delivery efficiency gains importance through production systems designed for small series, thus ensuring more effective distribution, which can be accompanied by autonomous drone deliveries.
Omnichannel is a crucial component of this equation. Consumers want a consistent shopping experience, whether online or in physical stores. The ability to seamlessly buy, collect, and return products at every touchpoint has become the norm, prompting companies to integrate their distribution channels.
A key player in this transformation scenario is Tetra Pak, which has taken an innovative approach in the B2B space. The development of its ePIMS app, available for both iOS and Android, has revolutionized the way customers shop and manage inventory. Through the platform, customers can order spare parts for food processing machines and monitor their inventory. In addition, users can even extract data, statistics, reports, and graphs to monitor and control stock movements and KPIs. In addition, service technicians and warehouse clerks can quickly view parts availability via remote access and gain insight into the warehouse via smartphones and tablets, enabling them to identify parts availability more quickly.
The birth of this project lies in the search for solutions to everyday challenges in Tetra Pak’s B2B relationships with its customers. The company, which has supplied equipment to more than 5,000 factories around the world, faced the reality of having numerous suppliers of spare parts and consumables. The lack of a central ordering point created inconveniences. In response, Tetra Pak unleashed its innovative spirit and created ePIMS to offer its customers a one-stop solution that includes all available products and services.
Tetra Pak’s story illustrates the imperative to adapt to the changing needs of B2B customers. Companies that embrace technology and innovation are in a unique position to drive change and meet the demands of an increasingly demanding customer base. In this complex structure of a company’s service chain, B2B business is a mainstay, and the ability to evolve will be the cornerstone of success in the years to come.
