For over 20 years, a German eyewear designer has been synonymous with high-quality lenses, stylish frames and quality, manufacturing 100% of its products in Germany. Over the years, the brand has built up a loyal customer base and is growing steadily – not only nationally, but increasingly beyond national borders.
Demand from abroad is increasing - but unfortunately, until now the response from customer service has been: "We currently only deliver within Germany. We ask for your understanding."
If you as a company are faced with the question of making your products available internationally, this is an exciting milestone - and a challenge at the same time. For this step to succeed, you must (among other things) make sure that your ERP-system is well prepared for this. It should be able to grow with you and adapt to new business processes. Therefore, it is important that you discuss these three topics with your ERP provider before taking the step abroad:
1. Multilingualism and foreign currencies: Is your ERP suitable for international sales?
The decision has been made: Your company wants to conquer new markets. But which ones exactly? Depending on your target regions, you will need an ERP system (and possibly also a web shop) that can handle multiple languages and currencies.
Product texts, size specifications, instructions or mandatory information has to be translated correctly - as well as packaging and labelling, in order to comply with the legal requirements in the newly targeted country. You should therefore ask your ERP provider for specific answers:
- Can other languages be implemented in the ERP system?
- Can currencies be assigned dynamically and exchange rates updated automatically?
- Is it possible to maintain and translate product information centrally?
- Is your web shop connected to the ERP and ready to process orders from several countries?
The better you clarify these points in advance, the smoother your entry into the new regions will be.
2. Can international tax regulations be automated in the ERP?
Within Germany, invoicing is relatively straightforward: VAT is 19%, with a reduced rate of 7% for certain products. In Austria, the standard tax rate is 20%, also with reduced variants for certain groups of goods and services.
As soon as you start trading internationally - especially within the EU - the calculation of VAT becomes more complex. Different tax rates apply, B2B vs. B2C rules, reverse charge procedures - All of these aspects must be processed correctly in your company's business processes and ERP system. An erroneous invoice can not only cost time, but also have legal consequences. Therefore, sit down with your accounting department and your ERP provider at an early stage and clarify the situation:
- What country-specific requirements apply to your target markets?
- How can these be mapped automatically in the ERP system?
- Can your ERP system automatically recognise and correctly apply different tax rules?
- How do you ensure error-free and seamless invoicing across national borders?
- How can the new billing processes be automated?
3. Shipping and Returns: Is your logistics internationally viable?
International customers want one thing above all: reliable, fast and transparent delivery. Long delivery times and hidden shipping costs are a deterrent - and often lead to abandoned purchases. However, a positive shopping experience does not end with the click on ‘Buy’. A complicated returns procedure is just as discouraging.
Therefore, before you start offering your products internationally, you should familiarise yourself with the most important questions relating to shipping:
- Which service providers (UPS, DPD, DHL, etc.) offer suitable international shipping options?
- Can country-specific shipping methods be defined in the ERP?
- How are returns made possible - and how can they be managed efficiently?
- Can the shipping processes be seamlessly integrated into your ERP and online shop?
Your goal should be to make all relevant information on delivery times, costs and return conditions visible right in the ordering process. That's because it creates trust and increases your conversion rate.
Conclusion: Growing internationally - with an ERP that thinks along with you.
Tapping into new markets is a great opportunity that many companies recognise. But without suitable, well thought-out business processes, it can become a hurdle.
A powerful ERP system is your most important lever for creating a reliable foundation - especially if it is designed for internationalisation from the outset: with functions such as multi-currency capability, multilingualism, tax logic for B2B/B2C abroad, automated translation management and flexible shipping interfaces.
💡 Our ERP software offers precisely these capabilities.
Modular, scalable and perfectly customisable to your growth plans.
Let us analyse together whether your company is technically ready to scale internationally. Arrange a non-binding consultation - we look forward to accompanying you on this exciting growth journey!
Frequently asked questions about ERP & international expansion
What functions should an ERP have for international markets?
An ERP system that can be used internationally should include multilingualism, multi-currency capability, country-specific control logic and scalable shipping processes. A cloud architecture is also an advantage, as it facilitates access regardless of location / device. Interfaces to shop systems and logistics partners are also very important.
How does an ERP support tax-compliant invoicing abroad?
Through automated tax rules, configurable company codes and legally compliant invoicing (incl. reverse charge, OSS, etc.). It is important that the ERP is regularly updated to meet legal requirements.
Why is a cloud ERP advantageous for global expansion?
Cloud ERP offers flexible scaling, worldwide access, automatic updates and lower maintenance costs - ideal for fast-growing companies with ambitions to become internationally recognised.
Which sectors benefit particularly from international scaling?
Fashion, e-commerce, consumer goods, electronics and mechanical engineering are just a few examples - in principle, it makes sense to sell in all markets where products are in demand and processes can be mapped smoothly and scalably.
