E-commerce + ERP Integration
Trade Printing & Large Format Graphics

Exhibit Supply - Complete E-commerce Transformation with Custom ERPNext Integration

ERPNext-Frappe Ecommerce Platform with Real-Time Inventory, Dialpad API, and Authorize.Net Integration

Project Overview

Exhibit Supply, a leading trade printer specializing in exhibition and display materials, approached GainCafe Technologies with a vision to transform their entire business operations. With our deep expertise in ERPNext customization and Frappe framework development, we modernized Exhibit Supply’s operations, streamlined production, and built a scalable, future-ready platform for the trade printing industry.

E-commerce + ERP Integration

Overview

Key Challenges

Exhibit Supply was running on fragmented systems that couldn't handle complex print orders, resulting in bottlenecks, manual errors, and limited scalability.

Our Solution

We built a dynamic e-commerce platform integrated with a fully customized ERPNext system and Dialpad communication tools. This ecosystem automated workflows, enhanced customer experience, and enabled scalable order processing and fulfillment.

Project Performance Metrics

Delivery Time
92% on time
Excellent
Budget Adherence
98% within budget
Excellent
Client Satisfaction
9.4/ 10
Good

Technical Details

Technical Architecture

ERPNext on Frappe framework with custom DocTypes, production modules, and API-first e-commerce integration. Hosted on optimized Linux server with Redis and CDN for performance.
Frontend
ReactTypeScriptTailwind CSS
API Layer
GraphQLRESTWebSockets
Backend
Node.jsExpressPostgreSQL
Infrastructure
AWSDockerCI/CD

Technical Features

Security Measures
  • OAuth 2.0 authentication
  • SSL/TLS encryption and PCI-compliant payment handling
  • End-to-end data protection and fraud detection
  • ERPNext-integrated access control and audit logging
Scalability Features
  • Dockerized deployments with auto-scaling
  • ERPNext-Frappe framework customizations for trade printing
  • High-availability infrastructure and Redis caching
Testing Coverage
90%
code coverage
Unit
Integration
E2E
Performance
User Acceptance

Detailed Solution

A) Custom E-commerce Platform (ERPNext Webshop)

  • Advanced Pricing Engine: Quantity-based pricing with material cost calculations and custom logic.
  • Bulk Order Management: Streamlined quote approvals and order workflows for large-volume clients.
  • Real-time Inventory Integration: Direct sync with ERPNext inventory system.
  • Figma Design Implementation: Pixel-perfect frontend based on Figma files, optimized for all devices.

B) ERPNext ERP Customization

  • Print Production Workflows: Custom DocTypes and approval flows for job scheduling, quality control, and production tracking.
  • Advanced Inventory Management: Multi-location stock tracking, auto-reorder points, and MRP (Material Requirement Planning).
  • CRM & Customer History: Embedded order history, preferences, and call logs.
  • Financial Reporting: Real-time invoicing, payments, and profitability dashboards.
  • Production Scheduling: Resource allocation and delivery planning via custom scheduling tools.

    • C) Dialpad API Integration

  • Unified Communication Hub: VoIP calling system fully embedded within ERPNext.
  • Automated Call Logging: All interactions auto-logged to customer records.
  • Click-to-Call: Direct dialing from ERP modules.
  • Call Analytics: Insights tied into ERP dashboards and reports.

    • D) Performance Optimization

  • High-Speed Architecture: Optimized servers, Redis caching, and database tuning.
  • CDN Integration: Global content delivery for fast access.
  • Scalable Infrastructure: Auto-scaling and load balancing for peak trade show traffic.
  • Mobile-First Design: Responsive UX for tablets and phones.
  • SEO Enhancements: On-page SEO best practices implemented across product pages.

    • E) Advanced Features

  • Artwork Management System: File upload, versioning, and approval workflows with customer collaboration.
  • Payment Gateway Integration: Secure, tokenized credit card payments via Authorize.Net, with recurring billing and ERP reconciliation.
  • Shipping Integration: Real-time carrier calculations and tracking.
  • Reporting Dashboard: Live sales, inventory, and production metrics for decision-makers.

    • DevelopmentTimeline (14Weeks)

    Weeks 1-2: Discovery & ArchitecturePlanning

    • Trade printing workflow analysis and process mapping
    • ERPNext system architecture design and customization planning
    • Figma design review and technical feasibility assessment
    • Database schema design and integration architecture

    Weeks3-5: ERPNext Core Development

  • ERPNext installation and basic configuration
  • Custom DocType creation for printing industry requirements
  • User management and permission system setup
  • Basic inventory and customer management modules

    • Weeks 6-8: E-commercePlatform Development

  • ERPNext webshop customization and configuration
  • Product catalog implementation with custom configurators
  • Shopping cart and checkout process development
  • Payment gateway integration and testing

    • Weeks 9-10: AdvancedIntegration & Features

  • Dialpad API integration and testing
  • Advanced workflow automation implementation
  • Reporting dashboard and analytics setup
  • Email automation and customer communication system

    • Weeks 11-12: Design Implementation & Optimization

  • Figma design implementation and responsive optimization
  • Performance tuning and caching implementation
  • Mobile optimization and cross-browser testing
  • SEO implementation and search optimization

    • Weeks 13-14:Testing & Deployment

  • Comprehensive system testing and bug fixes
  • User acceptance testing with Exhibit Supply team
  • Production deployment and monitoring setup
  • Staff training and documentation delivery

    • Implementation & Infrastructure

    Platform Architecture

    • ERPNext on Frappe Framework: Full-stack implementation using Python-based Frappe for backend logic and ERP workflows.
    • Custom DocTypes: Specialized data models built for trade printing, including job scheduling, production tracking, and material planning.
    • ERPNext Webshop: Modified ERPNext e-commerce module for bulk print orders and product configurators.
    • Workflow Engine: Automated business processes from artwork approval to fulfillment.

    Integrations & APIs

    • Dialpad API: Embedded customer support and sales VoIP communication inside ERPNext with:
      1. Click-to-call
      2. Auto-call logging
      3. Call analytics
    • Authorize.Net: PCI-compliant payment gateway for credit card processing with tokenization, fraud detection, and ERP-side reconciliation.
    • Shipping APIs: Real-time rate calculations and tracking with major logistics providers.
    • Email Services: Automated transactional and marketing emails tied to ERP workflows.

    Frontend Stack

    • JavaScript / jQuery: For dynamic user interactions in the ERPNext Webshop.
    • Bootstrap + Custom CSS: Figma-based responsive design across devices.
    • SEO Implementation: On-page meta data, structured content, and performance tuning for search optimization.

    Infrastructure & DevOps

    • Optimized Linux Server: Tuned for ERPNext/Frappe deployment.
    • MariaDB: With advanced indexing and performance tuning for ERP data.
    • Redis Caching: Improves response time for logged-in users and heavy API operations.
    • CDN Integration: Global content delivery for image and static asset optimization.
    • SSL Security: End-to-end encryption using HTTPS/TLS.

    Performance & Scalability

    • Auto-scaling Infrastructure: Scales resources up/down during trade show season spikes.
    • System Uptime: 99.8% availability with monitoring and backup protocols.
    • Mobile Optimization: Smooth experience on tablets and phones.
    • ERP-Aware BI Reporting: Real-time dashboards and custom analytics via ERPNext’s report builder.

    Implemented Tech Stack

    E-commerce Platform

    • • ERPNext Webshop
    • • Python / Frappe Framework
    • • JavaScript / jQuery
    • • Bootstrap + Custom CSS

    ERP System

    • • ERPNext on Frappe
    • • Custom DocTypes
    • • Workflow Engine
    • • Report Builder

    APIs & Integrations

    • • Dialpad API
    • • Authorize.Net
    • • Shipping APIs
    • • Email Services

    Infrastructure & Performance

    • • Optimized Linux Server
    • • MariaDB
    • • Redis
    • • CDN
    • • SSL/TLS

    Analytics & Communication

    • • Google Analytics
    • • Custom Analytics
    • • Automated Email Workflows

    Before & After: UI Transformation

    Before

    • • Cluttered and outdated layout
    • • No accessibility features
    • • Inconsistent trading card display
    • • Slower navigation
    • • Lack of mobile responsiveness
    • • Manual card entry and data input
    • • Disconnected Slack or team tools

    After

    • • Modern, sleek and responsive UI
    • • Accessible design + Dark mode
    • • Interactive card grid with automated AI scan overlays
    • • Effortless search, transitions and filters
    • • Mobile-first and responsive design
    • • OCR-based auto-scanning for accessing card details
    • • Real-time Slack notifications integrated directly into the system workflow
    GALLERY

    Gallery

    Visual transformation showcasing the dramatic improvements across all interfaces

    Product Configurator Interface - Before

    Advanced product builder for custom trade print specifications

    Product Configurator Interface - After

    Advanced product builder for custom trade print specifications

    ERP Dashboard - Before

    Real-time inventory, production, and financial analytics

    ERP Dashboard - After

    Real-time inventory, production, and financial analytics

    Mobile Shopping Experience - Before

    Optimized mobile performance for trade show ordering

    Mobile Shopping Experience - After

    Optimized mobile performance for trade show ordering

    "GainCafe Technologies completely transformed our business operations using their expertise in Frappe and ERPNext development. The integrated system they built exceeded all our expectations."

    Jeffrey De Ponte

    CEO at ExhibitSupply

    Project Details

    Duration

    14 weeks

    Industry

    Trade Printing & Large Format Graphics

    Team

    UI/UX Designer, Frappe/ERPNext Developers (2), Full-Stack Developer, DevOps Engineer, QA Engineer, Business Analyst, Project Manager

    Technologies Used

    ERPNext
    Frappe
    Python
    JavaScript
    Bootstrap
    Authorize.Net
    Dialpad API

    Project Goals

    • Build a scalable e-commerce platform for complex print products
    • Implement ERPNext with trade printing-specific workflows
    • Integrate real-time inventory, fulfillment, and CRM
    • Improve communication via Dialpad API integration
    • Enable automation across all operational processes

    Key Takeaways

    ERPNext Customization
    Authorize.Net Integration
    Dialpad API Sync
    Real-time Inventory & Fulfillment
    Frappe-based Workflow Automation

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