--- title: Import Export Businesses: ERP Process Workflows and Modules in url: https://www.erpbahrain.com/industries/import-export-businesses/operational-workflows/ updated: 2026-10-09 publisher: BAHRAIN ERP (part of Shyphan AI Solutions Pvt Ltd) --- Import Export Businesses # Import Export Businesses: ERP Process Workflows and Modules in Bahrain The five workflows below are where import export businesses usually gain or lose control. Test every platform against them. Quick answer Importers and exporters manage shipments, landed cost, multi-currency trading and documents. In Bahrain, import export businesses typically need: purchase and shipment, landed cost, documents, multi-currency accounting. Landed-cost and multi-currency handling are decisive. - Hidden landed cost - Exchange gains and losses - Document tracking gaps - Key records: suppliers and shipments, items and landed cost, currencies Choosing software for import export businesses? Platforms we implement include [Zoho](https://www.erpbahrain.com/zoho/), [Odoo](https://www.erpbahrain.com/odoo/), [ERPNext](https://www.erpbahrain.com/erpnext/), [Microsoft Dynamics 365](https://www.erpbahrain.com/microsoft-dynamics/) or [custom ERP](https://www.erpbahrain.com/custom-erp/). Read [Zoho vs Odoo](https://www.erpbahrain.com/compare/zoho-vs-odoo/overall/) or the [ERP implementation cost guide](https://www.erpbahrain.com/pricing/guides/erp-implementation-cost/) before you shortlist, and see how we support businesses in [Mahooz](https://www.erpbahrain.com/locations/mahooz/) and [Muharraq](https://www.erpbahrain.com/locations/muharraq/). Workflows ## Five Workflows for Import Export Businesses Use this list to test any platform with your own examples. **Import Export Businesses: workflows an ERP should support** | Workflow | What it covers | Question to ask a vendor | | Purchase and shipment | Place orders and track shipments | How does the system handle purchase and shipment for our business? | | Landed cost | Allocate freight, duty and charges to items | How does the system handle landed cost for our business? | | Documents | Keep invoices, packing lists and certificates | How does the system handle documents for our business? | | Multi-currency accounting | Handle exchange differences | How does the system handle multi-currency accounting for our business? | | Sales and delivery | Sell and deliver to customers | How does the system handle sales and delivery for our business? | Context ## What Sits Behind the Workflows Data objects involved: Suppliers and shipments, Items and landed cost, Currencies, Customers. Typical integrations: Shipping and forwarding, Banks, Accounting, Customs or document systems. - Hidden landed cost - Exchange gains and losses - Document tracking gaps Processes ## Core Processes for Import Export Businesses **Import Export Businesses: core processes** | Process | What the system should do | | Purchase and shipment | Place orders and track shipments | | Landed cost | Allocate freight, duty and charges to items | | Documents | Keep invoices, packing lists and certificates | | Multi-currency accounting | Handle exchange differences | | Sales and delivery | Sell and deliver to customers | Data and Systems ## What Import Export Businesses Need to Plan For Landed-cost and multi-currency handling are decisive. ### Records to prepare - Suppliers and shipments - Items and landed cost - Currencies - Customers ### Systems to connect - Shipping and forwarding - Banks - Accounting - Customs or document systems ### Problems we aim to remove - Hidden landed cost - Exchange gains and losses - Document tracking gaps Our Approach ## How an Engagement Works The same five stages apply to every platform, so you always know what comes next. **Engagement stages** | Stage | What happens | | 1. Discover | Workshops and process mapping with the people who do the work. We record what happens today, where it breaks and what must not change. | | 2. Scope and propose | A written scope with modules, integrations, data to migrate, roles, assumptions and a phased plan, so cost and effort are visible before you commit. | | 3. Configure and build | Set-up, workflows, approvals, reports and integrations built in a test environment and reviewed with your team in short cycles. | | 4. Test and train | Scenario testing with your own data, role-based training and a go-live checklist agreed with the business owner. | | 5. Go live and support | Cut-over planning, hyper-care after launch and an ongoing support arrangement for changes, users and reports. | Cost ## What Drives the Cost A realistic budget covers more than licences. These are the components we scope with you. **Cost components of an ERP or CRM project** | Cost component | What drives it | How to keep it in check | | Licences or subscription | Number and type of users, applications or editions, and contract term | Match user types to real roles; start with the modules you need now | | Implementation and configuration | Number of processes, approvals, reports and companies or branches | Fix scope in phases; reuse standard workflows before customising | | Data migration | Volume and quality of customers, items, accounts and open balances | Clean data before loading; agree what history is truly needed | | Integrations | Number of systems, API quality and real-time versus batch needs | Integrate the few that remove manual work first | | Customisation | How far your process differs from the standard product | Challenge each change request; keep upgrades in mind | | Training and change management | Users, roles and languages, plus the time your team can give | Train by role; appoint internal champions | | Support and hosting | Service levels, hosting model, backups and who owns upgrades | Choose support hours that match trading hours | We do not publish fixed prices because cost depends on scope. We provide a written estimate after a short discovery call. - [ERP Implementation Cost in Bahrain: A Practical Guide](https://www.erpbahrain.com/pricing/guides/erp-implementation-cost/) - [ERP Licensing Cost in Bahrain: A Practical Guide](https://www.erpbahrain.com/pricing/guides/erp-licensing-cost/) - [ERP Support Cost in Bahrain: A Practical Guide](https://www.erpbahrain.com/pricing/guides/erp-support-cost/) - [ERP Migration Cost in Bahrain: A Practical Guide](https://www.erpbahrain.com/pricing/guides/erp-migration-cost/) - [ERP Customization Cost in Bahrain: A Practical Guide](https://www.erpbahrain.com/pricing/guides/erp-customization-cost/) - [ERP Integration Cost in Bahrain: A Practical Guide](https://www.erpbahrain.com/pricing/guides/erp-integration-cost/) FAQ ## Import Export Businesses Questions - Is this guidance specific to import export businesses? Yes, it reflects typical processes in the sector, adapted to each business during discovery. - Can you confirm local requirements? Local tax, labour and sector rules must be confirmed with your accountant, auditor or legal adviser. We configure the system to what they confirm. - What are the main ERP processes for import export businesses in Bahrain? Purchase and shipment; Landed cost; Documents; Multi-currency accounting; Sales and delivery. - What problems does ERP solve for import export businesses? Hidden landed cost; Exchange gains and losses; Document tracking gaps. - Which records should import export businesses prepare before an ERP project? Suppliers and shipments; Items and landed cost; Currencies; Customers. - Which systems do import export businesses usually integrate? Shipping and forwarding; Banks; Accounting; Customs or document systems. - What matters most when choosing ERP for import export businesses? Landed-cost and multi-currency handling are decisive. Have More Questions? Book A Free Consultation [ Talk to Us ](https://www.erpbahrain.com/contact.html) Or, Email us at contact@erpbahrain.com ## Related Pages - [Import Export Businesses: overview](https://www.erpbahrain.com/industries/import-export-businesses/) - [Operational workflows](https://www.erpbahrain.com/industries/import-export-businesses/operational-workflows/) - [Vendor fit](https://www.erpbahrain.com/industries/import-export-businesses/vendor-selection/) - [Implementation plan](https://www.erpbahrain.com/industries/import-export-businesses/implementation-plan/) - [Import Export Businesses: ERP Data and Integration Requirements in Bahrain](https://www.erpbahrain.com/industries/import-export-businesses/data-and-integrations/)