Have you considered implementing an online order management system for staff, sales reps and customers? Are you aware of all the ways it will improve your processes? With a smart system, you will greatly reduce order entry and the time spent responding to routine customer service inquiries; increasing efficiency, reducing errors, and eliminating duplicated work.
For small and medium-sized businesses, QuickBooks is the go-to accounting software. For a manufacturer, wholesaler, or distributor, QuickBooks doesn’t entirely cover all your needs when you have customers, sales reps, and inside staff who need to place and manage orders and access customer and product information. While you want to limit access to QuickBooks to your back office, adding order management software lets you easily share information with everyone.
Here are ten tips on what to look for when choosing QuickBooks-integrated order management software.
Navigating a complex order process is likely a familiar challenge for a manufacturer, wholesaler, or distributor. Each step can be riddled with potential obstacles, from receiving customer orders—ideally error-free—to entering them into your accounting system, dispatching them to the warehouse, and ensuring timely shipping. You can streamline these processes by leveraging order entry software, enhancing your business efficiency and growth.
Accelerating the movement of merchandise offers significant advantages for everyone involved—end customers, retailers, and particularly wholesalers. You likely have already implemented many foundational improvements in your wholesale operations, such as intelligent warehousing, bar-coding, efficient racking systems, enhanced transportation options with same-day or overnight deliveries, and specialized software designed to expedite the delivery of merchandise to its destination.
Outside sales reps play a pivotal role in your B2B operations as a manufacturer, wholesaler, or distributor. Leveraging independent sales reps can significantly enhance customer relationships and drive business growth. However, managing them efficiently can be challenging. By equipping your sales reps with advanced sales rep software, you empower them to better serve your customers and optimize the order management process.
One of the most important factors in the success of a wholesale business is the efficiency of the order fulfillment process. Order management software that integrates with QuickBooks can prevent mistakes and delays in your fulfillment process. Your sales reps and office team will be more productive, and your B2B customers will enjoy 24/7 online convenience that will make you their preferred supplier.
Independent sales reps offer manufacturers and distributors an innovative pathway to boost sales, explore new markets, and swiftly connect with new customers. For small businesses, hiring full-time sales employees might be challenging, but independent reps and rep groups operate on a commission basis, making them a cost-effective solution. To empower these reps, equipping them with online rep software that seamlessly integrates with QuickBooks is essential. This software provides them with up-to-date information on products, pricing, and inventory. While sales reps can sometimes overwhelm your office staff with data entry and inquiries about order status and tracking, implementing sales rep software is a strategic way to maximize their potential and ensure smooth office operations.
Every business owner understands that inventory is a vital asset. QuickBooks, a robust accounting program, efficiently tracks your business finances while offering several versions that excel in inventory management. Selecting the correct version of QuickBooks is crucial for those running a product-based business. Utilizing the appropriate version can provide the necessary inventory accuracy and functionality, helping you sidestep the costs and complexities of additional inventory management software.
Back office and front office operations are often performed by one key individual in small companies. The same person may do sales, customer service, purchasing, and accounting. They probably supervise shipping and water the plants, too! Even though one person or a small team does almost everything, it can help to plan for growth and departmentalize the different functions that they perform. Getting the most out of your QuickBooks accounting software, carefully selecting QuickBooks add-on software, and creative outsourcing can really ease the burden on your key person.
Here are five specific ways small wholesalers can make daily life easier and plan for growth.
A tailored online order management system for your sales reps and B2B customers offers many advantages. By enabling them to place orders and find answers around the clock, your internal team can dedicate their efforts to strategic problem-solving and business growth rather than routine order entry and customer service tasks. This B2B portal enhances customer service by providing instant access to essential information like inventory, pricing, and tracking numbers, eliminating unnecessary delays. Most of your B2B customers and reps will readily embrace this new B2B portal, streamlining their operations.
