Providing sales reps with online order entry software integrated with QuickBooks can make life easier for manufacturers, wholesalers, or distributors. First, we’ll look at what’s in it for the company and then see what’s in it for the reps.
Stop hand-entering orders into QuickBooks! A fully integrated sales rep portal lets a sales rep enter an order online, which will be transferred directly to QuickBooks. This type of automation can significantly reduce or eliminate the order entry workload at the office. Through QuickBooks integration, the wholesale ordering site can actually pick up any special pricing that might be assigned to a specific customer.
Since the order is entered online by the sales rep, the responsibility for order accuracy also falls back on the sales rep. They can’t just say, “Give me six of the blue ones” anymore, assuming the office will know exactly which product or SKU they are referring to. Order entry errors can be eliminated because the order is automatically transferred to QuickBooks without double data entry.
It may not happen very often, but an order can be lost or misplaced, causing new problems. Emails get deleted, and phone messages get missed. Online order entry software makes sure that everyone who needs to know about a new order is notified.
A sound online ordering system can create orders in QuickBooks in near real-time. The sooner the order is in QuickBooks, the sooner it can be processed in-house or sent to a 3rd party warehouse for fulfillment. Online wholesale order entry software can also be integrated with 3rd party warehouse to streamline the process of sending shipping orders to the warehouse.
A sales rep can enter an order from anywhere using just about any device. They don’t need to call the company or email a spreadsheet order form. They can be on-site at a customer’s location and submit the order promptly. They also don’t have to wonder if you received the order. A good online system will show the rep the status of their orders as they travel through the fulfillment process.
If sales reps need to see what’s available in inventory, a good online ordering system will keep them informed by synchronizing with QuickBooks inventory. Often, you might not be available to take a call or answer an email from a rep, especially after hours or when the rep is in the middle of a sales call.
Online order entry software can show the sales rep the complete order history for each of their assigned customers. This information can help the sales rep answer their customers’ account-related questions and help with product recommendations and upsells.
If your products and pricing change frequently, an online ordering system can make it so that you don’t have to distribute updated price lists to your sales team anymore. Through QuickBooks integration, the online ordering system is always up to date. Learn why integrating QuickBooks price levels is necessary for an order entry system.
One last consideration… If your reps sell for multiple lines, you might be surprised to learn that they are already happily ordering online from the other lines and can’t wait for you to offer them this same convenience.