An excellent order processing system builds accuracy for your wholesale business in many ways. Data management and entry, customer communication and service, and inventory integration increase accuracy with a good order processing system. Since order processing includes customer information, inventory management, and accounting systems, it is imperative that your order processing software integrate with your accounting software, like QuickBooks.
Data entry and data management
One of the most important features of order processing software is the accurate collection and transferal of information. Data is collected by sales reps, customer service reps, and even sometimes your customers themselves. With all of the various sources for data, a great order processing system will provide cloud-based portals for customers and sales reps to enter information that will integrate into your accounting system.
With a predictable portal gathering all important information into one place, the next order processing software requirement is an accurate way to move data between various areas of your business. This includes automated inventory processing, integration with other software systems, and automated communication protocols.
Customer communication
In customer communication, accuracy is a key part of a great sales mix. Without accurate communication, mistakes in the ordering process, shipping guarantees, and other customer service issues will drive your customers to your competition. Using order processing software reduces the likelihood and occurrence of miscommunication with customers’ data, keeping errors to a minimum.
Additionally, customer access to your order processing software gives them the ability to self-manage much of the sales cycles so that communication between your service agents and customers will be only on essentials. With real-time communication between sales reps and your office, excellent order processing software drastically increases the likelihood of accurate information like pricing and available inventory.
Customer service
Great customer service requires accurate and timely information management. Your order software will provide accurate information to your customers as quickly as possible. Rather than waiting for customer service reps and sales reps to transfer customer orders and other information into your accounting system, an order processing system will enable them to manage customer information in real-time. This also gives customer service reps a timely response to questions on an order's status, shipping arrangements, and other pertinent information regarding your customer's orders.
With a well-managed and accurate system for order processing, you will drastically reduce human error in your customer service and increase confidence in your employees. A mistake that is accurately recorded can be learned from, but one that does not have a paper trail engenders frustrating discussions of who did what. Your order processing software needs to be an integral part of tracking your activities on behalf of customers so that success can be celebrated and mistakes can be corrected.
Integrated inventory management
Integrated inventory management increases accuracy and positively affects data management and customer service as well. Great order management software integrates with your business's accounting software. This integration enables you to fulfill inventory and manage your orders to prevent low inventory.
With warehouse integration, you can easily transmit your orders from your order processing software straight to your third-party logistics company in a matter of seconds. Accurate warehousing, tracking, ordering, and shipping are all parts of the inventory life cycle that great order processing software can fulfill.
Data management and order entry, customer communication and service, and integrated inventory management are some benefits an order management system provides to your business. Before committing to order processing software, double-check to ensure it fulfills all these situations for your unique needs, including integration with your current accounting software.