6 Ways an ERP Can Transform Order Management

An order management system (OMS) is relevant to every step of your company’s sales journey, starting from order generation to delivery, and even handling returns. OMS platforms offer a unified and centralized system to oversee orders originating from various sales channels, encompassing physical stores, websites, call centers, mobile orders, kiosks, and more. This streamlines customers’ purchasing experience while enhancing order management, inventory control, fulfillment, and return processes.

What is an Order Management System (OMS)?

As a standalone solution or an integrated application, an OMS provides non-inventory-carrying companies visibility into all transactions, available inventory, costs, order times, vendor relationships, and more. An OMS—as part of an Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP) solution—can seamlessly integrate with a customer relationship management (CRM) application, allowing easy management of all customer-related activities, including converting opportunities into sales.

How Does an ERP System Enhance Order Management?

Here, we explore six ways implementing an ERP system can significantly contribute to order management efficiency.

Centralized Order Processing: An ERP system functions as a centralized platform where businesses can manage and process orders efficiently.  For instance, it consolidates all order-related information, including customer details, product specifications, pricing, and shipping information, into a single database.

This convenient approach means businesses can access real-time data, track order statuses, and generate reports with anyone technical knowledge required. It also reduces redundancies. There is no need for multiple systems and spreadsheets, reducing the risk of errors and delays.

Enhanced Order Visibility: ERP systems provide businesses with enhanced order visibility, allowing them to track orders throughout the entire process. Companies can monitor each stage, from order placement to delivery, including order confirmation, picking, packing, and shipping.

Real-time updates can mean accurate information about inventory levels, order statuses, and shipping details. This visibility empowers customer communication and facilitates proactive problem-solving should any issues arise during the order fulfillment process.

Efficient Inventory Management: Proper inventory management is critical for successful order management. An ERP system integrates order management with inventory control, providing businesses with relevant insights into stock levels.

With accurate inventory data, businesses can prevent stockouts, optimize reordering processes and minimize holding costs. Automated inventory tracking within the ERP system ensures that accurate stock information is reflected in every order, reducing the risk of overselling, or shipping unavailable items.

Streamlined Order Fulfillment: ERP systems streamline order fulfillment processes by automating repetitive tasks and eliminating manual data entry. When an order is placed, the ERP system automatically generates pick lists, packing slips, and shipping labels, reducing the chances of errors. The ERP system can facilitate easy shipment creation and tracking by integrating with shipping carriers. This automation saves time, enhances accuracy, and speeds up order processing, leading to faster delivery times and increased customer satisfaction.

Improved Customer Service: An ERP system’s customer relationship management (CRM) capabilities greatly enhance customer service during order management. By maintaining a comprehensive customer database within the ERP system, businesses can easily access customer order history, preferences, and contact information. This allows for personalized customer interactions, quick query resolution, and proactive communication regarding order updates. Improved customer service fosters customer loyalty and encourages repeat business.

Data Analytics and Reporting: An ERP system provides robust data analytics and reporting features that help users glean valuable insights into their order management processes. By analyzing data such as order volumes, order fulfillment cycle times, and customer behavior, stakeholders can identify bottlenecks, improve efficiency, and make more informed decisions. Customizable reports generated by the ERP system promote effective performance monitoring and continuous process improvement.

In short, implementing an ERP system is a must for retailers. Given that the majority of consumers will not buy from a brand again after just one poor experience, there is a lot at stake. Order management is vital to customer acquisition and retention.

By leveraging the power of ERP, businesses can achieve streamlined operations, improved customer satisfaction, and increased profitability. Investing in an ERP system is a strategic decision that enables companies to stay competitive in an evolving marketplace. Acumatica Order Management System ticks all those boxes.

Learn more with our Distributor’s Guide to Improving Profits.

Ready to get results? Contact us and see how you can transform your business.

By Mindover Software – Acumatica Gold Certified Partner

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