When you have multiple sales channels and complex supply chains, managing your orders can be very difficult to do if you’re using manual means, like spreadsheets. The wholesale market is growing rapidly and with this growth, you will need an effective means to manage this growth while remaining competitive.
Fortunately, wholesale order management software is now available and it’s designed to make the ordering process easier than ever. That being said, there are many software providers out there offering their own iterations of this software, but not all of them may be right for you.
This blog post will explore various aspects of wholesale order management software that you need to consider when integrating it into your business.
Website integration
Wholesale businesses with an active website should consider integrating it with the order management system—this step is crucial for wholesalers who do business primarily online.
Also, you need to make sure your new order management software is compatible with your existing platform. If the new order management software is already compatible with your existing system, you won’t need to make any customisations—this can save you a lot of time and money.
Scalability
In 2022, about 29% of SMEs in the wholesale business achieved growth—this was one of the highest growths at the time. Wholesale businesses can grow very quickly, so one of the main things you need to consider is whether or not the order management software can keep up with your business’s rapid growth.
The ideal wholesale order management software should be flexible and scalable enough to grow with your business, being able to accommodate the growing number of orders and suppliers.
Suppliers
Suppliers are the driving force of any wholesale business, so you need to think about how the software will affect them.
Make sure to consider how difficult the wholesale order management software may be for them to adopt. A good order management software should make the process easier for both you and your suppliers, and not overcomplicate things.
If the software is too complicated, it may not go over well with your suppliers and this could affect your relationship with them.
Analytics and reports
Explore the reporting and analytics capabilities of the order management software. A good wholesale order management system should be able to provide insights into demographic data, revenue, shipping, and business performance.
It should also be able to give you information on how customers behave so that you can make more informed decisions on how to cater to their unique needs. When you do this, customers will feel more valued and they will want to continue working with you.
Order processing
Manual order processes can lead to many issues, such as human error and inaccurate stock records. When your business incorporates order management software, consider using automation whenever possible to minimise errors and delays.
This will ensure a streamlined order fulfilment cycle.
Warehouse control
According to EasyPost, warehouse automation can potentially increase productivity by up to 25%.
Think about real-time warehouse control for efficient order tracking and accurate inventory management. Features you should look for include real-time order tracking, automated backorder notifications, and automated inventory updates.
Customer integration
Focus on making integrations with customer service to reduce lead times and improve communication. The software should ideally have features like shipping notifications, order status updates, and shipping information—all of which are features that let customers know where their orders are and when they’ll receive them
In addition, these kinds of features can give customers more control over their orders and this can lead to high levels of customer satisfaction.
Supply chain coordination
You need to think about the software’s ability to make every stage of the supply chain visible to your business and your suppliers. This can improve collaboration with delivery partners, customers, and suppliers. It will also contribute towards streamlining the supply chain.
User-friendliness
If the software you choose isn’t user-friendly, it can lead to human errors or make your staff less willing to use it. The order management software should be easy to learn and use.
Consider giving your staff a rundown on how to use the software effectively so that they can adopt the software without too much hassle.
Cost and benefits
You should consider the cost of the software and the benefits it offers—there should be a balance between these two factors. Make sure that the order management software addresses specific pain points that your business experiences.
Even if the software is expensive, as long as it meets your wholesale business’s needs, it should be a worthwhile investment.
Elevate your business with wholesale order management software
Order management can be the razor edge between success and failure for a wholesale business. With the help of an effective order management solution, your business can overcome the many obstacles of order management by streamlining the ordering process.
At WITMEG, we offer an all-in-one solution for your wholesale order management needs. With our software, you can experience benefits such as increased productivity, improved customer service, and a more visible supply chain and efficiency.
Get in touch with us today to learn more about our wholesale EPOS systems.
FAQs
How long does it usually take to install an EPOS system?
This depends on the package you choose and how many customisations you want to make.
Can an EPOS system handle customer payments?
Yes, EPOS software comes with functions that let you handle customer payments.
Does EPOS software have security measurements in place?
Yes, modern EPOS systems come with very strong security features, such as two-factor authentication, to keep your business and customers’ information safe.