In today’s fast-paced and highly competitive business environment, effective order management is the backbone of successful operations. For companies in industries such as food and beverage, manufacturing, and construction, efficient order processing is critical not only to meet customer expectations but also to maintain profitability and sustainability. That’s where the right software for order management comes into play, offering a streamlined, reliable, and data-driven approach to managing customer orders.
But what makes order management software essential? How does it transform operations, and why is the integration of AI (artificial intelligence) a game-changer for businesses looking to stay ahead? Let’s explore.
The Importance of Order Management Software
At its core, order management software ensures that every step of the order lifecycle — from order capture to delivery — is handled seamlessly. A robust system provides visibility, accuracy, and control, empowering businesses to:
Reduce Errors: Manual order entry is prone to mistakes, which can lead to incorrect shipments, delays, or lost sales. Software automates these processes, ensuring orders are accurate and processed efficiently.
Improve Customer Satisfaction: Fast and reliable order processing translates directly into happy customers. A sophisticated system keeps customers informed about their order status and ensures on-time delivery, building trust and loyalty.
Optimise Inventory Management: By integrating inventory data, order management software helps businesses avoid stockouts or overstocking, ensuring the right products are available when needed.
Scale Operations: For growing businesses, managing a higher volume of orders becomes increasingly challenging. The right software scales with your operations, supporting expansion without sacrificing efficiency.
In industries like food and beverage, where demand can fluctuate wildly, having an efficient system is even more crucial. For example, during peak times such as holidays or special events, businesses must handle high order volumes while maintaining accuracy and speed.
The Role of AI in Order Management
Artificial intelligence is revolutionising the way businesses approach order management. By leveraging AI-driven tools, companies can make their order processing systems faster, cheaper, and more efficient. Here’s how:
1. Enhanced Accuracy
AI eliminates human errors by automating complex and repetitive tasks. For instance, AI algorithms can verify orders for inconsistencies or flag anomalies in real time, preventing issues before they arise. This is particularly useful in the food and beverage industry, where incorrect orders can result in wasted resources or dissatisfied customers.
2. Predictive Analytics
AI can analyse historical order data to predict future demand, helping businesses plan inventory more effectively. By understanding trends, businesses can anticipate peak periods, optimise stock levels, and reduce waste—a critical factor for perishable goods in the food and beverage sector.
3. Personalised Customer Experiences
AI-powered systems can deliver personalised recommendations based on customer preferences and past orders. This not only enhances the customer experience but also encourages repeat business and increases revenue. For instance, a restaurant chain could suggest popular menu items or create custom offers for frequent customers.
4. Process Automation
From order tracking to invoicing, AI automates routine tasks, freeing up staff to focus on more strategic activities. For example, in the construction industry, AI can streamline order approvals and ensure timely delivery of materials, reducing project delays.
5. Cost Reduction
By optimising workflows and reducing errors, AI-driven systems cut operational costs. Businesses can reallocate resources more effectively, save on labour, and minimise losses from incorrect or delayed orders.
6. Real-Time Insights and Decision-Making
AI provides real-time insights into order statuses, inventory levels, and customer behaviour. This enables businesses to make informed decisions quickly, ensuring smooth operations even during unforeseen challenges.
Allsop: Your Partner in Digital Transformation
At Allsop Software, we understand the unique challenges businesses face when it comes to order management. That’s why we specialise in designing and implementing bespoke software solutions tailored to your needs.
With a focus on digital transformation, we integrate cutting-edge AI technologies to help businesses:
Improve order accuracy and reduce manual errors.
Automate routine processes, saving time and labour costs.
Deliver personalised customer experiences that drive loyalty.
Gain actionable insights through advanced analytics.
Scale operations seamlessly as your business grows.
By choosing Allsop, you’re not just investing in software; you’re partnering with a team dedicated to helping your business succeed in an increasingly digital world. Our software for order management is designed to be both scalable and adaptable, ensuring it meets the unique demands of your business.
The Future of Order Management
As technology continues to evolve, the importance of intelligent order management systems will only grow. Businesses that embrace these innovations will be better equipped to adapt to changing market demands, deliver exceptional customer service, and maintain a competitive edge.
For companies in the food and beverage sector, the right order management software isn’t just a tool – it’s a strategic asset. And with AI at the helm, the possibilities are limitless.
Ready to transform your order management processes? Let Allsop Software guide you on the journey to greater efficiency, cost savings, and customer satisfaction.
In today’s fast-paced world, businesses must be efficient to keep up with the competition. One way to achieve this is by going paperless. We believe that this is a trend that has picked up pace in the last decade. While some companies try to avoid to this trend, others have realised the many benefits of sales order processing.
In this blog post, we will discuss its main benefits.
5 Benefits of Customer Order Automation in the Food and Beverage Industry:
Improved efficiency.
Cost savings.
Enhanced customer experience.
Increased security.
Environmental sustainability.
Improved Efficiency.
The first and most obvious advantage of Customer Order Automation is improved efficiency.
With this system, food and beverage businesses can process orders faster and more accurately than with a paper-based system. Orders can be entered into the system electronically, reducing the need for manual data entry. This not only reduces the risk of errors but also increases the speed of order processing.
Additionally, with a digital system, orders can be tracked in real-time, providing better visibility and control over the order process. This ensures that orders are delivered on time and with greater accuracy.
Furthermore, sales order processing provides accessible information. With hybrid or fully remote workers, it’s essential to have a system that allows employees to work together seamlessly, regardless of their location. Cloud technologies make this possible by providing a single source of truth for your team.
For instance, with our Customer Order Automation, you can ensure that everyone on your team has access to the latest customer order details. The solution also allows you to control data input, ensuring that only accurate information is entered. By integrating this software with your ERP, you can improve your efficiency, save time, and cut costs.
Cost Savings.
Following the previous benefit, a digital solution allows your teams to update all data without printing any information. As a result, sales order processing can save costs.
Money doesn’t grow on trees, but it’s certainly wasted on paper. With a paper-based system, businesses incur costs for paper, printing, and storage. Based on companies with 200 employees, teams spend at least £80,000 on paper and printing every year! By eliminating the need for paper, businesses can save on these expenses.
Going paperless in food and beverage can help you save money in more ways than one. A paperless system can reduce labour costs by eliminating the need for manual data entry. This frees up time for employees to focus on more critical tasks, such as customer service.
In addition, automation solutions can help you avoid errors and ensure 99% data entry accuracy, avoiding costly mistakes down the line. This benefit translates into savings for your business and a better experience for your customers.
One of our food and beverage customers has gone digital and now saves money and time using paperless order processing!
“The recent update has brought so much joy to our team. Our staff is delighted with digitised receipts! Because of it, we are now saving one hour each day. We could not be happier and more excited to work further with Allsop.”
Enhanced Customer Experience.
A sales order processing system can enhance customer experience. With a digital system, customers can place orders online, reducing the need for phone or in-person orders. This can improve the speed and accuracy of order processing, leading to faster delivery times and fewer errors. However, outdated systems cannot provide this.
According to a McKinsey report, employees spend nearly 10 hours per week searching for information. This time can be better spent on productive tasks that add value to your business, especially when a paperless order processing system allows you to have all information in one place.
For instance, departments across the organisation can access the platform to upload any relevant information, improving the ease and speed of cross-departmental collaboration.
Additionally, with real-time tracking, customers can track their orders and receive updates on the status of their delivery. This improves transparency and builds trust between the business and its customers.
Increased Security.
Using paper-based systems carries the risk of documents being lost or damaged, which can compromise sensitive information.
A Customer Order Automation system can mitigate these risks by storing data electronically, ensuring that data is secure and accessible only to authorised personnel. Allsop’s order processing system provides you with the ability to control which data your team can access!
Especially, when we have found that many ERP systems lack proper data privacy measures, with everyone having access to the same data and various users using a single dashboard, leading to potential data breaches.
As a software company, we understand the importance of having a platform that can not only collect orders but also protect sensitive customer data. That’s why our dashboards allow you to specify who can access the data, filter information for specific users, and create personalised dashboards for each department.
Additionally, we are proud to announce that Allsop has been awarded ISO 27001 certification!
This certification is widely recognised as an internationally accepted information security standard. It identifies requirements for a comprehensive Information Security Management System (ISMS) and defines how organisations should manage and handle information securely, including appropriate security controls.
What does this mean for you as our potential customer?
Our team works hard to ensure the security and protection of your and your customer’s information. Our digital systems are regularly backed up to keep your data up-to-date, and we continuously improve our platform to make it even more secure and efficient.
Environmental Sustainability.
Finally, sales order processing is environmentally sustainable. The food and beverage industry is one of the largest contributors to paper waste, which has a significant environmental impact. On average, paper-based businesses with teams of 200 employees printing customers’ orders produce the same amount of CO2 emissions as 10 international Boeing flights.
By going paperless, businesses can reduce their carbon footprint and contribute to a more sustainable future. This is not only good for the environment but also for the business’s reputation, as more consumers are becoming environmentally conscious.
Conclusion.
In conclusion, Customer Order Automation offers several benefits for the food and beverage industry. By improving efficiency, reducing costs, enhancing the customer experience, increasing security, and promoting environmental sustainability, businesses can gain a competitive advantage in the market.
If you’re interested in implementing a Customer Order Automation system in your business, please subscribe to our newsletter below!
If you want to know the latest technologies that help companies just like yours, we created a newsletter to provide the latest industry news, tips, and resources to help you succeed in your business endeavours.
Subscribe to it below, and stay up to date with the latest trends and tips to make sure you’re always ahead of the curve.
When communicating with potential clients, one of the most common questions we receive is, “My Customer Service team is too small. They cannot provide a sufficient level of support to our wide client base. What can I do?”
We understand this concern and would like to provide you with a more detailed analysis to help you find a solution. The past few years have brought many changes to the labour market, with contact centres being hit particularly hard. Many telesales employees left the UK, while others had to change occupations due to the lack of work for two years. As a result, companies are struggling to fill open Customer Service positions, which can lead to a decrease in customer satisfaction and retention.
According to Food and Engineering magazine, the UK’s labour productivity in the food and drink industry is unremarkable compared to other developed markets in Western Europe. “Food and drink supply chains in peer countries have seen better labour productivity gains over the last decade, leaving the UK behind. This has created a second productivity ‘gap,’ and the UK supply chain may continue to lose ground.”
If you are facing issues with your Contact Centre, it is important to understand that you are not alone in this struggle. However, you need more than this information to improve your business. We can work together to find a solution that fits your unique needs and improves your Customer Service team’s productivity. Let’s explore a few options in this article.
3 Steps to Automate Customer Service Team:
Robotic Process Automation Strategy (RPA).
Training Programmes.
Technology Investments.
Robotic Process Automation Strategy.
We are currently living through the 4th industrial revolution, which is primarily focused on digitisation of manual processes. This transformation is rapidly changing the way technology, industries, and processes operate in the 21st century. One of the key areas of focus is a robotic process automation (RPA) strategy.
Robotic process automation strategy is an essential plan that outlines how a business can streamline its processes and increase productivity through the use of technology. It involves identifying areas within the business that can benefit from RPA and implementing tools and systems to improve efficiency.
RPA strategy is becoming increasingly important for businesses, particularly those with small customer service teams. By automating tasks such as data entry and order processing, businesses can reduce the workload of their customer service team and improve the overall customer experience. Process automation also provides businesses with valuable insights into customer behaviour, enabling them to make data-driven decisions and improve their offerings.
It is essential to recognise that relying solely on traditional methods can result in unexpected drops in demand for your products, or even worse, a decrease in the number of accounts. Such a decline could have a severe impact on your business, especially if your customer service team is ill-equipped to handle the influx of customers who are prepared to leave.
However, with the latest RPA technology, companies can implement AI tools like the Declining Account feature created by Allsop. This feature enables businesses to gain access to a drilled-down dashboard with their customers’ order history, receive notifications when customer behaviour changes, and check the overall trend of their latest products. By tracking customers who are purchasing less this week than their average purchase over the past 13 weeks, businesses can retain customers who are ready to leave.
Moreover, process automation technology provides businesses with better customer service and gives them a competitive advantage. By having a customer portal, businesses can automatically fill and update orders, allowing their team to focus on high-value tasks and re-engage salespeople in other aspects of the business.
This is exactly how businesses can adopt an RPA strategy to improve their overall customer experience and streamline their operations. This technology provides valuable insights into customer behaviour, enables data-driven decision-making, and helps businesses retain customers who are ready to leave. Therefore, it is essential for businesses to embrace change and adopt innovative solutions to remain competitive in the market.
Training Programmes.
Implementing an RPA strategy can significantly improve a business’s overall efficiency, particularly in customer service. However, it’s essential to understand that the strategy’s success depends on whether your team has the necessary skills and knowledge to operate the new technology. For this reason, training programmes are vital and should be a top priority when implementing a process automation strategy.
Training programmes can help bridge the gaps in your team’s expertise and ensure they can effectively use the new tools and systems. By providing training, your team can learn how to collect order information in one place, proceed with orders automatically within seconds, and provide the latest data to your clients. This can significantly reduce your customer service team’s workload and improve the overall customer experience.
Another significant advantage of training programmes is that they can help your team adapt to changes in customer behaviour and provide tailored support. As we mentioned earlier, one of the biggest challenges faced by businesses today is the shortage of employees in customer service teams. This shortage can have an adverse impact on business operations.
For example, Pret had 40% of its personnel as Europeans. After Brexit, the employees left the country, and the remaining employees were laid off due to the pandemic. As a result, the company now has limited resources, and providing customer service on the same level has become challenging.
However, with the latest technology available, businesses can gain insights into customer behaviour, enabling them to make data-driven decisions and improve their offerings. Customer service teams that are trained to understand and interpret customer behaviour can provide more personalised support, leading to higher customer satisfaction rates.
Moreover, training programmes can also help reduce the learning curve and minimise the time it takes for your team to become proficient in using the new technology. This can lead to faster adoption and implementation of the automation strategy, ultimately resulting in faster ROI.
It’s important to note that training programmes should not be a one-time event. Instead, they should be an ongoing process to ensure your team is up-to-date with the latest technology and trends. Regular training can help your team stay ahead of the curve and provide better customer service.
Especially when leveraging the latest technology, you can provide an extraordinary experience to your customers, even with a limited workforce. This way, the number of people in your team will no longer be a differentiator between good and bad service, and you will be able to provide excellent customer service, irrespective of your team’s size.
Technology Investments.
While we mentioned the need to automate processes, it is essential to do so only when your teams are equipped with modern technologies. Blaming software tools is easy when you have a limited number of team members and want to increase productivity. However, it is unlikely to succeed if they store all customer data in Excel, have poor visibility of orders, and lack an analytics dashboard to make data-driven decisions.
We discovered that74% of FMCG companiesreceive orders by phone and email, manually processing incoming requests, and entering 50 to 100 lines in each order form, leaving them with tedious tasks.
During our research, companies mentioned various issues with collecting orders by phone or email. For example, the main problem was data mistakes.
Due to a high turnover rate in the Customer Service industry, many employees do not have enough experience or have never been trained to input information onto the platform correctly. Therefore, they process orders with errors.
On the other hand, due to the high volume of work, Operation Specialists key in data mistakes, leading to customers receiving incorrect products or a wrong number of goods.
Moreover, poor internal software is likely to be slower, more glitchy, and less reliable than the industry standard, resulting in more instances of customers being placed on hold, and a subsequent increase in overall call times.
This is where technology investments come into play.
With a third of businesses processing orders manually, only 26% of companies use a platform for order management. This automation provides them with better customer service and gives them a competitive advantage.
“We have a customer portal, and we couldn’t imagine our working life without it! Customers place orders that are automatically filled and updated accordingly in our system. It takes almost no time for the platform to fill the form when our orders have between 50 to 100 lines! Our team now deals only with exceptions or orders coming via phone. It allows us to reengage salespeople in other aspects of the business and allows them to take part in high-value tasks.” – Sales Coordinator.
Conclusion.
In conclusion, small customer service teams can pose a threat to Food and Beverage businesses, but with the right strategies in place, they can also be an opportunity.
It is important to understand the challenges facing small customer service teams, such as employee shortages in the industry, and to find solutions that fit your unique needs. Adopting an RPA strategy, implementing training programs, and investing in technology can significantly improve the efficiency of your customer service team and enhance the overall customer experience.
By embracing change and adopting innovative solutions, businesses can remain competitive in the market and provide excellent customer service, regardless of the size of their team.
Do you want to improve customer satisfaction and take your small team to new heights? We have great news for you! We understand that implementing new technology can be daunting, so we offer a free process audit. Reach out to us for more information here.
If you want to know the latest technologies that help companies just like yours, we created a newsletter to provide the latest industry news, tips, and resources to help you succeed in your business endeavours.
Subscribe to it below, and stay up to date with the latest trends and tips to make sure you’re always ahead of the curve.
Digital Transformation Strategy in Food and Beverage: Where to Start?
Digital transformation strategy is more than just a buzzword; it has become an imperative for businesses to not just survive, but also thrive in the modern economy. The food and beverage industry is no exception to this trend. With the rapid pace of technological advancements and constantly evolving consumer demands, businesses operating in this sector must keep up with these changes to remain relevant and competitive.
This can include transforming their operational processes, adopting new technologies to enhance their customer experience, and exploring new ways to meet the ever-changing needs of their customers. By embracing digital transformation strategy, businesses can unlock new opportunities, improve their bottom line, and ultimately, secure their place in the market for years to come.
However, how do you implement a digital transformation strategy in your company?
Digital Transformation Strategy in Food and Beverage: Where to Start?
Define Your Goals and Strategy
Evaluate Your Business Processes
Finding the Right Digital Transformation Partner
Step 1. Define Your Goals and Strategy
Digital Transformation Strategy in Food and Beverage: Where to Start?
Defining your goals and strategy is essential before embarking on any digital transformation project. What do you want to achieve through digital transformation? Is it to improve efficiency, reduce costs, or enhance the customer experience? Once you have a clear understanding of your goals, you can develop a strategy that aligns with them.
It is important to set a realistic plan from the start and ensure that everyone is on the same page. Additionally, establish methods of communication to provide feedback and keep everyone informed. Defining key performance indicators (KPIs) can also help track progress and ensure that goals are being achieved.
A common mistake to avoid is relying on third-party companies to develop your digital transformation strategy. No one knows your internal issues and problems better than you do. Therefore, it is best to evaluate your business processes with internal help. By being part of the project team, they can quickly provide feedback on what may make the process inefficient or add dissatisfaction to the experience.
Step 2. Evaluate Your Business Processes.
Digital Transformation Strategy in Food and Beverage: Where to Start?
A Digital transformation strategy is an ongoing process that requires a comprehensive evaluation of your current business processes. It’s not just about implementing new technology; it’s about using technology to improve your existing processes. By closely examining your current processes, you can identify inefficiencies or bottlenecks that could be improved with digitization. You can work with internal stakeholders, such as your team and colleagues, to ensure that any changes made will work effectively on a day-to-day basis.
In addition to identifying areas that could benefit from digitisation, you can also use this evaluation to identify areas of your business that could benefit from automation or optimisation. For example, you may find that certain manual tasks can be automated to save time and improve accuracy. Or, you may identify areas where data analysis can be used to optimise operations and improve decision-making.
Overall, evaluating your business processes is a critical step in achieving successful digital transformation. By taking a holistic approach and involving internal stakeholders, you can identify areas for improvement and implement changes that will drive greater efficiency and productivity in your business.
Step 3. Finding the Right Digital Transformation Partner.
Digital Transformation strategy in Food and Beverage: Where to Start?
Selecting the right partner for your digital transformation strategy project can be critical to its success. Therefore, invest time in researching potential partners as soon as you identify your goals and strategy. Start by looking at their website to get a feel for their services and areas of expertise. Then, consider speaking with their existing customers to better understand their experiences and satisfaction working with the partner.
Note that big digital transformation companies on the market do not always equate to successful transformation. Instead, search for software providers who have worked in the same industry as yours and know all your pain points. Small agencies can provide a better solution for your company and improve the processes you identified for digitisation.
Conclusion.
In conclusion, a digital transformation strategy is a necessary step for food and beverage companies to remain competitive and meet the ever-changing demands of consumers. To ensure a successful digital transformation project, it is important to define clear goals and strategies, evaluate current business processes, and select the right partner for the project. By taking these steps, companies can unlock new opportunities, improve their operational efficiency, and ultimately secure their place in the market for years to come.
If you want to know the latest technologies that help companies just like yours, we created a newsletter to provide the latest industry news, tips, and resources to help you succeed in your business endeavours.
Subscribe to it below, and stay up to date with the latest trends and tips to make sure you’re always ahead of the curve.
In today’s fast-paced and ever-changing digital landscape, businesses must adapt and evolve to stay competitive. This is where digital transformation comes into play. Digital transformation is the process of utilising digital technologies to revolutionise business processes, enhance customer experiences, and meet the dynamic demands of the market.
At Allsop, we understand the significance of digital transformation as a catalyst for growth and innovation. It goes beyond simply appearing modern or keeping up with competitors. The primary goal of any digital transformation project should be to improve and optimise various aspects of your business, whether it’s streamlining processes, enhancing customer interactions, or even contributing to a more sustainable future.
It’s vital to stay ahead of the curve by embracing the key digital transformation trends that will shape the business landscape. Let’s explore three prominent trends that your organisation should prepare for:
Digital Transformation Strategy:
Death of Complex ERP Platforms: Simplifying Business Operations
AI as a Game-Changer: Leveraging Artificial Intelligence
The Power of API: Seamless System Integration
Death of Complex ERP Platforms: Simplifying Business Operations
While ERP (Enterprise Resource Planning) platforms have been instrumental in many businesses, their complexity has become a hindrance. The implementation, support, and maintenance of complex ERP systems often require extensive IT resources, making them cumbersome and costly. In the coming years, organisations will shift towards low-code or no-code solutions that empower employees to make necessary changes and generate reports without relying heavily on IT specialists. These user-friendly platforms will focus on specific tasks, enabling businesses to fill gaps with new technology without disrupting the entire organisation. By adopting these solutions, companies can streamline operations and achieve greater efficiency.
AI as a Game-Changer: Leveraging Artificial Intelligence
Artificial Intelligence (AI) continues to revolutionise industries across the globe. However, many businesses remain apprehensive about fully leveraging its potential. Contrary to popular belief, AI is not about replacing human employees; instead, it serves as a valuable tool across various departments. By implementing AI-powered software solutions, businesses can unlock its full potential. For instance, Allsop’s Declining Account feature utilises AI to track customers who are purchasing less than their average over a specific period. This tool empowers customer service teams to proactively reach out, identify concerns, and retain customers who are at risk of leaving. Embracing AI strategically will enhance operational efficiency and deliver exceptional customer experiences.
The Power of API: Seamless System Integration
The success of digital transformation heavily relies on seamless integration between existing systems within an organisation. Enter API (Application Programming Interface), a key technology that enables systems to send and receive data effortlessly. While most systems have APIs, it’s crucial to ensure they can interface with other systems effectively. APIs come with specifications that outline their capabilities, and understanding these specifications is essential for successful integration. By reviewing existing systems and their integration methods, businesses can identify areas that require upgrades or replacements to achieve their digital transformation goals. Partnering with a digital transformation expert can help explore alternative integration methods that go beyond published APIs or interfaces.
Conclusion.
In conclusion, digital transformation continues to be a driving force. Businesses must proactively embrace the changes and implement strategies that propel them forward. Whether it’s simplifying operations with low-code solutions, leveraging AI to enhance customer experiences, or seamlessly integrating systems using APIs, the digital transformation journey offers immense opportunities for growth and success. To embark on this transformative journey, reach out to us for a free consultation to determine how your business can benefit from future changes.
If you want to know the latest technologies that help companies just like yours, we created a newsletter to provide the latest industry news, tips, and resources to help you succeed in your business endeavours.
Subscribe to it below, and stay up to date with the latest trends and tips to make sure you’re always ahead of the curve.
