Order processing: Tips to improve your workflow

Automate Order Entry:

Manual data entry is time-consuming, error-prone, and can lead to delays. Implementing automated order entry systems, such as electronic data interchange (EDI) or online order forms, eliminates the need for manual data input. This automation reduces errors, accelerates order processing, and enhances accuracy. Integrating your order entry system with your inventory management software can further optimize the workflow by automatically updating stock levels and reducing the chances of overselling or stockouts. Have a look at our API and integration list for all major shopping carts and marketplaces.

Centralise Order Information:

Maintaining a centralised system to store and manage order information is crucial for a smooth order processing workflow. By consolidating order details, such as customer information, order status, and shipping details, in a centralised database or order management system (OMS), you can easily access and track orders at every stage. This centralisation helps in resolving customer inquiries, identifying bottlenecks, improving overall efficiency and all live/real-time through our online tools.

Implement Order Tracking:

Transparency is key when it comes to order processing. Providing customers with real-time order tracking information not only enhances their experience but also reduces the burden on your customer support team. Implement a robust order tracking system that enables customers to monitor their orders and receive notifications at different stages of the process, from order confirmation to shipment tracking. This feature instils confidence in customers and reduces the number of inquiries related to order status. Our online tools give you and your team full access to all order statuses as well as clear communication channels to the picking teams to manage each order where required.

Standardise Order Fulfilment Processes:

Standardising your order fulfilment processes is crucial to avoid confusion, errors, and delays. Create clear and well-documented procedures for each step, including order verification, barcode verified picking, packing, and shipping. We train our staff on these procedures to ensure consistency and accuracy. Standardization minimises the chances of mistakes and allows new employees to quickly adapt to the workflow, reducing training time and enhancing overall efficiency.

Optimise Inventory Management:

Effective inventory management is vital to streamline order processing. Implement inventory control techniques, such as just-in-time (JIT) inventory, ABC analysis, or automated reorder points, to ensure optimal stock levels. Regularly monitor inventory turnover rates, identify slow-moving or obsolete items, and establish a reliable supplier network to avoid stockouts. An accurate and up-to-date inventory ensures timely order fulfilment and minimises backorders. Make sure your 3PL can send you and your team notifications to keep you in the loop for all products to enable you to make quick decisive decisions.

Integrate with the Royal Mail and Couriers:

Seamless integration with the Royal Mail and Couriers can significantly improve your order processing workflow. Integrate your order management system with shipping carriers' APIs to automate shipping label generation, address validation, and real-time rate calculation. This integration eliminates manual data entry, reduces errors, and expedites the shipping process. Additionally, it allows you to track shipments, generate shipping notifications, provide customers with accurate delivery estimates and all automated via our API so your dispatch notifications to your clients include all the information you want them to be aware of.

Monitor Key Performance Indicators (KPIs):

Establishing and monitoring relevant KPIs enables you to measure the effectiveness of your order-processing workflow. Key metrics to track include order processing time, order accuracy, customer satisfaction ratings, and order fulfilment costs. Analysing these KPIs helps identify areas for improvement, streamline processes, and drive overall efficiency. Regularly review and share these metrics with your team and our warehouse team to foster a culture of continuous improvement.