ERP Consultant Review: When is it Time to Automate and Integrate Shipping?

Are you struggling to fulfill and process shipments efficiently as customer demand grows?  Based on typical need scenarios we started reviewing options for an automated shipping tool that is fully integrated with Sage CRM and ERP system.   

Using Automated and Integrated Shipping to Improve Order Fulfillment

The problem:  Many small businesses find themselves spending a significant amount of time and effort around order fulfillment and processing shipments – time they agreed would be better spent developing new business.  

The analysis:  Have you thought about what your current workflow looks like and what areas are in need of improvement/overhaul?  How much administrative time/cost is required after the sale to process order fulfillment and related customer services/inquiries?  Are you spending a lot of rekeying data between systems? The tough question becomes, “What is the correct stage (in your business growth) to transition into a fully integrated shipping solution that you can afford?” The honest answer is when your pain outweighs the cost of a new solution.

Finding the right solution:  By working directly with a software business partner to identify and document requirements and workflow; you should be able to identify the options for a “best fit” 3rd party shipping integration solution designed to work with your ERP system.  

Here is an example of what a fully integrated shipping solution can do for you. Imagine your entered orders are seamlessly released to the warehouses for fulfillment with pick/pack documents (which have been redesigned to print bar codes for easy scanning). Existing scanners are then used for discrete order pick/pack in the warehouse (including box-specific content management) and for wave picking at the other warehouse (for bulk orders). 

Recognized benefits could include:

• Elimination of shipping errors
• Real-time item selection and validation
• Inventory transactions loaded into the system real-time and without any additional effort on the users’ behalf
• Customized  package labels for professional presentation, including customer-specific information as needed
• ASNs (advanced shipment notifications) with complete packaging detail sent immediately to the customers the moment the shipment is completed (posted)
• Freight costs and tracking information automatically loaded into the ERP system
• Automatic updates of shipping options from all major carriers
• Invoices are instantaneously generated in the ERP system for Accounting to review, post, and deliver to clients electronically.

The result:  With the right solution in place, you can:

• Reduce entry errors
• Increase productivity
• View transactions in real-time
• Process batch orders
• Automatic notification of shipment status
• Ability to compare freight costs and transit times

View this informative video for an overview of web-based shipping solution that can be integrated with Sage or to find out more about Clients First, California contact us at 1-888-222-8827 or visit us at http://norcalerp.com.

This blog was posted by Danica Weappa Sales and Marketing Manager at Clients First. This is a version of a blog previously written by Danica about how a small distribution company was able to drive growth and increase profits with Automated Shipping. Danica blogs about Enterprise Resource Planning, software, and tools that can be used to enhance business processes. If you want to follow Danica’s blogs you can follow her at Clients First on twitter.