There are many different processes that order management can involve. But in most cases, they can be reduced in a few key steps that encompass the essential aspects in almost any scenario.
Let’s look at the steps that every order management system should help you go through below.
Order Intake
Order intake begins the moment that an order is placed. This is where the order management system must evaluate whether the order can be accepted depending on stock levels and payment clearance.
This step may take place when a customer places an order on an eCommerce store, on orders placed over the phone, or even those handled in person. The important thing is to have the necessary information from the customer for the order to be processed.
Order Fulfillment
If the order is accepted, it’s important to promptly begin processing and fulfilling it so that it can be prepared for shipping as soon as possible. But before that can begin, it’s also important to evaluate whether there are any errors or incomplete details that the customer should provide.
During this step, the order will need to be picked up from inventory, packed, and prepared to be shipped. The best order management solutions will automate many of the steps, creating and assigning the necessary tasks that can be completed without manual oversight.
At this step, it’s also important to adjust the inventory so that it remains consistent. ApparelMagic’s inventory management solution will provide a real-time multi-channel inventory overview, allowing you to quickly discover lower stock levels and replenish them in time.
Shipping & Tracking
Getting the order ready to ship includes generating and printing shipping labels to be attached to the shipment. The good news is that a good order management solution can handle this on autopilot, generating unique and accurate shipping labels for your existing courier accounts such as FedEx, DHL, and UPS.
Then, an order management solution should be able to provide instant tracking, including delivery date estimates and easy access for the customers.
Post-Sale Support
Orders won’t always go smoothly. In some cases, customers will face issues with the delivery or the order itself. In others, they may want to return the item. This is when having a reliable process for helping customers solve problems and return their items is necessary for a good experience.
With ApparelMagic, you can integrate with Returnly, which can help create a seamless and convenient experience for your customers, allowing them to return or exchange their items through a single interface.
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