Are you having difficulty managing your orders from different channels? You are not alone! In today's commercial environment, many companies of different sizes, especially those operating in e-commerce, are looking for solutions to manage orders from marketplaces and other channels. Both processing incoming orders and managing after-sales processes can be quite challenging for companies, causing cost increases and productivity losses. We have prepared this article as a guide for you to understand the nature of order management and manage your order processes in the most accurate way. Would you like to have information that will produce value for your business by spending about 10 minutes? Then we recommend you to read our article patiently.
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An efficient order management system is the lifeblood of a successful business. If your orders are prepared and delivered as soon as possible, it means that the blood circulation system of your business is clear. Systems where orders cannot be processed correctly and after-sales processes cannot be managed are similar to a patient with blocked veins. This patient gets tired in a short time due to blocked veins and cannot run for a long time. As a result, someone in this situation is doomed to fall behind in the race. Likewise, a business with unhealthy order management will also fall behind in the race.
Order management is a comprehensive set of operational processes that touch all sales and after-sales processes. Although many processes affect order management, let's try to summarize the order management processes in general. An order management basically includes the following functions:
Each of these steps will turn into an obstacle that clogs the veins if not managed well. On the contrary, well-managed processes will give you extra breathing space to carry your company further, like a long-term marathon runner.
Software that provides effective, efficient and trouble-free management of order-related processes outlined above is called "Order Management System". Order management systems act as a center that integrates and automates various processes related to order processing, inventory management and customer communication. Whether you are a small e-commerce company or a large organization, understanding the functionality of an order management system is critical to optimizing your operations and providing a desired level of customer experience.
With the Order Management System OMS, businesses can automate orders coming from different channels; when necessary, they can direct stocks between different warehouses or order fulfillment centers. OMS not only reduces manual errors, but also speeds up order processing and increases overall customer satisfaction. E-commerce continues to evolve. Increasing orders every day can worsen customers' online purchasing experiences. Whether customers buy from digital channels or in-store, they expect a smooth and fast shopping experience. Order Management System (OMS) allows companies to synchronize orders and customer data between different channels, ensuring that customers receive accurate and personalized service.
We mentioned order management processes above. OMS was essentially developed to carry out these processes efficiently and smoothly. If we want to list them in bullet points, order management systems:
Order processing is the main task of any OMS. When an order is placed, the system receives the necessary information such as customer details, product features and shipping preferences.
Managing the orders from all channels of companies that have stores in different marketplaces and receive orders from multiple channels from a single interface is very important both for the completion of orders and for correct stock management. Order management software combines orders from different sales points.
Determines the most appropriate order fulfillment location according to factors such as stock status, shipping preference, and carrier alternatives.
Automatically manages order fulfillment stages such as order picking, packaging, sending to the appropriate warehouse or fulfillment center for shipping, creating shipping labels, tracking packages, and providing real-time cargo updates to customers.
Monitoring the stage of each order is very important for both the healthy management of the operation and customer satisfaction. OMS allows for accurate tracking of order statuses.
Managing order return and exchange processes, which are one of the most important pillars of customer experience, is also one of the basic functions of the order management system.
Trying to manage the order process without accurate measurement will be incomplete. This is where reporting comes into play. An OMS should report healthily and provide insights for management.
Stock management is a function that must be fulfilled for order management to work properly. Coordinated and active WMS and OMS allow you to effectively manage your order processes while also allowing you to track your stocks in a controlled manner. OMS allows businesses to automatically track stock levels in real time by integrating with inventory management systems. Thanks to these two systems that work seamlessly in an integrated manner, processes are managed quickly and customer satisfaction is increased due to the speed of return to the customer.
Order Management System (OMS) works with product catalog management systems that are directly related to inventory as well as tracking stocks. Catalog managers, who manage product information such as descriptions, pricing and varieties of products in the business inventory, are an integral part of order management. It is necessary to have an integrated sales manager and product catalog manager to increase customer satisfaction by ensuring inventory consistency and accuracy between different sales channels.
We have already mentioned above the relationship of order management software with different softwares. They should integrate with internal systems such as a warehouse inventory management system, product catalog manager or accounting systems, as well as with third-party software such as marketplaces, CRM and shipping systems. The integration capabilities of OMSs enable data synchronization between systems, automate workflows and enable holistic management of operations. Integrations also help eliminate data problems, reduce manual errors and streamline business processes, increasing operational efficiency and customer satisfaction.
For businesses of all sizes, automating order management provides the following benefits:
When choosing an order management software, consider the following:
Evaluate the features and functionality offered by different OMS solutions and assess how well they align with your business needs. Evaluate whether the OMS can manage your order volume and whether it is suitable for your desired workflows. Also question whether the system you are buying offers customization options to adapt it to your specific business requirements.
Consider your business growth plans and assess whether the OMS can scale to your needs. Look for a solution that can handle increasing order volumes, support multiple sales channels and easily deploy new warehouses or fulfillment centers.
Make sure that the system you choose can seamlessly integrate with your existing systems, such as other systems you use and e-commerce platforms. Query your supplier candidate's api and support documentation.
Assess the level of support your vendor candidate can offer you, including training resources, documentation and customer support channels. A responsive and knowledgeable support team can greatly simplify your implementation process and post-sales.
Consider all cost items, including the cost of software, licensing costs and ongoing maintenance or support fees. Evaluate the return on investment (ROI) the software can deliver, assessing the potential cost savings, efficiency improvements and growth opportunities the system offers you. While it is important to stay within your budget, think long-term and prioritize the long-term value and benefits the system can bring to your business.
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