Getting a grip on order management in an omnichannel e-commerce strategy

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As business customers are more and more likely to order online, it's important for B2B companies to set up their order management differently. In this blog, you'll discover why it's smart to integrate e-commerce and order management into a single platform.

What is B2B order management?

B2B order management is the management of all processes related to the orders that business customers place. It ranges from the order confirmation the customer receives to the delivery of the order and even the return processes. In short: everything that happens after your customer clicks the order button. The goal of order management is simple: to ensure your customer receives their order on time and in the right condition.

Different solutions for B2B order management

B2B companies implement order management in different ways. They often start with order management in Excel, for example, and then quickly move on to an order management system (OMS) or enterprise resource planning software (ERP). With the rise of omnichannel strategies, the need for integrated solutions for order management is increasing. This has led to the emergence of B2B platforms that integrate e-commerce, order management and other customer processes into a single platform.

The benefits of single platform order management

  • Grip on orders: A single platform solution ensures that all orders arrive at the right place, regardless of which channel a B2B customer uses to place orders. The workflows you need for this are managed in an organized system. This gives you an overview and a grip of all the orders that are placed by your B2B customers. And thanks to automation, you can often serve your customers a lot faster.
  • Grip on inventory: With an increase in the number of sales channels and outlets, it is crucial to have real-time visibility into inventory levels and delivery times. The exchange of information between different inventory systems and sales channels may cause inaccuracies. A single platform solution less vulnerable.
  • Get a handle on logistics: The way B2B companies deliver is becoming increasingly complex. Perhaps you’re selling your own products, but at the same time offer other items via dropshipping. Do you deliver to end users yourself, but also to partners or dealers? You might also manage part of the storage and distribution, but at the same time you’re also working with third-party logistics providers (3PL). With such a complex landscape, it's vital to have one integrated solution for e-commerce and order management.
  • Grip on trends: With a single platform solution for e-commerce and order management, you’ll be able to bundle all data flows related to customer activities. This enables you to spot deviations and detect trends that transcend channels a lot faster. This helps you anticipate changing customer needs.

Serving your customers in an efficient and scalable way with OrderCentral

OrderCentral is a single platform solution built on the proven cloud technology of Salesforce. You'll benefit from a lightweight, user-friendly B2B webshop with a fast go-live time and all the e-commerce features B2B companies need. These include features like multiple storefronts, price, condition and asset management, and B2B payment providing integration. If you wish, you can organize not only your order management from the same platform, but also processes related to marketing, sales and service. This integration ensures that you can meet the needs of your target groups in a scalable and efficient way.