In this multi-part blog series (part 1, part 2, part 3), discover the critical role of ERP software in enhancing accuracy and efficiency when entering customer orders.
How Sarah Transformed Her Workflow
You asked for it – here’s Sarah’s exact workflow that transformed her food distribution operation.
THE CHALLENGE: Friday afternoon: Rush order for 300 cases of various meats across 12 different SKUs, each with specific lot requirements and temperature requirements.
OLD WAY (25+ minutes, high stress):
- Write down order details from phone call
- Check inventory spreadsheet for availability
- Cross-reference lot numbers in separate spreadsheet
- Calculate pricing manually
- Manually check delivery schedule
- Print multiple forms for warehouse
- Hope nothing was missed or miscalculated
NEW WAY WITH WinFDS (1 minute, zero stress):
🔥 Step 1: Order Entry (20 seconds)
- Customer information auto-populates all preferences
- Product codes displayed in our rapid order entry screen
- Quantities entered once, and on one screen
🔥 Step 2: Inventory Allocation (10 seconds)
- Real-time availability shows across all locations
- System auto assigns optimal lot (FIFO compliance)
🔥 Step 3: Verification & Pricing (10 seconds)
- Contract pricing applies automatically
- Allergen alerts display if needed
- Total weight/cubic calculations are done
🔥 Step 4: Processing Complete (15 seconds)
- Easily generate picking slips
- Order added to delivery schedule
- Customer confirmation sent
SARAH’S EXACT WORDS: “I literally sat there staring at the screen thinking, ‘That’s it?’ Everything I used to stress about—lot tracking, temperature compliance, delivery scheduling – WinFDS handled automatically for me.”
THE REAL GAME-CHANGER: When a customer called 10 minutes later wanting to modify the order (add 50 more cases, change delivery date), Sarah made the changes in 45 seconds. No recalculations, no new paperwork, no stress.
BOTTOM LINE RESULTS:
- Processing time: 25 minutes → 1 minute
- Order accuracy: 92% → 99.8%
- After-hours work: Eliminated
- Customer satisfaction: Dramatically improved
- Staff stress levels: “Night and day difference”
Here’s what impressed me most: When I asked Sarah what she’d tell other food distributors still using manual processes, she said:
“Stop thinking this is just about software. This is about being efficient. I used to dread complex orders. Now I actually enjoy the challenge because I know the system has my back.”
Next, we’ll show you exactly how to get started with your own WinFDS transformation. The setup is easier than you think.
Revolutionizing Food Industry Operations With ERP
Food ERP software is a transformative solution for the food industry, addressing the first customer touchpoint of order processing. By leveraging advanced features like real-time inventory, customer specific pricing, past order history and suggested products, businesses can optimize their sales and enhance customer satisfaction. Implementing a robust food ERP system is essential for thriving in the competitive and dynamic food sector.
Contact Food Decision Software when you’re ready to elevate your order processing. We recognize the unique challenges in the food industry and have developed WinFDS®, our state-of-the-art Food ERP system, to tackle these issues and streamline your operations. WinFDS® offers exceptional demand forecasting, stringent traceability, and robust compliance management, all integrated into a single, comprehensive solution. Schedule an appointment with us today to book a demo and see for yourself how WinFDS® can transform your business!
