Surely you know the problem, you purchase products including the article data from the manufacturer or distributor and have to integrate them into your ERP or WAWI or shop. Sure, there is Import2Shop as an example. But do you really know all the advantages of process automation? We clarify!
Process automation or digitization
The automation of processes inevitably goes hand in hand with digitalization. Who likes to print letters when an order comes in and send these letters to the wholesaler 😉 Exactly, this is done automatically. Nowadays there are endless variants of data transmission, but more on that later.
Process digitization and media breaks
Everyone knows it, we have a fixed workflow which has crept in over the years but is demonstrably ineffective.
Let’s take the following example:
Suppose you sell computer supplies and you have 6 suppliers. Of course, you don’t have everything in stock and rely on your distributor’s drop shipping. You will now receive an order for a simple SSD hard drive, which is available from 5 of your wholesalers. They check the purchasing and delivery status at all wholesalers, and may have to make a phone call afterwards because the data is not clearly visible. 1 hour (and thus, if we think economically, the profit) goes by the wayside. Here we have the first media break (this is what is called in digitization steps that are carried out manually and stand in the way of digitization or hinder it).
Media break number 1:
– You must manually check the items for availability and price
– You must request (availability) data by phone or email
After you have found the cheapest dealer who has the SSD in stock, you need to place the order. Here it depends on your wholesale; either send a fax, an email or call again to order.
Congratulations, media break number 2 and another 15 minutes “for UNICEF”. You have probably already noticed while reading that a change in media causes costs. These costs hide in wasted time that should have been better invested in marketing or customer support.
In order to stop these media breaks, you have to resort to process automation and automate it. Logically, this causes costs first of all (keyword: investment). Automated API connections make it possible, for example, to find out the best price from the respective retailer within a few seconds. This saves you manual searches in manufacturer shops, catalogues, etc. Media disruption number 1: eradicated. Since the system now knows the best price and the supplier, it can place the order right away. You’ve already got media discontinuity number 2 off the table.
This example can be expanded with hundreds of examples and always has a big advantage in the end: More time for important things & fewer errors because manual editing is no longer necessary.
Disadvantages of process digitization
It clearly has a cost that you should view as an investment. It can happen that all workflows in your company have to be turned upside down or the new automated processes have to be adapted.
Conclusion:
Digitizing processes costs time, money and certainly also nerves. However, in the long term, it will give you important competitive advantages. It brings more clarity and efficiency to your everyday work. Our (dropshipping software) can help you with process automation.
