Over the last few months, we have realized that distributors are becoming increasingly more focused on adopting route DSD software technology to gain an edge in their respective markets. This newly found technological focus centres on replacing mobile computers that run Windows Mobile with Android or iOS or updating their ERP system (QuickBooks, Sage 100, SYSPRO) to the newest version.
Although these changes are marginally better and often necessary, it has become clear that most distributors are thinking about technology as a means to streamline their business. Right now is the best time to start leveraging technology as a way to automate manual tasks, free up employee time, and maximize company profits.
Many of the distributors we work with initially view the term "automation" as both complicated and expensive. In reality, this opinion is based on truths formulated ten years ago when companies had to purchase both computer equipment and software. Today all you need is a smartphone, an internet connection, and Solid Route Accounting™ to automate the jobs of multiple people in your organization. Tasks that are efficiently automated include:
- Order & Payment Entry – All collected payments and created orders can be sent directly to your accounting system. This means that your team no longer has to input stacks of invoices or payments by hand.
- Inventory Management – All truck and route inventory can be managed via a mobile device. As the orders are created, the inventory is updated automatically, so inventory is easily reconciled at the end of the day.
- Data Access – Salespeople can view customer information, customer order history and product quantities & prices on the fly. This means that you no longer have to print product lists, price guides, or customer information.
A few months ago, we installed the Solid Route Accounting™ system for a distributor. Our client needed to determine the actual benefit of automating the above tasks.
The distributor monitored their route (DSD) sales representatives during the day and reviewed the end-of-day reconciliation. After the first week, they found that each sales representative could complete their day in on average 7 hours instead of 8. This allowed them to increase the number of customer stops from 10 to 13. The salespeople were able to make stops in less time due to the information available on their devices.
Moreover, previously the order desk had to input 100 orders and 15 payments per day into their accounting system. This is no longer needed and freeing up around two hours per day. In the warehouse, the manager was able to do inventory reconciliation thirty minutes faster each day due to inventory tracking and reporting. As a whole, we estimated that each employee who touched Solid Route Accounting™ was able to create a significant benefit for the company.
These gains are before even considering the other 3 major areas the Solid Route Accounting™ looks after. These being: Management Reporting, Location Tracking and Easy Set-up & Maintenance.
In the end, process automation turns out to be an immediate way to unlock profits for your organization. If you still use paper and manual labour to do manual tasks, please make the leap to 2020 and look into the Solid Route Accounting™ software. You'll be happy you did.
Or contact our sales team at Solid Sales Team or +1-888-667-3769 ext 2.
Solid Route Accounting™ takes care of your business so you can take care of your customers.