7 Steps to Effortless Order Management with Frontier ERP

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Sales order management can be one of the most complex aspects of running a manufacturing business. Configuring custom products and ensuring timely delivery are just two important steps of sales order processing. Without the right order management tools, these steps can slow down or grind to a halt. Frontier’s robust ERP features make order fulfillment easy and efficient, even for the most complex products.

Why Manufacturers Choose Frontier ERP

Manufacturers face unique challenges, including custom orders, fluctuating demand, and intricate production schedules. Frontier ERP addresses these challenges head-on with a comprehensive suite of tools tailored to streamline operations. Its integration of critical processes ensures that every step of a customer’s order is efficient and accurate.

With powerful product configuration tools, Frontier is one of the top ERP systems for custom manufacturers. Key features like real-time inventory tracking and automated pricing make Frontier ERP a valuable means for manufacturers to improve order processing.

Optimizing Sales Order Processing Step-by-Step

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Step 1: Configure, Price, Quote (CPQ)

CPQ tools enhance product manufacturing by integrating key ordering elements to optimize the sales process. These tools encompass three core components: Configure, Price, and Quote (CPQ software). Integrating CPQ software into the Frontier ERP system makes the beginning stages of order processing more efficient.

Configure:

A product configurator empowers users to select features, options, and components while ensuring compatibility and feasibility. This guided configuration minimizes errors and simplifies customization, enabling manufacturers to quickly and accurately tailor products to meet customer needs. By automating this process, configurators enhance quote development and order processing efficiency. This ensures that even the most complex combinations are accurate and feasible.

Price:

Pricing complex products can be challenging because of factors like discounts, special promotions, and regional variations. Frontier’s built-in CPQ software automates the pricing process, applying predefined rules and calculations to ensure accurate and consistent quotes. This reduces manual effort and eliminates the risk of pricing errors during sales order processing.

Quote:

After configuration and pricing, CPQ software generates professional quotes that include product specifications, pricing breakdowns, bills of materials (BOM), and estimated delivery dates. These tailored quotes can often be created and delivered within minutes, accelerating the sales cycle and enhancing customer satisfaction. Manufacturers with dealer networks can also make quoting easier by offering eQuote Dealer to streamline dealer orders even further.

With real-time data integration, the ERP CPQ system eliminates guesswork and ensures that customers receive precise information. By streamlining this initial stage, you lay the foundation for seamless sales process optimization.

Step 2: Sales Order Entry

Manual order entry can lead to errors and delays, both of which are costly. Frontier’s ERP system centralizes all order data, allowing your team to input and administer customer orders with ease. Automated workflows derived from quotes reduce manual input, minimizing errors and improving processing times.

When a quotation becomes a true product order, inventory allocation, production scheduling, and shipping logistics are automatically assigned. This efficiency translates to better customer experiences, as orders move smoothly from entry to delivery.

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Frontier’s Master Production Schedule makes sales order processing easier with automatic production scheduling.

Step 3: Inventory Management

Inventory issues—whether overstocking or stockouts—can derail even the best ordering system. Frontier ERP provides real-time visibility into inventory levels, even from the dealer quotation level. This ensures that stock data is always up to date.

With predictive analytics, the system helps you anticipate demand and plan accordingly. This optimizes inventory management, ensuring that your supply chain and sales teams are aligned, reducing disruptions in operations.

Step 4: Production Scheduling

Aligning production schedules with incoming orders is critical for meeting deadlines and managing resources efficiently. Frontier ERP’s advanced scheduling tools allow you to create detailed production plans during order initiation.

Production scheduling considers resource availability, machine capacity, and delivery timelines. The result? Optimized resource allocation, minimized downtime, and a production schedule that works in harmony with your sales pipeline.

Step 5: Assembly and Production

Production workflows often involve multiple stages, each requiring precise management and coordination. Frontier ERP’s internal MES tracks and manages these workflows, ensuring that every step aligns with the customer order.

Quality control checks through advanced production tracking are integrated into the system to help maintain high standards. Features for handling the most complex product configurations ensure that even difficult customer requests are fulfilled efficiently. This level of integration ensures that order processing remains seamless throughout the manufacturing phase.

Step 6: Packaging

Packaging is a vital yet often overlooked aspect of the sales process. Frontier ERP automates packaging workflows by aligning workflows with production schedules. This ensures that orders are ready for dispatch on time and within capacity restraints. The system also manages packaging standards and provides accurate labeling and documentation, reducing waste and improving shipping accuracy.

Step 7: Shipping and Logistics

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From initial quote to final delivery, Frontier ERP takes sales order management to the next level.

Timely and accurate shipment planning is the final step in ensuring customer satisfaction. Frontier ERP coordinates with logistics partners, like Varsity Logistics, to provide real-time updates and generate precise shipping documents. With automated tracking features, customers stay informed about their order status, reducing inquiries and enhancing trust. Integrated logistics ensures that the final leg of the process is as efficient as the initial stages.

How Frontier ERP Ensures Effortless Order Management

Frontier ERP’s end-to-end integration transforms order management into a seamless operation. By connecting every stage—from configuration to shipping—the system eliminates communication gaps and reduces the potential for errors. Manufacturers benefit from reduced lead times, increased order accuracy, and enhanced customer service. Moreover, the ability to handle complex, custom orders with ease gives businesses a competitive edge in a demanding market.

Conclusion

Frontier ERP helps you turn challenges into opportunities, ensuring that every order is handled with precision and efficiency. From automating product configurations to coordinating shipping, Frontier ERP transforms sales order processing and order management. This enables you to focus on what truly matters: growing your business and satisfying your customers.

Would you like to learn more about how Frontier ERP can enhance your order processes?

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