A powerful and easy-to-use direct store delivery (DSD) solution is essential for any wholesaler. The benefits of having such a system are numerous, especially since products need to get directly to customers in a quick manner. However, quickness does not mean you have to be careless. Controls and good practices need to be in place to ensure you are operating efficiently.
Orbis DSD Route Accounting & Planning provides you with the visibility to ensure you are operating in an organized and effective way. Here are some best practices to follow:
Connect your system and data
Pen and paper records no longer have a place in today’s fast and modern world. Suppliers need to leverage the power of technological platforms which integrate all the tools their employees require. Nowadays with DSD route accounting software, van drivers, sales representatives, and back office management can have access to the same real time data – which can be accessed on a myriad of different platforms.
Essential data such as number of sales, distribution operations, inventory, payment, and invoicing can all be accessed on a single platform. In addition, all members of the team, irrespective of whether they drive vans or manage operations from the office can edit data and information which is updated in real time. This results in the team always having the latest up-to-date information.
Keep field staff informed
By informing your field staff about product details, as well as pictures and illustrations, you will be arming your drivers with invaluable information that they can leverage – and help increase your revenue in the process. You should ideally couple this information with customer purchase history so that staff can correctly advise clients on product recommendations.
Maximise efficiency
To keep better track of driver performance, especially regarding delivery and sales, digital proof of delivery, digital invoicing, and digital payments are ideal. This is especially true if as a supplier, you have multiple deliveries being made at the same time. Managers should be able to track delivery vans and keep an account of which tasks are being accomplished and if they are being executed on time.
This ensures that the day schedule is adhered to while giving managers a bird’s eye view of the whole DSD process, minimizing driver errors in the process. Surprise sale requests can also be attended to if accurate stock data is available to everyone in the supply chain.
Use technology to increase mobility
Field staff need access to all customer, product, and sales information while on the road. Their mobile devices combined with a route accounting software can easily provide this. Direct store delivery shouldn’t be a haphazard process – by using the latest route accounting technology, wholesalers and distributors can not only optimize their DSD sales, but also use their route staff to sell.
Get in touch today for a free, no obligation demo of Orbis DSD Route Accounting & Planning. Visit https://www.orbiserp.com/ for more information.
