Business Automation and Software Blog

The way customers do business with you has transformed due to changes in technology. Customers are much more likely to take time to do their homework and learn about a company before making a buying decision. They are interested in developing a relationship with vendors and service providers, which means the overall customer experience is of primary importance to staying competitive. Your CRM software is an integral part of relationship-building and your business success. 

We often recommend distribution and manufacturing software solutions to help businesses succeed in lower costs and increasing profits. But it’s not enough. In the uncertainty and chaos of the past months, the usual paradigms haven’t been enough to ensure success. One of the keys to getting back on track for future business success is building better relationships with customers, prospects, and suppliers.

Manufacturers across the world are moving toward a paperless office by reducing paper costs, reducing papers that get lost, reducing human errors, reducing the need for filing cabinets, reducing the need to print, and reducing the amount of time it takes to find information.

How are manufacturers doing this? DASH!

Operating during the COVID-19 pandemic has shown the spotlight on some serious operations’ weaknesses in manufacturing and distribution facilities. A majority of manufacturers said they were negatively affected by supply chain disruptions during the pandemic, according to a survey conducted by SYSPRO. Many of them are looking to simplify their supply chains to reduce the risk of something going wrong. To affect these types of changes, the majority of survey respondents are considering B2B eCommerce. B2B buyers and sellers said they preferred the digital “self-serve” way of interacting (McKinsey).

Manufacturers have never shied away from facing challenges. The early part of the twenty-first century has already presented some problems that no one could have anticipated, such as the financial crisis in 2008 or the coronavirus global pandemic. Technology forms the basis for the challenges manufacturers are facing in 2021. They must re-evaluate their manufacturing operations management strategy to reach their goal of staying competitive.

Now that we are finally moving toward a post-pandemic business environment, it is not the time to sit back and congratulate yourself for making it through a challenging time. The COVID-19 pandemic saw consumer practices change dramatically. People have been isolating themselves to avoid becoming ill, and the demand for goods has only increased. Shoppers turned to online retailers and expected that their purchases would be delivered to their doorstep quickly. It has proved challenging to respond to heightened customer demands. Stock-outs and shipping delays have been all too common due to heightened demand.

How much thought have you given to your warehouse management strategy and to scaling fulfillment services as the economy recovers?

It’s worth thinking about the warehouse management strategies and tactics used to scale fulfillment by many big companies throughout the country in the wake of the coronavirus pandemic that is starting to loosen its grip. Everyone from e-commerce giants to local mom and pop companies found themselves struggling with fulfillment issues as demand exceeded supply.

Baby boomers are retiring en masse, and the manufacturing sector is hungry for new talent. Millennials may just be the answer to combat the continuing manufacturing labor shortage. A Deloitte report showed that millennials, who are already emerging as leaders in technology and other industries, will comprise 75 percent of the global workforce by 2025.

Manufacturers are in the business of producing goods that consumers want to buy. The best possible scenario for this type of business is when the products can be made at a reasonable price so the company can show a profit when they are sold to a wholesaler or a distributor. Green products are a definite consumer favorite, with many buyers weighing a product’s environmental impact before making a purchase. Sustainable manufacturing is an important factor in the circular economy since consumers have shown a distinct preference for these products.

Manufacturers are no different from any other type of business. They need to manage their cash flow properly if they are going to keep the company afloat. The global pandemic has only added to the stresses that owners and managers have faced recently. They are competing against other manufacturers at home and worldwide and the cost of raw materials is continuing to increase, making it more challenging to keep costs under control. Customers continue to expect high-quality products at a reasonable price. Manufacturing accounting must be a priority if the goal is to control costs and boost cash flow.