Supplier Integration Advantages: It’s Easier for Buyers to Buy

Software Systems Integration provides suppliers at least three major advantages:

• Integration makes it easier for buyers to buy.
• Integration greatly reduces the time and labor associated with each transaction.
• Integration enhances customer service.

Easier to Buy and Sell

A supplier who can immediately show the distributor what’s available for what price has a far greater chance of selling it.

Distributors look for price and availability information when they’re ready to buy. It’s the Zero Moment of Truth, and a supplier who can immediately show the distributor what’s available for what price has a far greater chance of selling it.

Suppliers can use software systems integration and EDI to automatically provide buyers price and availability information. Buyers, namely distributors, will then be able to access real-time, accurate price and availability information online.

Integration also streamlines product configuration. Product configuration integrations allow the buyer to choose imprint locations, methods, and otherwise configure the product according to business rules set by the supplier.

Reduce Time and Labor

Every time a buyer finds information online, it saves the trading partners time and labor.

Every time a buyer finds price and availability information online, it saves the trading partners at least one email or phone call and, more importantly, the time and labor associated with it. Every time a buyer configures a product through an integrated service, it saves at least one more email or phone call.

Over the course of dozens, hundreds, or even thousands of transactions per day, the savings in man-hours from no longer having to manually field the inquiries is considerable. Other integrations further in the sales process create even more efficiency.

Trading partners can also integrate for order status, so that a distributor can easily look up where the order stands rather than relying on supplier time and labor to find out. Shipping notices and invoices can also be integrated, creating the same benefits.

Integration automatically provides the information that distributors most often require and that suppliers spend the most time providing manually.

Enhanced Customer Service

It's easier and quicker for suppliers to satisfy distributors, who in turn can more easily and quickly satisfy end customers.

Integration improves supplier customer service by providing distributors easy access to the information needed to place, manage, and complete orders. From quoting out to invoicing, distributors are automatically provided the information they need for the order lifecycle.

It’s not just a time and labor savings for suppliers who no longer have to manually field inquiries. It’s also a time and labor savings for distributors who now have the ability to gather the information more efficiently than they could through the traditional, manual methods.

With time-intensive manual tasks stripped from the order lifecycle, orders reach the production floor and, ultimately, the end customer faster.

It's easier and quicker for suppliers to satisfy distributors, who in turn can more easily and quickly satisfy end customers. It's a boost in customer service throughout the supply chain.

Next: Why Suppliers Want Distributors to Integrate >>

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