There are more than 16,500 companies engaged in the distribution of food and non-food products to the foodservice industry. With such rapid growth in the food and beverage distributor, it’s easy to see how some additional tools can come in handy.
Fortunately, there are a number of software platforms and tools that can help you streamline your business and enhance your profits.
Shipping Tools
Handling the unexpected situations that often arise for a food and beverage distributor can be challenging. That’s why it’s important to be aware of delays or crisis as soon as they occur. This is where real-time alerts can provide a major upper hand over your shipping situation. Both large and small businesses are opting for the use of software and apps that allow them to receive alerts and updates on their shipments.
Some software programs even allow you to track your shipping trucks throughout their trip, so you know exactly where they are at all times. Overall, this can help avoid some major difficulties in the long run.
Processing Tools for Food and Beverage Distributor
If you’re managing a food supply chain, processing can take up a large deal of your time. In addition to that, doing it all manually makes it more likely for errors to occur. Fortunately, there are order processing tools that make the full task easier and more efficient.
Many of these supply tools, like this service, are a combination or order management, processing, order fulfillment, and billing platforms. This allows you to keep track of every area of your order. If you know you repeatedly order the same items you can even have the full process be automated through the platform.
Inventory Tools
Inventory is one of the most fundamental processes that can occur in your business. Due to its importance, it’s often outsourced as a completely separate job. Which mean extra money needs to be spent to keep track of this important task.
Fortunately, you can save money while still making the task of keeping inventory as efficiently as possible. Platforms that focus on demand forecasts, scheduling and materials planning can take much of the guesswork out of inventory. They can also greatly reduce the likelihood of errors occurring.
Warehouse Management
As your business expands, you may need to keep track of multiple warehouses in various locations at the same time. This can quickly become a headache in addition to everything else. Fortunately, there are a number of warehouse solutions that cover multiple aspects of warehouse management.
Through warehouse management software you’ll be able to track inbound and outbound shipments. You’ll also find it easy to cycle counting and route planning. Many of these programs also allow you to track multiple locations at the same time, and carry out processes throughout warehouses.
Bid and Spend Tools
Being able to properly source and procure products is an imperative part of your business. Which is why such priorities are often made a top priority. Tools that allow you to automate the entire procure-to-pay process and simplify sourcing are an ideal way to save time and reduce errors.
On a larger scale, this can also help you save money through the prevention of errors. You will find that many operative systems that cover such tasks also incorporate automated spend analysis. This is designed to help you better understand the efficiency of your procurement processes.
Supplier Management
Often your business will require you to work closely with multiple suppliers. That’s why a supplier management system is the perfect pairing to bid and spend tools. Through supplier management platforms you’ll find it easy to review the history of your business relationship as well as learn how the relationship affects other aspects of your business.
This is crucial when it comes to being able to confidently make decisions about suppliers. It will allow you to determine whether or not you should continue a relationship with a supplier or if it’s time to switch to a new one.
Supply Chain Analytics
Being able to review data in every area of your business not only allows you to avoid pitfalls but also allows you to see where you can get a competitive advantage. Unfortunately, with so many costs, numbers, and areas to keep track of, it can be difficult to maintain an accurate viewpoint of all areas.
That’s why many successful business owners rely on analytics and report platforms to create a 360 view on what’s happening within their business. Not only does such software allow you to keep track of all the little details, but they also allow you to compare year after year.
Contingency Planning
Every business has its weaker seasons where sales dip and you seem to be struggling just to be making payroll. Being able to plan for such times is the difference between businesses that survive and those who don’t. This means having the right tools in play to allow you to spot the patterns.
For example, if you work in the meat industry you may find that sales tend to spike during weekends with nicer weather. By knowing such information you know to supply your stock accordingly.
Security Features
Finally, the right software platform is one that protects from data theft. It may seem like a small detail, but your data and analytics in the hands of a competitor can quickly give them the upper hand, leading to reduced profits for your business.
It’s important to work with vendors that offer security assurances as well as working with software that prevents third-party management. You will also want to pay attention to the roles that are assigned on your platforms, so you have a strict handle over who sees your information.
Getting the Most out of Your Tools
Whether you decide to use one software platform or several, it’s important to be consistent and organized to get the most out of such tools. When used correctly a food and beverage distributor can save substantial time and money by streamlining their processes through the right platform.