Van Sales plays a pivotal role in the consumer goods supply chain, with numerous distributors relying on mobile sales teams. These teams are often on the move, engaging with retailers through tangible catalogues and processing orders. Over the years, this sector has exhibited steady growth owing to its ability to ensure swift deliveries and cost-effective route management for distributors.
The practice of van sales enables companies to trim down their cost-to-serve metrics, make judicious investments in resources, and streamline the order-to-cash cycle. However, despite the manifold benefits it offers, businesses that fail to equip their van sales operations with automation are susceptible to various challenges. Below, we outline some technological avenues for optimising van sales operations.
Van sales merchants require access to up-to-the-minute product details, pricing, inventory availability, previous transactions, and more while on the move. Many van sales solutions do not seamlessly connect with the central office or ERPs in real time and sometimes function as a separate system. Incorporating real-time updates into the van sales software can greatly improve the effectiveness and planning of van sales. These updates enable users to swiftly generate new sales orders, access customer data, verify credit balances, and review order history, all while interacting with the customer. Proficient van sales software with real-time updates empowers your van merchants to meet their targets and capitalise on sales opportunities.
We are all familiar with the challenges of carrying physical catalogues and the expenses associated with printing and reprinting them. A mobile van sales app should include integrated digital catalogues to address these issues, reducing costs and ensuring convenient access to catalogues. Users can display the product inventory on their handheld devices to retailers, instantly receive orders, introduce new products, and provide clearer explanations of promotions and discounts.
In today's specialised delivery landscape, efficient route planning is crucial to ensure maximum product delivery within the shortest time possible. Van sales, a popular method for transporting both perishable and non-perishable goods, can significantly boost productivity by synchronising route planning with daily visits. By managing routes more effectively and optimising visits, van sellers can save time and achieve broader coverage each day.
Out-of-stock occurrences are common in the supply chain. However, avoiding insufficient inventory during van sales is possible. A sophisticated inventory management system can automate the van sales process. It helps you track your current stock availability, manage replenishment, and reorder when needed. Predicting sales for each route can assist in recommending the appropriate stock quantity for the van. This ensures you can meet fluctuations in demand routes and prevent out-of-stock situations. You can prioritise maintaining in-stock levels, analyse real-time gaps, and reduce excess inventory.
Van sellers have the opportunity to make additional sales when delivering shipments. Efficient order-taking and timely invoicing are crucial for managing financial transactions between van sellers and retailers. A solution that offers faster invoicing and tax organisation simplifies the payment collection process and makes invoice printing and cash collection much more convenient.
Electronic Proof of Delivery (ePOD) systems have supplanted traditional paper-based methods, enabling businesses to digitally record crucial proof of delivery details like customer signatures and photographs. This transition not only alleviates the burden of paperwork but also elevates precision in monitoring deliveries. Furthermore, it provides the benefit of establishing a digital trail that can be readily accessed for audit purposes and to address customer inquiries. Essentially, ePOD streamlines the delivery process, reduces administrative overhead, and ensures a more efficient and transparent system for both businesses and their customers.
Geo-fencing enables you to monitor the whereabouts of your inventory carriers with complete transparency and precision through real-time location tracking. This reduces additional transportation expenses, prevents time theft, and simplifies the verification process for travel allowance requests. Now, optimise your direct-to-store delivery operations with Routemagic, a groundbreaking Van Sales Automation software .
Reporting and analytics feature enables businesses to track performance against an agreed set of parameters. It includes customisable dashboards, real-time tracking, predictive analytics, GIS integration, driver scorecards, and customisable reports. These features allow businesses to monitor and analyse key performance indicators, anticipate problems before they occur, and evaluate driver performance based on specific KPIs. It also helps identify areas where drivers need additional training or support, recognize top-performing drivers, and generate reports tailored to business needs.
Providing van sales team robust tools to simplify their tasks and increase productivity is crucial for boosting your business's operations and serviceability. From collecting payments on the spot to generating invoices and coordinating the loading and replenishing of goods at stores, your CPG business must keep pace with the demands of van sales. You can save time, money, and resources by investing in a dedicated platform that streamlines your van sales-related operations.
