Order Tracking

Implementing order tracking

Decide whether you want a simple order tracking system, solely to cover deliveries, or a more complex solution that will become an integral part of your overall business management system.

Built-in order tracking

These steps can help you if you only need simple order tracking of deliveries.

• Devise unique order codes for all the products and services you supply.
• Select a courier company that offers online tracking and set up electronic links to its systems.
• Establish timeframes for order fulfilment and communicate these to your customers.
• E-mail all details - such as item numbers, courier company and delivery times - direct to customers when goods leave your premises.

Integrated order tracking system

It's a good idea to do some research before you choose a fully-fledged order tracking system.

• Purchase a few minor items from a leading online e-tailer (such as Amazon) to get a sense of how order tracking should operate.
• Try out online couriers and ASP-based services in order to evaluate order tracking without any significant financial or technological investment.
• Carry out a cost benefit analysis to evaluate:
  • increased customer satisfaction
  • reduced lead times
  • improved management information
  • cost of system acquisition, operation, and maintenance
  • any training that may be required
• Look at some of the integrated order tracking systems that are available - like Descartes and TradeStream - these automate and link processes right across the supply chain
• Evaluate their practicality for the needs of your company. Once you have chosen a suitable system:
  • Pilot the fulfilment process by auditing a simple order from placement to delivery.
  • Ensure that you integrate automatic order-status reporting for each of your key internal processes.
  • Give customers real-time online access to the status of their orders.
  • Favour suppliers with electronic order tracking of their own.
  • Integrate their systems with yours to provide increased transparency to customers.

This information based on Crown Copyright 2003