Streamlining Omnichannel Sales Order Processes with SAP & DataXstream

Omnichannel strategies are a fundamental requirement for retailers to survive in this competitive market, and various studies have made a case for this strategy. For example, according to Capital One Shopping Research, companies that implement omnichannel customer engagement strategies boost their sales revenue by 179% compared to those that do not.

Additionally, omnichannel shoppers deliver a 30% higher lifetime return on investment than single-channel shoppers, and retailers using three or more channels experience 250% greater consumer engagement. Omnichannel retailers also retain 90% more customers than their single-channel counterparts.

The pandemic accelerated the shift towards omnichannel shopping, with more than one-third of Americans incorporating features like “buy online, pick up in-store” into their regular shopping routines, McKinsey’s “Omnichannel: The Path to Value” report highlights. It demonstrates that consumers now expect seamless, integrated shopping experiences across all platforms.

Building the Right Omnichannel Foundation 

However, organizations must carefully architect their technology platforms to successfully implement omnichannel strategies and ensure seamless integration across all customer touchpoints. This involves simplifying and automating sales order processes to increase accuracy, reduce processing times, and improve efficiency.

A unified, easy-to-use interface that connects all sales channels is essential. It reduces employee training time and provides real-time access to accurate customer and product availability information. By streamlining these processes, businesses can deliver a true omnichannel experience that meets customer expectations and drives ROI.

Omnichannel Transformation with OMS+

Recently DataXstream shared the example of how it helped a renowned baking brand use integration to boost its omnichannel strategy. Known for its high-quality flour, baking mixes, and ingredients, the company faced challenges in processing complex orders efficiently.

To address this issue, they turned to SAP S/4HANA and integrated DataXstream’s OMS+ (Order Management System) with it to streamline their operations.

Previously, the organization relied on a homegrown order entry system built internally using remnants of an old e-commerce platform. While this system served them in the past, it was not equipped to handle the complexities of their growing omnichannel operations. By adopting SAP S/4HANA and OMS+, the company gained the ability to scale its operations and meet its omnichannel aspirations, demonstrating how companies can utilize technology to bolster sales.

OMS+ serves as the central interface for all order types at the company, whether they come from B2B customers via their website or phone, B2C direct consumer orders, or catalog orders. This integration simplifies and automates sales order processes, reduces employee training time, and provides real-time visibility into customer and product data across all channels.

The Benefits of Streamlined Omnichannel Operations 

The benefits of this transformation are clear. The company can process orders more accurately and efficiently, connect all sales channels seamlessly, and reduce operational complexities.

Moreover, the platform’s scalability ensures the company can adapt to future technologies and evolving customer demands without interruptions. By leveraging OMS+ and SAP, this baking company is well-positioned to deliver consistent and engaging omnichannel experiences to its customers.

What This Means for SAPinsiders

Leverage SAP S/4HANA for scalability and flexibility: SAP S/4HANA, combined with solutions like DataXstream’s OMS+, provides a robust foundation for scaling omnichannel operations. It enables businesses to handle complex order processes and seamlessly adapt to future technological advancements.

Centralize order management for efficiency: Integrating all sales channels into a single, unified platform like OMS+ simplifies order processing, reduces errors, and provides real-time visibility into customer and product data, enhancing overall operational efficiency.

Invest in automation to reduce costs and training time: Automating sales order processes not only increases accuracy and speed but also minimizes the need for extensive employee training, allowing teams to focus on delivering exceptional customer experiences. By embracing these strategies, SAP users can unlock the full potential of omnichannel retailing and position themselves for sustained growth in an increasingly competitive market.