Dairy distributors need direct store delivery (DSD) software that’s intuitive and powerful to keep their operations running smoothly and ensure the freshest items are for sale on grocery store shelves. Outdated systems can introduce human error and cost your business hundreds, or sometimes thousands of dollars, over time. Additionally, these errors can put your business out of compliance with the newest FDA compliance requirements for certain dairy products that may be on your trucks. Adjusting your processes and adapting to new technology will help you be more successful.
In a recent study, a staggering 70% of small businesses reported ramping up their technology adoption in the face of the COVID-19 pandemic. If you implemented tech in 2020 to keep your business operating or have put off upgrading Window-based systems, it may be time to consider deploying new DSD software with features that will help you overcome your food distribution challenges.
Dairy Delivery Challenges
Since 2020, the dairy industry has faced changing demands from retailers, restaurants, and other clients and struggled with a driver shortage. This includes challenges like carrying a wider variety of stock as customers want to try new brands and advanced analytics and reporting to help understand and meet those consumer needs. The right DSD software will make sure your drivers have the tech tools they need to work efficiently and productively. Inventory features help to ensure the truck is adequately, stocked to fulfill orders and keep enough extra stock on hand to handle extra sales during their deliveries. Your DSD software should be able to help manage truck loading logistics with ease.
DSD software should also have robust invoicing features. Drivers creating invoices by hand can leave a lot of room for error. You also have the potential for human error when your back-office staff enters data into accounting software. Additionally, upgraded, intuitive DSD software streamlines invoicing, saves drivers time, in some cases enough to visit additional stops. Invoicing from DSD software also shortens the time from delivery to payments, automating processes through software API connections. The time savings in each step adds up to a better, faster, leaner business model.
Forecasted and unseen shrinkage hurts your profit margins in an industry where margins are already close. Being able to track every product, return, invoice, and delivery with DSD software can help reduce shrinkage on multiple fronts for your business.
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The Direct Store Delivery Features You Need
Dairy businesses that need to update their DSD software and hardware should keep several features at the top of their software wish list.
First and foremost, the platform should produce no errors. Instead of customers catching errors and having to correct those invoices, your software should enable your drivers to provide correct invoices and deliver excellent customer service.
Your DSD software should also allow you to configure as much information as possible to make inventorying and invoicing as easy as possible. Additionally, your tool should have all of your pricing and inventory available as fast as your delivery drivers can type. They know the products by heart in many cases, so don’t slow them down.
A solid DSD solution will also have detailed records of previous purchases available for each client. This allows drivers to help remind clients about their purchases based on buyer behaviors, like more ice cream sales on Friday nights, for example. This helps your drivers fulfill orders and sell additional products on their routes.
Have a client that needs DEX for invoicing? You’ll need software with embedded DEX integration, without additional vendors or licensing, in addition to hardware that’s preconfigured to seamlessly transmit DEX data so that your clients can review and approve invoices on the spot.
Your DSD software should also integrate with all major accounting software providers, like QuickBooks. Using the APIs from accounting software will streamline invoicing directly to the client, meaning you get paid faster. When you have the tools to integrate with the solutions your customer already uses, you provide them a way to pay you easily and quickly.
MobileConductor Express as a Full-Service Solution
MobileConductor Express is a DSD solution that has all of these features and more, which can allow you to realize ROI and reduce shrinkage. You can reach us easily for support and we’ll work with you during set-up and throughout support services to hone the tool set to your needs. Own a company with 5-10 routes? Typically we could have all your hardware ready and staff trained in less than three business days. We have pricing models for every budget. Ready for more information? Contact us today.