Any business that has a tangible product to sell knows that keeping organized with some type of order managing software is essential. Any title from an order management software directory can give you the basic tools to track and organize orders for products. An order management software provider often has training solutions for companies that want to integrate their product into the business.

Order management software information and user guides are often provided with the software, but you may also want to train yourself and your employees in the classroom or online. You can find order management software education and training opportunities through:

1. In-house training programs provided by software experts.

2. Online training tools or classes that provide quick, convenient learning.

3. Websites that offer a order management software list of tutorials and online user guides.

Action Steps
The best contacts and resources to help you get it done

Get in-house training programs to learn about any type of order management program

There are many advantages to hosting in-house training to teach employees about an order management program. You and your employees will get one-on-one training with an expert, you can ask questions, and you'll see first-hand how to utilize some of the program's more complicated features.

I recommend: Net Suite provides both in-house training and an online resource center for users of its order fullfillment and management program. Dydacomp provides half-day seminars to teach the full features of its order management program. BigMachines provides a comprehensive training program for software users.

Learn how to use an order management application through online sources

If you cannot get an in-house training session, you can still take advantage of a structured learning opportunity from online courses and other resources. These courses may also be more convenient for employees to complete on their own time, and they usually cost less than in-person training.

I recommend: Famous Software provides both online and in-person training programs for its order management software. Corrigo offers online and on-site training that teach people to use its order management program.

Find instructions and support for your order managing solution

Sometimes a comprehensive training course is not available to teach employees how to use an order management program. If all else fails, you should be able to find many online tutorials, user guides and tech support options. You can use these tools for training materials for your own training sessions.

I recommend: Number Cruncher provides a library of tutorials for its All Orders programs. The Golden Inventory System also provides a number of tutorials that cover the program's basic and advanced features.

Tips & Tactics

Helpful advice for making the most of this Guide

• •  Whenever your company receives an order management upgrade, take the opportunity to provide continuing education for those already familiar with the program. It's also a good time to bring in employees who haven't trained to use the system.

Order management software information can be a useful addition to your business computer programs. It can help you find the weak spots in your order mgmt program and discover your strongest areas, leading you to make improvements where necessary. An order management software list can save you time and valuable resources spent accumulating the data provided by your current order management computer. An order management software provider can help you to remain competitive in a rapidly changing marketplace.

Find order management software that can analyze the collected data in ways that allow you to make formal presentations and to develop an ongoing order managing solution. Keep your order management program updated to remain in touch with emerging markets and changing economies. You can utilize an order management software provider to customize programs that are easy to use and pass on through your organization. There are a number of ways in which you can integrate order managing software into your operations.

1. Try various order managing software programs

2. Hire an order management software information specialist

3. Bring in an order managing upgrade consultant to train your staff

Action Steps
The best contacts and resources to help you get it done

Investigate order management software information

There are so many companies offering an order management upgrade that it can be difficult to wade through the options. Take time to check with your peers for referrals and investigate several possibilities. Many companies will provide a free trial period. At the very least request a minimal trial time before you sign any long-term agreements to make sure the software is the right program for your needs.

I recommend: Try a free one-on-one demo and free trial time with Advanceware before making your final decision. At Order Guru you can have a free seven-day of their order management software to check out all the features in the program.

Find order management software specialists

So that you can spend your time running your business and doing what you do best, invest in an outside consultant to review your company and make recommendations for the best order management software. Consultants have had experience with the various vendors and often know which ones perform the best.

I recommend: F. Curtis Barry and Company will take a look at your operations and make recommendations for the best software for your needs. Interlink is a consulting firm that stays focused on your profitability when they make recommendations for the best procedures and order management software for your business.

Get your team trained on the new order managing program

It won't do you any good to spend time and resources on an updated order management software list if your employees won't use it or don't know how. Bring in experts to train your staff as well as be there for them when they have questions. Make sure the trainers understand your corporate culture and how to relate to your team so they will get excited about using the new technology.

I recommend: Intacct can arrange for in-house training programs for your staff or bring the instruction to your team via the Web. TMA touts their advanced training programs as one of the reasons you should consider using their latest order management IT solutions.

Tips & Tactics

Helpful advice for making the most of this Guide

• •  Let a few key employees use the trial order management program before making the final decision to go with it. Use their feedback to make your decision.

Order management software is an essential part of any business that sells products rather than services. It should be able to track inventory and process orders while still having a user interface that's easy to navigate. Before choosing a software product, companies should take the time to assess their needs to make sure they select an order management software program that does everything they need it to do. Knowledge of some of the key terms related to the software can help users understand software features.

Action Steps
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Inventory management

Inventory management, sometimes called inventory control, is the act of periodically reviewing the inventory that a company has in stock in order to determine what the company needs to restock. Proper inventory control maximizes profits by preventing loss. Order management software automates this process.

I recommend: Management-Hub.com discusses inventory management and the methods that a company can use for inventory control.

User interface

The user interface of a software program is the way that it looks to the user. When choosing a software program, look for a user interface that is intuitive and easy to learn. This will help employees become used to the system.

I recommend: Usernomics discusses the importance of good user interface design when programmers are creating a software product.

POS integration

Point-of-sale, or POS, integration means you can use the order management software wherever you sell goods. Whether online or in a variety of stores, this is a good feature to have.

I recommend: POSMatic has a POS software program. Its website explains how it works along with an easy-to-understand diagram.

Country of Origin Labeling (COOL)

For safety purposes, some companies must label their products with the country of origin. For companies that must comply with this regulation, it's smart to choose an order management software program that includes this feature.

I recommend: The U.S. Department of Agriculture explains country-of-origin labeling.

Order processing

Order processing entails all of the steps involved with selling your product, from the time that your customer orders it to the time that it reaches your door. The software you choose should track this entire process.

I recommend: For a look at what order processing may include, check out Accupro.

FIFO and LIFO

FIFO stands for 'first in, first out,' while LIFO means 'last in, last out.' These are terms that describe which inventory the company will ship to the customer. For example, if the company uses the FIFO system, then the first item to arrive at the warehouse will be the first one that the company ships to the customer.

I recommend: Financial Education discusses the two methods.