Maintain mappings
Version manufacturer, internal and customer identifiers with effective dates.
WHOLESALE & TRADING / CAPABILITY
Look across the trade
with consistent product data.
Connect purchasing, sales and stock by product and customer to investigate slow-moving items and margin changes. Separate naming differences from commercial terms.
Explore the delivery scope ↓OPERATING MODELILLUSTRATIVE
- 01Fax, PDF & email
- 02Extract and match products
- 03Review and approve
- 04Register and allocate
Conceptual data-to-operation flow, adapted to the agreed project scope.
What makes
this workflow difficult.
Identical model text can hide different packs, specifications or bundles. Distinguish exact matches, approved mappings and unconfirmed candidates.
THE SHORT ANSWER
Connect purchasing, sales and stock by product and customer to investigate slow-moving items and margin changes. Separate naming differences from commercial terms.
DESIGN & DELIVERY
Design in the order the work happens.
Separate stock states
Distinguish physical stock, allocations, inbound orders and transfers.
Reconcile margin
Agree on discounts, rebates, returns and freight; distinguish live and closed-period figures.
DATA READINESS
Required data and the conditions to check.
A consistent format does not ensure operational usefulness. Confirm meaning, refresh and exceptions with owners, and keep missing information explicit.
| Data | Required fields | Checks |
|---|---|---|
| Product register | Code, specification and unit | False matches between similar items |
| Transactions | Quantity, price and terms | Corrections, returns and rebate timing |
| Stock | Location, allocations and movements | In-transit duplication |
EVALUATION
Measure value in the workflow.
These are candidate evaluation measures. Establish a baseline and agree on data, period, targets and exclusions before work starts. They are not claimed performance results.
| Measure | Evaluation method |
|---|---|
| Unmapped products | Counts and transaction value excluded from analysis |
| Reconciliation | Explain quantity and value differences from ERP reports |
| Slow-moving stock | Use agreed no-shipment periods and stock valuations |
AI matching suggestions require review. Product and pricing changes retain approval and history.
Define deliverables
and acceptance.
Review data mappings, workflow, prototype and evaluation evidence before choosing production scope. Estimates distinguish assumptions because permissions and interface terms affect implementation.
Evaluate a customer document group or product category including amendments and returns.
QUESTIONS BEFORE YOU START
Questions before starting
Are handwritten fax orders supported?
We evaluate originals and route unreadable or ambiguous lines to people rather than promising universal automation.
What if ERP has no API?
Assess supported CSV interfaces first. Any UI automation includes recovery and change-maintenance requirements.
RELATED FIELD GUIDE
WHOLESALE & TRADING / GUIDE
Commissioning order OCR: decisions beyond recognition accuracy
Wholesale order automation includes product matching, packs, amendments and approval. Define evaluation and integration that reduce entry effort without creating incorrect orders.
Read the guide ↗YOUR OPERATION / OUR STARTING POINT
Start with the work you do today.
Tell us about the workflow, systems and reporting or documents that need attention. We will define a suitable phase, deliverables and assumptions.
Wholesale and trading — discuss your project How scope and estimates work ↗