How can I manage orders and distributors in my snacks business?

Get control of the daily distribution cycle

• Fix an order cut-off time each day so packing and dispatch can be planned.
• Set credit limits for each distributor and review them regularly.
• Count warehouse stock at fixed intervals and match it against dispatches.
• Plan delivery routes by area rather than by whoever called first.
• Give every delivery a receipt, and reconcile invoices with payments weekly.
• Check current GST and e-invoicing rules that apply to your turnover.

Where software helps

1. 1Give retailers and distributors a portal to see the catalogue, check stock, place orders and track delivery.
2. 2Plan trips and load vans from confirmed orders, and issue delivery receipts on the spot.
3. 3Track raw material intake and finished stock in one dashboard.
4. 4Approve orders and manage credit limits centrally.
5. 5Generate invoices automatically and let customers download them.

Example: Raj Wafers

Raj Wafers is a B2B distribution and order management platform for an FMCG snack maker. Before it, orders came in by phone and were often miscommunicated, delivery routes were unorganised, warehouse counts were inaccurate and field sales teams could not see live stock. DCPL Technology built a web platform with Vue.js and Laravel that includes a customer portal for browsing, checking stock, placing bulk pre-orders and tracking delivery, trip route planning and van-sales dispatching with delivery receipts, and an admin dashboard for raw material stock, order approval, credit limits and sales metrics. The project page reports order processing times reduced by over 60%. It took three months with four specialists.

Checklist to get started

• List every distributor and retailer with their credit terms.
• Map your delivery areas and typical routes.
• Write down how an order moves from call to delivery today.
• Note where mistakes happen most often.
• Start digitising the step that causes the most errors.