Learn how a software engineer tackled operational challenges with a custom solution in Acumatica, significantly improving efficiency.
(a) Challenges:
Many businesses face operational hurdles due to the limitations of their existing software systems. One common issue is the lack of real-time visibility into order fulfillment. This was the exact problem encountered while working with Acumatica, a popular business management platform. The platform lacked a crucial feature a “field rate % metric,” which is essentially a real-time progress indicator for each sales order. Without it, teams struggled to understand what percentage of an order was actually ready to ship.
This lack of visibility created several significant problems:
- Manual Processes: Teams were forced to manually track order progress, leading to inefficiencies and wasted time.
- Poor Decision-Making: Without clear data, making informed decisions about inventory management and order fulfillment was nearly impossible.
- Customer Dissatisfaction: The sales team had difficulty providing accurate delivery timelines when customers inquired about their orders. This could potentially damage customer trust and satisfaction.
- Management Issues: Managers needed access to real-time data to make informed decisions about inventory and other operational challenges.
The manual, guesswork-based approach was clearly not sustainable and was negatively impacting the entire operation.
(b) Solution & Benefits
Recognizing the magnitude of the issue, we took the initiative to find a solution. Leveraging Acumatica’s powerful customization options, we decided to build a custom feature.
The solution was the creation of a custom “field rate % field” directly within the Acumatica platform. This custom field provided a real-time view of how much of each order was ready to ship.
Here are the benefits of this custom solution:
- Improved Visibility: The new field provided instant visibility into order status, eliminating the need to dig through multiple screens or spreadsheets.
- Streamlined Processes: By automating a key process, the solution streamlined the entire workflow of order processing.
- Informed Decision-Making: With real-time data readily available, managers could make better decisions about inventory and operations.
- Enhanced Customer Experience: The sales team could now quickly provide accurate information to customers regarding their orders.
- Increased Efficiency: By automating previously manual tasks, the solution helped boost the overall efficiency of the company.
This demonstrates the immense potential in customizing business software to address specific needs.
Taking initiative and leveraging available tools can lead to a better outcome. For businesses facing similar challenges, it is essential to explore customization options or seek assistance from experts like Tayana. They specialize in helping businesses get the most out of platforms like Acumatica, improving visibility, streamlining operations, and ensuring a smoother workflow. This case highlights the importance of looking for innovative solutions rather than accepting sub-optimal processes. Small changes can make a big difference.