From Hours to Minutes: How Rapid App Werks Streamlined Complex Sales Orders Through Low-Code App Development

Ever felt like your order processing system is designed to slow you down instead of empowering your team? For many businesses and manufacturers dealing with intricate custom orders, this is a familiar struggle. Traditional systems, while robust in general functionality, often lack the agility needed to handle highly detailed product specifications. This typically results in a data entry slog that bottlenecks workflows, frustrates sales reps, and negatively impacts customer satisfaction. 

This was exactly the challenge faced by one of our clients, a leader in complex fabricated metals. Their existing enterprise resource planning (ERP) system, while powerful for core operations, wasn’t optimized for the unique demands of processing intricate custom orders. Sales representatives spent hours wrestling with the interface and new hires also faced a daunting learning curve. 

In this post, we’ll explore how Rapid App Werks helped a manufacturer build a custom application that streamlined their complex fabrication sales orders processing through low-code development.

Complex Products, Cumbersome Processes

Have you ever found your business in a situation where a customer entrusts your company with a highly specialized product order? This situation typically requires meticulous design, intricate assembly of various parts, and precise specifications for each component.

Unfortunately, not every system offers a seamless way to do this. In fact, entering intricate details – dimensions, part numbers, specific configurations – can become a data entry marathon that can take hours to complete.

Many businesses struggle with similar challenges when it comes to complex order entry for custom products:

Inconsistent Data Entry

Manual data entry across complex product specifications is prone to errors. These errors can lead to rework, delays, and frustrated customers.

Communication Gaps

Traditional systems often create information silos or communication gaps, making it difficult for sales and production teams to collaborate effectively. Lack of transparency can lead to miscommunication and missed deadlines.

Limited Visibility

The inability to track order status in real-time can cause delays and communication breakdowns. Customers are left in the dark, and sales reps lack the information they need to manage expectations.

The Low-Code Solution: Building Efficiency for Complex Orders

We knew a smarter solution existed for these problems, so we incorporated our low-code development solutions. This innovative approach empowers us to build custom applications faster and cost-effectively than traditional coding methods.

Here’s how we leveraged low-code development to create a streamlined order entry solution for our client, reducing their order entry times:

We replaced the legacy system’s complex interface with a user-friendly app specifically designed for complex order entry. We added clear labels, intuitive navigation, and a layout that guides users through the process with minimal effort.

Guided Data Entry

No more wasted time searching for obscure data fields. Our app provides clear prompts for each required piece of information, streamlining the entry process and minimizing errors. Visual indicators highlight mandatory fields and differentiate between essential and optional details, so its users can capture all necessary data accurately.

Real-Time Validation

Our app also validates information as it’s entered, catching mistakes early and preventing delays caused by inaccurate data.

Order Status Tracking

The app provides constant order status updates in real-time, keeping everyone informed on progress and preventing communication breakdowns.

Deep Integration with SAP's Variant Configuration Model

One of the biggest challenges our client faced was managing the intricate details of their complex fabricated metals within their existing SAP system. SAP offers a powerful Variant Configuration (VC) model, but its complexity often creates bottlenecks in the order entry process, especially for highly customized products. Here is where we applied our low-code solutions.

We seamlessly integrated our custom application with SAP’s VC model. This allowed us to capture even the most granular details of each order – thousands of characteristics – without the cumbersome interface challenges previously experienced. These intricate details, from specific part numbers to intricate assembly configurations, are crucial for the production team to accurately build the custom product. 

Prior to our solution, effectively capturing these complex order variations within SAP was a major hurdle for our client. Our low-code development expertise bridged the gap, allowing for a seamless flow of data between the user-friendly order entry app and the powerful configuration capabilities of SAP. 

This deep integration between our low-code application and SAP’s VC model is a key differentiator of our solution. It empowers sales reps to efficiently capture all the necessary details, while ensuring the production team receives the precise information needed to build the product according to the customer’s exact specifications. 

How Did a Custom Application Transform Their Complex Fabrication Sales Order Process?

Our client’s custom low-code application completely transformed their sales order process. Here how:
Hours of data entry were condensed to minutes, freeing up valuable time for sales reps and accelerating the entire order fulfillment process.

Empowered Sales Force

The intuitive interface simplified onboarding for new hires, while clear data entry guidance boosted sales rep productivity.

Improved Accuracy

Real-time validation minimized errors and ensured order accuracy, reducing the risk of costly rework and delays.

How Low-Code Development Can Benefit Your Business

Does your company grapple with complex order entry processes for custom-built products? You’re not alone. Many organizations struggle with legacy systems that hinder efficiency as well.

If you think your sales order process can use some upgrading or if you think your business is ready to have its own custom application, Rapid App Werks can help. Our expertise in low-code development allows us to create custom applications that streamline complex processes, just like we did for our client. Consider the possibilities:

Get orders out the door faster and keep your customers happy.

Enhanced Sales Rep Productivity

Empower your sales team to focus on selling, not wrestling with cumbersome systems.

Minimized Errors

Real-time validation ensures data accuracy and reduces the risk of costly rework.

Don’t let complex processes slow your business down. Contact Rapid App Werks today and see how low-code development can revolutionize your sales system for higher levels of efficiency.

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