Not too long ago, wholesalers and their customers used to communicate primarily via fax, phone, or even mail. Order management was done on spreadsheets. Thanks to the technological revolution in the late 90s, business owners in various industries have started digitalizing their businesses. That’s also true for distributors. They aim to switch all communication and operational tasks online in order to streamline their business processes. This has led to the creation of some of the best order management systems for food vendors. These platforms allow foodservice suppliers to improve their inventory management, increase their distribution network, and easily integrate eCommerce solutions. In this post, we’ll share more about what supplier order management software is and what the main features of these systems are. Check out our post on how BlueCart helps vendors sell smarter, not harder.
Key takeaway: The best order management systems for food vendors have strong inventory management and B2B marketing capabilities. They allow foodservice suppliers to increase sales and automate various business processes.
What Are Order Management Systems for Vendors
These are software platforms that allow vendors to receive, process, and fulfill orders. They streamline the process from start to finish and are used in B2B sales. Thanks to supplier order management systems, companies can easily grow their distribution network and scale operations.
The most popular order management systems for vendors are used by suppliers of non-perishable goods like electronics, accessories, or home decor. They allow retailers or other businesses that purchase in bulk to track their orders, integrate the software with their systems, and use it to process payments. Some order management systems are specifically designed for dropshipping businesses. Others are primarily used by foodservice distributors and their customers in the restaurant industry.
Specifics for Food Vendors
When it comes to food and other perishable items, there are many specifics. That’s why there are wholesale ordering software solutions that are specifically designed to help businesses in the food and beverage industry. They have improved inventory management tools with features related to expiration dates. Furthermore, they have other functionalities related to cold supply chain logistics and order tracking. Trading with food products also comes with more health and safety regulations. The best order management systems for food vendors are specifically designed to help both suppliers and their customers comply with these regulations.
Why Use an Order Management System for Food Vendors
There are multiple benefits to using wholesale order management solutions. They allow restaurant managers to find suppliers, track their previous orders, receive information about deliveries, and pay invoices to suppliers. Some solutions, like BlueCart’s Endless Aisle, also have additional functionalities for wholesale buyers, such as restaurant data analytics tools and calculators for restaurant profit margin.
Vendors also get many advantages from using an order management system. That includes the ability to increase B2B sales, the various automation tools, analytics capabilities, and payment processing features. An order management system can also be used as part of the wholesale marketing strategy for distributors. Thanks to BlueCart’s Endless Aisle for wholesalers or other alternatives, suppliers can scale their business and extend their distribution network.
Features of Food Vendor Order Management Systems
Tools might be different depending on the platform. However, there are a few common features that are found in order management systems for food vendors.
- Tools to process and manage orders;
- Invoicing and payment tools;
- Inventory management features;
- Integration capabilities with other business software solutions;
- Customer relationship management functionalities;
- Delivery route management;
- Reporting and analytics capabilities.
Examples of Best Order Management Systems for Food Vendors
BlueCart
Our solution is specially designed for foodservice suppliers. It has enhanced inventory management capabilities and allows distributors to automate various tasks. BlueCart also has a sales rep app and other B2B marketing features. Since BlueCart has various tools for wholesale buyers (inventory management, cost of goods sold calculator, predictive ordering, and more), it’s used by thousands of restaurant businesses as well. Whether you’re looking for a solution with powerful food inventory management capabilities or software that helps suppliers sell more with repeat orders and subscriptions, we’re confident to say that BlueCart is among the best B2B marketplaces for food distributors and restaurants.
Open Pantry
Open Pantry is an order management system for food vendors and food service businesses. It has features such as automated ordering, real-time inventory tracking, and other tools to make procurement easier.
Pepperi
It’s a universal B2B order management system for vendors in various industries. It’s used by companies in various fields and is considered more suitable for enterprise-level sellers and buyers.
Skynamo
This software is a field sales management app that helps distributors with well-developed sales teams on the field. It can be used as restaurant technology or by food vendors as well.
Frequently Asked Questions about Order Management Systems for Food Vendors
Are you curious about how to grow a foodservice distribution business? Or perhaps you wish to know how to make a wholesale catalog stand out in today’s hypercompetitive food market? You’ll find resources on these topics and many more on BlueCart’s website. Check out our answers to questions related to order management systems for food vendors.
What Are the Trends in Distributor Order Management Systems?
In recent years, various innovations have been introduced in different industries. Distributors and their customers have benefited from technologies that help them streamline processes and automate tasks. AI-powered solutions like the predictive ordering feature of BlueCart’s Endless Aisle have also become trendy among suppliers and their customers.
Enhanced analytics has also become a trend in supplier order management systems. Managers in the distribution field want to be able to analyze purchasing data, forecast demand, and search for purchasing patterns. Order management systems also have analytics capabilities for wholesale buyers.
How to Choose a Supplier Order Management System?
Various factors need to be considered when choosing order management software. Many distributors prefer to use an order management system that’s specifically designed for their niche market. These solutions have features that are tailored to the specific needs of the industry. That’s why many suppliers of food and ingredients choose some of the best order management systems for food vendors.
Some solutions are more suitable for small suppliers in terms of pricing and features. Others are high-end solutions that work best for enterprise-level customers. Make sure to do proper research and understand all the features of different distributor order management systems.
How Do Food Service Businesses Order Wholesale?
Most companies in the hospitality industry have switched to digital wholesale ordering tools. Nevertheless, some food service businesses still order via phone or email. Ordering directly to on-field sales representatives is also common. Some chefs prefer to personally visit cooperative markets in order to examine fresh produce, meat, seafood, and other ingredients. Large companies in the food service sector aim to automate the wholesale ordering process. That can be done by integrating vendor-managed inventory or by using some of the best SaaS restaurant wholesale ordering platforms.
BlueCart: Order Management and Increased Sales for Food Vendors
Importers, specialized suppliers, growers, farmers, manufacturers, and broadline distributors can all benefit from BlueCart’s features. Thanks to our tools, these companies can streamline order management and increase wholesale sales. If you wish to witness the different solutions BlueCart offers for suppliers, schedule a demo with one of our representatives.
Food service businesses that wish to use BlueCart as buyers can do so easily. Simply sign up for BlueCart’s Endless Aisle for restaurants and start browsing through different product categories and ordering from suppliers.