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For most organizations, sales are the driving force behind their operations. Any errors or inefficiencies in sales order entry and processing can lead to significant costs.
A sales order serves as formal confirmation that the seller can fulfill the customer’s purchase. It verifies that the order has been reviewed and will be successfully processed. However, if sales processes lack efficiency, accuracy, and automation, financial losses can escalate, especially at scale.
People naturally resist change, which often makes business leaders hesitant to adopt new processes and technologies. This is where outsourcing sales order entry and processing can be a strategic advantage, helping businesses streamline operations and reduce costs.
What Does a Sales Order Outsourcing Company Do?
Sales processing is a complex function with plenty of opportunities for errors, especially when handled manually. Mistakes can occur in various areas, including inaccurate invoices, inefficient inventory management, and simple data entry errors during sales order processing.
If sales order entry and purchase order processing aren’t your organization’s core competencies, outsourcing can be a game-changer. Specialized outsourcing providers have streamlined, efficient processes that may be difficult or impractical to implement in-house.
A sales order outsourcing company can handle key tasks such as:
- Invoice Auditing – Ensuring accuracy in billing and payments.
- Sales Order Entry – Inputting sales data into the company’s order and inventory management systems.
- Order Submission – Sending processed orders to fulfillment teams and logistics providers.
- Process Automation – Implementing technology-driven solutions to streamline order management.
- System Integration – Connecting fulfillment, inventory management, and other sales-related platforms.
Partnering with a reputable outsourcing provider can significantly improve efficiency and cost-effectiveness. But how do you find the right partner for your business needs?
How to Choose the Right Sales Order Outsourcing Partner
When evaluating outsourcing providers for sales order processing, sales management, or fulfillment automation, consider the following key factors:
- What Aspects of Sales Order Processing Do You Want to Outsource?
- Does the Outsourcing Partner Understand Your Standard Operating Environment (SOE)?
- What Value Does the Outsourcing Partner Bring?
- Do They Offer Contractual Service Level Agreements (SLAs)?
- Do They Have Established Processes and Security Certifications?
1. What Aspects of Sales Order Processing Do You Want to Outsource?
Determine whether you need a full-service provider or just specific aspects outsourced. Assess your company’s strengths and challenges to decide whether a partial or comprehensive outsourcing approach is more practical. Keep in mind that excessive fragmentation of responsibilities can lead to inefficiencies.
2. Does the Outsourcing Partner Understand Your Standard Operating Environment (SOE)?
Your company’s SOE—including software, operating systems, and integrations—is unique. It’s essential to work with an outsourcing provider that understands your systems and workflows to ensure seamless collaboration.
3. What Value Does the Outsourcing Partner Bring?
Will the provider enhance your existing processes, implement automation, or introduce improvements in fulfillment and inventory management? Understanding their full service scope helps prevent misalignment and unmet expectations.
4. Do They Offer Contractual Service Level Agreements (SLAs)?
A reliable outsourcing provider should commit to performance standards through a formal SLA. This document should define service scope, performance expectations, timelines, and accountability measures, ensuring clarity and reliability in the partnership.
5. Do They Have Established Processes and Security Certifications?
The best outsourcing providers follow well-defined processes for onboarding, offboarding, and ongoing updates. Regular check-ins help identify and resolve any inefficiencies.
Security is a critical factor when outsourcing sales order processing. Your provider should be compliant with industry standards such as:
- SSAE 21 SOC 2 Type II compliance – Verifying ongoing adherence to security, availability, processing integrity, confidentiality, and privacy controls through continuous monitoring and independent audits.
- ISO/IEC 27001 – Demonstrating strong information security management practices.
- ISO/IEC 27701 – Focused on data privacy and compliance with global regulations.
SOC 2 certification, developed by the AICPA, ensures that a provider meets five key trust service principles:
- Security – Protecting against unauthorized access and breaches.
- Availability – Ensuring reliable system performance.
- Processing Integrity – Guaranteeing accurate and timely order handling.
- Confidentiality – Protecting sensitive business data.
- Privacy – Ensuring compliance with data protection regulations.
SOC 2 compliance also requires providers to issue periodic reports verifying ongoing adherence to these standards.
Why Choose iTech as Your Sales Order Outsourcing Partner?
At iTech, we are SSAE 21 SOC 2 Type II, ISO/IEC 27001, and ISO/IEC 27701 compliant, ensuring the highest security and efficiency standards. With extensive experience in sales order and purchase order entry processes—including order fulfillment and shipping logistics—we work closely with clients to develop customized outsourcing solutions that align with their business goals.
Contact iTech today to learn how our outsourcing experts can help streamline your sales order processing and improve operational efficiency.
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IDS Commander iTech2021
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