Therefore the efficiency of information flow at the
buy/sell boundaries between businesses is very important.
No doubt your company has many information systems, ranging
from desktop PCs and laptops to ‘multi-user’
departmental or company wide systems running everything
from stock control, order processing, payroll, email to
web sites. However, the majority of buying and selling
is still carried out between companies via the spoken
and written word. It is like each business is an “island
of information” rather than one continuous flow
of data, supporting the flow of goods and services between
trading partners.
Telephone, fax
and email based transactions are inefficient in the long
term. Both parties will waste time re-entering data into
their own systems.
Also, think of the time wasted when customers try to
contact their account manager, who is busy or away, then
exchanging of voice mail, emails, etc. simply to place
a repeat order. Even if there is another person able to
help the customer, they waste time explaining their existing
account requirements.
If two companies are in a well established
‘repeat business’ relationship, and/or the
value of each transaction is high, it makes sense for
one or ideally both of them to explore ways in which they
can reduce the overheads for buying and/or selling.
