It has become critical for VARS to run its business as efficiently as possible in order to keep costs down, provide quality service, and maximize productivity. With VAR business moving into digital space, VARS are looking for software tools that can help them to manage their business more efficiently. Inefficient processes can be a great hindrance to your growth and profitability. However, there are a plethora of software tools that can help rid your business of inefficient processes.
Following are the software tools that can help VARS to improve sales efficiency and be faster and more efficient in their business.
Table of Contents
1. Catalog Management Tool
Catalog is an important cornerstone of any VAR business. The sheer number of manufacturers, products, and variants makes it impossible for any company to manage the catalog manually. So you need to use an appropriate catalog management tool to keep a track of inventory.
2. Quoting Management Tool
As we all know, quoting is an integral part of the sales process. Most of the sales reps apart from their regular activity, spend a lot of time on quoting. But VARS gets money only when quotes are converted into sales. So it is essential to have a quoting tool that will enable sales reps to spend less time in quoting and more on sales. The quoting tool should make the entire quoting process so efficient that they are able to produce even the most complex of quotes quickly.
3. eCommerce Store
With more and more businesses driven through eCommerce, having an online store is no longer a luxury for VARS. Selling products via eCommerce will expand your business reach, enabling you to reach more number of potential customers. Your online store is open 24/7, which means you can maximize your time to sell products. Moreover, you can receive orders from around the world. All this can contribute to cutting costs and improving margins.
4. CRM
Since sales reps travel most of the time, it can be difficult for them to keep track of leads, opportunities, customer interactions and sales cycle. A CRM tool can be helpful in this regard. The tool can help you to organize and manage your contacts in a better way. As a result, sales reps will never lose track of customer requests as well as keep records up to date and in sync. It will enable sales reps to provide better service to their customers.
5. Product Configurator
Many times customer requirements are not straightforward and involve building complex product configurations without any specification errors. An easy way to simplify the process of creating and selling complex product configurations is to use a product configurator. The tool supports complex pricing logic and offers flexibility in configuration options.
6. Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP)
For VAR businesses handling complex operations, an ERP system is a game-changer. Solutions like NetSuite, SAP Business One, or Microsoft Dynamics offer end-to-end integration of core business processes such as finance, inventory management, and order fulfillment. An ERP system provides real-time insights into various aspects of your business, promoting informed decision-making and enhancing overall efficiency.
7. Inventory Management Tools
Efficient inventory management is critical for VARs dealing with diverse products and vendors. Tools like inFlow Inventory, Fishbowl, or TradeGecko automate and optimize inventory tracking, order fulfillment, and stock replenishment. These tools help prevent stockouts, minimize excess inventory, and streamline the order-to-delivery process, ensuring that your business operates smoothly and meets customer demands in a timely manner.
8. Accounting Software
To keep your VAR business financially sound, dedicated accounting software tools are essential. These tools help to streamline invoicing, and financial reporting, and make it easy to track expenses. Accounting software provides a clear picture of your business’s financial health, helping you make informed decisions and ensuring compliance with accounting standards.
9. Go for All-in-One VAR Business Management Software
Many times, it can become difficult to incorporate all these different software applications into your business. A better option is to use an all-in-one business management software that can provide all these functionalities into one easy-to-use platform. So choose a software platform that provides Catalog, Quoting, eCommerce, CRM, Procurement, and Accounting as a part of its application.
Wrapping Up
The success of your VAR business hinges on efficient management, and the right software tools can make all the difference. The nine tools discussed in this blog offer a comprehensive solution to streamline your operations, enhance collaboration, and ultimately boost your business’s productivity.
From customer relationship management to inventory tracking and financial management, these tools cover the essential aspects of VAR business management. By leveraging these software applications, you can not only stay ahead of the competition but also provide superior services to your clients.
