Running a food supply business comes with its fair share of challenges. From juggling customer needs to managing a mountain of orders. But there’s one game-changing tactic that can make a real difference: automation. Before you jump into automating every task, it’s important to take a step back and assess where your business stands. This checklist will walk you through how to identify the right areas to streamline, choose effective tools and bring your team along for the journey.
1. Spot the Real Time-Wasters
- Identify 3-5 tasks that your team does over and over (and over) again.
- Estimate how much time these tasks eat up each week.
- Rate how mind-numbing these tasks are on a scale of 1-10. Ten being "please, make it stop!"
2. Tech Check-Up
- Make a list of all the software and tools you use daily. Think order management systems, accounting software, even Excel spreadsheets.
- For each tool, ask yourself: "Can this connect with other software?" Tip: Look for words like ‘API link’, 'integrations' or 'works with' on their websites.
- If you are not sure, jot down the names of these tools - you can always ask the providers later if they can link up with other systems.
3. Crunch the Numbers
- Calculate potential time saved if the process was implemented: (Hours spent on task per week) x 52 x (Hourly rate)
- Estimate error reduction savings: (Current error cost) - (Expected error cost with automation)
- Do not forget to factor in the cost of automation tools!
4. Research Automation Solutions
- List the specific tasks you want to automate (E.g. order processing, inventory management)
- Research tech providers that cater to food and beverage suppliers and look for solutions that address your specific needs. A quick Google search should bring up a few options.
- Create a shortlist of 3-5 potential providers, do your due diligence and then select one. Check online reviews, references and if they integrate with your existing systems.
5. Team Temperature Check
- Gauge your team's tech-savviness. Are they smartphone wizards or still figuring out email?
- Identify any skills gaps that might need filling
- Plan for some training sessions to get everyone up to speed. Many providers will provide training so do not be afraid to ask
6. Start Small, Think Big
- Pick one process to automate first. Maybe start with order automation?
- Set clear goals for what you want to achieve. Faster order processing? Fewer errors?
- Plan how you will measure success. Time saved? Customer satisfaction boost? Revenue increase?
7. Get Your Data Ready
- List all your key data. (E.g. customer lists, product catalogues, order histories)
- Give your data a good once over. Remove duplicate entries, fix obvious errors like phone numbers and fill in any missing information.
8. Prepare for Take-Off
- Check if your data format works with your new systems.
- Plan a timeline for implementing the new system and decide a 'go-live' date that works for your business.
- Work with the provider to prepare a basic training plan for your team (if required)
Remember, automation is not about replacing your team, it's about freeing them up to do what humans do best: build relationships, solve complex problems and drive your business forward. So, how many boxes did you tick? If you're hitting most of these points, congratulations! You're ripe for an automation revolution.
If going through this checklist got you thinking, “Wow, we really need to sort this out”, you are not alone. Many food supply businesses struggle to keep up with the pace of modern operations, but the good news is: you do not have to do it alone.
That’s where Orderlion comes in.
We specialise in helping food and beverage wholesalers automate the most time-consuming parts of their business. From order processing and customer communications to team workflows and ERP integration. Whether you are looking to digitise email and phone orders, empower your sales team on the go, or just spend less time keying in data, we have got the tools and the experience to support you every step of the way.
With Orderlion, you can:
- Save 20+ hours a week on manual tasks
- Reduce order errors by up to 90%
- Boost order volume and customer satisfaction
- Easily integrate with 200+ ERP systems
- Get hands-on onboarding and dedicated support
Ready to see what automation could do for your business?
👉 Book a free demo or contact our team today at info.uk@orderlion.com.
Hear what some of our customers think about Orderlion.
Find out how SJB Foods cut order handling time by 80% using Orderlion’s branded app and automated workflows.
