Beyond AP Automation - Customer Order Automation - In an Amazon World

August 26, 2021

Beyond AP Automation - Customer Order Automation - In an Amazon World

HandsFree ERP is a dramatically different approach to the data capture and automation market for Microsoft Dynamics ERP solutions. It includes AP Automation but is so much more. In the following series of blogs we lay out these differences.

Beyond AP Automation

 In our previous blog, AP Automation – The Better Mousetrap, we discussed the data capture and automation industry and how there is a better approach than the existing architecture for AP Automation.  That fact can best be illustrated by looking at customer orders.
Consider the expectations of your average consumer with an Amazon Prime account. Disappointment is now measured by the failure to deliver the perfect product by the end of that day.


Not next week, not tomorrow, the end of the day.     

Beyond AP Automation

It is safe to assume that this need for immediate gratification on the part of consumers has to creep into the workplace. Maybe sub-consciously at first, but eventually, the speed of delivery may compete with price as the dominant decision criteria when selecting a vendor.
The expectation of immediate satisfaction must spill into the business world. Can you afford to get your products to your customers “next month or next week”?


If buying decisions are made on availability, price, and quality, can you afford to lag on delivery time?


THE BOTTLENECK   
Studies from industry groups show that a significant bottleneck in the sales order fulfillment process is the manual input of sales orders. Speed and accuracy are critical. Our webinar will focus on reducing the time it takes to enter sales orders while also improving data accuracy. The impact on your organization can be dramatic, with improvement in:


  • Delivery times
  • Customer satisfaction
  • Supply chain visibility
  • Cash in the bank!


The need for increased speed and data accuracy is compelling, but the cost for entering sales orders can also be dramatic.


In reviewing industry studies, The cost to enter and average vendor invoice has been calculated to be between $15 and $40 per invoice. Conversely, estimates for customer order data entry were estimated to vary between $50 and $1,000 per order. At first, that seemed impossible, but thinking through the size of some customer orders and the involved business process that I have seen at customers, it is easy to see how that is possible.


So while vendors in the ERP space continue to focus on AP automation, can your company afford this antiquated approach in the world of Amazonian expectations?


If you are interested in a simple solution to this set of limitations for current AP Automation solutions, check out our entire
blog series and be alerted to new entries here.




Recent Posts

AI Agents, ERP Strategy, AI Readiness, Business Process Automation, Data Quality, ERP Modernization,
By Kati Hvidtfeldt August 3, 2026
Learn how to identify high-value AI agents, assess ERP and data readiness, avoid automating broken processes, and build a practical AI-agent roadmap.
ERP Data Migration, Data Quality, ERP Implementation, Data Governance, Master Data, ERP Readiness
By Kati Hvidtfeldt July 23, 2026
Learn how to improve ERP data quality, reduce migration risk, decide what data to move, and avoid bringing legacy system problems into a new ERP.
•	ERP Selection 
•	ERP Budget Planning 
•	ERP Requirements 
•	ERP Implementation 
•	ERP Strategy
By Kati Hvidtfeldt July 18, 2026
Learn how to choose the right ERP, uncover the hidden cost of disconnected systems, and build a realistic ERP implementation budget before vendor demos.
ERP advisory, ERP consulting, independent ERP advisor, ERP selection, ERP implementation,
By Kati Hvidtfeldt June 4, 2026
Learn how HandsFree ERP provides independent advice to reduce failure, improve selection, and build AI-ready data foundations for digital success.
Person's legs resting on car window. Sunset over the ocean. Wearing white sneakers.
By Peter Joeckel February 16, 2026
Learn about prompt injection and AI agent risks like data theft and security breaches, and find out how to protect your digital tools from social engineering.
Four blue and gold US Navy Blue Angels jets flying in formation against a clear blue sky, leaving white contrails.
By Kati Hvidtfeldt February 3, 2026
Learn how ERP projects can reach near zero failure by applying aerospace, pharma, and financial services discipline with independent validation and risk governance.
HandsFree logo with a check. A blue shield with a check mark sits on the check. A green dollar sign is on the right.
January 28, 2026
ERP decisions carry financial and organizational risk. HandsFree ERP provides independent guidance to improve decision quality and prevent costly failures.
Hand holding eyeglasses with a blurred city street reflected in both lenses
By Kati Hvidtfeldt January 16, 2026
Discover the key step most companies skip that leads to ERP project failures. Learn how ERP Success Academy can help you avoid costly mistakes and ensure success.
Infographic on how organizations use AI, with a man pointing at a Venn diagram and icons for support, reports, and helpdesk
By Peter Joeckel January 7, 2026
Discover how organizations are practically using AI to enhance decision-making, communication, and problem-solving, not just automation or replacement.
Person analyzing charts on a laptop beside a glowing AI face, with text about data strategy and analytics.
By Kati Hvidtfeldt January 5, 2026
Discover why a solid data strategy is essential for AI success. Learn from real-world lessons on avoiding data pitfalls and unlocking AI's full potential.
Show More
AI Agents, ERP Strategy, AI Readiness, Business Process Automation, Data Quality, ERP Modernization,
By Kati Hvidtfeldt August 3, 2026
Learn how to identify high-value AI agents, assess ERP and data readiness, avoid automating broken processes, and build a practical AI-agent roadmap.
ERP Data Migration, Data Quality, ERP Implementation, Data Governance, Master Data, ERP Readiness
By Kati Hvidtfeldt July 23, 2026
Learn how to improve ERP data quality, reduce migration risk, decide what data to move, and avoid bringing legacy system problems into a new ERP.
•	ERP Selection 
•	ERP Budget Planning 
•	ERP Requirements 
•	ERP Implementation 
•	ERP Strategy
By Kati Hvidtfeldt July 18, 2026
Learn how to choose the right ERP, uncover the hidden cost of disconnected systems, and build a realistic ERP implementation budget before vendor demos.
ERP advisory, ERP consulting, independent ERP advisor, ERP selection, ERP implementation,
By Kati Hvidtfeldt June 4, 2026
Learn how HandsFree ERP provides independent advice to reduce failure, improve selection, and build AI-ready data foundations for digital success.
Person's legs resting on car window. Sunset over the ocean. Wearing white sneakers.
By Peter Joeckel February 16, 2026
Learn about prompt injection and AI agent risks like data theft and security breaches, and find out how to protect your digital tools from social engineering.
Four blue and gold US Navy Blue Angels jets flying in formation against a clear blue sky, leaving white contrails.
By Kati Hvidtfeldt February 3, 2026
Learn how ERP projects can reach near zero failure by applying aerospace, pharma, and financial services discipline with independent validation and risk governance.
HandsFree logo with a check. A blue shield with a check mark sits on the check. A green dollar sign is on the right.
January 28, 2026
ERP decisions carry financial and organizational risk. HandsFree ERP provides independent guidance to improve decision quality and prevent costly failures.
Hand holding eyeglasses with a blurred city street reflected in both lenses
By Kati Hvidtfeldt January 16, 2026
Discover the key step most companies skip that leads to ERP project failures. Learn how ERP Success Academy can help you avoid costly mistakes and ensure success.
Infographic on how organizations use AI, with a man pointing at a Venn diagram and icons for support, reports, and helpdesk
By Peter Joeckel January 7, 2026
Discover how organizations are practically using AI to enhance decision-making, communication, and problem-solving, not just automation or replacement.
Person analyzing charts on a laptop beside a glowing AI face, with text about data strategy and analytics.
By Kati Hvidtfeldt January 5, 2026
Discover why a solid data strategy is essential for AI success. Learn from real-world lessons on avoiding data pitfalls and unlocking AI's full potential.
Show More