Unlocking the Power of EDI Automation with Cleo's ORCA: 10 Key Features of Order Automation

Automation is the pulse of the modern supplier's supply chain. Cleo, a leading provider of B2B integration technology, has launched an innovative solution to elevate order management for suppliers. Introducing Cleo Integration Cloud (CIC) ORCA, a supply chain integration and automation online portal that delivers an “eCommerce to EDI” workflow for B2B buyers. The best part is, buyers do not need to learn, invest in, understand, or implement EDI on their end.

What is Order-to-Cash Automation?

Order to cash automation optimizes the entire order processing cycle, from purchase order to payment receipt, by eliminating manual steps. By automating tasks like order entry, fulfillment, invoicing, and payment processing, it speeds up payments and reduces Day Sales Outstanding (DSO), ultimately improving cash flow for your business.

How it Works

Designed for manufacturers, wholesalers, and distributors, CIC ORCA revolutionizes the purchasing process by offering a streamlined, digital experience for B2B transactions. It provides a self-service platform that caters to suppliers of all sizes, allowing them to reduce operational expenses and encourage growth.

This begins with ORCA’s intuitive web portal where a supplier’s buyers can log in. Once in the portal, buyers can shop like they would on a normal eCommerce website. From here, ORCA automatically translates all buyers’ B2B eCommerce orders into EDI transactions that directly integrate into a supplier's back-office ERP system.

This creates a simpler B2B buying experience by:

1. Offering an Amazon-like shopping experience that allows B2B buyers to:

• Execute and oversee orders via an online portal
• Browse digital product catalogs that feature real-time inventory levels

2. Standardizing and centralizing interactions between buyers and sellers by:

• Cutting out manual processes which minimizes costly errors
• Introducing EDI automation without necessitating EDI training for purchasers

3. Enhancing business partnerships and amplifying transparency, governance, and confidence by:

• Keeping buyers informed about the status of their orders, shipments, invoices, etc., and issuing real-time responses
   

10 Benefits of Order-to-Cash Automation (ORCA)

Below are 10 capabilities and benefits of CIC ORCA that can usher your business into a new era of supply chain efficiency.

1. Non-EDI Buyer Integration

Conducting business with non-EDI buyers creates complex, fragmented, and inefficient supply chains. CIC ORCA standardizes and centralizes supplier interactions with buyers via an online portal, helping extend supply chain digitalization efforts to suppliers and vendors who are not EDI-capable or API-ready. This allows the procurement process to be fully automated for suppliers, enabling them to use CIC to its full extent to create more efficient and agile supply chains.

2. Amazon-Like Shopping Experience

Consumers have become so used to online shopping that now business buyers are likewise wanting the same kind of easy experience. Deliver an easy-to-use digital shopping experience, similar to Amazon, that allows buyers to purchase from you using a click of a button.

3. Seamless Portal-to-ERP

Integration with back-office solutions like ERP, TMS, and WMS systems is crucial for effective order management. CIC ORCA creates seamless integrations from the portal to a supplier’s back-office systems—ensuring efficient order processing and management by updating back-office systems in real time with the latest order information.

4. Out-of-the-Box Business Documents

Pre-built business documents streamline Order-to-Cash (O2C) interactions so a supplier’s team doesn’t have to create them. Use Cleo’s 10 templated out-of-the-box EDI documents to start communicating with trading partners immediately.
 

5. Intelligent Inventory Management

Optimizing inventory levels is a constant struggle for suppliers. CIC ORCA's inventory management features prevent overselling and stockouts via inventory syncing. This ensures suppliers maintain optimal product levels at all times and at the right prices.
 

6. Seamless Order Receiving and Processing

Gone are the days of wrestling with order errors and delays. With CIC ORCA, suppliers enjoy a seamless automated process from order receipt to fulfillment. Automation ensures that each item within an order is accurately processed without manual intervention, leading to faster lead times and a reduction in fulfillment mistakes.
 

7. Self-Service Order Management

Customers want the autonomy to manage their own orders. CIC ORCA provides this through its self-service capabilities. From order placement to tracking, customers can have full control over their orders, which results in improved satisfaction and reduced operational burden on the supplier’s end.
 

8. Custom Tailored Product Pricing and Recommendations

In a market where the cost can change overnight, the ability to change pricing on demand is key. CIC ORCA enables suppliers to set consistent pricing rules across customers, as well as apply targeted discounts and promotions that target specific customer segments and companies.

Additionally, suppliers can highlight key products to specific customers via catalog upload and updates, so you can promote and push the inventory you want to sell.
 

9. Enhanced Supplier Visibility

The key to a resilient supply chain is in-depth visibility. CIC ORCA provides real-time insights into order statuses, inventory levels, and shipment forecasts. With clear, up-to-the-minute information, suppliers can take proactive measures to optimize supply chain performance and set improved standards for customer service.
 

10. Vast Language Support

Modern business is a worldwide affair. Facilitate a global reach as CIC ORCA supports more than 20 languages, so suppliers can expand their customer base and secure more sales.

Take the Next Step with Order-to-Cash Automation (CIC ORCA)

As the world of business continues to digitally transform, ensure you're ahead of the competition with fully automated order processing. By removing the unpredictability, complexity, and disruption of manual order processing with non-EDI trading partners, your business can optimize order processing for efficiency, improve customer relationships with improved communication, and scale as your business takes supply chain operations to the next level.

Interested in learning how CIC ORCA can directly help your business succeed, or have questions? Contact us at sales@cleo.com or +1.815.282.7695 to chat with one of our experts today. Additionally, explore some of our educational resources through our content hub.