Regardless of the products that a company produces and distributes, the process of completing orders is often very similar. Orders come in through a variety of channels, including email, fax, phone calls, and online forms. From there, a staff member must review each order format to extract the information needed to fulfill the purchase. Once that information is captured, it is passed on to the next staff member responsible for processing and shipping the order to the customer.
Although this system has been in place for years, it is far from efficient. It is time consuming and requires multiple employees to manually interpret and process orders as they arrive. It also relies heavily on staff members spending long hours reviewing order details, which increases the risk of human error.
Streamlining the Ordering Process
Today, manufacturers have access to new technologies that help streamline the ordering process. However, many of these systems require orders to arrive in a single standardized format, which can create friction for long-standing customers who rely on their own internal ordering workflows.
Order automation solves this problem by allowing orders to be processed regardless of how they are received. Orders submitted by email, online forms, or other formats can be automatically captured, with order automation software extracting the necessary details and compiling them into a standardized digital order format. This reduces manual entry and significantly lowers the risk of errors.
As order automation moves order data directly into production environments, it is no longer limited to office settings. Orders are now processed on factory floors and in warehouses, where industrial tablets are needed to operate reliably in dusty, humid, or otherwise demanding conditions. At the same time, customers continue placing orders the same way they always have, avoiding disruption while manufacturers benefit from a faster, more efficient process.
The Need for Rugged Tablets for Order Automation
Factory floors and warehouses present challenges that standard laptops and consumer tablets are not designed to handle. Exposure to dust, vibration, moisture, and temperature fluctuations can quickly lead to hardware failure. Even rugged laptops limit mobility, requiring staff to remain seated while processing orders.
Rugged tablets provide the durability needed for these environments while allowing staff to stay mobile. Built to withstand harsh conditions, these devices also deliver the processing power required to run order automation software and manage a high volume of incoming orders.
With these tablets deployed throughout production areas, manufacturers can receive, review, and fulfill orders in real time. This reduces processing delays, improves accuracy, and minimizes handoffs between departments. Cybernet offers a range of rugged tablet solutions designed for manufacturing and warehouse use. Specifically the Rugged X10 10.1-inch tablet features military-grade components that provide protection against water, shock, and drops of up to five feet. Powered by Intel i5 or i7 processors with vPro support, it delivers the performance required to manage a growing volume of automated orders. Dual hot-swappable batteries allow continuous operation without downtime, while optional 3G and 4G LTE connectivity enables real-time communication across manufacturing teams.
By implementing rugged tablets alongside order automation software, manufacturers can process a higher volume of orders more quickly while reducing the likelihood of errors. These systems offer greater flexibility, allowing companies to scale operations without adding staff. Because the workflow remains familiar, implementation requires minimal training, enabling teams to adopt the technology without disrupting daily operations.
To learn more about how rugged tablets support order automation in manufacturing environments, contact Cybernet Manufacturing today.