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The Three Types of B2B Orders and Why "Sales Person In The Middle Orders" Are Stuck in a Time Warp

Written by Neil Smith | Jun 20, 2024 4:40:55 PM

The Three Types of B2B Orders and Why Sales Person In The Middle Orders Are Stuck in a Time Warp

B2B ordering is super, super exciting. Right? Right? Well, maybe not exciting, but the same characters show up. Let’s take a look at the main players: EDI Orders, Web Orders, and the ever-resilient Sales Person In The Middle Orders.

1. EDI Orders: The Big Volume Heavyweight (Edna)

Picture this: a bustling warehouse, forklifts zooming around, and pallets stacked high with products ready to ship. Enter Edna, the EDI Order, the heavyweight champion of B2B orders. These orders come in large volumes and are typically exchanged between systems without a human in sight. It's like watching two robots doing a complex handshake that no one else understands.

But let’s be honest, Edna is the epitome of efficiency—until something goes wrong. When a hiccup occurs, you might find yourself frantically searching for an EDI translator, and not the kind that helps you order pasta in Italy. Despite the occasional glitch, Edna is the unsung hero of high-volume transactions.

2. Web Orders: The Self-Service Savant (Wally)

Next up, we have Wally, the Web Order. These are the orders that make us feel like we’re living in the future. Customers can log onto a snazzy portal, pick out what they need, and voila, the order is placed. It's as easy as ordering a pizza, but instead of pepperoni, you’re getting industrial-grade widgets.

Wally is all about self-service. He's like the introvert of the B2B world—efficient, straightforward, and he doesn’t need to talk to anyone. Everything is smooth sailing until the customer accidentally orders 10,000 units instead of 1,000. Cue the frantic phone calls to customer service and the inevitable facepalm.

3. Sales Person In The Middle Orders: The Classic (Stuart)

Finally, we arrive at the timeless classic: Stuart, the Sales Person In The Middle Order. If Wally is the introvert, Stuart is the extrovert, always needing that human touch. It's like watching an old movie where the protagonist has to meet someone in a smoky bar to close the deal.

In the world of B2B sales, this type of order hasn't changed much in decades. Stuart is there, in the middle of everything, guiding the customer through the process, offering a personal touch, and making sure everything is just right. It's charming, really, but also a bit like using a rotary phone in the age of smartphones.

Despite the charm, Stuart is notorious for inefficiencies. There's paperwork, phone calls, emails, and sometimes even faxes (yes, they still exist). It’s like trying to navigate a labyrinth with only a candle to light the way.

The Punchline: Backoffice AI to the Rescue

Here’s the kicker: while Edna and Wally have evolved with the times, Stuart is stuck in a delightful yet inefficient time warp. Enter Backoffice AI. Our mission? To bring the efficiency of Edna and the convenience of Wally to the classic Stuart.

With Backoffice AI, we streamline those cumbersome processes, driving efficiencies and boosting revenues. We take that rotary phone and upgrade it to the latest smartphone, complete with all the bells and whistles. So, whether you're placing a massive EDI Order with Edna, a sleek Web Order with Wally, or a nostalgic Sales Person In The Middle Order with Stuart, Backoffice AI ensures it's done with the highest efficiency and a touch of modern flair.

After all, in the ever-evolving world of B2B, why should one order type get left behind? Let’s bring Stuart into the 21st century together—because even classics deserve an upgrade.