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Often taking a secondary position, customer returns have always been challenging to manage a successful business. Handling return order lines and manually generating a return merchandise authorization (RMA) can be tedious and time-consuming for companies. However, there's good news on the horizon: Microsoft is introducing several innovative features to streamline and simplify the customer returns process. In this blog post, we'll explore what we should expect from these new features and the benefits they bring to companies.
Feature Details
Return Label Printing
Generating return labels can be a troublesome process. With the new features, when a sales order is released to the warehouse and processed, return labels can be printed as part of the packing process (a widespread process in the e-commerce industry, as more and more return labels are included in the delivery box). This feature would save time and ensure that return labels are always accurate, reducing the chances of errors.
This feature should give warehouses greater flexibility when handling customer returns, allowing workers to easily take unique or unscheduled returns.
Create RMA from Mobile Device
One of the most promising additions to the customer returns process is the possibility for workers to leverage their mobile devices to streamline the process of creating returns. Warehouse worker should be able to create return order lines directly from their mobile devices, making it a much more versatile and efficient process. This mobility enables employees to manage returns anywhere in the warehouse, streamlining operations and reducing errors. The process is becoming more accessible and efficient when handling customer returns.
Return Verification
Until now, the return process has always been more manual, lacking visibility. It is difficult, if not impossible, to track what items are associated with each RMA until this is physically received.
While still unclear what to expect from Microsoft, the new feature should allow workers to efficiently scan the corresponding RMA number using the Warehouse Management mobile app when a customer sends back an item. This would display the returned items on the mobile device for verification. This ensures that the correct items have been received and speeds up the reconciliation process, reducing the time and effort required for return handling.
What are the Benefits for the business
Now that we've explored the new features in detail, it's essential to understand how these enhancements benefit companies.
Time Savings
The time and effort from the inbound warehouse team required to process customer returns should be reduced by being able to create an RMA upon receiving directly from the mobile device and by automating the generation of return labels. The ability to create return order lines and labels on mobile devices and the quick scanning of RMA numbers will all contribute to significant time savings.
Enhanced Efficiency
The streamlined customer returns process enhances efficiency across the customer service office and the warehouse. Reducing manual tasks and eliminating potential errors lead to smoother operations, ultimately benefiting one’s operations.
Improved Customer Satisfaction
Simplifying the customer returns process means that returns are processed more quickly and accurately. This leads to increased customer satisfaction, as clients would experience a more efficient and hassle-free return process.
Better Inventory Management
Integrating mobile devices and the ability to scan RMA numbers in real-time enhances inventory management. This helps to track returned items, minimize discrepancies, and allow quicker restocking of returned items.
These new features planned for Supply Chain Management represent a decent step forward in simplifying the customer returns process. This feature should enhance user experience and bring tangible benefits to companies.
