Many happy returns

If returns and associated payments can be quickly and efficiently turned around they are often resaleable. As returns may not be whole of the original order it must be possible to treat the order/return line by line before issuing a refund. To deal with this kind of complexity, companies will need to link their warehouse management software to ERP and financial systems.

“A ‘perfect order’ implies the customer receiving goods on time, in full, and updated on progress at every stage,” said Ian Roper, supply chain solutions divisional director of Access. “A ‘perfect return’ has to aspire to the same level of service, both to impress and retain the customer, and to minimise the financial impact on the vendor.”