Automated workflow that will reduce the number of “touch-points” for fulfilling a sample request
Continuous improvement from an internal perspective
Keep sample requests visible – can not get lost in email or systems that are not accessed routinely
Provide a transparent process, anyone can see at any time where a request is.
Provide the right information at the right time to the right person.
The 4 main reasons identified to create a Sample Request are:
Quality
Customer request
Distribution
Other Business purpose
Depending on the reason it can be created from the Account (“Sold to” and “Sold to & ship to”), the Prospect, the Opportunity or the Complaint. For example when it is Distribution or Business purpose, the Sample Request should be created from the related opportunity.
Process Overview
Sample management process is divided in 5 main steps:
Creation
Approval
Processing
Follow up
Closure
These steps are reflected in the tool with the following image :
New: As soon as the Sample Request is created
Approval Pending: When the Sample Request is submitted for approval
Accepted: Once the Approver has approved the Sample Request
Rejected: Once the Approver has rejected the Sample Request
Ordered: When a Sample order has been submitted on an external system
Shipped: When the Sample Request has been shipped
Delivered: When the Sample Request has been delivered
Closed/Stopped: When the Sample Request is closed but the process was not completed
Closed/Asnwered: When the Sample Request is completed and closed