Development of a Customer Portal for Real-Time Inventory Management and Reservation in Manufacturing

The client is experiencing outdated, manual sales and customer service procedures that limit customer control over product reservations and require significant administrative effort, leading to slower response times and potential customer dissatisfaction. The process lacks real-time inventory visibility and automated reservation capabilities, impacting operational efficiency and customer experience.

A mid to large-sized manufacturing company specializing in industrial power cables with multiple production facilities and a broad North American distribution network.

• Implement a web-based customer portal enabling real-time inventory checking and product reservation capabilities.
• Automate manual data entry tasks within sales and customer service workflows to improve accuracy and efficiency.
• Enhance customer experience by offering more control and transparency in the purchasing process.
• Reduce administrative workload on sales and customer service teams, freeing resources for higher-value activities.
• Ensure secure integration with existing enterprise resource planning (ERP) systems via an API for accurate inventory and order management.
• Achieve a seamless, reliable solution delivered within the specified timeline and budget, with ongoing support and maintenance.

• Real-time inventory level display for customers to verify product availability directly via the portal.
• Online product reservation system enabling customers to hold power cable reels for specified periods.
• User account management allowing customers to view reservations, order history, and profile details.
• Secure API integration with the company's ERP system to synchronize inventory levels and reservations.
• Administrative dashboard for internal staff to monitor reservations, inventory status, and manage customer accounts.
• Quality assurance processes to ensure platform stability and security prior to launch.
• Support for iterative enhancements, including future functionalities such as billing and shipment tracking.

• ERP system API for real-time inventory synchronization
• Authentication and security modules
• Potential future integration with billing and shipment tracking systems

• High security standards to protect customer and company data, especially during API exchanges
• System performance capable of handling concurrent users with minimal latency
• Scalability to support increasing numbers of customers and product SKUs
• Robust quality assurance practices to ensure reliability and uptime
• Compliance with data protection and privacy regulations relevant to North American operations

The new system is expected to significantly streamline the reservation process, making it faster, more intuitive, and more reliable for customers. It will reduce manual administrative tasks for staff, allowing them to focus on customer advisory roles. The portal is anticipated to enhance overall customer satisfaction, improve operational efficiency, and support future growth initiatives. Key metrics include faster reservation times, reduced administrative workload, and improved customer satisfaction scores.