Allowing customers to view thier order status

[ajdesigns]

I run a small business and I would like my customers to be ble to view thier order status ie. Despatched, Invoiced etc.
At the moment this is all done via phone or e-mail, which is taking up a lot of my time. Is there some kind of software out there That I could get so my custmers could enter thier order no and get this info. I realise this would probably be via some sort of web site, but I have very little knowledge of this type of thing. Also it would be great if my suppliers could view my inventory and then automate an order when my stocks reach a certain level or if there is an order for a certain product and i have insufficiant stock to cover the order.

 

[CoreyBryant]

What are you using now - an ASP or PHP driven shopping cart? It sounds almost like you need to upgrade somewhat.

__________________________
Corey

http://www.merchantaccounts4less.com/promo/tek.asp

 

[ajdesigns]

I am not using a shopping cart . Would this be the software i need?

 

[CoreyBryant]

Possibly. What are you selling now / how are you selling it?

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Corey

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[ajdesigns]

I am selling to known customers,who if they require a product phone or e-mail thier order, I then assemble the items they require and despatch them.I want to automate this ordering process and allow them to be able to track thier order through its progress.

 

[CoreyBryant]

OK. Are these products - do they have relationships? For example, Someone wants to purchase AA, and now they need to review 11, 22, and 33. But if they purchase BB, they can only purchase 44, 55, 66? 11, 22, & 33 are not available to them?

If so, how many level deep does it go or how many sub-categories would be available? It sounds like you need / want an online shopping cart? They can build the item there, purchase it & you build it. You can enter the UPS shipping info (or Fed-Ex) and then have them track the package on its way to them?

__________________________
Corey

http://www.merchantaccounts4less.com/promo/tek.asp

 

[ajdesigns]

Q:what if i am not using UPS or FED-X as the carrier.
Also when my customers submit an order I assign them an order no,this no is entered into my d-base on reciept of order. I then enter a comment in the status field of my order table when it is complete, despatched etc.I just want them to be able to access my d-base and view this status info.

 

[CoreyBryant]

Maybe I was jumping the gun some on UPS or Fed-Ex. But hopefully I was correct on the relationships????

Let's start off simple: Do you want them to order online or order the same way as they are now?

__________________________
Corey

http://www.merchantaccounts4less.com/promo/tek.asp

 

[foxdev]

To echo where I think Corey is headed: why not just buy an inexpensive shopping cart system (buy or buy hosting that includes Miva Merchant or Candypress, or example), which includes built-in order status functions, then:

A) if a customer wants to order online, they can; and
B) if a customer wants to order via phone, YOU can enter the order in the online system (even while you're on the phone).

You'll get consistency of order numbers; a documented trail; and accessible order status info.

For under $50/mo (US) you should be able to get what you need, and possibly able to boost business with potential customers who found you via Web searches (although that's hardly automatic).

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art prints

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