6 Ways a Holistic Third-Party System Can Improve Your Return Processes

It used to be that reverse logistics operations relied solely on wired telephones, DOS computers, and file cabinets for communication and organization. Now, product and claims information is visible on an interconnected front. But that doesn’t mean that administrative challenges are in the distant past. On the contrary, in fact.

What companies used to organize in a single office or file cabinet has been spread across multiple programs. Workers at a manufacturing company may have several internet browser tabs open with four applications running (slowing down their computer, no doubt) just to get the necessary claim rolling toward a third party on behalf of a couple of retail customers.

While reverse logistics operations have been on the receiving end of game-changing, innovative algorithms, there’s also much work ahead. Digital platforms, despite their convenience, bring their own chaos. Demands for greater delivery efficiency and easy-to-navigate user interfaces have never been greater.

That’s why we’ve put together this list of six advantages to a holistic third-party software system. Read on to learn how your company can benefit from one.

#1 Easier Third-Party Service Provider Management

If you’re a manufacturer or authorizer partnering with multiple repair and refurbishment companies, using software that keeps your digital operations on the same page (literally and figuratively) is a must-have. 

In fact, some third-party networks have service providers ready to go and already on their network – meaning the only business left to conform to a more efficient system is your own. These companies know that uniformity on a digital front is one step closer to better product claims management.

#2 Room for Optimized Task Completion

When you have it  easier on that digital and administrative front, it opens you up to achieve goals elsewhere. You’d be amazed at the amount of time you can save with the right software. But that perk doesn’t stop at management; the efficiency trickles down to every step in the chain of operations and affects every stakeholder in the process.

#3 A Satisfied Team

This leads us to our next advantage: happier people. In a recent study, researchers found that the vast majority of employees surveyed (96% actually) said they’d be happier with their job if there was better software. What’s more, 24% of the respondents had considered looking for new employment because of poor software operations.

This information was published prior to the COVID-19 lockdown in early 2020. Imagine how many more employees rely on efficient software now that remote work has increased.

#4 Satisfied Partners & Customers

The end result of implementing an efficient internal software system is that the customer is happy. How so? A repair claim going up and down the reverse logistics pipeline stands to get from point A to point Z much faster when every step along the way is made more efficient with holistic software. And if the customer is happy, the partners (particularly the retail partners) are happy, and a greater business relationship is solidified.

#5 Simplicity = Less Money Spent on Training

You may rely on dozens of workers to ensure a consumer’s claim is processed efficiently. When those workers must be trained on three or more (usually more) different platforms to ensure efficient communication and product visibility, your training budget takes a deep cut. All the more reason to go with a uniformed system. A simple training process means more money allocated to other endeavors – internal development, hardware investment, whatever the need.   

#6 Cohesive, Guided Workflows

Having your provider management under one umbrella also allows for a unified workflow in which various products follow similar processes. What does that mean on a bigger scale? Cohesion between third parties and your internal operations means improved visibility and a quicker turnaround. Find yourself software that enables this kind of uniformity paired also with customizable interfaces and you’ve got something special.

Get It All With ServiceCentral

Are you an authorizer struggling to manage third-party service providers? Or vice versa? That’s where we come in. At ServiceCentral, our software products are engineered to make life easier in the reverse supply chain.

As it relates to this post, ServiceNetwork is our third-party management system designed for optimal authorizer operations. Through this system, users can check claims statuses, send service requests, get connected with new service providers for product handling, and so much more.

Get in touch with a quick call or connect online to learn more.