Sales Workflow Guides
Complete guides for managing your sales processes from customer order through delivery and payment collection. These workflows accommodate various business models and sales scenarios.
🚀 Get Started / Setup
New to sales in BigLedger? Start with the standard workflow to learn the complete process.
Before you begin, ensure:
- Customer profiles are configured in Customer Maintenance
- Product catalog and pricing are set up in Pricebook
- Tax codes and payment terms are defined
- User permissions for the sales module are assigned
📝 Daily Tasks
Guides for everyday sales operations your team performs regularly.
Core Sales Processes
Specialized Sales Scenarios
Post-Sales Processes
⚠️ Common Scenarios / Pitfalls
Watch out for these frequent sales issues:
| Scenario | What Happens | How to Handle |
|---|---|---|
| Customer not in system | Cannot create sales order | Create customer profile first with all required fields |
| Stock not available | Order cannot be fulfilled | Check inventory before confirming; consider partial delivery |
| Deposit not collected | Order processing blocked | Collect deposit per workflow requirements before proceeding |
| Wrong pricing applied | Customer billed incorrectly | Verify pricebook and discount rules before invoice generation |
| Delivery rescheduled | Customer unavailable on delivery day | Update trip listing, communicate via WhatsApp group |
| Payment discrepancy | Collected ≠ invoice amount | Match physical documents with system, verify deposit/balance split |
📊 Reporting Usage
Track your sales performance and operational health.
Key Sales Reports:
- Sales Order Listing — All orders by status (Draft, Confirmed, Delivered, Completed)
- Delivery Order Report — Track delivery completion and pending deliveries
- Invoice Aging Report — Outstanding invoices by customer and age
- Sales by Customer — Revenue breakdown by customer account
- Sales by Product — Top-selling items and revenue by product category
- Collection Report — Cash, cheque, and bank transfer collections by period
Reporting tips:
- Check outstanding deliveries daily using DO status report
- Review invoice aging weekly to follow up on overdue accounts
- Compare sales-by-product monthly to identify trends
- Use collection reports for daily cash reconciliation
Quick Workflow Comparison
| Workflow Type | Deposit Required | Credit Check | Delivery Timing | Installation |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Standard Sales | Yes (Partial/Full) | No | Scheduled | Optional |
| Credit Sales | No | Yes | As agreed | Optional |
| Cash Sales | Yes (Full) | No | Immediate | No |
| Instalment Sales | Yes (Varies) | Yes (by financier) | Scheduled | Optional |
| Partial Delivery | Yes (Partial/Full) | Depends | Multiple dates | Optional |
| Installation Required | Yes (Usually) | Depends | Coordinated | Yes |
Key Roles in Sales Workflows
Understanding who does what is critical for smooth operations:
Sales Admin
- Create and manage sales orders
- Collect deposits and payments
- Coordinate with warehouse and delivery teams
- Generate invoices and delivery orders
- Reconcile payments with accounts
Warehouse Helper
- Pick and prepare stock based on sales orders
- Record serial numbers and rack locations
- Convert stock in system
- Load items for delivery
- Manage stock transfers
Delivery Driver
- Arrange delivery schedules based on trip listing
- Transport goods to customers
- Obtain customer signatures on delivery orders
- Take delivery proof photos
- Collect cash, cheques, and agreements
- Return documents and payments to admin
Accounts Team
- Verify payment amounts against system records
- Process cash, cheques, and bank transfers
- Confirm delivery completion
- Reconcile daily collections
- Update financial records
Common Sales Process Flow
Most sales workflows follow this general pattern:
Customer → Sales Order → Deposit Collection → Stock Preparation →
Delivery Scheduling → Invoice Generation → Delivery Execution →
Payment Collection → Accounts ReconciliationHowever, the specifics vary significantly based on your business model and customer type.
Document Flow Overview
Understanding the document lifecycle helps maintain accuracy:
Sales Order (SO)
- Created by Sales Admin
- Requires customer information and item details
- May require deposit payment
- Drives the entire process
Delivery Order (DO)
- Generated from Sales Order
- Includes serial numbers and quantities
- Requires customer signature upon delivery
- Photo evidence uploaded to WhatsApp/system
Invoice
- Generated after stock conversion
- Must match delivery order quantities
- Includes pricing and tax information
- Used for final payment collection
Trip Listing
- Daily logistics planning document
- Groups multiple deliveries by route
- Printed for drivers each day
- Helps optimize delivery efficiency
Payment Documents
- Cash collection forms
- Cheque copies
- Bank transfer slips
- Financing agreements (AEON, JCL, etc.)
Getting Started
Prerequisites
Before implementing these workflows, ensure you have:
System Access
- Appropriate user permissions for sales module
- Access to customer profiles
- Inventory visibility
Master Data Setup
- Customer profiles configured
- Product catalog maintained
- Pricing and tax setup complete
- Payment terms defined
Team Training
- All roles understand their responsibilities
- Communication channels established (WhatsApp groups, etc.)
- Document handling procedures agreed
Physical Resources
- Printers for SO, DO, and trip listings
- Mobile devices for photo uploads
- Warehouse racking system organized
- Delivery vehicles with proper equipment
Integration with Other Modules
Sales workflows integrate with multiple BigLedger modules:
- Customer Maintenance - Customer profiles and credit terms
- Inventory Module - Stock availability and serial number tracking
- Financial Accounting - Payment processing and reconciliation
- Pricebook Applet - Pricing and discounts
- Trip Management - Delivery scheduling and route optimization
Best Practices
Data Accuracy
- Always verify customer details before creating orders
- Double-check product codes and quantities
- Record serial numbers at time of picking
- Confirm pricing and available discounts
Communication
- Keep all team members informed of order status
- Use WhatsApp groups for real-time updates
- Confirm delivery appointments with customers
- Alert accounts team of special payment arrangements
Documentation
- Print and file all physical documents
- Upload delivery photos immediately
- Retain customer signatures on DOs
- Keep copies of all payment documents
Process Discipline
- Follow the prescribed workflow for each transaction type
- Don’t skip validation checkpoints
- Reconcile daily to catch errors quickly
- Report issues immediately to supervisors
Troubleshooting Common Issues
Customer Not in System
- Create customer profile before sales order
- Ensure all required fields completed
- Verify credit terms if applicable
Stock Not Available
- Check inventory levels before order confirmation
- Consider partial delivery if appropriate
- Coordinate with purchasing for restocking
Payment Discrepancies
- Match physical documents with system records
- Verify deposit and balance amounts
- Check for pricing changes or discounts
- Escalate to supervisor if unresolved
Delivery Issues
- Customer not available: Reschedule via trip listing
- Wrong address: Update customer profile immediately
- Damaged goods: Document with photos, process return
- Missing items: Check warehouse picking accuracy
Related Documentation
User Guides
- Sales Overview
- Creating Sales Orders
- Delivery Order Processing
- Trip Listing Management
- Sales Payment Collection
Module Documentation
Applet References
Need help choosing the right workflow? Contact your BigLedger implementation specialist or email support@bigledger.com