The order-to-cash (O2C) process should be smooth, fast, and reliable. But in reality? It’s often a bumpy, delay-filled ride that frustrates customers and drains internal resources. Here's a breakdown of the top 10 problems in the O2C cycle—and what you can do to fix them.
Still keying in POs by hand? That’s not just slow—it’s risky. Manual entry invites errors, creates bottlenecks, and wastes your team’s time.
Fix it: Automate PO processing with a tool like Conexiom’s Sales Order Automation that converts unstructured data into ERP-ready formats, touch-free. With guaranteed accuracy, your team can stop babysitting inboxes and start focusing on real work.
Bad data leads to everything from delayed orders to failed invoices. If you’re constantly correcting part numbers, addresses, or pricing, your O2C is leaking value.
Fix it: Standardize data intake at the source and implement validation rules through automation. This blog on data accuracy breaks down how even small improvements can drive major ROI.
A slow or clunky credit check process can stall even the most eager buyers.
Fix it: Integrate real-time credit checks into your order flow or pre-approve repeat customers with solid payment histories. Make the process seamless for returning clients.
Missing information—like shipping details or product codes—can grind fulfillment to a halt.
Fix it: Use automation to flag incomplete orders and request missing info instantly, before the order even hits the fulfillment queue. This proactive approach reduces lag and keeps fulfillment flowing.
Sales teams promise availability. Warehouse teams say, "Not in stock."
Fix it: Sync inventory visibility across systems in real-time so promises align with reality. Automating the integration between sales and operations creates consistency.
Incorrect invoices delay payment, increase dispute volume, and hurt trust.
Fix it: Generate invoices automatically from validated order data—no more re-keying or guesswork. Conexiom’s Invoice Automation ensures accuracy from the start.
Even if the order and invoice are perfect, slow AR follow-up delays cash flow.
Fix it: Automate payment reminders and integrate self-serve payment portals. Reducing payment friction improves cash flow predictability.
If customers are frequently challenging invoices, something is broken.
Fix it: Improve accuracy upstream and give customers real-time visibility into order changes. The fewer surprises, the fewer complaints.
Most teams can’t see what’s happening in other departments. Sales doesn’t know if the invoice was sent. Finance doesn’t know why a credit was issued.
Fix it: Use integrated dashboards and O2C platforms that provide cross-functional transparency. Conexiom integrates with major ERPs to bring visibility to every step.
You’ve got great tools—but none of them talk to each other.
Fix it: Streamline your tech stack and integrate systems where data flows seamlessly from order to invoice. Automation works best when it’s connected end-to-end.
How do you know if your O2C process is improving—or falling apart? Many companies lack structured feedback from customers and frontline teams.
Fix it: Build feedback loops into your order, fulfillment, and billing processes. Send post-order surveys. Hold regular ops retros. And make sure Sales hears what AR is dealing with. If there's friction, you need to hear it fast and fix it faster.
Sometimes, the biggest blocker to O2C performance is cultural. Teams are comfortable with how things have always been done—and hesitant to embrace automation.
Fix it: Share success stories internally. Highlight wins from automation pilots. Incentivize process adoption. And remind your teams: automation doesn’t eliminate jobs—it eliminates manual jobs, so people can do more valuable work.
Your O2C process should be a growth engine, not a constant cleanup project. If you're struggling with visibility gaps, bottlenecks, or error-prone handoffs, you’re not alone—and you don’t have to stay stuck.
If you’re facing manual order chaos, slow invoicing, or missed revenue because your systems don’t talk—Conexiom can help.
🔗 Book a personalized demo to see how Sales Order, Invoice, and Quote Automation work in your environment.
🔗 Or explore customer stories like HP Hood and REI to see what automation at scale really looks like.
Let’s stop talking about transformation—and start delivering it.
The most successful companies are the ones that eliminate friction from the entire lifecycle—from order to cash. And that starts by automating the pain points that cause the most drag.
Conexiom fits into this exact gap. By automating order processing, invoicing, and quote generation with 100% accuracy, we help you eliminate lag, boost cash flow, and free up your team to focus on growth.
Because fixing one part of the process isn’t enough—you need the whole system to work. Let’s get you there.
Curious where your biggest O2C inefficiencies are? Check out our automation calculator to see what kind of time and money you could be saving.