Glossary

B

Business Process Automation - Business Process Automation (BPA) is the use of technology to streamline and automate repetitive business tasks, reducing manual effort, improving efficiency, and minimizing errors. BPA enhances workflows by integrating software, artificial intelligence, and robotic process automation (RPA) to optimize operations across departments such as finance, HR, supply chain, and customer service.

C

Cost of Processing - Cost of processing refers to the total expenses incurred by a business to complete a specific transaction, workflow, or operation. This cost includes labor, technology, administrative overhead, and resources required to process payments, invoices, orders, or other business functions.

D

Delivered In-Full, On-Time (DIFOT) - DIFOT (Delivered In-Full, On-Time) is a key performance metric used in supply chain and logistics to measure the efficiency of order fulfillment. It assesses whether customer orders are delivered with the correct quantity (in-full) and within the promised timeframe (on-time).
Digital Transformation - Digital transformation is the process of integrating digital technologies into all areas of a business to improve operations, enhance customer experiences, and drive innovation. It involves rethinking traditional business processes, adopting cloud computing, artificial intelligence, automation, and data analytics to stay competitive in a fast-changing digital economy.

E

Electronic Data Interchange (EDI) - Electronic Data Interchange (EDI) is the automated exchange of business documents in a standardized electronic format between trading partners. It replaces manual, paper-based transactions such as purchase orders, invoices, shipping notices, and payment instructions with structured digital data exchanges. EDI enables businesses to communicate seamlessly, reducing errors, improving processing speed, and enhancing operational efficiency.

F

Fill Rate - Fill rate is a key supply chain metric that measures the percentage of customer orders that are fulfilled from available stock without backorders or lost sales. It is an indicator of inventory efficiency, order fulfillment performance, and customer satisfaction. A high fill rate means that businesses can meet customer demand quickly, while a low fill rate suggests stock shortages, supply chain inefficiencies, or poor demand forecasting.

I

Intelligent Automation - Intelligent Automation (IA) is the combination of artificial intelligence (AI), machine learning (ML), robotic process automation (RPA), and business process management (BPM) to automate complex tasks and workflows. It enhances traditional automation by enabling systems to analyze data, make decisions, and adapt to changes without human intervention.

O

On-Time Delivery - On-time delivery (OTD) is a key performance metric that measures the percentage of orders delivered to customers within the agreed-upon timeframe. It is a critical indicator of supply chain efficiency, logistics performance, and customer satisfaction. A high OTD rate reflects a company's ability to meet customer expectations, while a low OTD rate may indicate inefficiencies in production, inventory management, or transportation.
On-Time In-Full (OTIF) - On-Time In-Full (OTIF) is a key supply chain performance metric that measures the efficiency and reliability of deliveries. It evaluates whether a supplier delivers the correct quantity of goods (In-Full) at the agreed-upon time (On-Time). OTIF is widely used in retail, manufacturing, and logistics to assess supplier performance and ensure smooth supply chain operations.
Optical Character Recognition (OCR) Software - Optical Character Recognition (OCR) software is a technology that converts printed, handwritten, or scanned text into machine-readable data. It allows businesses to digitize physical documents, making text searchable, editable, and usable in digital workflows. OCR software is widely used in document management, data entry automation, and intelligent document processing.
Order Fulfillment - Order fulfillment is the complete process of receiving, processing, and delivering customer orders. It includes inventory management, order processing, picking and packing, shipping, and post-delivery customer service. A well-optimized order fulfillment system ensures that customers receive their products quickly, accurately, and efficiently, enhancing customer satisfaction and business profitability.
Order Management - Order management is the process of tracking, processing, and fulfilling customer orders from the moment they are placed until delivery and post-purchase support. It ensures that orders are accurately recorded, inventory is updated, payments are processed, and products are shipped efficiently. Effective order management improves customer satisfaction, streamlines supply chain operations, and reduces errors.
Order Processing - Order processing is the workflow that ensures customer orders are received, verified, fulfilled, and delivered efficiently. It involves multiple steps, including order entry, inventory checks, payment processing, picking and packing, shipping, and tracking. A well-optimized order processing system improves operational efficiency, reduces errors, and enhances customer satisfaction.
Order to Cash (O2C) - Order to Cash (O2C) is the end-to-end process that manages customer orders from the moment they are placed to the time payment is received and recorded. This critical business function ensures a smooth transaction cycle, impacting cash flow, revenue recognition, and customer satisfaction.
Order to Cash Process - The Order to Cash (O2C) process is the end-to-end business cycle that covers all activities from receiving customer orders to collecting payment and reconciling revenue. It is a critical workflow that directly impacts cash flow, revenue recognition, and customer satisfaction.

S

Sales Automation - Sales automation is the use of technology to streamline and automate repetitive sales tasks, improving efficiency and allowing sales teams to focus on high-value activities such as building relationships and closing deals. By leveraging artificial intelligence (AI), customer relationship management (CRM) systems, and workflow automation, businesses can optimize sales processes, reduce manual effort, and enhance revenue generation.
Sales Orders - A sales order is a commercial document generated by a business after a customer places an order for goods or services. It serves as a confirmation of the transaction, detailing the product or service specifications, quantity, price, payment terms, and delivery information. Sales orders help businesses manage inventory, track revenue, and ensure accurate order fulfillment.
Supply Chain Problems - Supply chain problems refer to disruptions, inefficiencies, or obstacles that impact the smooth flow of goods, services, and information from suppliers to end customers. These issues can arise due to supplier delays, logistics failures, global crises, and inefficient internal processes. When not addressed, supply chain problems can result in higher operational costs, lost revenue, damaged customer relationships, and reduced market competitiveness.