In this article, we outline the role of an inventory control system in driving order to cash success, plus how automation and integration makes your system more robust.
Order to cash (O2C) is more than just invoicing and payment collection—it starts the moment a sales order is placed and ends when the money lands in your account. A crucial, but often overlooked part of this cycle? Inventory control.
If your stock levels are off, the rest of your O2C process slows down. Orders get delayed, fulfilment teams scramble, and customer satisfaction drops. That’s where an integrated inventory control system comes in—helping to connect procurement, sales, and fulfilment into a smooth, automated flow.
What is the main function of an inventory control system?
At its core, an inventory control system tracks what stock you have, where it’s located, and when it needs to be replenished. But when it’s integrated into your broader O2C ecosystem, it becomes much more powerful.
Let’s say a customer places an order through your sales portal. A connected system immediately checks stock availability and reserves items automatically. If inventory is low, it can trigger procurement actions—whether that’s a purchase order to a supplier or a transfer from another warehouse. The customer gets a confirmed delivery date, and your sales order process continues without a hitch.
Automation that connects the dots
The challenge isn’t just tracking inventory—it’s ensuring every department is working off the same, up-to-date data. When inventory control systems are siloed from sales and procurement, things fall through the cracks. Orders get taken for out-of-stock products. Deliveries are delayed. You miss your SLAs.
B2BE’s automated workflows bridge that gap. Our solutions help businesses align procurement, inventory, and order management into a seamless process. Sales orders can trigger real-time inventory checks, initiate replenishment workflows, and ensure fulfilment schedules are accurate—all without manual intervention.
Real-time visibility across the supply chain
An integrated approach to inventory control also gives finance and operations teams the visibility they need. Want to forecast cash flow? You’ll need accurate insight into pending orders, delivery timelines, and current inventory. Want to reduce stockouts or over-ordering? A connected inventory control system can flag patterns and help optimise procurement cycles.
Bringing it all together
Maintaining an inventory control system isn’t just a back-office task—it’s the foundation of reliable fulfilment and faster cash flow. When connected to your order and procurement workflows, it helps drive the entire O2C cycle forward.
Want to align inventory with your order to cash strategy? Let’s talk about how B2BE can help automate the process from sales order to payment—backed by accurate, real-time stock data.
About B2BE
B2BE delivers electronic supply chain solutions globally, helping organisations to better manage their supply chain processes, providing greater levels of visibility, auditability and control. We’re driven by a passion for what we do, inspired by innovation, and underpinned by a wealth of knowledge. With over 20+ years of experience, the B2BE teams operate worldwide.
For more information, visit www.b2be.com.