The FMCG industry sometimes resembles a Formula 1 race – those who have the best technology under the hood win. Without the right IT systems, even unique products can go unnoticed by consumers. Check out our suggestions for what you need to beat the competition.
Transport Management System (TMS) coordinates all transport management and transport processes such as tracking goods, vehicles, and settling transport costs. In practice, this means control over every kilometer the products travel.
Key TMS functionalities include optimizing delivery routes, real-time shipment tracking, and automatic generation of transport documents. The system also allows for monitoring transport costs and analyzing the performance of different carriers. TMS enables cost reduction through better planning and utilization of cargo space.
Retail Operating System (ROS) is the brain of every point of sale. This system handles all operations at the point of sale – from scanning barcodes to managing inventory. It integrates with payment systems, loyalty programs, and product databases.
Advanced ROS systems can analyze customer purchasing patterns and suggest increasing the production of specific goods. Some solutions also offer self-service functions that accelerate the purchasing process. In the case of FMCG sales networks, ROS ensures data synchronization across all points. Managers can monitor sales and inventory in real time.
Warehouse Management System (WMS) in FMCG is used for managing warehouse processes. It automates the processes of goods reception, storage, and dispatch. In a warehouse where product rotation is high, WMS optimizes storage locations according to FEFO (First Expired, First Out) and FIFO (First In, First Out) principles. According to FEFO, goods with the shortest expiration date are selected for sale first, while using FIFO, products that arrived at the warehouse earliest are sold first.
Key WMS functionalities include managing product expiration dates, automatic generation of picking lists, and optimizing employee routes within the warehouse. The system also tracks every stage of the product's life cycle, which is crucial in the event of potential product recalls.
Modern WMS systems integrate with warehouse robots and RFID scanners. This allows picking processes to be automated, and human errors to be minimized.
Product Information Management (PIM) is a system that organizes information chaos in FMCG companies. It is used for managing product information, its data quality, and integrations with eCommerce and ERP systems.
In the FMCG industry, where one manufacturer can have thousands of SKUs (Stock Keeping Units), PIM centralizes all product information. The system stores descriptions, photos, technical specifications, ingredients, and allergen data. PIM automates the process of creating product catalogs for various sales channels. The same product can have different descriptions for an online store, a mobile application, or B2B catalogs.
The system also ensures product data quality. It verifies the completeness of information, checks compliance with legal regulations, and automatically updates data in connected systems.
Distribution Management System (DMS) is the command center for the entire FMCG distribution network. The system coordinates the flow of goods from the manufacturer through wholesalers to retail points of sale.
DMS manages orders from various sales channels, optimizes inventory levels, and automates the replenishment process. The system also analyzes sales trends and predicts future demand.
A key DMS function is managing prices and promotions across different channels. The system can automatically adjust prices to market conditions and synchronize promotions between online and physical stores. DMS integrates with financial systems, enabling automatic settlements with trading partners. It also generates sales reports that assist in making strategic business decisions.
Over half of companies worldwide use Marketing Automation (as you can learn from our e-book "60 facts about Marketing Automation"). Just using simple tools is enough to take customer communication to the next level.
At iPresso, we have a platform version dedicated specifically to the FMCG industry. Our system supports FMCG brands through automation and advanced integrations. The platform enables the creation of personalized marketing campaigns based on consumer behavior. The system analyzes purchase history and product preferences.
iPresso automates customer communication at every stage of the customer journey. From welcome emails to loyalty programs – everything can be automated and personalized.
The FMCG industry can use iPresso Feed Manager to dynamically adapt promotional offers, present new products, and display advertisements for goods available in stock.
The system integrates with online and offline sales channels, creating a comprehensive customer view. This allows marketers to create omnichannel campaigns that reach consumers at the right place and time.
Choosing the right systems for FMCG is a long-term investment. Key criteria are scalability, integration capability, and support for industry-specific processes.
Systems dedicated to FMCG, such as iPresso FMCG Suite, offer ready-made functionalities like generating discount codes, handling promotions, and personalized product recommendations and marketing messages sent in real time. Universal solutions may require costly customizations.
Technical support from the provider is also important. In the FMCG industry, where every hour of downtime can cost thousands of zlotys, quick response to problems is crucial. The license cost is only the tip of the iceberg. Implementation costs, training, integration, and ongoing system maintenance must be taken into account.
