Quality in trade

Autor: Prof. Dr.-Ing. Dr.h.c.* Dieter Deublein (Aidewise GmbH) *granted by Amansholov University Öskemen

Trade bridges the interface between suppliers and customers . Run via the interface:

• Information for the preparation of decisions
• Goods (transport, warehousing)
• Means of payment via invoices, dunning notices
• Documents

 Order processing procedure for the retail trade

Today, the trade functions almost error-free and with little personnel on Internet marketplaces and in Internet shops. Large warehouses with fully automatic storage and retrieval via chip or barcode systems have become common. Warehousing is controlled by "artificial intelligence" according to demand. A short time span between purchase and delivery of the goods is ensured by delivery services. Autonomously moving transport systems could still improve quality if the price and damage to the environment remain low.

Internet marketplaces are available to all suppliers. Internet shops preselect suppliers who all deliver similar quality. The name of the Internet shop stands for quality.

Customers are automatically led to the best possible decision. According to the ideas of the powerful Internet marketplace operators, the decision should be taken away from them by researching their individual situation and preferences to such an extent that only one button has to be pressed. If a remainder of individuality is not to be lost, then intelligent query systems will prevail, leading customers to the right decision. Additional written information and explanatory short films help.

B2B trade (trade with processors), including warehousing, will, with a few exceptions, be largely handled electronically in the near future.

Personnel is needed

• for the maintenance of the internet presence.
• to advertise the internet shop. The following are available: a high positioning in search engines, field service, marketing events, discount campaigns, influencing through short films, good criticism in social media, in forums, in comparison portals.
• to guide customers to the best possible decision.
• to the online help (Hotline)
• to make products tangible (trade fairs, exhibitions)
• to correct errors in the electronic system.

Internet trade will also increase strongly in B2C trade (trade with end customers). In addition, the "shopping experience" will come to the fore with staff for all-round customer care.

Small shops at every street corner with goods for the daily need of food shorten the distances for customers, save energy for long ways and large parking spaces. Food no longer has to be stored in energy-guzzling freezers at home. Products are packaged in paper bags or the like. This system already works with restrictions, e.g. in Tokyo.