For one of our long-time clients in the agriculture industry, a fragmented, manual workflow was getting in the way of efficiency. We built and continue to support this client’s custom software system, and it was time to integrate a new workflow for their customers to order test product varieties.
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From Spreadsheets to Seamless Requests
Before this enhancement, technical product managers (TPMs) were each managing their own test product request processes. Some used Excel, others relied on Word documents, and email chains were the norm. Licensees would choose products from emailed files, reply with selections, and often go back and forth with questions. The lack of a consistent process made things hard to track—and even harder to standardize.
So, we built a new order request feature directly into the client’s existing custom software system. The result? One consistent, streamlined way to request products for testing—right inside the technical product guide (TPG) customers are already used to using.
A Better Way to Order Test Products
Now this client’s customers can browse available products and request test variety orders within the same portal they use to view product data. The feature includes:
- A direct link to product data so users can make informed decisions
- Filters for narrowing down product options
- A notes and comments section for capturing special requests or context
Every request is captured in a consistent format, regardless of which TPM it comes from. That means no more chasing down spreadsheets in someone’s inbox—and no more guesswork when a team member is out sick or transitions off the team.
Benefits Across the Board
For our client, this centralized feature creates a single source of truth for test product requests. Orders are tied to customer profiles, making them easier to track, analyze, and follow through on. It also lays the groundwork for future automation, including integration with the client’s warehouse ordering system.
Customers benefit from a cleaner, faster experience—they already log into the portal, so having the order request form right there saves time and eliminates confusion. And because the portal includes real-time product data and performance metrics, customers have everything they need to make the right test product selections.
Built for the Future
This feature is just one enhancement in a long line of upgrades to this client’s custom software system. Plans are in place to expand it to support other product types, and integration work is also underway to tie the request feature into downstream systems, which will improve data accuracy and further reduce the need for manual data entry.
The goal is to make the process not only more efficient, but also more reliable—reducing errors and ensuring the data matches from request to shipment.
Designed with Users in Mind
As always, we grounded the enhancement in user feedback. We interviewed both internal TPMs and external customers to understand what they needed throughout the ordering process. We reviewed samples of existing request documents and dug into what was essential—everything from must-have fields to quality-of-life features like filters and comment boxes.
That attention to user needs is what made sure this feature became a helpful tool for all who use it.
Enhancing What’s Already Working
This latest update continues our client’s broader vision: to simplify complex processes, reduce manual work, and give both internal teams and customers a better experience.
By embedding the order request feature into the portal, they’ve taken a significant step toward greater efficiency and consistency—without sacrificing flexibility or usability.
Have a clunky workflow that’s ready for an upgrade? Reach out.