How Orderwise boosts efficiency for the protective equipment and safety industry

Personal protective equipment (PPE) and workwear industries play a vital role in keeping people safe and workplaces compliant, from hospitals to construction sites. 

However, these industries face distinct challenges that can strain operations. Managing vast product ranges, meeting tight deadlines, and navigating supply chain complexities are just the beginning. To remain competitive and effective, businesses need solutions that go beyond maintaining the status quo, they need systems capable of addressing today’s demands while preparing for future growth.

Balancing timely deliveries with efficient inventory management is no small feat. Add to this the rise of ecommerce and the need for seamless platform integration, and the operational load becomes even heavier. Orderwise is designed to alleviate these pressures, delivering smart, scalable solutions that help businesses stay adaptable, efficient, and ahead of the curve.

Tackling operational challenges 

Take Safety Buyer UK, for example. This supplier of health and safety equipment knows a thing or two about navigating a competitive market. With over 11,000 SKUs - 85% of which are drop-shipped from suppliers, Safety Buyer needed a reliable system to keep their operations running smoothly. They found their answer in Orderwise.

Traditional methods like spreadsheets or basic systems like Sage 50 simply couldn’t cut it. Errors, inefficiencies, and scaling issues were lurking around every corner. Recognising the need for a more robust solution, Safety Buyer implemented Orderwise from day one, building a solid foundation to support their growth.

Key benefits for suppliers:

• Streamlined processes: Orderwise ensures seamless coordination between suppliers and customers, enabling accurate, efficient order fulfilment.
• Integrated ecommerce management: Businesses like Safety Buyer can link their ecommerce platforms to Orderwise, further automating workflows and reducing manual intervention.
• Real-time insights: With robust reporting tools, users gain visibility into stock levels, supplier performance, and sales trends, enabling informed decision-making.
• Scalable solutions: As businesses grow, Orderwise scales alongside them, supporting additional SKUs, product lines, and operational complexities.

As Ian Rowe, Co-Director of Safety Buyer UK, put it:

"It creates discipline in how we work and just drives good processing. Even though we are a new business, the documentation that goes out to customers presents quality.

Supporting emergency services under pressure

Then there’s the London Ambulance Service (LAS). When the COVID-19 pandemic hit, they faced an overwhelming challenge: making sure their ambulance crews had the resources they needed to stay safe and operational. Empty warehouses and surging demand made the situation critical.

Enter Orderwise. Within 36 hours, we delivered a fully functional warehouse management and stock control system. From setting up a physical server to deploying handheld scanners across 48 replenishment hubs, we made sure LAS could focus on saving lives. The result? Over one million boxes of PPE distributed in just 12 weeks.

Key benefits for emergency services:

• Rapid deployment: Orderwise can be implemented quickly to address urgent needs, providing immediate operational relief.
• Intelligent stock management: Automated reordering and forecasting ensure essential items are always available.
• Enhanced visibility: Real-time tracking of stock movements enables precise distribution and accountability.
• Reliability under pressure: With a robust and scalable system, emergency services can operate efficiently even in times of crisis.

Emily Grist, Performance Improvement Manager at LAS, shared her thoughts:

"It has allowed for us to have a fully integrated software system which helps increase efficiency, productivity, and accuracy amongst our operations. I would like to thank all of the team for helping us achieve this."

Orderwise: a trusted partner across industries

From suppliers managing thousands of SKUs to frontline emergency services ensuring life-saving equipment reaches those in need, Orderwise provides tailored solutions that empower businesses to meet their unique challenges. By focusing on stock-centric functionality like multi-warehouse management, advanced forecasting, and robust inventory control, our system enables teams to work smarter, faster, and more effectively.

Whether it’s streamlining supply chains or driving operational excellence, Orderwise delivers results that make a tangible difference.

Curious about how Orderwise can help your business tackle its biggest challenges? Dive into our success stories or reach out to our team to learn more.