Pipelines
Streamlining Merch Orders with Pipelines
At Ink Center, we’ve developed a dynamic system to manage the entire process of merchandise creation and distribution, which we refer to as Pipelines. From design to distribution, our pipelines ensure that every step in the workflow is seamlessly managed, involving key roles to keep the process efficient and transparent.
Key Pipeline Nodes:
Our pipelines involve specific user roles, each responsible for a part of the workflow. These roles include:
- Design: Manages the creative elements and ensures the product meets branding requirements.
- Store Manager: Oversees the store, manages inventory, and ensures all customer needs are met.
- Order Entry: Responsible for inputting and confirming orders in the system.
- Treasurer: Handles financial approvals and ensures budgets are adhered to.
- Distribution Solution: Final step where products are delivered to customers or team members.
Key Pipeline Scenarios and Features:
Here are some common scenarios that our pipelines handle:
- Submit and Pay: Whether the Parent (e.g., a manager) submits and pays for an order, or a Child (e.g., an employee) submits and has someone else handle the payment (like a corporate sponsor).
- Production and Shipment: Orders can be produced "at once" or consolidated for bulk discounts. Shipping can also be tailored to ship individually or as a consolidated shipment.
Practical Use Cases for Pipelines:
- Large Teams Needing Bulk Orders: For organizations with multiple departments or directors, our pipeline system allows for standardized merchandise to be ordered in bulk, ensuring consistency across all teams. This helps reduce costs through economies of scale while maintaining quality control.
- Stipend-Based Orders for Employees: HR or managers can set up budgets for individual employees or team members, allowing them to order merchandise within a set allowance. This stipend renews based on a predefined duration (e.g., yearly), giving employees access to new merch without exceeding their budgets.
- Multi-Store Setup: With Ink Center, you can create multiple stores per account. Each store can serve a different purpose. The most common application is to create a store for players and another for fans/community. This allows for your player store to pass your account discount along to your players while utilizing your separate fan store as a fundraiser.
- More coming soon: With our recent "Accounts" update we are now positioned to solve more pipeline pain points. We have mapped out 36 pipeline scenarios and landed on about a dozen that make sense. Coming soon...