SIRWSLS004A
Process product and service data

This unit describes the performance outcomes, skills and knowledge required to maintain and process wholesale sales, customer service and related product data using the existing business technology and systems.

Application

This unit requires sales and administrative staff to utilise business technology and systems to maintain an accurate product database to evaluate and forecast customer preferences and product or service performance according to business policy and procedures.


Prerequisites

Nil


Elements and Performance Criteria

ELEMENT

PERFORMANCE CRITERIA

1

Process product and service data.

1.1

Source and report product and service data using business technology and systems.

1.2

Store, retrieve and relay data according to business technology, information management systems and procedures.

1.3

Process product and service data according to confidentiality, security and systems access requirements.

2

Monitor customer sales.

2.1

Monitor product mix for each customer to identify potential add-on sales.

2.2

Monitor customer sales figures to identify success of current sales and supply targets.

2.3

Enter information affecting future forecasts into the database in an accurate and timely manner.

3

Maintain product database.

3.1

Maintain accurate and current details of products and services in product database, including deleting old items and inserting new items.

3.2

Collect and correctly process latest data.

3.3

Apply security procedures for access to database.

3.4

Build and maintain data records to according to business policy and procedures.

3.5

Collect information for reporting purposes using appropriate technology to convey product or service information.

3.6

Generate reports to business requirements.

4

Determine customer preferences.

4.1

Evaluate volume of products purchased by individual customers to anticipate future requirements and preferences.

4.2

Provide timely and accurate reports on information that can enhance decision making on provision of products and services to customers.

Required Skills

This section describes the essential skills and knowledge and their level, required for this unit.

The following skills must be assessed as part of this unit:

using business technology and systems to:

input and process product and service data

retrieve and utilise data appropriately

maintain product databases

monitor customer preferences, sales and develop sales and supply targets

generate reports to business requirements

applying security procedures for business technology and systems

collecting and organising information

analysing and evaluating information

time management

literacy and numeracy skills to:

perform data entry

read and interpret a range of written material

interpret sales data

produce reports.

The following knowledge must be assessed as part of this unit:

range of customers and product and services offered

types of data

data processing requirements

storage and security of data and hardware or records systems

use and maintenance of business technology and systems

business policy and procedures in regard to:

supply and distribution of products or services

reporting mechanisms

use and maintenance of customer and sales data

data security and privacy

evaluation of product and service performance.

factors determining customer preferences

OHS with relation to use of computer equipment.

Evidence Required

The evidence guide provides advice on assessment and must be read in conjunction with the performance criteria, required skills and knowledge, the range statement and the Assessment Guidelines for this Training Package.

Critical aspects for assessment and evidence required to demonstrate competency in this unit

Evidence of the following is essential:

utilises business technology and systems to perform accurate data processing, storage and retrieval according to data and systems security requirements and business policy and procedures

collects and organises information to maintain accurate and current details of products and services in product database

utilises product database to perform accurate product or service performance evaluations and report accurate information on customer preferences across a range of customers and products or services according to business policy and procedures

interprets customer preference and product or service performance information to forecast customer preferences and requirements.

Context of and specific resources for assessment

Assessment must ensure access to:

a sales-oriented work environment

relevant sources of product and service information

relevant documentation, such as:

policy and procedures manuals

sales reports

business plans and objectives

relevant business technology and systems.

Methods of assessment

A range of assessment methods should be used to assess practical skills and knowledge. The following examples are appropriate for this unit:

observation of performance in the workplace

third-party reports from a supervisor

review of portfolio of evidence

written or verbal questioning to assess knowledge and understanding.

Holistic assessment with other units relevant to the industry sector, workplace and job role is recommended.

Assessing employability skills

Employability skills are integral to effective performance in the workplace and are broadly consistent across industry sectors. How these skills are applied varies between occupations and qualifications due to the different work functions and contexts.

Employability skills embedded in this unit should be assessed holistically in the context of the job role and with other relevant units that make up the skill set or qualification.


Range Statement

The range statement relates to the unit of competency as a whole. It allows for different work environments and situations that may affect performance. Bold italicised wording in the performance criteria is detailed below.

Product or service data may include:

purchase requests and orders

tender submissions and proposals

invoices and payment requests

statements and petty cash vouchers

offer and contract documents

evaluation documentation

records of supplier performance

financial statements

records of conversation.

Business technology and systems may include:

portable data entry

personal computers or terminals (stand-alone or networked)

printers

scanners

numerical keyboard equipment, including calculators

software, including:

word processing

databases

spreadsheets

financial

inventory

electronic data interchange (EDI)

point-of-sale terminals

information management systems

sales and distribution systems.

Data may be:

public

secure

electronic

hard copy

verbal

internal or external

annual reports

statistical reports

Customers may include:

business customers or individuals

new or repeat contacts

external and internal contacts

customers with routine or special requests

people from a range of social, cultural and ethnic backgrounds and with varying physical and mental abilities.

Sales and supply targets may include:

market share

positioning with local businesses

price

quality

volume of sales

presentation or merchandising of products or services

customer retention

shift in sales demographics.

Details recorded in product database may include:

dimensions and characteristics

manufacturer or supplier

packaging

price (wholesale, retail, etc.)

trends

seasonal variations

special events

Business policy and procedures may relate to:

supply and distribution of products or services

operating and maintaining business technology

reporting mechanisms

use and maintenance of customer and sales data

data security and privacy

evaluation of product and service performance.

Reports may be:

written

electronic

verbal

annual reports

internal or external

statistical reports.


Sectors

Sector

Wholesale


Competency Field

Sales


Employability Skills

The required outcomes described in this unit contain applicable facets of employability skills. The Employability Skills Summary of the qualification in which this unit is packaged will assist in identifying employability skills requirements.


Licensing Information

Not applicable.