Overview
ABB empower Flow provides users the ability to fully create and manage orders through key digital commerce functionality. This getting started guide will help users get familiar with the empower system and learn helpful tips for navigating the tool.
Select the blue links below to go directly into the topic you'd like to learn more about!
The Basics ... learn how to access the empower Flow module, along with basic system navigation.
Selecting Accounts ... users with access to multiple ABB account numbers can select specific accounts to interact with.
Order Status ... use this feature to search for and track individual orders and projects.
Price & Availability ... get real time price and product availability directly from ABB's ERP system.
Order Entry (shopping cart) ... users can add items to their shopping cart and proceed with order entry for catalog products.
Post Sales Service ... features include submitting rebates and creating return requests.
Special Pricing ... get access to request and download individual SPA agreements and other pricing files.
Invoice Management .... get access to open invoices and search 90 days worth of closed invoices.
empower Homepage
The ABB empower homepage is the launchpad for a user's empower experience. From this page users will be able to quickly access key features and information along with managing their individual profiles.
This section will cover the basics of the empower homepage and guide users to more information.
empower Homepage Overview
User Profile Information
At the top of all the empower pages is a header bar that will display the currently selected ABB account number along with access to the user's profile.Feature Navigation Bar
From this navigation bar, users will have access to all the current features they have enabled for their individual empower profile. Different users will see different features in this menu. To request access to specific empower features contact your ABB Account Rep or contact empower support at [email protected].Order Search
Users can use the Order Search card on the empower homepage to quickly search for and access individual orders or projects. By searching by Order number, PO number, Product number or Job name, users will find individual orders for the selected account. For more advanced searching features, click on the Order Status link in the navigation bar.Quote Management
If enabled, users will see the Quotes button to access the empower Quote module. This allows users to create and manage their project quotes. For access, contact your ABB Account Rep or contact empower support at [email protected].Recent Orders
Users can click on the PO number or Order number for those listed in the Recent Orders card to directly access order status information. The Recent Orders card will list the last 5 orders created for the selected ABB account number.Price & Availability
This card provides users with a quick way to access product price and availability information. Users can upload a specific file or input individual products and quantities to track. Check out the Price & Availability lesson for more information on the P&A functionality in ABB empower.Recent Lists
This section of the empower homepage provides users with quick access to the List functionality in empower. Users can create lists of their favorite products for checking P&A as well as access saved shopping carts. Check out the Saved Lists & Shopping Carts lesson for tips on using lists.
A user's access and visibility within ABB empower is driven by the ABB accounts that they have access to. Access to these accounts can be requested by the individual user or assigned by the ABB account manager or empower support team.
Check out the Requesting Account Access lesson for more information.
Navigating Accounts
Users who have access to more than one ABB account number will be asked to select which account they want to manage each time they log into ABB empower. This allows the tool to display key information and obtain pricing that is specific to the individual customer account. Users can use the search and account favorites feature to help in managing their specific account list.
Check out the Navigating Accounts lesson for more tips and information.
TIP: If a user has access to only one account, they will bypass the account selection during the login process.
Order Status
Users can use the various order status and tracking features of empower to locate specific order information. Orders can be located via direct search (Order number, PO, Job name, etc) or accessed through the Order Search link.
Detailed order information includes specific line item updates with information such as status, shipment tracking information, bill of lading, invoice, etc. Users can also subscribe to receive order notifications for individual orders.
Check out the Order Status & Tracking lesson for more information.
Price & Availability
ABB empower provides real-time information related to individual product prices and inventory information. Through the Price & Availability feature from the empower homepage, users can select groups of products to view information and then add to their shopping cart for order entry.
Users will have access to pricing that is specific to the ABB account number that is currently selected. This information is subject to change as it is a real-time. Certain non-stock products will display a lead time value when availability is viewed.
From the P&A results page, users can also add the items directly to their Cart or Email / Download the price list.
Check out the full Price & Availability lesson for more details.
TIP: please contact your ABB account manager or empower support team if pricing is not available for a specific product.
Order Entry (Shopping Cart)
Users can leverage empower's Shopping Cart feature to place orders for ABB products. ABB products that have a standard catalog number (with a few exceptions) are available to be ordered through empower.
Products can be added to the cart from the Price & Availability screen or directly added to the shopping cart. From there, users will proceed through a simple 3 step order entry process to place their order which includes entering all shipment information. Orders will be sent in real-time for processing and can then be tracked using the Order Status function.
TIP: Use the Save Items button to save the shopping cart for future use if not ready to immediately order.
Post Sales Service
The Post Sales Service function within ABB empower includes the ability for users to enter their Rebate and Return requests. These features can be accessed by clicking on the Post Sales link in the empower blue header bar.
Check out the full Order Entry lesson for more details.
TIP: If you do not have access to the Post Sales features, please contact your ABB account manager or empower Support for assistance.
Returns
The Returns function in ABB empower allows users to locate specific orders and products that need to be returned (RMA, RGA, Stock rebalancing, etc). When accessing the Returns function (select All Requests from Post Sales option), users will be requested to either search for products from an invoice or to manually create the return request. Once submitted, the request can be tracked and managed through ABB empower.
Check out the below lessons for more information on Returns:
Create a Return Request
Returns Tracking
Rebates
The Rebates function allows users the ability to upload their SPA credit request for processing. Users can either upload a file using the provided template or go through the Manual Entry process to enter the individual line information.
Users can also access the Policy Document directly from the Create Request screen.
Check out the below lessons for more information on Rebates:
Rebate Requests
Rebate Tracking
Special Pricing
The Special Pricing (SPA) section of ABB empower allows a user to view and download all current price lists and can be accessed by clicking on the Special Pricing section in empower.
Capabilities include ...
current, prior and future versions of standard (into-stock) pricing
current, prior, and future versions of special (end-customer) pricing
net price files for standard and customized product lists
product list file upload
published book price files
distributor payment terms
alerts for price changes
Check out the full Special Pricing (SPA) Management lesson for full details on how to request your specific price files.
TIP: ability to view special price data is a separate permission with empower. Not all users will have Special Pricing section as part of their empower experience. Please contact your ABB account manager or empower support to request access.
Invoice Management
Track Your Payables (invoice tracking) is available in ABB empower through the Invoice section. Users can search invoices, see overdue invoices, and directly download PDF copies. The invoice information is pulled directly from ABB's account receivables system and allows users to view all open invoices and 90 days worth of closed invoice history.
Check out the full Invoice Management lesson for full details on how to request your specific price files.
TIP: Ability to view invoices is a separate permission within empower. Not all users will have Invoice section as part of their empower experience. Contact your ABB account manager or ABB empower support to request access.