As a distributor, growing your business means having the right tools to manage your inventory, warehouse, and customers. Acumatica’s Distribution Management software provides these tools, and more. It is a complete, end-to-end solution that helps distributors streamline their inventory management processes.
This part 2 of a two-part blog series that discusses 7 ways Acumatica’s Distribution Management software can help businesses grow.
#4—Exceed customer expectations
According to studies by Bain & Company and Earl Sasser of Harvard Business School, a modest five percent increase in customer retention can produce a 25% to 95% boost in profits. To meet customer expectations, you need a flexible and adaptable fulfilment strategy. Acumatica Distribution Edition enables this strategy:
- Accurate, Real-time Information—With connected, precise, and real-time data, you can make better decisions and manage your customers’ experiences on a single platform.
- Flexible and Competitive Pricing—Automation enables you to save money on operational expenses, resulting in lower prices for your customers.
- Top-Notch Customer Service—Impress customers with exceptional service from embedded customer relationship management (CRM), support cases, and online self-service. Automated fulfilment with a warehouse management system (WMS) also offers faster and more accurate order fulfilment.
- Digitally Transform Order Processes—Streamline order processes with will-call orders and electronic signatures for quotes and orders. Manage omnichannel returns, sales, and exchanges in-store, online, or through the back-office ERP software.
#5—Improve data visibility
Data silos are common among distributors using entry-level accounting applications or legacy distribution ERP systems with limited native functionality. This situation can lead to decreased profits and missed opportunities.
Acumatica provides you with everything you need to manage every part of your business from a single platform. This capability allows you to break down data silos, improve decision-making, and increase profitability.
- Access a comprehensive ERP solution—Acumatica is a modern distribution ERP solution that provides all the functionality distributors need out-of-the-box. The fully integrated system connects data in real-time and allows your business to access the most up-to-date information.
- Easily Connect External Data Sources—Integrating data from different sources is critical for a successful distribution business, but finding the right tools and resources is challenging. With Acumatica, you can easily connect external data sources using open application programming interfaces (APIs). With low-code or no-code integration, businesses can quickly and easily bring all enterprise data into Acumatica in real time.
- Configurable, Role-Based Dashboards—Acumatica’s innovative software features customizable dashboards and filters and allows you to monitor business activity 24/7. You can also receive notifications regarding suspicious activity or late orders.
- Powerful Reporting and Analytics—Keep business processes running smoothly with flexible financial and operational reports connected to Microsoft Power BI for analytics. You can spot the software’s profitability changes by item or market trend.
#6—Automate business
Technology is an excellent way for you to increase your efficiency and profits. The use of templates, customer order history, matrix items, connected storefronts, and automated bar-coded transactions allows you to create, process, and fulfil orders faster. Modern technologies, such as artificial intelligence with machine learning, also help improve distribution processes.
- Automate with Artificial Intelligence (AI)—AI is being used more and more in the distribution industry to automate processes. For example, artificial intelligence with machine learning allows small businesses to process vendor payments faster with less effort. With Acumatica’s embedded AP automation process, you can automatically suggest order items based on customer buying patterns, route deliveries based on traffic conditions, and predict future inventory needs.
- Configurable Business Process Workflows—As a business scales, you need the ability to change or add processes quickly. With Acumatica’s distribution ERP, you can easily configure workflows to match your unique business process.
# 7—Reduce IT costs
With Acumatica Distribution Edition, you enjoy a more connected and efficient business infrastructure. The suite of native cloud-based applications reduces the need for third-party software, while the consumption-based licensing model saves businesses from expensive data center costs and user fees.
- Reduce Application License Fees—With a distribution ERP system that includes native applications to handle all elements of their business, you can minimize your technology stack. As a result, companies can save significantly on application license fees.
- Lower Costs for Training and Support—ERP systems with out-of-the-box functionality are easier to learn and have lower support costs.
- Minimize Infrastructure Costs—Cloud-based ERP applications like Acumatica eliminate infrastructure costs such as licensing fees and maintenance and support costs.
- Eliminate User Licensing—With a cloud-based ERP solution, businesses only pay for the resources they use. There are no user licensing costs, so companies can scale their operations without incurring unfair expenses.
Start Saving with Acumatica Today
Check out this Acumatica Demo to learn more about how Acumatica can help your business save on technology costs. One of our experts will be happy to show you how our distribution ERP system can save you time and money.
Additional Distribution Resources
7 Ways Distributors Can Grow with Modern Cloud ERP Software (Part 1 of 2)