Customers and cost are the bedrock of any business – distribution is no exception.
To get both of these elements in alignment, you need superior ERP software. However, distribution ERP also has other functions that enable you to streamline your business processes and expedite its growth.
The problem only arises when you realize that distribution ERP is not standardized. This means you need specific features to ensure the software you use enhances your company’s profit and supply chain.
This article will help distribution companies learn how to choose the best distribution ERP software for their business.
First, Assess Your Objectives
To choose the best distribution ERP, you need to begin by assessing your objectives. This gives you a starting point from which you can determine the sort of ERP software you’ll need and the features you require. You can then develop a checklist that contains all the pivotal components that are essential to meeting your businesses objectives.
Your Distribution ERP: What You Need To Look For
Whether you are implementing new software or are in the process of upgrading yours, you should understand what you need to be looking for to select the best distribution ERP.
1. Consider The Automation Features
Human error is an expensive part of distribution. It wastes precious resources and can lead to delays in dispatching or procuring, causing customer dissatisfaction as a result of the aforementioned. Consequently, you need ERP with robust automation features to mitigate the error of manual processes or outdated systems. With modern ERP systems, you can rely on predetermined prompts from your ERP to get work done.
These are some of the most crucial features your ERP needs to automate:
- Stock replenishment
- Discounting & Promotions
- Invoicing
- Shipping updates
2. Ascertain Versatility
An overlooked aspect of ERP software is versatility. However, versatility has a tremendous impact on performance. Consider the features that are most likely to lead to better overall results.
- Multilingual
Ensure your ERP can be used by employees regardless of their language preference without affecting their performance. The Antzman software solution allows you to implement ERP in all your locations and make tracking – and pulling – data more manageable.
- Multi-currency
To accurately track your distribution across several products, categories, and locations, multi-currency ERP capabilities are essential. Even if plenty of your clients are in one country or deal in one currency, sourcing products from across the world require you to have an ERP that can maintain accurate records in every currency.
Additionally, when it’s a multi-currency transaction – you buying inventory in one currency and selling it in another – you need a multi-currency feature to ensure you avoid erroneously charging less than you should.
3. Verify Integration Abilities
When selecting your distribution ERP software, you should be choosing one that you can integrate with current – and future – systems. You should be able to modify your software to influence specific targets and reports.
Integration is vital in ERP software because not every business unit is the same. Within an organization different business units may require more immersive and integrated program to maintain performance.
Your ERP software should have APIs and Webhooks available to allow your dev team to incorporate it into current or future structures.
4. Examine Growth Prospects
A healthy part of a successful distribution business is growth. Your ERP software can hinder or aid that objective.
This means your ERP should grow alongside your business as it expands.
Even if you aren’t a large distributor, you will need to test your ERPs capabilities at handling more than one distribution warehouse. Otherwise this can require a most costly migration to another software as you grow.
Your ERP should maintain accurate tracking information regardless of whether you have one location or several. Additionally, it should accurately analyze expenses, track stock movements, examine profits and losses to conclude your profitability.
So, what next?
Once you’ve determined the requirements and features you deem essential, selecting the best distribution ERP is far simpler.
As a leading ERP software, we’ve made it our mission to include essential features for distributors in every phase of business. Whether you’re undergoing a digital transformation, or upgrading your existing ERP software. Antmanz helps make resource planning less of a hassle.
