Industry

Wholesale

Modern wholesale is characterized by a high degree of complexity. To remain competitive in a market where customers are increasingly demanding and expect a wide product range and fast delivery times, optimizing one’s own trading processes is therefore crucial.

This is where an Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP) system comes into play. In this article, we’ll take a closer look at the diverse functions and advantages that ERP software offers for wholesalers. Furthermore, we’ll show you what to consider when searching for a suitable ERP solution.

AvERP im Großhandel

AvERP consists of various modules, each typically covering a specific business area. For example, there are modules for human resources, accounting, document management, and logistics. or warehouse management. Depending on a company’s requirements, additional modules can be added or temporarily omitted.

Since every industry has different business processes, it’s important to use adaptable ERP software like AvERP. For example, a production module is less relevant for wholesalers, while warehouse logistics and customer management play a more significant role. We would be happy to advise you on the numerous advantages that AvERP offers.

The right ERP software for wholesalers

The ERP market offers a plethora of solutions, each designed specifically for particular industries or company sizes. No two ERP solutions are alike. Even solutions tailored to the same industry often differ significantly. Finding the right solution for your business can therefore be a major challenge. With AvERP, we cover a very broad range of requirements and give you the option to customize it to your specific needs.

Always keep an overview

Create a requirements specification beforehand. This document should first outline all the specific goals you want to achieve with the implementation of the ERP software. Additionally, you should define all desired functions in the requirements specification and prioritize them. This will serve as a guide when searching for a suitable solution. Basic information such as the number of users, the budget, and the timeframe should also be included in the requirements specification.

A requirements specification not only helps you gain an overview of your needs, but also contributes to your future implementation partner developing a better understanding of your specific requirements. The actual search itself is then facilitated by online comparison portals and similar tools. However, the crucial point is that you know exactly what you are looking for.

Generally speaking, ERP software for wholesalers needs a comprehensive range of functions to meet daily work requirements. Im folgenden zählen wir Ihnen dabei die zentralsten Aspekte auf, auf die Sie bei der Auswahl Ihrer ERP-Software achten sollten:

Document Management System (DMS)

An implemented document management system enables a new, completely digital way of working in your company. Experience shows that many wholesale businesses still operate in a very analog manner. Numerous printouts, order lists, and the like not only harm the environment but also reduce the efficiency of work processes.

A document management system therefore helps you transition from analog documents to digital workflows. Each document is stored centrally by the system. This way, nothing gets lost and everyone has access to all relevant data at any time.

Business Intelligence Modul

ERP software collects all of a company’s data in a central database. A BI module helps you systematically analyze and measure all data and processes in real time. This not only creates transparency but also increases your company’s effectiveness.

But that’s not all: By analyzing past and current data, you will be able to make predictions about customer behavior in the future. Which product will be in higher demand? At what point will customer traffic increase? All these questions can be answered very precisely, provided your database is large enough.

Accounting and Controlling

ERP software also supports you in the accounting and controlling areas of your wholesale business. With the appropriate module, your invoices can be automatically checked and assigned to the correct cost center.

This automation can also be used for your own invoicing. This saves you both time and personnel resources. Furthermore, an ERP system can generate various financial reports. This also helps you make validated decisions in controlling.

Integration of a B2B webshop

Implementing a modern ERP system makes it easy to integrate your online shop into the central system. Integrating the webshop into the ERP system offers a number of advantages. For example, data transfer allows for reliable information about product delivery quantities at any time.

Warehouse management module

An organized and efficiently managed warehouse saves time and personnel resources. However, to manage your warehouse effectively, your ERP system needs as much information as possible. How much do the products weigh? What are the dimensions of the components?

Furthermore, an ERP system also allows for the analysis of inventory levels.

Wholesalers always strive to ensure the availability of their products. This often requires large inventories of large quantities, which is associated with considerable costs.

Analyzing data allows for the identification of seasonal fluctuations in specific product categories. This enables better planning and helps to counteract bottlenecks and poor financial decisions.

Purchasing management module

Targeted purchasing management helps to improve and streamline work processes. Each item can be linked to an alternative supplier. If the primary supplier experiences a shortage and no subsequent delivery is possible, the system automatically suggests another supplier.

The license-free ERP system for small and medium-sized enterprises.

ERP in wholesale: The importance of customer relationship management

A CRM module is crucial for your company’s customer management. This function allows you to store and manage all customer data. The CRM module is considered one of the most important modules in ERP software for wholesalers, as it significantly contributes to customer loyalty.

Advantages of using a modern CRM module

Contact management

Using a CRM module allows all customer contact data to be stored and managed clearly. For this purpose, a separate customer file is created for each customer, in which all interactions with the customer are also stored.

The ability to directly access previous orders, complaints, and all email correspondence and telephone logs allows customer service to respond quickly to direct customer inquiries. This not only saves time but also has a positive impact on customer satisfaction.

Sales/Marketing

CRM software is also crucial for sales. It enables the calculation of sales opportunities and the prioritization of customers. Furthermore, the system simplifies the management of ongoing offers.

A key component of the CRM module is its diverse range of marketing functions. A CRM module enables the analysis of important information about customer wishes and needs. Based on this, personalized advertising can be created, increasing the chances of success.

B2B online shop

Another advantage is the integration with the B2B online shop. As soon as a customer places an order in the online shop, it can be automatically saved in the corresponding customer file in the CRM module.

Furthermore, a CRM module enables the direct evaluation of the success of marketing measures. This leads to continuous improvements in individual activities, which saves both time and financial resources and positively impacts customer satisfaction.

1. Efficient resource use

An ERP system enables the optimal management of resources such as inventory, personnel, and capital. This leads to the efficient use of available resources.

2. Improved warehouse management

The software helps to monitor inventory in real time, automate orders and reorders, and avoid shortages.

3. Increased efficiency

By automating routine tasks and integrating various processes, an ERP system increases the overall efficiency and productivity of your wholesale business.

4. Improved data security and compliance

Modern ERP systems offer security features to protect sensitive company data and thus ensure compliance with legal regulations.

5. Improved reporting and analysis

With an ERP system, you can access real-time data at any time and generate detailed reports for the various departments.

6. Scalability

Most ERP systems are scalable and can flexibly keep pace with the growth of your wholesale business by adding additional functions and modules, for example.

7. Customer satisfaction

Better management of orders and deliveries strengthens customer loyalty and leads to generally higher satisfaction.

Conclusion: Tailor your ERP software to your wholesale business

In recent years, numerous ERP software solutions have specialized for the wholesale sector. Wholesale ERP software offers various functions that contribute to, among other things, optimized warehouse management, comprehensive demand planning, and more efficient procurement and logistics.

It is advisable for wholesale companies to choose an ERP software solution capable of covering all their business processes. It is equally important to ensure that the ERP software offers the flexibility to grow with the company. Do you have any further questions about modern ERP systems? Don’t hesitate to contact us! Our ERP experts are available to provide more information and will be happy to assist you with the implementation of your new ERP software for wholesale businesses.