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19 29th Distribution13th Manufacturing
We make it easy to select & compare the right software.
software4distributors.comsoftware4manufacturers.com
2
The Distribution Software Guide is the only guide specifically developed to meet the unique needs of the wholesale distribution community.
This supplement to the 29th edition of the Guide isdesigned to assist your research, evaluation, comparison and analysis of software to determine which products best fit your operation.
Reading This Supplement ...This supplement is intended to help distributors who are looking to purchase software.
Each product summary provides a functional and technology highlights in addition to which vertical markets are served most.
Data for this print edition was gathered from interviews with the software vendors and the online guide available at www.software4distributors.com.
TechnologyThis section gives you the basic fundamentals of operating system, database, presentation method and delivery method.
New DevelopmentsWhat new enhancements have been added? What’s in the next release? Read this section to find out.
Customer BaseUse the pie graph to help determine how you fit compared to the other companies that use the software.
Entry Price PointThe pricing for software can be complex and is subject to negotiation. This is the entry point for the simplest configuration of the software and basic services to implement it. Use this only as a starting point; your actual cost will be higher.
Sales ChannelLearn how and where the software is sold.
Research . . . Evaluate . . . Compare . . . Analyze . . .
For a complimentary phone consultation with Brown Smith Wallace Advisory Services Business Process & Systems Group and to download a copy of the full Distribution and Manufacturing Software Guide Visit: www.software4distributors.com/vendor/resources_distribution_manufacturing_software_guide_login.aspx
Contents:
How To Use This Guide ........................... 2
Avalara .................................................... 3
CardConnect ............................................ 3
Computer Insights .................................... 4
DDI System .............................................. 4
Distribution One ....................................... 5
Epicor Software ................................... 5 - 6
Infor ................................................... 6 - 8
Phocas Software .................................. 8 - 9
VAI .......................................................... 9
Rules of Engagement .................... 10 - 11
Websites And Other Guides .................. 12
3w.acumatica.comSuite 100 Kirkland, WA 98033 Kirkland, WA 98033
Beverage Alcohol; Communications; Distribution; Fuel and Energy; Lodging and Hospitality; Marketplace; Manufacturing; Retail and eCommerce; Software; Supply Chain and Logistics.
Avalara helps Distributors and Manufacturers of all sizes achieve compliance with transactional taxes, including sales and use, VAT, excise, communications, and other tax types. We deliver comprehensive, automated, cloud-based solutions designed to be fast, accurate, and easy to use. We automate and simplify governmental compliance processes, including tax determination, exemption certificate management, and tax return preparation, filing, and remittance. Avalara has pre-built integrations into 700+ leading ERP and commerce solutions including, Microsoft, Oracle NetSuite, Sage, Sage Intacct, Infor, Epicor, VAI, Magento, etc. making the integration of tax and compliance solutions easy for customers.
Operating System: Microsoft Windows
Contact: Email: Phone: Web:
Sales:
Sales Channel: Direct
Brett Paternoster
Seattle, WA 98104
Technology:
New Developments:
Sales, Use Tax – Tax Compliance
Functional Highlights:
Vertical Markets:
Presentation: Cloud-basedDelivery: Software-as-a-Service (SaaS)
Technology Highlights:
Avalara
Avalara University hosts courses, webinars, and workshops to allow you to built your skills on your own pace or with an expert. Have a tax compliance topic on your mind, Avalara has resources that cover everything from sales and use tax, sales tax laws by state, Nexus, to South Dakota v. Wayfair. The leading provider of cloud-based tax compliance automation has released 22 newly certified integrations with accounting, ERP, ecommerce, point-of-sale, mobile commerce, and CRM software applications.
255 South King Street, Suite 1800
Entry Price Point: Contact Avalara
www.Avalara.com(208) 891-7190
B2B; Government; Retail; and Restaurants.
CardConnect’s comprehensive technologies and full-service partner program includes everything you need to build, manage and scale payment acceptance in a way that’s fully integrated with your software or stand alone terminal for a truly seamless customer experience. Since 2011 CardConnect has been P2PE PCI DSS Certified to provide you with the highest levels of security from the moment you swipe or key enter a card on a stand alone terminal or an integrated solution.
Operating System: Microsoft Windows
Contact: Email: Phone:
Web:
Sales:
Sales Channel: Direct
Diane Merrigan
King of Prussia, PA 19406
Technology:
New Developments:
Integrated & stand alone, Secure Payment Platform
Functional Highlights:
Vertical Markets:
Presentation: Cloud-basedDelivery: Mobile App or Browser
Technology Highlights:
CardConnect a Fiserv Company
Our full-service growth program is supported by dedicated sales and marketing teams to help you launch customized customer acquisition strategies and accelerate growth. Whether you need technical assistance, want to dive into comprehensive reports or board new customers, our team is with you at every step of your integration, 24/7.
1000 Continental Drive, Suite 300
Entry Price Point: Contact CardConnect a Fiserv Company
https://cardconnect.com(619) 920-4421
Avalara AvaTax delivers sales and use tax calculations to your shopping cart or invoicing system at breakneck speed, cross-checking thousands of rates, rules, and jurisdictional boundaries for more accurate results.
Avalara Returns is a seamless end-to-end service that prepares and files your returns and handles remittance according to a filing calendar you can easily manage online.
Avalara CertCapture collects, validates and stores all your compliance documents in one central, secure repository for instant access and accountability.
Avalara’s software is completely customizable and successfully integrates your selected Avalara solutions with your existing business ecosystem.
We are a leading payment technologies company that creates a unified customer experience no matter where transactions originate (online, in-store, over the phone or in the field).
Every transaction is processed with the highest level of data breach protection so you and your customers can worry less. Our real time transaction reporting of all your locations helps you to create that extra level of security and control. All while passing Level II/III transaction data automatically in the background to ensure the best level of qualification and no extra key strokes by staff.
Developer-friendly APIs make it easy to connect your software platform to ours with one preconfigured integration. Or for those businesses that do not have an integrated option CardConnect offers a variety of stand alone terminals, virtual terminal, mobile and wifi options.
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Database: UniVerse/MS SQL Server
Technology:
4
Sales Channel: Direct in North America
Technology:
Database: No SQL
Contact: Email: Phone: Web:
Technology Highlights:
Customers:
The Business Edge
Functional Highlights:
Computer Insights started in 1981 as a custom programming company. In 1993 they created The Business Edge for the Fastener industry. Now with over 250 installed customers all over North America, their software handles all aspects of the industry, from Distribution, to Vendor Managed Inventory, mobile access API’s for website and other software connections and more.
Vertical Markets:
The system includes everything from order processing, purchasing (including a complete automatic replenishment system), billing, accounts receivable, to general ledger. Optional systems include UPS Integration, Wireless Warehouse, Able Label integration, bar code labeling, and more.
Computer Insight’s software can be accessed remotely through laptops, wireless devices, iOS devices, and Netbooks. Also, Computer Insights has enhanced their commitment to Linux.
New Developments:The FSCN (Fastener Supply Chain Network) is providing seamless supply chain integration with Brighton-Best International, Kanebridge, Stelfast, and XL Screw with more to come. The system is also connected to inventory sourcing sites, FCH (Fastener Clearing House), The Nationwide Directory, and ILSmart.com. The system is also the only fastener distribution system with a complete integrated certificate management and quality assurance system.
Sales:
Operating System: Linux/Windows
Presentation: GUIDelivery: OnPremise with Perpetual Licenses or on the Cloud
Entry Price Point: $10,000 for 2 users
Fastener Companies; Bearing; Aerospace; and Industrial Distributors.
Bloomingdale, IL 60108-2912108 Third StreetDennis R. Cowhey
www.ci-inc.com(800) 539-1233
Sales:Entry Price Point: Contact VendorSales Channel: Direct in the U.S. and Canada
Contact: Email: Phone: Web: Sandy Hook, CT 06482
New Developments:
Customers:
[email protected] System (877) 599-4334
www.ddisystem.com
Technology Highlights:DDI System equips distributors with leading edge technology and industry-specific performance. Inform ERP Software keeps distributors ahead of customer expectations by engaging today’s buyers throughout the customer journey. The new Inform eCommerce Pro is a fully customizable eCommerce platform built on Magento’s leading shopping cart system and Inform’s trusted PIM (Product Information Manager) to provide real-time data directly from Inform ERP.
Presentation: GUI/CHUI
Operating System: Windows
Inform ERP Distribution Software DDI System
With more than 25 years of distribution expertise, DDI System’s Inform ERP Software drives the strongest operational workflows, financial management, decision-driving analytics and order management in the market. Plus, extended capabilities and industry-specific workflows enable distributors to compete in a digitally savvy environment with modern-day features that strengthen B2B and B2C sales, customer relationships, warehouse logistics, inventory management and daily operations through one, single-source solution. Inform ERP Software is trusted by more than 1100 distributors throughout North America.
Vertical Markets:Wholesale Distribution; Industrial; Electrical and Lighting; Showrooms; Foodservice Equipment; Rubber and Hose; Safety; PHCP; HVAC/R; PVF; Irrigation; Waterworks; Paper and Packaging; Janitorial and Sanitation; Fasteners and Bearings.
Functional Highlights:DDI System’s Inform ERP Software is a Windows-based solution that drives outstanding inventory & financial management, real-time analytics & reporting, order fulfillment, kit & assembly fabrication, warehouse logistics, paperless workflows and Point of Sale (POS). Inform’s modern-day added features such as Vendor Managed Inventory, Advanced Demand Management, flexible customer pricing, customer intelligence, sales team mobility and omni-channel and EDI integrations give distributors the tools for fast business growth. Enhanced functionality for showroom distributors puts mobility in the hands of floor staff. Using Inform’s QuickOrder app and barcode labeled display products, you can easily build real-time quotes & orders, quickly account for products and inventory and streamline the checkout process.
Delivery: OnPremise, Hosted, and Subscription-Based
75 Glen Road
Computer Insights, Inc.®
DDI System’ s new Inform eCommerce Pro gives distributors full control over the look, content, and functionality of their webstores. Direct connectivity with Inform ensures real-time, customer-specific pricing and branch-level inventory levels, live ordering, invoice lookup, and sales history inquiries from any device. Advanced features include zoom-friendly images, product quick hover, saved wish/shopping lists, abandoned cart notifications, site visitor analysis and more.
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Contact: Email: Phone: Web:
Operating System: Microsoft Windows
Forming customer partnerships provides open and continual sharing of vital information which gives rise to ideas for new innovative enhancements. All our updates and new features are pushed to every customer meaning that this first-class application continuously broadens functionality. Other developments include quick document access, native 64-bit architecture delivering increased processing speeds, as well as ourUS-based live phone support.
With ERP-ONE+, distributors have the options of Cloud, On-Premise, and SaaS (Software-as-a-Service) ERP subscription models that deliver easy deployment off-site at a hosting provider or on-site within your office. Running on Windows-based servers and utilizing the latest technology, 64-bit ERP-ONE+ allows users access remotely through laptops andwireless devices. Consisting of over 2000 interconnected businessprograms, ERP-ONE+ is backed by a world-class support team comprisedof some of the most experienced individuals in the industry. E-Commerceand Amazon integrations enable expanded sales opportunities whileminimizing manual processes.
5
More than 1,600 wholesale distributors worldwide utilize the Epicor Prophet 21 system to optimize their business performance, growth, and profitability, even in today’s highly competitive marketplace. Epicor software is backed by nearly 50 years of distribution specific experience.
Database: Microsoft SQL Server
Epicor Virtual Agent (EVA) allows users to interact naturally with your Prophet 21 system with natural language processing—easy as talking to or texting a colleague. This makes the information in Prophet 21 accessible from mobile devices, boosting productivity, efficiency, and provides an improved return on ERP investment. EVA also detects trends and delivers targeted information and guided actions based on a combination of operational events, market statistics, and historical data.
Sales Channel: Direct
Presentation: GUI or any browser
New Developments:
Customers:
Epicor® Prophet 21®
Vertical Markets:Industrial Equipment, Machinery and Supplies; Fluid Power; HVAC; Fasteners; Tile; Petroleum; Medical Supplies; Paper/Packaging; Janitorial/Sanitary Supplies; Consumer Packaged Goods, Welding Supplies/Packaged Gasses; and more.
Functional Highlights:Prophet 21 is a complete business management system offering mobility, fully integrated eCommerce, business analytics/reporting, CRM, Order/Purchasing/Warehouse/Service/Financial Management, and more. This system is allows your business to scale, adapt, and grow without customization and costly system modifications. Prophet 21 offers extended capabilities such as Strategic Pricing, Proof of Delivery, Customer Buying Trend Analysis and a robust extensibility suite that allows you to tailor the system to your business leveraging key areas of differentiation.
Prophet 21 on Microsoft® Azure® delivers a modern, cloud-based experience for a lower TCO. It is a device-independent system that runs on web browsers, tablets, smartphones in Windows environments—providing distribution specific software on a simple monthly subscription basis.
Technology:
Delivery: SaaS, Hosted, On-premises
Sales:
Epicor Software
Entry Price Point: Contact Epicor Sales
Technology Highlights:
Epicor Software
Austin, TX 78746804 Las Cimas Parkway www.epicor.com
(800) 776-7438
Sales:Entry Price Point: Call for Pricing
Contact: Email: Phone: Web:
Customers:
New Developments:
Sales Channel: Direct Worldwide
Functional Highlights:
Vertical Markets:
ERP-ONE+ Software
Presentation: GUI, CHUI
Wholesale Distribution; Fastener; Industrial; Retail Fulfillment; Janitorial/Sanitation; HVAC; Plumbing; Paper and Packaging; Hardware; Building Supply; Specialty Tools, and more.
Improving the entire business process from Order Entry and Inventory & Warehouse Management to Financial Management and CRM, ERP-ONE+ also provides features like Purchasing, QC Tracking, RF Scanning, VMI (Vendor Managed Inventory), Kitting/Assembly, Lot Control, integrated analytic Dashboards, and business AI. Whether adding supplemental EDI (Electronic Data Interchange), API (Application Program Interface), distributor E-Commerce solutions, Amazon connectivity, Credit Card Processing, Wireless Warehousing, shipping integrations, or installing a suite of innovative Mobile Apps, users experience expanded functionality everywhere business is conducted.
Technology:
Delivery: OnPremise, Cloud, SaaS
Database: Progress/SQL Server
Distribution One provides enterprise business software for Wholesalers and Distributors. ERP-ONE+, the comprehensive 64-bit flagship software suite, stands above other packages in the industry by offering ease of navigation and data access, the ability to tailor the basic system to meet customers’ needs for a rapid installation, and the flexibility and reliability of Cloud enhanced ERP deployment.
Distribution One
Operating System: Windows
Technology Highlights:
4004 Church RoadMount Laurel, NJ 08054
www.distone.com(856) 380-0626
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6w.acumatica.comSuite 100 Kirkland, WA 98033 Kirkland, WA 98033
6
Sales Channel: Direct
Contact: Email:
Phone: Web:
Customers:
Sales:
Presentation: GUI, .NET/Angular
Database: Rocket Universe
Technology Highlights:
Eclipse has extensive functionality such as mobility, advanced cycle counting, freight audit queue with easy scheduling and shipment creation, order management for counter/inside/outside/showroom sales, commercial job management, CRM, Advanced Demand Forecasting, purchasing, comprehensive price matrix, product costing, inventory, warehouse, financial management, deep analytics and reporting.
Epicor Commerce Connect platform allows distributors to deliver a world class user experience with an complete integrated eCommerce solution. Mobile sales and service, wireless warehouse management, advanced inventory management, customer optimization tools, and 24x7 support and training are also provided. The Mobile Showroom application turns a tablet into a showroom bid creator. Extended capabilities such as, Document Imaging, Strategic Pricing, Proof of Delivery, Task Automation, and others allow your business to maximize sales and profits, improve customer relationships, drive greater staff productivity, and differentiate from the competition.
Technology:
Epicor® Eclipse™
Epicor Eclipse is the leading distribution ERP software solution for more than 750 wholesalers in the Electrical, Plumbing/PVF, and HVAC industries. Its distribution-focused system scales from tens to thousands of users on a single installation.
Epicor Software
Functional Highlights:
Vertical Markets:
Delivery: Hosted, On-premises, SaaS
Operating System: Linux
www.epicor.com
Epicor Software
Today’s fast-moving business environment requires tighter integration between you, your partners, and your customers than ever before. Your business system must simultaneously talk to other in-house applications, websites, and Internet content. With the powerful new Eclipse Application Programming Interface (API), you can boost efficiency and productivity by connecting your business processes with the vendors, customers, and partners you need.
New Developments:
804 Las Cimas ParkwayAustin, TX 78746
(800) 776-7438
Entry Price Point: Contact Epicor Sales
Plumbing and PVF; Electrical; and HVAC.
Contact: Email: Phone: Web:
Sales:
Infor Distribution (SX.e)
Technology:
Database: Progress
Operating System: Windows and Unix, Hat Linux, HP-UX
Delivery: OnPremise, Hosted, CloudInfor Distribution (SX.e) has a rich heritage, built upon over 30 years of industry experience addressing the needs of wholesale distributors with a particular focus on the North American industrial and professional trade micro-verticals. Our team’s passion and creativity is fueled and driven by the voice of our valued customers.
Vertical Markets:Industrial; Building Materials; Electrical; Plumbing; HVAC; Fluid Power; Automotive Aftermarket; Paper and Office Supplies; Janitorial and Sanitation; Medical; and more.
Functional Highlights:Infor Distribution (SX.e) focuses on improving the highly specialized, core processes of distribution companies without requiring expensive, time-consuming modifications that lead to costly and risky implementations. These processes are delivered in a beautiful, modern user experience including: order management, e-commerce, counter sales, special orders and non-stock processing, demand forecasting and visibility, advanced inventory management, rebate management, vendor managed inventory, storeroom, core materials management, supply chain management, warehouse management, financial management, flexible pricing, multi-currency, and more.
Technology Highlights:Infor Distribution (SX.e) is powered by Infor OS—a next-generation technology platform that leverages the convergence of information, cloud computing, mobility, and social business. With Infor OS, your company gets deep analytics, advanced collaboration, and powerful development tools—all with a mobile-first design, open source compatibility, and powerful integration capabilities to make unified management a reality.
New Developments:Infor continues to make significant development investments in the core business solution by embracing the best software technology available. Infor Distribution (SX.e) releases new capabilities monthly. Customers contribute to the roadmap and set priorities through an online enhancement request system. Recent enhancements to Infor Distribution (SX.e) include customer forecasting, bid preparation and job management, mobile order entry, advanced maintenance and repair services, and extensibility tooling.
Revenues:
Sales Channel: Direct and resellers worldwide
www.infor.com/distribution
Entry Price Point: Contact Infor Account Executive
641 Avenue of the Americas
Infor
Presentation: Web UI
New York, NY 10011
(800) 260-2640
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Kirkland, WA 98033 7
Technology:
Contact: Email: Phone: Web:
[email protected](800) 260-2640
www.infor.com/distribution
Infor CloudSuite Distribution
Delivery: Cloud
Infor
Operating System: N/A
Presentation: Web UI
Infor641 Avenue of the AmericasNew York, NY 10011
Take your business to the next level with Infor CloudSuite™ Distribution. This ready-to-run solution, designed specifically to meet the needs of SMB wholesale distributors, provides deep, proven capabilities in key areas such as inventory management, order processing, pricing and rebates, supply chain and procurement, value-add, financials, and more.Vertical Markets:Industrial; Building Materials; Electrical; Plumbing; HVAC; Fluid Power; Automotive Aftermarket; Paper and Office Supplies; Janitorial and Sanitation; Medical; and more.Functional Highlights:Infor CloudSuite Distribution focuses on improving the highly specialized, core processes of distribution companies without requiring expensive, time-consuming modifications that lead to costly and risky implementations. These processes are delivered in a beautiful, modern user experience including: order management, e-commerce, counter sales, special orders and non-stock processing, demand forecasting and visibility, advanced inventory management, rebate management, vendor managed inventory, core materials management, supply chain management, warehouse management, financial management, flexible pricing, multi-currency, and more.
Technology Highlights:Infor CloudSuite Distribution is powered by Infor OS—a next-generation technology platform that leverages the convergence of information, cloud computing, mobility, and social business. With Infor OS, your company gets deep analytics, advanced collaboration, and powerful development tools—all with a mobile-first design, open source compatibility, and powerful integration capabilities to make unified management a reality.
Infor CloudSuite Distribution, built on Amazon Web Services (AWS), offers the best available cloud infrastructure, network services, and application designs—so you get the reliability, security, and scalability you need to trust your business to cloud-based software.New Developments:Infor continues to make significant development investments in the core business solution by embracing the best software technology available. Infor CloudSuite Distribution releases new capabilities every thirty days. Customers contribute to the roadmap and set priorities through an online enhancement request system. Recent enhancements to Infor CloudSuite Distribution include customer forecasting, advanced maintenance and repair services, superior e-commerce, and extensibility tooling.Sales:Entry Price Point: Contact Infor Account ExecutiveSales Channel: Direct and Channel
Database: Progress
Contact: Email: Phone: Web:
Customers:
www.infor.com/distribution
Infor641 Avenue of the Americas
Sales:
Sales Channel: Direct and Channel
Database: MS SQL Server, IBM DB2, Oracle, PostgresSQL
Infor Distribution Enterprise (M3)
Technology:Operating System: IBM i, Windows, AIX, RHEL
Delivery: OnPremise, Hosted, Cloud
Infor
Infor Distribution Enterprise (M3) is a multi-site, multi-company, multi-currency, and multi-language solution with capabilities that encompass everything from order entry and pricing to purchasing, supply chain management, and global localizations.Vertical Markets:Industrial; Electrical; Building Materials; Furniture and Fixtures; Plumbing; HVAC; JanSan; Food and Beverage; Fashion; Equipment Services and Rental; Hybrid distribution and manufacturing business models.Functional Highlights:Infor Distribution Enterprise (M3) is built specifically to meet the needs of wholesale distributors who are focused on growth, customer engagement, and have demands for extended services. With support for over 40 countries and 15 languages, the solution gives you the flexibility and scalability to easily take on new markets and quickly adapt to change. It gives you deep, proven capabilities in key areas such as order processing, pricing and rebates, procurement, supply chain management, financials, manufacturing, services, and more.Technology Highlights:Infor Distribution Enterprise (M3) is powered by Infor OS—a next-generation technology platform that leverages the convergence of information, cloud computing, mobility, and social business. With Infor OS, your company gets deep analytics, advanced collaboration, and powerful development tools—all with a mobile-first design, open source compatibility, and powerful integration capabilities to make unified management a reality.New Developments:Infor continues to make significant development investments in the core business solution by embracing the best software technology available. With Infor Distribution Enterprise (M3), you’ll be empowered to interact with systems and other business users like never before.
Infor Distribution Enterprise (M3) releases hundreds of new capabilities on a regular basis. Customers contribute to the roadmap and set priorities through an online enhancement request system. Recent enhancements to Infor Distribution Enterprise (M3) include over the counter sales hub, supplier rebate management, advanced warehouse mobility, and superior e-commerce.
Entry Price Point: Contact Infor Account Executive
(800) 260-2640
New York, NY 10011
Presentation: Web UI
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Contact: Email: Phone: Web:
New York, NY 10011
Infor
Operating System: N/A
(800) 260-2640www.infor.com/distribution
641 Avenue of the Americas8
Infor CloudSuite™ Distribution Enterprise is a ready-to-run distribution solution that combines the benefits of the cloud with functionality that’s built specifically for large, global wholesale distributors who are focused on growth, customer engagement, and have demands for extended services.Vertical Markets:Industrial; Electrical; Building Materials; Furniture and Fixtures; Plumbing; HVAC; JanSan; Food and Beverage; Fashion; Equipment Services and Rental; Hybrid distribution and manufacturing business models.Functional Highlights:Infor CloudSuite Distribution Enterprise is built specifically to meet the needs of wholesale distributors who are focused on growth, customer engagement, and have demands for extended services. With support for over 40 countries and 15 languages, the solution gives you the flexibility and scalability to easily take on new markets and quickly adapt to change. It gives you deep, proven capabilities in key areas such as order processing, pricing and rebates, procurement, supply chain management, financials, manufacturing, services, and more.Technology Highlights:Infor CloudSuite Distribution Enterprise is powered by Infor OS—a next-generation technology platform that leverages the convergence of information, cloud computing, mobility, and social business. With Infor OS, your company gets deep analytics, advanced collaboration, and powerful development tools—all with a mobile-first design, open source compatibility, and powerful integration capabilities to make unified management a reality.
Infor CloudSuite Distribution Enterprise, built on Amazon Web Services (AWS), offers the best available cloud infrastructure, network services, and application designs—so you get the reliability, security, and scalability you need to trust your business to cloud-based software.New Developments:Infor continues to make significant development investments in the core business solution by embracing the best software technology available. Infor CloudSuite Distribution Enterprise releases hundreds of new capabilities on a regular basis. Customers contribute to the roadmap and set priorities through an online enhancement request system. Recent enhancements to Infor CloudSuite Distribution Enterprise include over the counter sales hub, supplier rebate management, and advanced warehouse mobility.Sales:Entry Price Point: Contact Infor Account ExecutiveSales Channel: Direct and Channel
Presentation: Web UI
Delivery: Cloud
Technology:
Infor CloudSuite Distribution Enterprise
Database: N/A
Infor Epicor Data Analytics powered by Phocas Phocas Software
Operating System: Windows/iOS/Linux
EDA presents a business’ essential data in an intuitive interface that is easy to access historical and predictive and prescriptive analysis, and is preferred by non-technical people from sales to purchasing to executives. From day one with EDA, users get tracking and reporting on essential KPIs and metrics that are specific to role and industry. But users can also customize to meet the unique reporting needs of their business.
Contact: Email: Phone: Web:
503 E Washington Ave., Suite 2CNewtown, PA 18940
www.phocassoftware.com(877) 387-4004 Andrea Hilleary
Technology Highlights:
New Developments:EDA lets you get data in seconds on sales, inventory, forecasts, prices, profit margins, people and budgets. It also allows you to interrogate data on the fly, identify trends, track performance, and see new opportunities. The Phocas-powered Epicor Data Analytics (EDA) outperformed other industry-leading BI and analytics vendors to rank first in categories including, business benefits, project success, recommendation, customer satisfaction, and more.
Entry Price Point: Contact Phocas Software
Technology:
Presentation: Web GUI
Discover how Epicor Data Analytics can deliver fresh insight into your business and empower decision makers by: Quickly discover business trends by visualizing the sales data in your Epicor system. Get deeper insight into sales results by account, location, geography, order, and more. Improve the productivity of what is likely your largest fixed asset—your inventory—by making sure you invest in the right inventory mix. EDA can help you see your inventory data more clearly. Improve overall visibility into your business by drilling down into categorized accounts and transactions within your income statement and balance sheet. With the production content pack for Epicor ERP and iScala, make certain that quality products are produced for the right customer at the right time—for the right price and profit margin.
Epicor Data Analytics (EDA) powered by Phocas provides a company-wide and industry-matched SaaS data analytics solution for Epicor customers. EDA makes it easy for businesses in the manufacturing, distribution and retail industries to drill down from high-level visual summaries into the underlying data and arrive at insights to make better decisions. What users love about EDA is it lets them explore their data, following their train of thought to find answers to their questions, completely unrestricted by canned reports and drill paths.
Functional Highlights:
Automotive; Building and Industrial; Electrical; Food and Beverage; Health and Scientific; Janitorial; Plumbing and HVAC; Manufacturing; Wholesale Distribution; Retail; and Credit Unions.
Vertical Markets:
Sales:
Database: MS SQL Server
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9Contact: Email: Phone: Web:
Maggie Kelleher
Entry Price Point: $22,000 for 10 users
Ronkonkoma, NY 11779www.vai.net
[email protected](800) 824-7776
Customers:
Sales:
Sales Channel: Direct and Resellers Worldwide
120 Comac Street
Technology Highlights:
New Developments:
Functional Highlights:
Wholesale Distribution; Manufacturing; Specialty Retail; Food & Beverage; Automotive Supplies; Service and Repair; Pharmaceutical; HVAC; Janitorial; Beauty Supplies; Paper & Plastics; Medical Supplies; Electrical Supplies; Industrial Materials; and Apparel.
VAI offers business enterprise solutions with specific modules in Distribution and Manufacturing including Order Processing, MRP, CRP, CRM, Sales Analysis, Forecasting, Purchasing, Inventory Management, Warehouse Management, Shop Floor Control, Account Receivable, Accounts Payable, General Ledger, Retail, EDI, eBusiness, Portal, Business Analytics, and Sales Force.
Using Virtualization technology, VAI solutions leverage multiple operating systems including; IBM i, Linux, and Windows, to deliver a complete enterprise management solution that optimizes business performance. Utilizing development languages optimized for transaction processing, as well as environments optimized for Web-based and open source applications, VAI solutions provide dynamic infrastructure flexibility and allow for customization and simple integration with existing business applications.
VAI’s S2K Smart Center delivers software through a browser with a flexible web interface, that provides the user with a single sign on of all web applications which will simplify the user experience, increase productivity and minimize training costs. VAI also has a suite of mobile applications that provide both connected and disconnected transaction processing capabilities with file synchronization directly with VAI S2K Enterprise.
Presentation: Browser, Windows Client, JavaDelivery: OnPremise, Cloud
Technology:
S2K Enterprise Software for Distribution
Operating System: IBM i, Linux, Windows
Since 1978, VAI has worked in partnership with business leaders to deliver quality software solutions for the wholesale distribution, manufacturing, retail, and service industries. VAI is an award-winning IBM Premier Business Partner and software developer. In 2012, VAI was awarded the IBM Beacon Award for the most Outstanding Solution for mid-sized businesses. Their solutions provide the power of technology and the customization that companies need.
Database: DB2
Vertical Markets:
VAI Phocas Software
Operating System: Windows/iOS/Linux
Phocas is a Governed Data Discovery application with an HTML5/Javascript presentation layer, Microsoft.NET business logic layer and Microsoft SQL Server database layer. The web application is deployed on premise or in the cloud on Microsoft IIS7. Microsoft.NET 4 is required to deploy the web application. Access to the application is available to any HTML5 compliant browser running on a desktop or on any mobile device. The application has been optimized for the type of device, whether it by a desktop, notebook, tablet, phablet or phone.
Contact: Email: Phone: Web:
503 E Washington Ave., Suite 2CNewtown, PA 18940
www.phocassoftware.com(877) 387-4004Andrea Hilleary
Technology Highlights:
New Developments:Phocas has introduced Phocas Financial Statements and Phocas Rebates. Delivering a user-friendly, drill-through business intelligence solution that allows you to actively analyze, slice and dice and view your financials by branch, product or region. View and analyze your income statement/profit & loss (P&L), balance sheet, cash flow and trial balance directly in Phocas, combining international accounting standards (IAS) with on-the-fly data analysis, visualization, dashboarding and the simple permission-based access loved by Phocas users. With Phocas Rebates, you can calculate and manage discounts on volume purchases up and down the supply chain. Make informed purchasing decisions and accurately forecast profits with automated real-time reporting.
Entry Price Point: $500
Technology:
Presentation: Web GUI
Phocas is a Distribution specific data analytics software that lets business users perform powerful analysis without the need for any technical knowledge. Fast, intuitive, compatible with 100’s of ERP’s, and flexible enough to cater for any type of data, from Sales to Financials, from Inventory to CRM.
Phocas is a leading business intelligence software company with thousands of customers across North America, UK, Europe and Australia. Our ‘Keep it Simple’ mantra is behind our growing industry recognition and popularity with customers. Phocas gives non-technical users instant access to data, taking them from easy-to-read dashboards to our renowned lightning-fast grid, and into the most detailed transactions in a few clicks. Phocas is hugely popular in the key vertical markets of manufacturing, distribution and retail, with a 98% customer retention rate, and is extending its reach to provide intelligent BI solutions to all industries.
Functional Highlights:
Automotive & Industrial Equipment, Building Supply, Consumer Packaged Goods, Electronics & High Tech, Food & Beverage, Janitorial, Medical Supply, Plumbing, Retail, Wholesale Distribution, Automotive Manufacturing, High Tech Manufacturing, Industrial Manufacturing, Services Manufacturing.
Vertical Markets:
Sales:
Phocas Software
Database: MS SQL Server
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Rules of Engagement: Improving Your Chances of a Successful Implementat ion By Jeff Gusdorf
Brown Smith Wallace Advisory Services Business Process and Systems Group recently completed a software selection project for a client. After a six-month evaluation period, the client selected the finalist, signed contracts and started the implementation process. They began this phase of the project confident in their success and with a project team fully aligned with the decision. Even though their change management effort started with the selection process, implementation of any new software product is still challenging.
Good project management practices are critical to the successful deployment of a new software package. This article examines some of the steps our client took at the beginning of this project to promote team effectiveness.
Establishing the Rules of Engagement:Every software vendor will bring an implementation methodology to their project. This methodology will include a set of tasks that need to be performed by the vendor and the client’s team, a timeline of when those tasks need to be performed and the assignment of responsibilities. However, this methodology does not provide the client with guidance on how their team should be organized or managed to best fulfill those roles. Our client started by establishing Rules of Engagement (ROE). ROE are the internal rules and directives that the military establish to define when and how force is used. For our client, these rules will define how the project will be run and how team members incorporate that new responsibility into their established roles. While some of these seem simple and self-explanatory, we have found that explicitly stating the ROE establishes the expectation that everyone participating in the project will follow them and be fully engaged when they are in a project meeting.
The Rules of Engagement are:1. Prompt – Arrive ready to participate prior tostart time.
Our client is conducting processing review and revision sessions at the beginning of their project. These sessions are critical to the project. Process redesign is a critical element of this project and the benefit that will be realized from the implementation of the new ERP system.
It seems obvious that the subject matter experts participating in these sessions need to be on time for each meeting. The meeting can’t start until everyone is in the room. When a team member arrives a few minutes late, it wastes everyone’s time in the room, including the ERP consultant’s time. Studies have shown American businesses lose billions of dollars due to wasted time.
Ask your team members to arrive five minutes before the scheduled start to the meeting so that they can get coffee or water, check email and be ready to go when the meeting starts.
2. Prepare – Read all materials and completeprerequisite assignments in advance.
Full participation in the implementation planning meetings with the ERP consultants are critical to the success of the project. These meetings are highly structured, and consultants are expensive and scarce resources. It’s critical that your team gets the most out of these meetings, and that requires adequate preparation. Team members must invest the time to read the materials provided by the ERP vendor and think about the implications of the decisions that they will be making on the processes and business operations. Decisions made at the beginning of a project may have significant impact over the next several years. It can be hard to understand all the ramifications of those decisions during the project, so adequate discussion of the pros and cons of those decisions is critical.
3. Pay Attention and Participate –Do not try to multitask but do focus on the topic athand and share thoughts, questions and concernsyou think are relevant to the discussion.
Members of the project team are typically leaders or subject matter experts in the business. There are many demands on their time. It’s commonplace that they are responding to texts and emails that require their attention. However, to make project team meetings most productive, members need to be fully present during the consulting sessions. The decisions being made will have significant impact on the future effectiveness of your ERP system. Team members may need to put their devices on Do Not Disturb to concentrate and contribute ideas.
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Rules of Engagement: Improving Your Chances of a Successful Implementat ion By Jeff Gusdorf
4. Persevere – Focus throughout the discussion,recording questions or comments for the ERPImplementation team or internal discussion.Forward these notes to the Project Leader at theend of each session.
Develop a formal methodology for collecting, organizing and publishing the information developed during project team meetings. The software vendor team has a project manager who is responsible for managing tasks and tracking the status of the project plan. The client team also needs a project manager who is responsible for those tasks (plus other responsibilities). Your project leader will need some software tools beyond email and Excel for handling these responsibilities. They could use one of the many collaborative tools available for creating a repository of documents as well as managing the project team, milestone and project dependencies, task lists and delegation. That is a big job to handle. You may want to assign an administrative resource to the project manager or engage an outside consultant who can assist with or be responsible for project management tasks and oversight.
5. Polite – Do not interrupt others; allow them tofinish expressing their thought before speaking.
Etiquette is important to successful meetings, especially when the discussion around a specific topic becomes heated. Having the courtesy to avoid interrupting someone expressing their opinion is important to a full and open discussion of thoughts and ideas. Cutting people off, not letting them finish a statement, jumping in and hijacking the discussion does not contribute to a respectful and productive meeting.
6. Pertinent – Stay out of the weeds asappropriate. Don’t be offended when redirectedto keep the discussion on point and stay on track.Redirection will be done in a simple and politemanner using the key phrase: Time Out put it inthe Parking Lot
Keeping project meetings on track and at the right level of detail is difficult. Some team members may go into too much detail or focus on events that happen very rarely.
These topics will drag the conversation off track. It’s up to the project manager (either vendor or client) to interrupt and redirect the conversation. The use of a “parking lot” where these issues can be “parked” for the moment allows the team to regain its focus. It is important to record the issues that have been saved for later and to have a procedure for addressing and resolving them.
7. Pay deference – Respectfully defer to the ERPconsultants for best practices and procedures. Let’sassume their method is the best, most appropriateone. Trust but verify by respectfully challengingtheir recommended approach when and whereappropriate.
You’ve paid a lot of money for the ERP software and are paying the consultants for their expertise to implement it. When you are changing processes, this effort can be even more disruptive. The vendor’s implementation team is responsible for conducting a process review and recommending how to change your processes to maximize the utility of the software. Trying to configure the software work to match your existing practices, or modifying the software to do so, is a formula for failure. Listen with an open mind to the consultants discuss best practices and be willing to evaluate and potentially adopt those recommendations. The team also needs to configure the software, manage the implementation plan to achieve the go-live date, train users, and convert data. There is a lot to do. Time and energy can’t be wasted holding onto the way “things have always been done.”
How to Improve Your Chances of a Successful ImplementationGood project management is critical to the success of your ERP implementation project. Both the ERP vendor and client need a good project leader to manage responsibilities, delegate tasks and keep the project on-track. Establishing ROE for how project team members participate in the project will help you get off to a good start and maximize the benefit that your company will realize for a new ERP system. To learn more, visit our website.
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Software4Distributors.com and Software4Manufacturers.comYears of refinement have led us to create an online solution to help users identify potential solutions by browsing through software vendors,
applications, and vertical markets. The online version includes more extensive information about each software vendor, their applications, and their functionality to assist evaluating in research projects. Website visitors can utilize our Software Features Comparison Wizard to create a detailed side-by-side feature matrix with more than 56 categories that help to Research, Compare, Evaluate, and Analyze software choices.
ABOUT THE ADVISORY SERVICES BUSINESS PROCESS & SYSTEMS GROUPAs our vision states, we are accounts
and advisors guided by our passion for supporting and impacting the growth and success of our clients, colleagues, and communities. The Brown Smith Wallace Advisory Services Business Process & Systems Group provides articles, research, and fee-based consulting advice about software and other technology products to the wholesale distribution, supply chain, and manufacturing marketplace. We publish our content via print and on the web. Some of our services include End-To-End Business Process Improvement, Software Driven Business
Process Improvement, Business Software - Selection Studies, Enterprise Software - Project Advocacy.
The Brown Smith Wallace Advisory Services Business Process & Systems Group specializes in reaching industry trade associations, buying groups, and educational
institutions with industrial distribution programs. To learn more about our services, visit our website at http://www.software4distributors.com/vendor/ss_consulting.aspx and contact us at 314-983-1208.
DISTRIBUTION AND MANUFACTURING SOFTWARE GUIDEThe industry standard Distribution and Manufacturing Software Guide, developed by Brown Smith Wallace Advisory Services, has helped countless distributors select distribution software packages for more than 29 years and has helped manufacturers select manufacturing software packages for more than 13 years.
Presented in one combined format, the Guide reaches more than 16,000 in total annually via the printed version and more than 50,000 visitors online. This one-of-a-kind compilation serves as the primary resource for detailed software research in hundreds of software selection projects.
More than 37 endorsing trade associations, buying groups, and education institutions receive complimentary copies of the Guides, creating a circulation of at least 9,000 annually for distribution and 7,000 annually for manufacturing.
The Distribution and Manufacturing Software Guide has become the most used directory for wholesale distributors and manufacturers looking to replace or upgrade their existing business software. In response to market demand, we have created detailed vendor pages that include company demographics, product information, and feature matrixes for Enterprise Distribution, Manufacturing, and Complementary Solutions.
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Brown Smith Wallace Advisory Services Business Process & Systems Group: 6 CityPlace Drive, Suite 900; St. Louis, MO 63141 Phone: 314-983-1200 Fax: 314-983-1329www.software4distributors.com, www.software4manufacturers.com
