3 benefits of mobile ERP for distributors

While this rhyme was written a long time ago, it still has some significance. In our modern world, we are all on the move. Business doesn’t stop and wait for us, and in no sector is this more true than distribution. With this in mind, an ERP for distributors must have a whole raft of mobile features designed to support the mobile workforce.

1. Supplier & customer portals

Using mobile ERP provides the agility we need to serve our customers. We get a call with a request and can reply immediately with an intelligently made decision. There is no need to place the customer on hold while querying data only accessible in the head office.

Customers can have the same access through their devices. We may have told the customer that delivery of a certain order would be very close to their deadline. Naturally, they are nervous. But this is not a problem; they can check on the status of that order through the customer portal in our mobile ERP app while on route to their customers.

2. Mobile & social project collaboration

That mobile connectivity extends to social collaboration as well. Our own employees can join with suppliers and customers to track projects and share and spread information on the go. No longer do we need to call a meeting and ask everyone to participate at the same time or place.

Recommended reading: seven steps to distribution ERP selection success.

We may have a complex distribution project ongoing. There are products from several suppliers on the way from around the globe. Parts are stored in third-party warehouses and need final customization for particular customers. All this is part of a worldwide rollout for your customer, and precise timing is important, as fulfillment has to match their advertising.

The distribution business moves quickly. Decisions require real-time data and need to be made rapidly and communicated just as rapidly.

ERP remains the system of record. We can display important data within the stream of collaboration taking place on our mobile ERP app as transactions are processed. Everyone working on the project can see the up-to-the-minute status of the overall project, as well as their particular piece of the project. All can see the same information and discuss what has happened and next steps on their own devices when they are ready to join the conversation.

3. Warehouse management

On a smaller scale, an employee who normally uses their desktop computer might get a request while walking through the warehouse. There is no need to find the nearest computer, since they can just log into the ERP from their mobile device. Whatever warehouse data is necessary is immediately at hand from fill rate to inventory turnover.

The distribution business moves quickly. Decisions require real-time data and need to be made rapidly and communicated just as rapidly. The right mobile distribution ERP can make those decisions possible.

I think the aforementioned “Eagle” is believed to have been a tavern, but wherever you are "in and out" of, your distribution ERP should always be with you.