Released on = April 6, 2006, 4:59 am

Press Release Author = Rebecca Gill

Industry = Software

Press Release Summary = Distribution: Facing the Forces of Change with an ERP
Software System

Press Release Body = The four definitive trends listed in the National Association
of Wholesalers-Distributors’ publication Facing the Forces of Change are fairly
straightforward, although meeting these customer expectations often proves difficult
for an unprepared distributor. Learn to successfully cope with these trends is
often assisted through the implementing an enterprise resource planning (ERP)
software package, which is a critical first step for wholesale distributors.
In Facing the Forces of Change (available at www.nawpubs.org) the four trends are
detailed:
• Customer Self-service: Providing customers with up-to-date technology that allows
access to pertinent account information and provides the customer with an avenue to
immediately act upon this information as needed. Examples include such functions
as: online ordering, online access to product offerings and documentation,
interactive product configuration management, and access to inventory levels or
order status. Not all ERP systems are equally suited to meet this distribution
requirement.

• Strategic Sourcing: Leveraging an organization’s existing purchasing power to
lower product and transportation costs, reduce product lead-times, and streamline
the overall purchasing process. In companies with multiple locations, this can
easily be achieved by centralizing purchasing, instituting formalized purchasing
policies, and automating the purchasing process through the usage of distribution
requirements planning or DRP processing. Again, many ERP systems fall short in
assessing distribution requirements.

• Fee-based Services and Pricing: This concept allows distributors to offer
value-added services to differentiate themselves from their competition and improve
profitability by providing customers with a service offering they both want and
need. The key is to offer products that are backed by exception services which help
augment the customer’s own profitability and aid in the purchaser reaching their own
sourcing objectives. Many ERP systems cannot accommodate the exceptions common in
distribution.

• Logistics and Fulfillment: As more third-party logistics companies vie for the
market share of the wholesale distributor, these old school distributors need to
become savvier with their service and fulfillment offering. Simple order to cash
processing will no longer appease the average customer; distributors must advance
their offering to show exceptional customer focused value. ERP systems must have
the capacity to accommodate fulfillment.
Founded in 1990 and headquartered in Toledo, Ohio, Technology Group International
(www.tgiltd.com) is a proven technology leader delivering Tier 1 application
software functionality at a price performance level that can be readily accepted by
wholesale distribution organizations of all sizes. A best-of-breed ERP software
solution provides the basic footprint for managing the four trends outlined and
Enterprise 21 offers functionality well beyond that of the standard distribution
package. Enterprise 21 provides full ERP functionality with a fully integrated
e-commerce module. It is one of the few ERP systems to meet the needs of today’s
wholesale distribution without the need for expensive and time consuming
modifications.




Web Site = http://www.tgiltd.com

Contact Details = Technology Group International
www.tgiltd.com
Rebecca Gill
rgill@tgiltd.com
800-837-0028