How to Get the Most out of Acumatica Distribution Edition

Modern distribution ERP software is critical for distribution companies to remain competitive in an age of digital transformation.

The best ERP for distribution depends on your company’s unique needs, but Acumatica’s distribution ERP is a top choice for distribution companies because of its complete array of automation and data visibility features, user-friendly interface, and extensible framework of multiple wholesale distribution ERP business modules.

Acumatica Distribution Management Software: Specialized ERP Software for Distribution

Acumatica Distribution Edition is a cloud ERP for distribution companies. Whether you already have your Acumatica distribution ERP systems set up and are looking to optimize things or are thinking of implementing a new distribution ERP system, this article will help you get a sense of how to make the most of this powerful solution.

Acumatica’s Distribution ERP Software Features and Applications

A distribution ERP should contain key distribution ERP software features needed by your organization, based on your unique business needs. The following application modules provide integrated distribution ERP capabilities when combined for a fully rounded wholesale distribution ERP software that synchronizes data and functions across all departments.

Acumatica Distribution Edition modules

Acumatica Distribution Edition application modules include:

Inventory Management: Basic real-time inventory functions needed for any ERP system for distribution. Get real-time information on available inventory, inventory in transit, reorder quantities, and inventory costs. Find and target your profit centers while improving customer service.

Sales Order Management: An important function of any ERP, distribution industries are particularly reliant on these functions for order entry and fulfillment. Acumatica allows you to split orders across multiple warehouses, verify credit limits, issue item replenishment, and more.

Purchase Order Management: A main distribution ERP module to manage global purchasing processes. Automate the entire procurement process from quote to invoice.

Requisition Management: Another key module for a wholesale distribution ERP. Wholesale distribution companies often have complex webs of suppliers and products. This module automates and simplifies key requisition processes including requests, bids, quotes, and order fulfillment.

Warehouse Management System (WMS): A critical application of any ERP for distribution, this module contains functions for inventory management, receiving, and order fulfillment. Track inventory across your warehouse with real-time location. 

Order Management: Benefit from ERP wholesale distribution software that can automate and streamline procurement and order fulfillment and manage sales activities.

Advanced Financials: Although not needed for all ERPs, for wholesale distribution companies with more advanced financial tracking and accounting needs, this module can augment basic financial functions. Get advanced financial capabilities such as GL consolidation, sub-accounts, and automatic revenue recognition.

Service Management: A key function of an ERP for distribution companies that takes care of customer issues in the field, such as repairs of equipment. This module allows you to schedule and deploy the right people at the right time, allowing them to input data about site visits.

Equipment Management: Any industrial distribution ERP for companies dealing with equipment sales and service should integrate this module. Manage equipment repair cycles and lifecycles with ease, keeping your machines at peak performance.

Simplify Acumatica Distribution Views and Processes

Many built-in functions of Acumatica’s ERP for distribution allow you to streamline the interface for different users, roles, and preferences:

• Declutter Views: Configure the Dashboard and columns within different applications and views or add functions as needed for various roles.
• Wizards: Many processes are simplified by step-by-step wizards.
• Pallets and Boxes: Set the number of items in boxes and pallets for quick-scanning multiple items into inventory.
• Favorites: Create a streamlined view of the most-used tools and views.
• Column Configuration: Remove data columns you don’t need.
• Filtering: Show only the data you need. E.g., under Sales Orders, view only Open orders; Use chart view functions to easily show specific sales team member performance and other data.
• Customize Menu Items: Pin most-used workspaces to the menu.

Mobile Distribution ERP Apps

A cloud ERP for distribution companies must have robust mobile functionality, and Acumatica delivers. Set up the Android or iOS app to take care of tasks on the fly, including:

• Approvals: Easily review details and approve or reject Purchase Orders, Projects, etc.
• Expense Receipts: Snap receipts to add and review expenses directly from your mobile device.

Quickly Navigate Data and Views

• Dashboards: Customize the dashboard to view and take action on critical information.
• Universal Search: Search from anywhere for anything, including for menu items, prospects, leads, cases, help topics, files, etc.
• Recently viewed items: View recently viewed records to quickly access recent work sessions.
• Set Date: Set your date back to process items from that date quickly.
• Activities: Assign tasks and gain visibility into projects, linking tasks to relevant files and notes.

Automate Your ERP for Wholesale Distribution

Modern ERP distribution software should save time. Acumatica’s ERP wholesale distribution solution has many automation features that do just that:

• Automate Purchase Orders: Automatic purchase suggestions based on inventory levels and automatically send emails to the responsible team member(s).
• Carrier Shipping Integration: Automatically get shipping quotes from integrated shipping accounts and select the best one.
• Automate Payment Processes: Set up payment details and let the system take care of all payments based on your preferences.
• Shared Data: Share data across departments and locations with an integrated rules-based workflow. Split orders between warehouses, allocate inventory, and easily issue replenishments.
• Streamline Set Up: Assign user rights in bulk to create user roles quickly.