For many companies, distribution and the logistics surrounding it present a formidable problem, one which can’t easily be solved through a call to UPS or FEDEX. Wholesale distribution of goods often requires a great deal of communication between departments for the purpose of inventory regulation, forecasting and customer relationship management. General distribution software applications are common today, but rarely meet the requirements of industrial distributors, medical distributors, electrical distributors or fluid power distributors. Between sales and transportation related issues and governmental regulation, a one size fits all software approach is rarely the best choice.

Integrated business solution software is often the most economical choice for small to medium sized businesses, as it offers the flexibility to meet the distribution needs of several types of businesses while incorporating many other coveted features in a comprehensive software solution. With additional options such as value-added manufacturing protocols and business intelligence, integrated business software solution can help solve distribution issues from the top of an organization down.

The best integrated business software solutions start with the ability to track all the activity related to every single transaction across your entire organization. From bids, orders, late shipments and credit problems, being informed of the status of each transaction is crucial to effective distribution.

Automation is another area where a good integrated business software solution can greatly increase efficiency and minimize mistakes. The ability to proactively generate reports, print shipping tickets, project inventory and automatically alert distribution personnel to any issues that arise can help streamline the processes related to the distribution of any goods and materials.

Integrated business software solutions with end-to-end module integration allow distribution related functions to be part of an organization-wide management system, and make data available for those who need it. From the warehouse to the back office, audit control systems keeps track of all user activity by documenting changes that are made to the system, showing administrators and managers who has made changes and when.

For businesses with complex distribution issues, integrated business software solutions often offer the best method for streamlining the distribution process while incorporating distribution into the scope of existing managerial hierarchy. When choosing an integrated business software solution, however, it’s important to make sure that the distribution modules it contains are comprehensive and functional enough to meet your company’s needs.