Does your ERP actually need replacing? This piece argues distributors should resist fear-driven upgrades and weigh timing, strategy and hidden migration risks — noting that modernization doesn’t always require a full system overhaul.
Ludwig Meister Co-CEO Max Meister joins the Podcast to explain why innovation fails without execution — and why AI won’t fix bad data. We also preview his SHIFT main stage session on benchmarking digital, data,...
Distribution always had rich data on new construction — but almost nothing on the market that’s already standing. The replacement and renovation market has been a data desert for decades. That’s starting to change with...
Most distributors track internal performance — but lack a clear view of market opportunity. As the first in a three-part series, this article outlines how market analytics reframes growth by defining markets, estimating share and...
It follows a pilot of SIMPL’s technology at a Georgia HD distribution center.
Stellar Industrial Supply blends third-party platforms with in-house development to deliver a more seamless, data-driven customer experience. We continue our company deep dive as this piece explores how its buy-vs.-build strategy, automation efforts and digital...
Most distributors aren’t failing at AI — they’re failing at data. This piece unpacks why 95% of GenAI efforts deliver no ROI, how agentic AI is changing workflows, and why a unified data foundation is...
The administration is pushing for a single federal AI standard to replace a growing patchwork of state rules. If enacted, the framework could simplify compliance for distributors and accelerate AI adoption across the sector —...
Unified commerce platforms paired with agentic AI are helping distributors eliminate “phantom margin loss,” optimize fulfillment and unlock real-time decision-making — shifting operations from reactive workflows to autonomous, profit-driven systems that boost growth, efficiency and...
Singer Industrial is undertaking a multiyear ERP transformation to unify systems across 55+ businesses. In this third and final part of an MDM Case Study series, we detail how the initiative — alongside investments in...
Proton.ai launched an AI-powered “industry cloud” platform that unifies CRM, PIM, eCommerce and order automation into a single system, aiming to replace disconnected point solutions and streamline distributor workflows with shared data and integrated intelligence.
CRM implementations often fail for a simple reason — sales teams don’t see personal value in using them. This contributed piece explores how distributors can shift CRM from a management reporting tool into a sales...
