Are outdated systems holding you back?
You’re trying to manage fluctuating demand and track stock, but your current tools just can’t keep up, leading to costly fulfillment delays.
This pressure to improve often leads to decision paralysis when evaluating software, leaving you stuck with systems that hurt your bottom line and customer satisfaction.
According to SimplyDepo, 65% of distribution businesses still use outdated systems. This reliance creates major inefficiencies in managing stock and meeting customer demand effectively.
But the right software can fix this, helping you streamline your order fulfillment and regain control over your entire distribution process.
In this guide, I’ll show you my picks for the best distribution management software. I will help you find a solution that automates workflows and scales with your business.
You’ll learn how to reduce manual errors, lower logistics costs, and make better, data-driven decisions for your growing company.
Let’s get started.
Quick Summary:
| # | Software | Rating | Best For |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | NetSuite → | Operations managers, scalable companies | |
| 2 | Acumatica → | Growing businesses, cloud ERP users | |
| 3 | Infor → | Industry-specific distributors | |
| 4 | SAP → | Growing enterprises, complex operations | |
| 5 | Epicor → | Distribution companies, AI-driven solutions |
1. NetSuite
Struggling with disconnected systems and manual processes?
NetSuite empowers your business with a unified platform for comprehensive management.
This means you can gain complete visibility and control over your operations, moving beyond disparate systems that hinder growth.
It’s time for true business transformation.
NetSuite offers a single, cloud-based business management suite, giving you a 360-degree view of your organization.
This enables you to manage your entire business in real time, from financial operations to inventory and customer relationships.
You can streamline critical processes like order fulfillment, gain real-time inventory visibility, and automate workflows, reducing manual errors and optimizing your logistics costs for better customer satisfaction and operational resilience.
Ready for unified control?
Key features:
- Complete business visibility: Centralize financial management, inventory, CRM, and eCommerce onto a single platform for real-time insights and data-driven decisions.
- Streamlined operations: Automate core processes like order fulfillment and inventory management to reduce manual errors and boost efficiency across your distribution network.
- Scalable cloud solution: Leverage a flexible, cloud-based system that grows with your business, supporting expansion and adapting to your evolving operational needs.
Learn more about NetSuite features, pricing, & alternatives →
Verdict: NetSuite provides a robust, cloud-based solution ideal for operations managers seeking the best distribution management software. Its unified platform delivers real-time visibility and automation across financials, inventory, and CRM, streamlining order fulfillment and reducing manual errors for scalable growth.
2. Acumatica
Struggling with fragmented distribution software and limited visibility?
Acumatica offers a comprehensive suite designed to boost your sales, automate warehouse operations, and optimize inventory. This means you can gain real-time business insights from a single source of truth.
You can streamline your purchasing and reduce manual errors, helping you achieve efficient and coordinated views of current accounts. This ensures operational resilience for your growing company.
Here’s how Acumatica empowers your operations.
Their cloud ERP solution helps you see and connect every facet of your business, offering flexible licensing so you are never punished for growth. This includes robust inventory management, order management, and a warehouse management system (WMS).
Additionally, Acumatica supports seamless integration with your existing tools and systems, improving efficiency with an intuitive, award-winning user interface. You can access your data from any device, empowering collaboration through modern, cross-module workflows. Plus, the platform supports multi-entity and intercompany accounting, alongside CRM functionality.
The result is a unified platform that drives efficiency, boosts productivity, and ignites growth, all while simplifying and synchronizing automation across multiple workflows.
While we’re discussing distribution management solutions, my article on Advanced Distribution Management System might also be of interest.
Key features:
- Comprehensive Distribution Suite: Automates warehouse operations, optimizes inventory, and streamlines purchasing, alongside order management and WMS for end-to-end control.
- Unified Cloud ERP: Provides real-time business insights from a single source of truth, enabling easy integration with existing systems and cross-module workflows from any device.
- Flexible and Scalable Solution: Offers intuitive usability, consumption-based licensing that grows with your needs, and flexible deployment options like public or private cloud.
Learn more about Acumatica features, pricing, & alternatives →
Verdict: Acumatica provides a powerful, intuitive cloud ERP solution tailored for distribution, offering features like inventory management, order management, and WMS. Its ability to unify operations, integrate with existing systems, and scale with your business makes it suitable as a top-tier best distribution management software, ensuring consistent and coordinated views for your team.
3. Infor
Struggling with overwhelming distribution software choices?
Infor offers industry-specific cloud solutions like ERP Distribution SX.e, streamlining your fulfillment processes with features designed for your business.
This means you can easily navigate complex options, moving towards operational excellence and cost reduction.
Here’s how Infor helps.
Infor’s industry-specific cloud platform provides core solutions for distribution, including Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP) and Supply Chain Management (SCM). These tools equip your finance and supply chain teams with powerful capabilities, allowing you to run a more resilient supply chain and manage mission-critical processes.
You can leverage built-in analytics, AI, and machine learning to make data-driven decisions and predict demand, ensuring your customers get the right product at the right time. Additionally, features like Configure Price Quote (CPQ) and E-commerce streamline sales, while Product Lifecycle Management (PLM) supports product quality. This comprehensive approach helps you avoid disruption and ensures compliance, keeping goods flowing smoothly.
The result is scalable growth and improved customer satisfaction.
Key features:
- Industry-specific cloud solutions: Tailored ERP Distribution SX.e designed specifically for the distribution industry, ensuring compliance and smooth goods flow.
- Integrated analytics and AI: Leverages advanced analytics, machine learning, and AI for data-driven decisions and demand prediction.
- Comprehensive supply chain management: Offers cloud-based solutions for planning, networks, warehousing, transportation, and Product Lifecycle Management (PLM).
Learn more about Infor features, pricing, & alternatives →
Verdict: Infor stands out as a leading contender for the best distribution management software by providing robust, industry-specific cloud solutions like ERP Distribution SX.e. Its integrated AI, analytics, and comprehensive SCM capabilities help your organization achieve efficiency and make data-driven decisions, as supported by a Forrester study showing 114% ROI for users.
4. SAP
Is your order fulfillment costing too much?
You’re looking for a way to simplify processes and improve efficiency, which is exactly what SAP offers.
This means you can streamline operations, address your unique business challenges, and even boost customer satisfaction while reducing costs.
Here’s how to achieve that.
SAP delivers solutions that help you run your business better by connecting every aspect of your operations.
This allows you to simplify complex processes, providing the tools you need to improve overall business performance and profitability.
Additionally, SAP’s offerings enable you to address industry-specific needs and global market demands, ensuring you’re equipped for growth. Plus, you can optimize your working capital and even innovate new business models, all leading to improved outcomes.
That’s real operational resilience.
Key features:
- Streamlined processes: Simplify your order fulfillment and distribution operations by connecting different business functions into one cohesive system.
- Cost reduction and profitability: Optimize your working capital and achieve significant cost savings, directly impacting your bottom line and increasing profitability.
- Enhanced customer satisfaction: Meet global market demands and ensure timely deliveries, leading to happier customers and stronger business relationships.
Learn more about SAP features, pricing, & alternatives →
Verdict: If you’re an operations manager seeking the best distribution management software, SAP offers a powerful solution to connect your business and streamline order fulfillment. Its capabilities in simplifying complex processes and reducing costs make it ideal for growing companies aiming for greater operational resilience and customer satisfaction.
5. Epicor
Struggling with overwhelming distribution software options?
Epicor offers comprehensive ERP platforms and AI-driven applications, perfect for your distribution needs. This means you can simplify processes and empower your workforce to deliver on customer expectations.
Their solutions provide deep industry knowledge combined with smart software, making every day easier for your supply chain business.
Gain real-time supply chain control.
Epicor’s AI capabilities, like Epicor Prism and Epicor Grow, accelerate supply chain productivity. You can navigate disruptions with predictive insights and streamlined operations.
Additionally, their focus on People-Centric Automation helps you foster a smarter, more productive, and safer workforce. This helps you gain big-picture inventory management, forecasting, and timely delivery. The result? Unlocking the next level of efficiency at scale for your business.
This will empower your employees with smart tools and clear data, and support data-driven decisions.
Key features:
- AI-Powered Applications: Leverage Epicor Prism and Grow for predictive insights and streamlined operations, enhancing productivity and helping you navigate supply chain disruptions.
- Comprehensive ERP Platforms: Gain end-to-end control over your distribution processes, simplifying operations, and empowering your workforce with integrated solutions.
- People-Centric Automation: Increase workforce productivity and safety by providing smart tools and clear data, optimizing big-picture inventory management and timely delivery.
Learn more about Epicor features, pricing, & alternatives →
Verdict: Epicor stands out for distribution companies seeking the best distribution management software, offering industry-specific ERP and AI-driven solutions. With 23,000 customers in 150 countries, including Guillevin International, Epicor provides the tools to streamline order fulfillment, enhance efficiency, and build operational resilience.
6. GoFrugal
Struggling with overwhelming distribution software choices?
GoFrugal offers an Omnichannel ERP that simplifies complex processes, making your business operations manageable. This means you can empower stakeholders and ensure continuous innovation with a small learning curve.
It addresses challenges by providing an easy-to-use platform with simplified business processes and freedom of choice.
Here’s how GoFrugal helps.
GoFrugal aims to grow your business with minimal staff and training. This means it offers mobile-enabled solutions for POS and ERP, including apps for inventory control like stock-counting and GRN. You can also experience guaranteed data security with one-click cloud data backup and recovery, ensuring your operations are resilient.
Additionally, GoFrugal empowers your employees with mobile-enabled solutions that ensure a frictionless onboarding and faster learning curve. You can connect with multiple channels like Shopify, expand your reach, and integrate with major ERP systems like SAP, Microsoft Dynamics, and Oracle. Plus, it provides advanced features leveraging IoT and machine learning for data-driven decisions and continuous innovation.
It truly simplifies operational complexity.
While we’re discussing operational efficiency, exploring warehouse management solutions is key for optimized inventory.
Key features:
- Mobile-enabled solutions: Equip your staff with apps for inventory control, stock-counting, GRN, and Salesforce automation, enhancing field team efficiency and data collection.
- Omnichannel presence: Allow customers to order through your branded app, website, and self-checkout counters, providing flexibility and expanding your market reach.
- Seamless integrations: Connect your ERP with eCommerce platforms like Shopify, loyalty software, banking apps, and major ERP systems to streamline operations.
Learn more about GoFrugal features, pricing, & alternatives →
Verdict: GoFrugal’s intuitive, mobile-enabled, and integrable platform addresses common distribution challenges, simplifying operations with minimal training. Its robust features and 4.5/5 average user rating make it a strong contender as the best distribution management software for businesses seeking efficiency and growth.
7. Brightpearl
Struggling with overwhelming distribution software choices?
Brightpearl offers Inventory & Order Management and Warehouse Management to simplify your operations, boosting efficiency.
This means you can streamline your operations and reduce human errors by 65%.
Ready to automate and grow?
Brightpearl helps multi-channel merchants and wholesalers by automating complex order fulfillment, multi-location inventory management, shipping, and accounting. It includes tools for accurate sales forecasting and inventory planning, even considering rapidly-changing trends.
You get buying recommendations, so you always know what to order, how much to order, and when to order it, ensuring healthy cash flow amidst unpredictable demand.
Additionally, Brightpearl provides advanced retail analytics and business intelligence tools, including key KPIs like Customer Acquisition Cost (CAC) and Lifetime Value (LTV). Plus, with their Plug & Play integrations, you can add new sales channels like TikTok and Instagram in minutes, effortlessly connecting with your customers.
The result is less time on tedious tasks, more time for innovation.
While we’re discussing business management solutions, understanding long-term care software might be relevant for specific industry needs.
Key features:
- Automation Engine: Automates order fulfillment, multi-location inventory, shipping, and accounting, saving thousands of hours and reducing labor costs by 50%.
- Advanced Inventory Planning: Provides smart sales forecasting and buying recommendations to handle unpredictable demand and optimize cash flow by avoiding stockouts or overstock.
- Plug & Play Integrations: Easily connects with e-commerce platforms like Shopify and Magento, plus various payment and shipping providers, expanding your sales channels.
Learn more about Brightpearl features, pricing, & alternatives →
Verdict: Brightpearl is the best distribution management software for growing businesses, automating over 65% of manual tasks, and helping you save hundreds of hours annually. With a 97% implementation success rate and expert support, it allows you to focus on growth and innovation, making your investments go further.
8. Accolent ERP
Struggling with fragmented distribution software and escalating costs?
Accolent ERP offers a fully integrated, cloud-based solution to streamline your operations.
This means you can gain complete visibility across your business without juggling multiple disconnected systems. It simplifies your entire workflow.
You can finally ditch those operational headaches.
Accolent ERP helps solve these complexities by centralizing key functions like order management, inventory control, and purchasing.
The software runs entirely in the AWS Public Cloud, offering robust features such as integrated sales, CRM, and comprehensive GAAP financial reporting. Additionally, you get multi-channel eCommerce options, including a Self-Service Portal for existing customers and APIs for various platforms.
This comprehensive approach ensures secure, anywhere, anytime access from any device, eliminating your IT infrastructure needs. Plus, ADS Solutions provides quick implementation and ongoing support, so your business stays at peak performance.
Experience truly unified distribution management.
Key features:
- Fully integrated functionality: Connects sales, CRM, eCommerce, order management, inventory, warehouse, purchasing, business intelligence, and accounting for a seamless flow.
- Cloud-based accessibility: Delivers convenient, secure, anywhere, anytime access from any device, running entirely in the AWS Public Cloud with constant upgrades.
- Optimized for distributors: Designed with specific functionalities for various industries, suitable for small, mid-sized, and large distributors and light manufacturers.
Learn more about Accolent ERP features, pricing, & alternatives →
Verdict: Accolent ERP stands out as the best distribution management software for growing businesses seeking an intuitive, cloud-based ERP solution. Its integrated functionality, rapid implementation in weeks or months, and anywhere, anytime access ensure operational efficiency, making it ideal for streamlining order fulfillment.
9. B2B Wave
Are you overwhelmed by distribution management software options? B2B Wave is designed to simplify your B2B eCommerce, helping you manage orders, products, and customers efficiently. This means you can streamline operations and eliminate errors in your back office. Here’s how to simplify your business.
B2B Wave helps you easily set up your B2B store in weeks, not months. You can take and manage orders quickly, integrate inventory, ERP, and accounting systems, and gain valuable insights from one platform. This allows you to manage your entire business effortlessly.
B2B Wave solves the problem of complex B2B commerce with a platform built for simplicity. You can accept orders in seconds through a customizable B2B website, offering personalized prices, flexible variants, and custom shipping or payment options. Additionally, you can receive flexible quotes, set custom inventory rules, and manage sales reps, even automating commissions. This comprehensive approach reduces manual work, allowing your team to focus on growth. Plus, the mobile app provides sales reps with the tools to manage orders on the go, enhancing productivity and customer satisfaction. The result: effortless management from one platform.
Key features:
- Customizable B2B Website: Launch your online store quickly, offering personalized pricing, custom discounts, and flexible variants for each customer.
- Integrated Order & Inventory Management: Seamlessly accept and manage orders, track inventory, and connect with your existing accounting and ERP systems.
- Sales Rep & Customer Management: Equip sales reps with a mobile app to manage orders, automate commissions, and customize workflows for individual customers.
Learn more about B2B Wave features, pricing, & alternatives →
Verdict: B2B Wave stands out as a top contender for the best distribution management software by simplifying B2B eCommerce for wholesalers, brands, and manufacturers. Its robust features, including custom pricing, order management, and seamless integrations, empower businesses to streamline operations and enhance customer experience, addressing core pain points for growing distribution companies.
Conclusion
Ready to fix your fulfillment process for good?
Choosing the right tool is overwhelming. This decision paralysis often keeps your business stuck with outdated, inefficient processes that hurt growth.
SimplyDepo reports cloud systems can lead to a 15% reduction in inventory costs. This directly boosts your bottom line, helping you streamline fulfillment with much better real-time tracking.
So, what’s my top pick?
After reviewing all the options, I recommend NetSuite. It provides a truly unified platform to overcome the chaos of disconnected systems and costly manual errors.
I’m impressed by its power to offer a complete 360-degree view of your operations in real time. It’s truly the best distribution management software for scalable growth.
I suggest you see it for yourself. Book a free demo of NetSuite and discover its full impact on your business operations.
You will achieve true operational resilience.
