Wholesale Distributors to Benefit from Business Intelligence, Demand Planning and Rewards Program Features Now Available with Epicor Distribution

Epicor Software Corporation, a global leader in business software solutions for manufacturing, distribution, retail and services organisations, today announced the general availability of version 12.9 of its Epicor Distribution wholesale distribution enterprise resource planning (ERP) solution, featuring new Customer Buying Trend Analysis, Demand Replenishment Planning, and Rewards Program functionality.

The Customer Buying Trend Analysis module for Epicor Distribution applies a series of Six Sigma statistical models to determine a distributor’s customer/item combinations that have a proven, consistent buying pattern. The system then reports on which of these customers' buying habits are trending up or down the fastest, and the resulting financial impact. The system also proactively alerts the distributor as to which customers have stopped buying and how many sales dollars were missed. Epicor distributors are using this functionality to anticipate customer issues and recover tens of thousands of dollars every year that would otherwise have been lost.

Demand Replenishment Planning provides analytical tools to support purchasing stock now for long-term future requirements. Customer demand forecasts are generated out one year to determine future needs; purchase quantity is then based on need at the anticipated time of receipt of material. Future Stock Analysis Inquiries and Future Stock Analysis Reports in Epicor Distribution allow distributors to see the changing stock position of an item over the next year, to help in planning for these future needs.

The Rewards Program option allows distributors to reward their customers for buying targeted items. A distributor can identify items or groups of items for which to offer rewards, based on product group, discount group, price family, or supplier, and can determine how quickly customers will be rewarded for purchasing these items or groups of items. The distributor also has the ability to limit rewards to customers who belong to a specific category.

Two types of rewards are available with the new version:

Incentive points can be offered for purchases, which can be redeemed for other charge (non-physical) items such as training sessions or premium trips offered by the distributor to customers. Co-op rewards can be earned and then redeemed for credit for advertising expenses that the customer has incurred, based on the distributor’s/supplier’s guidelines for joint advertising. The redemption of co-op rewards will create a credit on the customer’s account.
“With these advanced functionality modules in our Epicor Distribution wholesale distribution ERP, Epicor continues to lead in the distribution software space,” said Kevin Roach, executive vice president and general manager, ERP Americas for Epicor. “The Customer Buying Trend Analysis is more than simply a lost customer report; it provides the intelligent, proactive information that wholesale distributors need to protect customers who may be at risk. The Demand Replenishment Planning functionality allows distributors to accurately predict their inventory needs over the long term, and with the Rewards Program module, distributors can cultivate customer loyalty and compete more aggressively in their markets without having to pay an outside vendor for these programs.”

For more information on the new release of Epicor Distribution, call  01344 468 468 and speak with an Epicor solutions specialist, or e-mail [email protected].