Within distribution there is a continuous, and increasing, call for distributors, manufacturers, and manufacturer representatives to “invest in technology.” And I would presume that companies are spending more on technology / digitalization than ever before. It may not show up in the IT budget, but marketing, pricing, sales, warehousing, manufacturing and other departments now … [Read more...] about ChatGPT, AI, Office, Teams and More Technology to Power Your Business
Is AI Coming to Your Warehouse?
The technology topic of the year in distribution has been, and will continue to be, AI. In reality, much of AI is really ML (machine learning) but it's not as "sexy" to talk about data being built into algorithms, to mine data and then deliver information, insights and/or potentially predict (or recommend) actions. The difference between AI and ML, from a theorist's … [Read more...] about Is AI Coming to Your Warehouse?
Distributors – Planning Marketing Strategy for 2024
The HVAC market has experienced a dramatic slowdown compared to the past few years, which, with the benefit of hindsight, some of the slowdown / decline should have been expected (can’t expect price increases and supply chain issues to be a “benefit” to distributor sales long-term.” According to the June HARDI report, sales were down 6% but, perhaps more disconcertingly, is … [Read more...] about Distributors – Planning Marketing Strategy for 2024
The Road to a New ERP System
Deciding on an ERP system is one of the most challenging decisions for an HVAC distributor given its impact on business operations … everything from easy of doing business, ability to integrate with other tools, access to information, cost (acquisition, maintenance, training, productivity) let alone it touches every person who interacts with a company … associates, suppliers … [Read more...] about The Road to a New ERP System
Integrating eCommerce & ERP – Sunrise Style
Sunrise Electric, a small / mid-size electrical distributor in Chicago, has faced a challenge that many HVAC distributors are facing … how to launch an eCommerce system that integrates with their ERP system and can manage relationships with other technology tools. Identifying cost-effective tools to accomplish this can be a challenge. It needs to be cost-effective and “easy” … [Read more...] about Integrating eCommerce & ERP – Sunrise Style
Labor. Tomorrow’s Workforce is Smaller
Labor. Many have talked about it’s shortage. Be it a lack of electricians, a lack of qualified people for distributors to hire, or a lack of staff for manufacturers. Many have “blamed” Covid, the focus on “work from home”, an emerging “gig” / freelance economy, and other reasons. Lots of efforts, and initiatives, have been undertaken to “get people back to work.” Recently, … [Read more...] about Labor. Tomorrow’s Workforce is Smaller
Can an Incentive Program Deliver Sales for Distributors?
Many HVAC distributors, and some manufacturers, run incentive programs, for their customers in efforts to curry favor (loyalty) and/or to drive incremental business. In the current economic environment, an incentive program can help you take market share and drive growth, for a very nominal (if any) net investment, especially if the program is based upon customer-specific … [Read more...] about Can an Incentive Program Deliver Sales for Distributors?
