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
eCommerce
Using Digitalization to Optimize Operations & Drive New Business in HVACR
To combat the challenges of today’s marketplace, progressive distributors looking towards the future are investing more and more into digitizing their processes to optimize performance. These companies recognize that: Data can be monetized. This means that information in their ERP systems can be acted upon rather than remain in data silos and databases. Whether this is … [Read more...] about Using Digitalization to Optimize Operations & Drive New Business in HVACR
eCommerce AND ERP Data to Power Your Business
Just like your car needs gas, or perhaps an electrical charge nowadays, to operate, so does your digitalization effort, or more specifically, your business, need data, to operate. And in both cases, you want that “fuel” to come directly from the source. In the case of product data, this information must flow from the manufacturer, to distributors, be available to … [Read more...] about eCommerce AND ERP Data to Power Your Business
McNeill to Lead Conexiom as CEO
Conexiom is helping HVACR distributors like Woodhill Supply and Johnstone Supply, as well as numerous electrical distributors, scale their businesses by automating the ordering process, enabling repetitive tasks (data entry) to become digitized enabling staff to manage more and/or better serve internal and external customers. For many this is one of their steps on their … [Read more...] about McNeill to Lead Conexiom as CEO
Why do strong B2B HVACR distribution websites fail? It’s often a much simpler answer than you might expect
Has your distributor digital transformation journey seemed like an endless race with hurdle after hurdle? I’ve been in the B2B digital race many times as a distributor in my career, and have crashed into more than a few hurdles. It can be a hard journey to make your ERP and tech stack work, build the right functionality, get the product attributes and pricing to work, but … [Read more...] about Why do strong B2B HVACR distribution websites fail? It’s often a much simpler answer than you might expect
6 reasons you may not want to have a product/commerce enabled website
Instinctively everyone knows why companies have websites – to generate sales by sharing information. Given this, it then begs the question of why more electrical distributors do not have websites that have product content on them and why are not commerce-enabled. It’s two different questions. Consider, that, according to a recent CMG survey, 65% of contractors have … [Read more...] about 6 reasons you may not want to have a product/commerce enabled website
The Rep Conundrum: End-user Calls. Compensation?
Last week we were on a call with a manufacturer and the question arose of “are supply reps calling more on distributors or are they starting to call on end-users, contractors and engineers?” The question surprised us given our perception of the quality of the manufacturer but, it could also be that person’s perspective of reps or the reps in their territory. Part of our … [Read more...] about The Rep Conundrum: End-user Calls. Compensation?
Digitally Transforming the Rep Service Model with EDI
EDI isn\'t just for distributor / manufacturer interactions. It can also effectively be used to reduce operational costs between independent manufacturer representatives and manufacturers while keeping the rep informed on all of the critical information needed to ensure superior customer service to their distributors. IDEA Exchange worked with TradeTech Solutions to develop a … [Read more...] about Digitally Transforming the Rep Service Model with EDI
Getting Heard. Podcasts Deliver Thought Leadership
Two of the biggest marketing trends over the past year have been the increased usage of video and the launching of podcasts. The reason – a desire to share more content and capture attention. Video usage has skyrocketed as it becomes the new “face to face” (F2F) medium and it is a means to highlight product application. Podcasts are a means to share thought leadership … [Read more...] about Getting Heard. Podcasts Deliver Thought Leadership
HD Supply Goes Home
The major story in the distribution industry yesterday was Home Depot acquiring HD Supply. While many electrical distributors may wonder “why the coverage” as “we don’t compete with them”, the reality is that Home Depot and HD Supply are competing more and more with electrical distributors. Some will remember that HD Supply was conceived within Home Depot and was eventually … [Read more...] about HD Supply Goes Home
