The “go-go” days of post-Covid are gone. We’re back to pre-pandemic industry growth rates. Maintaining, and improving, net profitability in the face of slowing growth, increased cost structure, and stagnant (if not decreasing) margins, requires improved operational efficiency, inventory management, strategic price management, appropriate implementation and utilization of … [Read more...] about Driving Distributor Profitability Through Operational Efficiency
Technology & Digital
AI According to Mike Marks on Driven by DCKAP
AI is all the rage in trade publications, on LinkedIn, for industry conferences (and standalone conferences targeted at distribution) and will probably be a topic at this year's HARDI conference in one-on-one conversations between distributors and manufacturers. The questions that will be asked are: What are you doing? Oh, you’re not doing anything? What are you … [Read more...] about AI According to Mike Marks on Driven by DCKAP
Making AI Real Intelligence
AI has been all the rage since ChatGPT was unveiled. Not only is it the talk of every conversation relating to technology, price management, operational improvement, customer service, marketing and more, it has also powered the construction market with the explosion of data centers, advanced chip manufacturing, and, of course, the stock market. But, it’s impact to date is … [Read more...] about Making AI Real Intelligence
Recap of Poolside Chat with Microsoft
On August 22nd Channel Marketing Group hosted a poolside chat with Microsoft’s Matt Petersen. The session was titled “ChatGPT, AI, Office, Teams and More Technology to Power Your Business. Within minimal promotion and advance notice, and the support of NEMRA, Edison Report and Electro-Federation, we had over 200 people register and over 110 connections on the webinar … thank … [Read more...] about Recap of Poolside Chat with Microsoft
The State of HVACR Distributor eCommerce, and the Opportunity
E-commerce, defined as “website ordering, continues to be low for most HVACR distributors but by no means does this diminish the importance of distributor websites. For most distributors, eCommerce sales is a low percent of their total business. Some have recognized that their website can be an alternative order entry system and can help simplify the ordering process … [Read more...] about The State of HVACR Distributor eCommerce, and the Opportunity
Winning the HVACR Product Data Revolution
In June HVACRTrends hosted a webinar introducing the Trimble / Distributor Data Solutions (DDS) collaboration. The two companies shared what they are seeing in the construction trades and how data is being used, and will be used, to help companies operate more efficiently, more effectively, and as a tool to capture market share. Takeaways Two key takeaways from the session … [Read more...] about Winning the HVACR Product Data Revolution
ChatGPT, AI, Office, Teams and More Technology to Power Your Business
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?
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
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
CRM helps Reps and Manufacturers Succeed
CRM data sharing between independent manufacturer reps and manufacturers is a tricky, and touchy, issue. One of a rep's value propositions is local market knowledge as well as account / opportunity knowledge. No salesperson likes to let their "boss" know everything they know, but times have changed. The value in information sharing is significant and can help close sales … [Read more...] about CRM helps Reps and Manufacturers Succeed
ChatGPT for HVACR Distributors
Let’s have a little fun for a change or, in the words of the comedienne Joan Rivers, “can we chat”? For the past few months there has been lots of media coverage, and conversation, about ChatGPT. Microsoft, which reportedly invested over $13 billion into the company for “only” 49% ownership is a major driver of this new AI (artificial intelligence) technology and is taking a … [Read more...] about ChatGPT for HVACR Distributors
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
