Distributors operate in a high-pressure environment where thin margins, rising operational complexity, and customer expectations leave no room for inefficiency. A modern ERP system built for distribution—such as Acumatica Distribution Edition or Infor CloudSuite Distribution—provides the real-time visibility, automation, and control needed to reverse margin erosion and unlock immediate ROI.
Across North America, Aktion clients routinely achieve six-figure annual savings by optimizing inventory, automating warehouse workflows, accelerating cash flow, and reducing IT overhead. Below, we break down exactly how distribution ERP generates real ROI, supported by numbers and real-world examples.
Carrying excess inventory drains profitability. Stockouts sink revenue and damage customer trust. ERP platforms like Acumatica and Infor CSD give distributors the real-time forecasting, replenishment, and visibility needed to strike the perfect balance.
How ERP Reduces Costs
Aktion clients often recapture even more by eliminating safety stock padding that results from outdated or disconnected systems.
Manual order entry causes rework, replacements, customer dissatisfaction, and lost margin.
ERP platforms streamline fulfillment through:
Example Scenario
ERP eliminates up to 80% of errors → $38,000 saved
Distributors often rely on spreadsheets, disconnected ledgers, and manual reconciliation. ERP brings:
Example Scenario
On-premise ERP requires:
Cloud ERPs like Acumatica and Infor CSD shift these expenses off your plate.
Example Scenario
Cloud ERP eliminates these costs and provides predictable subscription pricing.
Manual processes lead to:
ERP-enabled warehouse automation provides:
Example Scenario
ERP automation recovers nearly all of it.
ERP automates invoicing, reminders, and AR collections, reducing DSO. Cutting DSO from 50 → 45 days frees ~$50,000 in working capital.
Manual data correction = silent margin killer. Two admin staff → 1 hour/day correcting errors = $13,000/year in avoidable labor.
ERP reduces errors near zero with unified data flows.
Customer service drives distribution revenue more than most factors.
Even a 3% increase in retention at $10M revenue = $300,000 retained revenue. Both Infor and Acumatica offer distributor-ready CRM capabilities baked into the ERP.
Forecasting errors create:
If you carry $2M in inventory, a 15% forecasting error means $300,000 off target. Improving accuracy by half = $150,000 saved.
Ready to quantify your ERP ROI?
Aktion helps distributors evaluate systems, identify ROI hotspots, and build a clear modernization roadmap across Acumatica or Infor.
By eliminating manual work, improving inventory accuracy, reducing errors, streamlining fulfillment, and increasing visibility.
Which ERP platforms deliver the best ROI for distributors?
Aktion supports Acumatica and Infor CloudSuite Distribution, both proven to deliver strong operational and financial ROI depending on business needs.
How quickly can distributors see ROI?
Many see immediate savings in labor, inventory, and IT within the first year.
Does ERP help improve customer retention?
Yes — unified CRM, faster fulfillment, and accurate data improve the customer experience significantly.
Gary Erickson is Managing Sales Lead at Aktion, specializing in ERP transformation for distributors using Infor and Acumatica. He partners with leadership teams to navigate change, reduce risk, and turn ERP investments into platforms for business growth
