{"id":3894,"date":"2020-05-07T12:12:16","date_gmt":"2020-05-07T16:12:16","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.sage.com\/en-us\/blog\/?p=3894"},"modified":"2026-02-16T06:04:51","modified_gmt":"2026-02-16T11:04:51","slug":"data-analysis-and-erp-technology-integration","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.sage.com\/en-us\/blog\/data-analysis-and-erp-technology-integration\/","title":{"rendered":"How wholesalers and distributors can use analytics to boost productivity"},"content":{"rendered":"<header class=\"entry-header has-dark-background-color entry-header--has-illustration entry-header--has-illustration--generic\">\n\t<div class=\"container\">\n\t\t<div class=\"entry-header__row row align-center\">\n\t\t\t<div class=\"col col-lg-7 col-xlg-6 entry-header__content\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"component component-single-header\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"entry-header__misc text--subtitle text--uppercase text--small\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<a href=\"https:\/\/www.sage.com\/en-us\/blog\/category\/technology-innovation\/\" class=\"entry-header__link\">Technology &amp; Innovation<\/a>\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"entry-title-wrapper\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<h1 class=\"entry-title\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\tHow wholesalers and distributors can use analytics to boost productivity\t\t\t\t\t<\/h1>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<p class=\"entry-header__description\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/p>\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t<\/div>\n\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t<\/div>\n\t\t<div class=\"single-post-details container\">\n\t\t<div class=\"col\">\n\t\t\t<span class=\"posted-on \">Published <time class=\"entry-date published\" datetime=\"2020-05-07T12:12:16-04:00\">May 7, 2020<\/time><\/span><span class=\"reading-time\"> min read<\/span>\n\t\t<button\n\t\t\ttype=\"button\"\n\t\t\tclass=\"social-share-button button button--icon button--secondary js-social-share-button\"\n\t\t\tdata-share-title=\"How wholesalers and distributors can use analytics to boost productivity\"\n\t\t\tdata-share-url=\"https:\/\/www.sage.com\/en-us\/blog\/data-analysis-and-erp-technology-integration\/\"\n\t\t\tdata-share-text=\"Please read this interesting article\"\n\t\t>\n\t\t\t<span class=\"social-share-button__share-label\">Share<\/span>\n\t\t\t<span class=\"social-share-button__copy-label\" hidden>Copy Link<\/span>\n\t\t\t<span class=\"social-share-button__copy-tooltip\" aria-hidden=\"true\" hidden>Copied<\/span>\n\t\t<\/button>\n\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t<\/div>\n\t<\/header>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-post-author has-dark-background-color alignfull\">\n\t<div class=\"container\">\n\t\t<div class=\"col\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"co-authors\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t<div class=\"entry-author-wrapper\">\n\t\t\t<a class=\"entry-author\" href=\"https:\/\/www.sage.com\/en-us\/blog\/author\/asavinwattanajantra\/\">\n\t\t\t\t<img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"40\" height=\"40\" src=\"https:\/\/www.sage.com\/en-us\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2026\/03\/Asavin-350x350.jpg\" class=\"entry-author__image\" alt=\"Asavin\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.sage.com\/en-us\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2026\/03\/Asavin-350x350.jpg 350w, https:\/\/www.sage.com\/en-us\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2026\/03\/Asavin-768x768.jpg 768w, https:\/\/www.sage.com\/en-us\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2026\/03\/Asavin-810x810.jpg 810w, https:\/\/www.sage.com\/en-us\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2026\/03\/Asavin.jpg 1000w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 40px) 100vw, 40px\" \/>\t\t\t\t<span class=\"entry-author__name\">Asavin Wattanajantra<\/span>\n\t\t\t<\/a>\n\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"sage-block-classic-wrapper mb-m\">\n\n<p>Wholesale and distribution are important components of the US economy. The movement of goods is a crucial part of the <a href=\"https:\/\/www.sage.com\/en-us\/supply-chain-management\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">supply chain<\/a> \u2013 and analytics play a key role in this. It isn&#8217;t worth manufacturing a good product if it can\u2019t get to the right retailer (or other business customers) at the right time.<\/p>\n<p>However, advances in retailer demand and technology mean the <a href=\"https:\/\/www.sage.com\/en-us\/industry\/wholesale-distribution\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">wholesale and distribution<\/a> industries are changing.<\/p>\n<p>Like many industries, new technology and global economic change have had an impact on wholesale and distribution businesses. Here\u2019s how:<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>They are caught between the demands of manufacturers looking for more efficiency and retailers that want them to be more responsive. Technology disruption means there are now considerable margin pressures.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<ul>\n<li>It\u2019s now possible for retailers to use online wholesale marketplaces to work directly with manufacturers, cutting out a distributor entirely. Many distributors and wholesalers are struggling to cope with an increasingly digital world.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<ul>\n<li>With the e-commerce experience improving, customers are more likely to be online. With so much choice, it also takes more to win their loyalty.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<ul>\n<li>Competition is getting tougher. Think of giants such as Amazon and the threat of new wholesale and distribution entrants.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<ul>\n<li>It\u2019s getting harder to find the right talent. There\u2019s a struggle to understand a\u00a0<a href=\"https:\/\/www.sage.com\/en-us\/blog\/4-generations-one-roof-manage-multigenerational-workplace\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">younger generation<\/a> with different workplace demands.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<h2><strong>Problems to solve as a wholesaler or distributor<\/strong><\/h2>\n<p>According to Aberdeen Group, the biggest challenge you face is a need to\u00a0reduce costs.\u00a0This is followed by managing growth expectations, changing customer needs, and increased competition.<\/p>\n<h2><strong>How can you reduce costs? Start by streamlining processes<\/strong><\/h2>\n<p>To lower costs and still improve your customer relationships, Aberdeen says wholesalers and distributors are enacting the strategies highlighted in the chart below:<\/p>\n<p>Aberdeen Group, says: \u201cWhen it comes to lowering costs and improving margins, wholesale and distributor leaders are looking to streamline processes as well as optimize their <a href=\"https:\/\/www.sage.com\/en-us\/supply-chain-management\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">supply chains<\/a>.<\/p>\n<p>\u201cStreamlined processes mean that organizations can do more with lower impact on their resources. Optimizing the supply chain means that they can more effectively manage inventory, as well as keep prices for products in check.<\/p>\n<p>\u201cWhen it comes to pleasing customers, leaders have prioritized collaboration and service. This means getting a better <a href=\"https:\/\/www.sage.com\/en-us\/blog\/focus-on-the-customers-you-have\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">understanding of customer needs<\/a>, making it easier for them to interact with the business, and changing the way the organization delivers products, often requiring updates to workflows.\u201d<\/p>\n<h2><strong>What technology is available?<\/strong><\/h2>\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/www.sage.com\/en-us\/erp\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP)<\/a> is the foundation for the business changes needed. It handles critical back-end processes, such as purchase history, billing and shipping details,\u00a0<a href=\"https:\/\/www.sage.com\/en-us\/blog\/how-to-create-better-supply-chains-and-achieve-global-success\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">supply chain management<\/a>, financial data, and accounting information.<\/p>\n<p>At its most basic level, modern ERP software (which we call\u00a0<a href=\"https:\/\/www.sage.com\/en-us\/sage-business-cloud\/sage-x3\/\">Sage X3<\/a>) provides the platform needed for the modernization of technology, improvement in collaboration and streamlining of processes.<\/p>\n<p>However, to become a leader in wholesale and distribution, Aberdeen stats show you need to have ERP solutions with integrated business functionality, which centers around the process of getting products to customers when they need them through the\u00a0<a href=\"https:\/\/www.sage.com\/en-us\/blog\/avoid-supply-chain-problems\/\">supply chain<\/a>.<\/p>\n<h2><strong>How does ERP technology integration help?<\/strong><\/h2>\n<p>While ERP deals with the back end, <a href=\"https:\/\/www.sage.com\/en-us\/crm-software\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Customer Relationship Management (CRM)<\/a> deals with front-end information, such as customer interaction data, sales and pipeline tracking, prospecting and marketing campaign data. This is used to help businesses understand prospects and clients, as well as manage relationships, sales, and marketing.<\/p>\n<p>According to the chart above, wholesaler and distributor leaders are three times more likely than followers to have Customer Relationship Management (CRM) systems integrated with ERP. This is because you can create a centralized portal for customer data, interacting with supply chain functionality, which you don\u2019t have to worry about keeping in sync.<\/p>\n<blockquote>\n<p>Martin Craze, founder and managing director of Applied Business Computers,\u00a0<a href=\"http:\/\/www.information-age.com\/6-key-advantages-erp-crm-software-integration-123465846\/\">says<\/a>, \u201cHaving to wait for a database to update before you can, for example \u2013 process bills, replenish inventory levels and arrange product returns for customers \u2013 will result in slower operations and an increased risk of database errors. Applying an integrated CRM functionality to your ERP solution will ensure both systems share one database, meaning updates in either system are visible instantaneously. One of the biggest advantages of ERP and CRM integration is that it provides a complete view of your customers.\u201d<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n<p>As part of the increasingly digital supply chain, you need to realign your business strategy with retailers and manufacturers and look towards e-commerce.<\/p>\n<p>So far, many wholesalers and distributors have been slow to build digital storefronts or B2B e-commerce capabilities because the corporate buyers they have dealt with have been phoning, faxing or using other old-school ways of making orders. This is quickly changing as manufacturers and retailers become more tech-savvy and demanding.<\/p>\n<p>B2B e-commerce can improve the way you communicate with retailers and manufacturers, making it easier for you to order from each other. If you don\u2019t do this, your business could become vulnerable to competition with more effective and efficient e-commerce operations.<\/p>\n<h2><strong>How data and predictive analytics can help<\/strong><\/h2>\n<p>Numbers from Aberdeen also indicate that as well as having better access to information, leading wholesale and distribution businesses use the relevant data to make better decisions and become more agile companies.<\/p>\n<p>Leaders are 72% more likely to have business analytics integrated into ERP, which means they can make better decisions backed up with evidence and perform more accurate demand planning.<\/p>\n<p>Aberdeen also recommends that you look closely at the real-time functionality in the analytics you use \u2013 leaders are 31% more likely to have real-time visibility into the status of all processes and data.<\/p>\n<p>Aberdeen says: \u201cFor an organization with a lot of moving parts, such as a wholesaler or distributor, this is essential for handling logistics in an agile manner. Automated alerts can inform actions based on changes in demand or other factors.<\/p>\n<p>\u201cFurther, utilizing easy to consume data, in conjunction with analytic capabilities, top performers can better plan and forecast demand (improving customer service and reducing costs) as well as inform changes in workflows, such as combining shipments.\u201d<\/p>\n<p>Paul St Germain, a wholesale distribution industry expert,\u00a0adds: \u201cIn many cases, analysis and insights can be used to generate new forms of differentiation that can be used to disrupt existing markets. For example, Amazon has gained a patent for what it calls \u2018anticipatory shipping\u2019, a method to start delivering packages even before customers click \u2018buy\u2019.<\/p>\n<p>\u201cThe patent exemplifies the analytical capability for organizations to anticipate customers\u2019 needs, even before customers do, and demonstrates one way Amazon hopes to leverage its vast trove of customer data to disrupt rivals. Wholesalers and distributors can \u2013 and are \u2013 implementing the same kind of change and disruption.\u201d<\/p>\n<p>Although predictive analytics has been available for a while, it\u2019s taken some time for wholesale and distribution businesses to realize its value \u2013 in the past, an expert such as a data scientist was needed to extract the information, as well as value.<\/p>\n<p>However, it\u2019s much easier for you to make use of predictive analytics \u2013 the availability of real-time data technology makes results immediate, while expert data scientists are no longer necessary, as analytics can be embedded into ERP business processes.<\/p>\n<p>Predictive analytics could help you to:<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>Improve communication and understanding between the distributor and wholesaler sales departments and retailers. For instance, it could allow a wholesale or distributor sales representative to provide valuable insight to a retail buyer, and showcase the most relevant and valuable products coming up in upcoming orders.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<ul>\n<li>Analyze data on what retailers have purchased in the past to predict future sales. Sharing this data with manufacturing suppliers could be extremely valuable, as normally suppliers will only have data on quantities sold rather than information that can help with product strategy.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p>Central to the success of your business is the need to collaborate \u2013 leaders are 46% more likely to have real-time collaboration across business departments and divisions than followers.<\/p>\n<p>Aberdeen says: \u201cConnecting functions, such as supply chain, sales and finance can help organizations meet their efficiency goals. Externally, leaders are more likely to be able to share data with both customers and suppliers. This will improve service, reduce costs, and increase margins.\u201d<\/p>\n<h2><strong>Why is cloud ERP beneficial?<\/strong><\/h2>\n<p>One thing you need to do is understand how <a href=\"https:\/\/www.sage.com\/en-us\/erp\/cloud\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">cloud ERP<\/a> can benefit your business. Here are some of the reasons why businesses are choosing the cloud, according to Aberdeen:<\/p>\n<p>Aberdeen says: \u201cEmployees must be able to share data with stakeholders across many locations to ensure demand is accounted for, shipments are delivered on time, and routes are altered to ensure better service. An internet-based cloud solution ensures employees can easily access the data they need wherever they are.\u201d<\/p>\n<p>Then there\u2019s the fact that cloud applications can scale with your business, ensuring solutions still serve their purpose as the business grows \u2013 whether you want to expand into more sales channels or pick up new partners.<\/p>\n<p>Aberdeen adds: \u201cThere are the challenges that come with outdated applications. It\u2019s costly and time-consuming to update them, and outdated applications just don\u2019t provide access to the most updated functionality and best practices. Not only is this a limiting factor as organizations attempt to be more agile in product delivery, but it also means that old solutions just are not adequate.<\/p>\n<p>\u201cIn a cloud solution, updates are handled automatically by the software vendor, ensuring that organizations are always on the latest release.\u201d<\/p>\n<p><em>This Sage Advice article was originally published in 2018.<\/em><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"single-cta\">\n\t<div class=\"single-cta__positioner on-scroll-highlight__target\">\n\t\t<div class=\"single-cta__wrapper has-dark-background-color\">\n\t\t\t<div class=\"single-cta__content\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<h2 class=\"single-cta__title h3\">Subscribe to our Sage Advice Newsletter<\/h2>\n\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"single-cta__description\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<p>Get our latest business advice delivered directly to your inbox.<\/p>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<a\n\t\t\t\t\t\thref=\"#gate-ab515c6e-7e90-4c2f-a67e-113872516e8b\"\n\t\t\t\t\t\tclass=\"single-cta__button button button--primary\"\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t>Subscribe<\/a>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\n\t\t\t\t\t<img decoding=\"async\" width=\"1440\" height=\"810\" src=\"https:\/\/www.sage.com\/en-us\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2022\/04\/GettyImages-1073797282-1440x810.jpg\" class=\"single-cta__image\" alt=\"Working from home with tea in hand\" loading=\"lazy\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.sage.com\/en-us\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2022\/04\/GettyImages-1073797282-1440x810.jpg 1440w\" sizes=\"auto, (min-width: 48em) 33vw, 100vw\" \/>\t\t\t<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n<section class=\"more-topics alignfull has-grey-light-background-color wp-block-sage-post-topics\">\n\t<div class=\"container\">\n\t\t<div class=\"row\">\n\t\t\t<div class=\"col col-12 col-lg-4\">\n\t\t\t\t<h3 class=\"more-topics__title h2\">Browse more topics from this article<\/h3>\n\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t<div class=\"col col-12 col-lg-8\">\n\t\t\t\t<ul class=\"post-tags__list\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<li class=\"post-tags__item\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<a href=\"https:\/\/www.sage.com\/en-us\/blog\/hub\/business-continuity\/\" class=\"post-tags__link button button--secondary\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tBusiness Continuity\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/a>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/li>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<li class=\"post-tags__item\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<a href=\"https:\/\/www.sage.com\/en-us\/blog\/hub\/business-intelligence\/\" class=\"post-tags__link button button--secondary\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tBusiness intelligence\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/a>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/li>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<li class=\"post-tags__item\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<a href=\"https:\/\/www.sage.com\/en-us\/blog\/hub\/crm\/\" class=\"post-tags__link button button--secondary\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tCRM\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/a>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/li>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<li class=\"post-tags__item\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<a href=\"https:\/\/www.sage.com\/en-us\/blog\/hub\/erp\/\" class=\"post-tags__link button button--secondary\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tERP solutions\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/a>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/li>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<li class=\"post-tags__item\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<a href=\"https:\/\/www.sage.com\/en-us\/blog\/hub\/productivity\/\" class=\"post-tags__link button button--secondary\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tProductivity\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/a>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/li>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<li class=\"post-tags__item\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<a href=\"https:\/\/www.sage.com\/en-us\/blog\/hub\/supply-chain-management\/\" class=\"post-tags__link button button--secondary\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tSupply chain management\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/a>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/li>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/ul>\n\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t<\/div>\n<\/section>\n\n<div class=\"alignfull wp-block-sage-related-posts\">\n\t<section class=\"related-posts card-grid has-dark-background-color\">\n\t<div class=\"container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"row\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"col\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<h2 class=\"related-posts__heading related-posts__heading--featured h1\">Explore more wisdom<\/h2>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t<\/div>\n\n\t\t\t<div class=\"row related-posts__featured\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"col card-grid__item\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<article\n\t\tclass=\"card-post related-post related-post-0 post-13533 post type-post status-publish format-standard has-post-thumbnail hentry category-money-matters tag-accounting-101 tag-boss-your-business tag-business-continuity tag-cash-flow tag-productivity tag-small-business business_type-small-business business_type-growing-business card-post--is-clickable\"\n>\n\t<div class=\"card-post__media-wrapper\">\n\t\t<figure class=\"card-post__media\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<img decoding=\"async\" width=\"1215\" height=\"810\" 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This guide explains how cash flow analysis works, what it tells you about your business, and how to use it to plan ahead. We\u2019ll also look at a cash flow analysis example so you can see how the process is applied practically. \t\t\t<\/p>\n\t\t\n\t\t\t<\/div>\n\n\t<\/article>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"row related-posts__non-featured\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"col col-12\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<h2 class=\"related-posts__heading related-posts__heading--more h4\">More on this Topic<\/h2>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"col col-6 col-lg-3 card-grid__item\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<article\n\t\tclass=\"card-post related-post related-post-1 post-29104 post type-post status-publish format-standard has-post-thumbnail hentry category-strategy-legal-operations tag-business-intelligence tag-business-strategy tag-inventory-management business_type-small-business business_type-growing-business\"\n>\n\t\t\t<a\n\t\t\tclass=\"card-post__link\"\n\t\t\thref=\"https:\/\/www.sage.com\/en-us\/blog\/abc-analysis\/\"\n\t\t\t\t\t>\n\t\t\t<figure class=\"card-post__media\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<img decoding=\"async\" width=\"684\" height=\"384\" src=\"https:\/\/www.sage.com\/en-us\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2022\/04\/GettyImages-1272762106-684x384.jpg\" class=\"card-post__image\" alt=\"\" loading=\"lazy\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.sage.com\/en-us\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2022\/04\/GettyImages-1272762106-684x384.jpg 684w, https:\/\/www.sage.com\/en-us\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2022\/04\/GettyImages-1272762106-768x432.jpg 768w, https:\/\/www.sage.com\/en-us\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2022\/04\/GettyImages-1272762106-1440x810.jpg 1440w\" sizes=\"auto, (min-width: 48em) 250px, (min-width: 30em) 100vw, 100vw\" \/>\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/figure>\n\n\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"card-post__meta\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<span class=\"card-post__meta-text\"><span class=\"posted-on \"><time class=\"entry-date published\" datetime=\"2026-07-29T10:40:22-04:00\">July 29, 2026<\/time><\/span><\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<span class=\"card-post__meta-text\"><span class=\"reading-time\">15 min read<\/span><\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\n\t\t<p class=\"card-post__title h5\">\n\t\t\tABC analysis in inventory management: What it is and why it matters\t\t<\/p>\n\n\t\t\t<\/a>\n\t\n\t\n\t\t\n\t\n\t<\/article>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"col col-6 col-lg-3 card-grid__item\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<article\n\t\tclass=\"card-post related-post related-post-2 post-27370 post type-post status-publish format-standard has-post-thumbnail hentry category-people-leadership category-strategy-legal-operations category-trends-insights tag-accounting-101 tag-boss-your-business tag-business-intelligence tag-growing-a-business tag-hr-payroll tag-performance tag-workplace-of-the-future business_type-small-business business_type-growing-business\"\n>\n\t\t\t<a\n\t\t\tclass=\"card-post__link\"\n\t\t\thref=\"https:\/\/www.sage.com\/en-us\/blog\/how-many-work-hours-in-a-year\/\"\n\t\t\t\t\t>\n\t\t\t<figure class=\"card-post__media\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<img decoding=\"async\" width=\"684\" height=\"384\" src=\"https:\/\/www.sage.com\/en-us\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2024\/09\/BrandShootSF_Oct2021_ProfSvcs_C7476-684x384.jpg\" class=\"card-post__image\" alt=\"\" loading=\"lazy\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.sage.com\/en-us\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2024\/09\/BrandShootSF_Oct2021_ProfSvcs_C7476-684x384.jpg 684w, https:\/\/www.sage.com\/en-us\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2024\/09\/BrandShootSF_Oct2021_ProfSvcs_C7476-768x432.jpg 768w, https:\/\/www.sage.com\/en-us\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2024\/09\/BrandShootSF_Oct2021_ProfSvcs_C7476-1440x810.jpg 1440w\" sizes=\"auto, (min-width: 48em) 250px, (min-width: 30em) 100vw, 100vw\" \/>\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/figure>\n\n\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"card-post__meta\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<span class=\"card-post__meta-text\"><span class=\"posted-on \"><time class=\"entry-date published\" datetime=\"2026-07-20T04:33:05-04:00\">July 20, 2026<\/time><\/span><\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<span class=\"card-post__meta-text\"><span class=\"reading-time\">15 min read<\/span><\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\n\t\t<p class=\"card-post__title h5\">\n\t\t\tHow many work hours in a year?\t\t<\/p>\n\n\t\t\t<\/a>\n\t\n\t\n\t\t\n\t\n\t<\/article>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"col col-6 col-lg-3 card-grid__item\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<article\n\t\tclass=\"card-post related-post related-post-3 post-36925 post type-post status-publish format-standard has-post-thumbnail hentry category-money-matters category-trends-insights tag-erp tag-sage-x3 business_type-growing-business industry-distribution industry-manufacturing industry-wholesale-distribution\"\n>\n\t\t\t<a\n\t\t\tclass=\"card-post__link\"\n\t\t\thref=\"https:\/\/www.sage.com\/en-us\/blog\/erp-implementation-failure\/\"\n\t\t\t\t\t>\n\t\t\t<figure class=\"card-post__media\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<img decoding=\"async\" width=\"684\" height=\"384\" src=\"https:\/\/www.sage.com\/en-us\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2026\/06\/erp-implementation-failure-684x384.jpg\" class=\"card-post__image\" alt=\"\" loading=\"lazy\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.sage.com\/en-us\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2026\/06\/erp-implementation-failure-684x384.jpg 684w, https:\/\/www.sage.com\/en-us\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2026\/06\/erp-implementation-failure-768x512.jpg 768w, https:\/\/www.sage.com\/en-us\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2026\/06\/erp-implementation-failure.jpg 1200w\" sizes=\"auto, (min-width: 48em) 250px, (min-width: 30em) 100vw, 100vw\" \/>\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/figure>\n\n\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"card-post__meta\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<span class=\"card-post__meta-text\"><span class=\"posted-on \"><time class=\"entry-date published\" datetime=\"2026-07-13T09:08:26-04:00\">July 13, 2026<\/time><\/span><\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<span class=\"card-post__meta-text\"><span class=\"reading-time\">8 min read<\/span><\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\n\t\t<p class=\"card-post__title h5\">\n\t\t\tERP Implementation Failure: Why 70% Fall Short and What It Costs Your Finance Team\t\t<\/p>\n\n\t\t\t<\/a>\n\t\n\t\n\t\t\n\t\n\t<\/article>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"col col-6 col-lg-3 card-grid__item\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<article\n\t\tclass=\"card-post related-post related-post-4 post-30823 post type-post status-publish format-standard has-post-thumbnail hentry category-money-matters category-strategy-legal-operations tag-accounting-101 tag-boss-your-business tag-business-intelligence tag-cash-flow tag-small-business tag-starting-a-business tag-staying-competitive business_type-small-business business_type-growing-business\"\n>\n\t\t\t<a\n\t\t\tclass=\"card-post__link\"\n\t\t\thref=\"https:\/\/www.sage.com\/en-us\/blog\/how-to-track-business-expenses\/\"\n\t\t\t\t\t>\n\t\t\t<figure class=\"card-post__media\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<img decoding=\"async\" width=\"684\" height=\"384\" src=\"https:\/\/www.sage.com\/en-us\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2023\/09\/GettyImages-1190223207-684x384.jpg\" class=\"card-post__image\" alt=\"\" loading=\"lazy\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.sage.com\/en-us\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2023\/09\/GettyImages-1190223207-684x384.jpg 684w, https:\/\/www.sage.com\/en-us\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2023\/09\/GettyImages-1190223207-768x512.jpg 768w, https:\/\/www.sage.com\/en-us\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2023\/09\/GettyImages-1190223207-1215x810.jpg 1215w\" sizes=\"auto, (min-width: 48em) 250px, (min-width: 30em) 100vw, 100vw\" \/>\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/figure>\n\n\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"card-post__meta\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<span class=\"card-post__meta-text\"><span class=\"posted-on \"><time class=\"entry-date published\" datetime=\"2026-06-24T09:08:55-04:00\">June 24, 2026<\/time><\/span><\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<span class=\"card-post__meta-text\"><span class=\"reading-time\">13 min read<\/span><\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\n\t\t<p class=\"card-post__title h5\">\n\t\t\tHow to keep track of business expenses\t\t<\/p>\n\n\t\t\t<\/a>\n\t\n\t\n\t\t\n\t\n\t<\/article>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t<\/div>\n<\/section>\n<\/div>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Wholesale and distribution are important components of the US economy. The movement of goods is a crucial part of the supply chain \u2013 and analytics play a key role in this. It isn&#8217;t worth manufacturing a good product if it can\u2019t get to the right retailer (or other business customers) at the right time. However, [&hellip;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":356,"featured_media":20280,"menu_order":0,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_sage_video":false,"post_featured_image_hide":false,"sage_hide_published_date":false,"sage_hide_read_time":false,"sage_hide_share_buttons":false,"_pwl_sage_podcast_buzzsprout_src":"","footnotes":""},"categories":[48],"tags":[399,4,9,13,272,36],"business_type":[41],"lilypad":[],"context":[],"industry":[94,53],"persona":[100,101],"imagine_tag":[469,245,234],"coauthors":[586],"class_list":["post-3894","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-technology-innovation","tag-business-continuity","tag-business-intelligence","tag-crm","tag-erp","tag-productivity","tag-supply-chain-management","business_type-growing-business","industry-distribution","industry-manufacturing"],"sage_meta":{"region":"en-us","author_name":"Asavin Wattanajantra","featured_image":"https:\/\/www.sage.com\/en-us\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2023\/09\/GettyImages-1451456915.jpg","imagine_tags":{"469":"CRM","245":"Distribution","234":"Enterprise Management"}},"distributor_meta":false,"distributor_terms":false,"distributor_media":false,"distributor_original_site_name":"Sage Advice US","distributor_original_site_url":"https:\/\/www.sage.com\/en-us\/blog","push-errors":false,"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.sage.com\/en-us\/blog\/api\/wp\/v2\/posts\/3894","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.sage.com\/en-us\/blog\/api\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.sage.com\/en-us\/blog\/api\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.sage.com\/en-us\/blog\/api\/wp\/v2\/users\/356"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.sage.com\/en-us\/blog\/api\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=3894"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/www.sage.com\/en-us\/blog\/api\/wp\/v2\/posts\/3894\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.sage.com\/en-us\/blog\/api\/wp\/v2\/media\/20280"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.sage.com\/en-us\/blog\/api\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=3894"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.sage.com\/en-us\/blog\/api\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=3894"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.sage.com\/en-us\/blog\/api\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=3894"},{"taxonomy":"business_type","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.sage.com\/en-us\/blog\/api\/wp\/v2\/business_type?post=3894"},{"taxonomy":"lilypad","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.sage.com\/en-us\/blog\/api\/wp\/v2\/lilypad?post=3894"},{"taxonomy":"context","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.sage.com\/en-us\/blog\/api\/wp\/v2\/context?post=3894"},{"taxonomy":"industry","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.sage.com\/en-us\/blog\/api\/wp\/v2\/industry?post=3894"},{"taxonomy":"persona","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.sage.com\/en-us\/blog\/api\/wp\/v2\/persona?post=3894"},{"taxonomy":"imagine_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.sage.com\/en-us\/blog\/api\/wp\/v2\/imagine_tag?post=3894"},{"taxonomy":"author","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.sage.com\/en-us\/blog\/api\/wp\/v2\/coauthors?post=3894"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}