The word is out – or I should say, its initials are — AI. AI is dominating discussions in distribution, from webcasts to conferences. It’s reshaping your industry—time to embrace it and stay ahead. Digitize as fast as you can.
The benefits of AI
Here are some of the important ways AI can sharpen distributor operations.
- Improving order entry — Progressive distributors, suppliers, and customers are already using functional ERP, eCommerce, and product content software solutions. A distributor’s current goal for customer-digitalized order entry should be at least 30% of sales. Moreover, that means about a third of your customers are placing orders without direct human interaction with your staff. Data collected via digitalized order entry enables AI applications to analyze customer order frequency, cross- and up-sell, and apply effective pricing trends.
- Streamlining order processing – With AI order processing can be completed using text, emails, faxes, PDFs, or even verbal commands. One software developer sells a system that uses OpenAI ChatGPT, Microsoft CoPilot, or Google Gemini to assist a salesperson using a cell phone. Also, it allows a seller to take a customer request, prepare a quote, and even place the order. Additionally, innovative digital developers will come to your company and train your sales, operations, and supply chain employees on their products. Many can have new software operational in a matter of days.
- Training new employees – As experienced employees retire, companies lose their wisdom and knowledge base. AI can provide deep learning by analyzing the skill set of experienced employees and then creating training materials from that analysis for new hires. Chatbots and virtual assistants can provide on-the-job training for each new work challenge encountered.
Digitize now—AI is revolutionizing sales and operational processes. Lastly, it is making it easier to target sales to customer needs. Don’t miss this train. Hop on board and digitize now.