Disconnected systems and spreadsheet chaos cost distributors time, margin, and visibility. This guide shows finance and operations leaders how to evaluate ERP platforms that keep GL and inventory in sync, automate AP/AR, and deliver real-time numbers you can trust—across every branch.
80%
Less Manual Data Entry
3 Days
Faster Month-End Close
98%+
Inventory Accuracy
1-2%
Margin Improvement
Written for CFOs, controllers, and distribution leaders tired of slow closes, mismatched inventory and GL, and mystery margins. Plain language, concrete checklists, no vendor fluff.
Spreadsheets everywhere, slow month-end close, GL and inventory out of sync, no branch visibility, weak audit trails, and forecasts that make every decision a gamble.
Real-time P&L and cash visibility, distribution-specific accounting, reliable inventory costing, landed cost automation, complex pricing and rebates, and branch profitability.
Multi-company/branch GL, AP/AR automation with three-way match, bank feeds, fixed assets, financial close automation, costing methods (FIFO, average, standard), and margin controls.
How accounting ERP should integrate with WMS, eCommerce, POS, CRM, EDI, vendor catalogs (IDW, Trade Service), banking APIs, and proof-of-delivery systems.
Why most distributors choose cloud ERP—lower TCO, faster deployment, automatic updates, remote access, built-in security—plus questions to ask every vendor.
Vendor criteria, implementation readiness, 5-year TCO analysis, and red flags: heavy customization, weak reporting, no real-time inventory sync, and hidden fees.
Generic accounting software wasn’t built for the complexity of wholesale distribution. Here’s what makes distribution ERP different.
Every transaction updates both inventory and financials simultaneously—no batch jobs, no reconciliation nightmares.
Consolidated financials with drill-down to branch P&L, inventory by location, and inter-company transactions handled automatically.
Customer-specific pricing, quantity breaks, contract pricing, vendor rebates, and SPAs tracked and applied automatically.
FIFO, weighted average, standard cost, and landed cost supported natively—with full audit trail for compliance.
Three-way match, OCR invoice capture, automated payment runs, and collections workflows cut processing time by 50%+.
Daily P&L, margin by customer/product/branch, cash flow forecasting, and lender-ready reports without waiting for month-end.
Generic accounting software wasn’t built for the complexity of wholesale distribution. Here’s what makes distribution ERP different.
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Real outcomes from wholesale distributors who modernized their ERP accounting.
CFOs, controllers, accounting managers, operations leaders, and branch managers at wholesale distributors who want real-time financial visibility and tighter alignment between finance and operations. It’s especially useful for teams evaluating ERP replacements or upgrades.
No. The guide explains what “good” looks like in ERP accounting for distributors—core features, integrations, and vendor evaluation criteria—regardless of vendor. Ximple ERP is used as an example of a distribution-focused platform, but the criteria apply to any ERP evaluation.
Key features include real-time GL and inventory sync, multi-branch/multi-company accounting, automated AP/AR processing with three-way match, landed cost tracking, multiple inventory costing methods (FIFO, weighted average, standard), rebate management, and real-time financial reporting with branch-level drill-down.
Implementation timelines vary by complexity. Distribution-focused cloud ERP platforms can typically be implemented in 60–120 days for mid-sized distributors. Legacy system migrations, multi-branch rollouts, or heavy customization requirements may extend timelines.
Most distributors see ROI within 9–18 months through faster close cycles, reduced manual work, better pricing/rebate capture, and improved inventory accuracy. Common metrics include 50%+ reduction in close time, 1–2% margin improvement, and 80% less manual data entry.
Use it as a shared reference to define requirements, build your ERP shortlist, prepare vendor demo questions, and align finance, operations, and IT around implementation readiness and TCO expectations. The checklists make it easy to score vendors objectively.
Explore Ximple’s accounting modules: GL, AP/AR, banking, fixed assets, and financial reporting for distributors.
Step-by-step guide to preparing your team and data for a successful ERP implementation.
Estimate your 5-year total cost of ownership and potential savings from modernizing your ERP.
ERP Accounting Buyer’s Guide
Cloud ERP for wholesale distributors. Modern UX, reliable operations, and scalable performance.
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