Market Report


respondents confirmed that eCommerce has grown exponentially, with 83% of respondents stating that using an eCommerce platform was an effective tool for managing business operations. This comes as little surprise as businesses shifted online en masse to ensure continued supply.


Critically, ERP systems are a key technology, with 86% agreeing that ERP systems give greater visibility and control of stock. ERP refers to a suite of integrated software that businesses use to manage day-to-day business activities, such as sales order management, stock control, warehouse management, CRM and more.


In a time when eCommerce has grown exponentially, integration with third party software, especially eCommerce, online shopping channels, route planning and online payment methods is key, with 83% citing this as effective for managing their business operations.


The main barriers to deploying an integrated software solution were cost, with 50% citing it as a


OGL Group’s top 5 tips for a successful ERP implementation for wholesale and distributor businesses:


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Conduct a Business Process Review - review your existing IT infrastructure to see how you can better use technology to increase business effectiveness.


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“In a time when eCommerce has grown exponentially, integration with third party soſtware, especially eCommerce, online shopping channels, route planning and online payment methods, is key, with 83% citing this as effective for managing their business operations.”


factor, down from 75% in 2019, followed by 47% with data security and 33% with business disruption. Cost is often associated with the misconception that ERP systems are only for larger businesses, and the lack of information about affordable subscription-based models.


Gary Reynolds, operations director across OGL Group, a technology provider with a strong client base in the electrical and lighting sector, commented: “Supply chain uncertainties exacerbated by Brexit and the pandemic have impacted companies’ profitability, but many smaller businesses just don’t have the ability or money to stockpile products to meet pent up demand. So, they are having to take a pragmatic approach to supply customers. Manual processes and disparate systems are still a hindrance, leading to inefficiencies, but a single view of a business, especially of inventory levels, and integrated


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technologies will lead to better profitability, increased productivity and accurate data for planning. “Electrical and lighting companies need to streamline their businesses like never before to ensure that they efficiently and quickly meet demand and positively there is a greater degree of acceptance of cloud technology and understanding that ERP systems are not just for larger companies. Only through full visibility of all business processes, ideally via a single dashboard, will they fully understand their business, areas for improvement and a plan to meet the challenges that 2022 and beyond will bring.”


NB: survey conducted in March 2022 and any comparison is to the same questions in September 2019. Respondents were given a number of options for each question.


Review and clean data - take the time to review and clean your customer, supplier and product data to ensure that only quality data is transferred to avoid further complications and data errors.


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Select an ERP platform based on your future strategy and goals - choose a software solution that will grow with your business and support your needs in the future. Ideally, one that can integrate with other products and provides an API for automating processes.


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Don’t underestimate training - identify super users for each department and they will help to train staff moving forward while taking ownership of business processes for their division.


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Choose the right partner - invest in a software provider that can support you and help you to achieve maximum potential from your investment.


August 2022 electrical wholesaler | 27


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