CRM For Distribution

A CRM (Customer Relationship Management) system in distribution refers to software designed specifically to manage relationships and interactions with customers within the distribution industry. A distribution CRM is tailored to the unique needs and challenges faced by companies involved in supplying  goods. Organisations who can benefit from a CRM include  wholesalers, distributors and manufacturers.

A CRM in distribution management will typically include the following capabilities:

• Centralised Customer Database: This includes contact details, purchase history, order preferences, communication history and any other relevant customer data.
• Order Management: A distribution CRM should enable users to track orders, manage inventory levels, process returns and handle other aspects of the order fulfilment process efficiently.
• Sales and Pipeline Management: CRM systems for distribution provide tools for tracking leads, opportunities and deals through various stages of the sales cycle.
• Customer Service and Support: A distribution CRM helps customer service teams provide timely and personalised customer support by enabling them to log customer enquiries, track support tickets and resolve issues promptly.
• Marketing Automation: Many distribution ERP software and CRM solutions, including Tall Emu, offer marketing automation capabilities like email marketing, lead nurturing campaigns and segmentation tools to target specific customer segments with relevant content.
• Analytics and Reporting: A CRM for distribution companies provides valuable insights through analytics and reporting features, allowing users to generate reports on sales performance, customer behaviour, inventory levels and other key metrics.
• Integration with Other Systems: Distribution CRMs often integrate with other business systems such as accounting software, ecommerce platforms and logistics systems to ensure smooth data flow across different departments and processes.

Traditional CRMs often fall short in meeting the specific requirements of distributors for several reasons. Most notably, they often rely heavily on manual data entry, which is both time consuming and prone to errors, especially considering the high volume of product data and sales transactions typical in distribution. Traditional CRMs are also not usually tailored to handle the complex workflows and structures specific to distribution businesses, which may lead to inefficiencies in managing orders, inventory and customer relationships. They often tend to lack robust mobile capabilities, making it challenging for outside sales reps to access important information while on the go.

That’s why Tall Emu has developed specialised capabilities, workflows and structures designed to complement the specific needs of distributors, offering streamlined processes, comprehensive data management and a seamless mobile experience for sales teams. All of these distribution software features work together to empower distributors to enhance customer relationships and drive business growth.

A CRM for distribution management is much more effective when it addresses the specific challenges and requirements of the distribution industry. Distribution business software should offer:

• Integration with existing systems to facilitate a smooth data flow across various departments and processes.
• Automate manual tasks, such as data entry and order processing, to improve efficiency and reduce errors.
• Analytics and reporting features that enable businesses to gain valuable insights into sales performance, customer behaviour and inventory management.
• Mobile accessibility to allow sales reps to access important information while on the go.
• User-friendly interface and intuitive features that ensure employees can quickly adopt and leverage the distribution CRM without extensive training of frustration.

There are relatively few industry-specific CRMs. However, Tall Emu stands out as a specialised solution for distribution organisations. With a focus on versatility and adaptability, Tall Emu’s CRM for distribution companies is designed to cater to various industries, accommodating businesses of different sizes and structures. What sets Tall Emu apart is its customisable nature, allowing businesses to tailor the distribution CRM to their specific needs and workflows. Whether it’s managing orders, tracking inventory or optimising customer relationships, Tall Emu provides a comprehensive platform with features that complement the many industries within the distribution sector.