For wholesale distributors, the success of your business hinges on two key factors: (1) how well you manage inventory and (2) how efficiently you fulfill orders. With tight margins, high customer expectations, and complex supply chains, even small inefficiencies can lead to lost sales. That’s where NetSuite steps in. As a cloud-based ERP designed to bring all your operations into one streamlined platform, NetSuite gives wholesale distributors the tools they need to track, manage, and optimize every step of the inventory and fulfillment process.
Improving Inventory Management and Order Fulfillment
Accurate Demand Planning
NetSuite’s Demand Planning module gives you the demand planning and forecasting tools you need to take the guesswork out of inventory management. By analyzing historical sales data, seasonal trends, and supply chain variables, NetSuite helps you plan for the right amount of inventory at the right time, reducing excess stock and freeing up capital.
Real-Time Inventory Visibility
One of the most significant challenges wholesale distributors face is knowing exactly what’s in stock (and where it is) at any given time. NetSuite and its advanced modules, such as the Warehouse Management System module, provide real-time inventory visibility across all your warehouses, distribution centers, and sales channels. This means you can:
- Maintain appropriate stock levels at all times
- Monitor item demand trends
- Instantly see available-to-promise quantities for faster sales decisions
The real-time inventory visibility NetSuite provides transforms your inventory management.
Automated Replenishment
Another issue distributors face is monitoring reorder points. Trying to manually track these elusive points leaves too much room for error. But with NetSuite, you can set up automated reorder triggers based on your preferred stock levels and the lead times for those items. When inventory dips below the threshold, NetSuite can automatically create purchase orders, keeping your shelves stocked without overcommitting capital.
Optimized Order Management
Fulfilling orders quickly and accurately is key to keeping customers happy. That’s why NetSuite provides order management tools like the Order Management and Advanced Order Management modules. These tools help you:
- Route orders to the best fulfillment location
- Prioritize orders based on delivery timelines or customer status
- Automate pick, pack, and ship processes to minimize errors
Integrated Shipping and Fulfillment
You may have things under control in the warehouse, but if you can’t ship and fulfill orders efficiently you’ll risk creating dissatisfied customers. With NetSuite, modules like NetSuite Ship Central and NetSuite Procurement help you connect all your logistics and streamline the entire shipping process. This includes:
- Rate shopping to find the best carrier and cost
- Automated label creation and tracking updates
- Real-time shipping status visibility for both your team and your customers
The Bottom Line
For wholesale distributors, efficiency is essential for competitive advantage. With NetSuite, you can confidently manage your inventory, speed up fulfillment, and deliver the reliable service your customers expect. And as a result, you achieve lower costs, higher margins, and a stronger foundation for growth.