The 7 Best Distribution Business Software Platforms

If you’re exploring distribution business software, this comparison provides a clear, B2B-focused overview of seven leading platforms designed to enhance efficiency, visibility, and operational control for modern wholesale distribution teams.

Best Distribution Business Software: Top 7 Compared

1. SimplyDepo

• Core Use Case: Sales-led wholesale distribution with reps and repeat ordering.
• Key Features: Field sales tools, order management, route management, mobile ordering, offline access, catalogs/price lists, contract pricing, promotions, customer portal, invoice/payments support, analytics, integrations.
• Business Impact: Faster order cycles, fewer order errors, improved margin via disciplined pricing and promotions, better rep productivity.

2. Epicor Prophet 21

• Core Use Case: Classic distribution ERP for mid-market heavy lifters.
• Key Features: Inventory, purchasing, warehouse, pricing, rebates, service/repair, lot/serial tracking.
• Business Impact: Deep operational control and industry breadth; expect a more involved rollout.

3. Infor CloudSuite Distribution

• Core Use Case: Large and complex distributors needing end-to-end suite and analytics.
• Key Features: Comprehensive ERP, supply chain planning, embedded analytics, multi-site/global support.
• Business Impact: Scales and standardizes complex operations; requires strong change management.

4. Acumatica Distribution Edition

• Core Use Case: Cloud ERP for growing distributors that want openness.
• Key Features: Purchasing, inventory, order management, warehouse, financials, and a broad ISV ecosystem.
• Business Impact: Flexible platform; choose partners carefully for domain expertise.

5. NetSuite (Wholesale Distribution)

• Core Use Case: Finance-first teams needing unified financials, inventory, and CRM.
• Key Features: Multi-entity financials, inventory, order management, CRM, and commerce capabilities.
• Business Impact: Provides single-system visibility; monitor scope and add-ons to control costs.

6. Microsoft Dynamics 365 Business Central

• Core Use Case: SMB to mid-market organizations aligned to the Microsoft stack and familiar UX.
• Key Features: Financials, inventory, light MRP; numerous distribution ISVs and WMS add-ons.
• Business Impact: Offers good value; distribution depth depends on extensions and customization.

7. Odoo

• Core Use Case: Cost-conscious teams wanting modularity and open-source options.
• Key Features: Inventory, purchasing, sales, light MRP, and an extensive apps marketplace.
• Business Impact: Attractive total cost of ownership (TCO); results depend on partner quality and governance.

Why SimplyDepo Stands Out

SimplyDepo is designed for wholesale distribution teams that prioritize efficiency, order accuracy, and better visibility into margins. Rather than replacing an entire ERP system, it provides a flexible front-end layer that supports faster sales operations and easier customer management.

Where It Performs Well

• Includes both a B2B customer portal and mobile sales tools for reps, with features like fast SKU search, barcode scanning, and offline access.
• Supports catalogs, price lists, discounts, and payment terms aligned with typical distribution workflows.
• Offers trade spend and promotion tracking for improved visibility and accountability.
• Integrates efficiently with existing finance or ERP systems to streamline data flow and reporting.

Where It May Not Be Ideal

Organizations seeking a full-scale ERP covering general ledger, accounts payable/receivable, fixed assets, and production may need to use SimplyDepo alongside an ERP platform rather than as a standalone solution.

Best Fit

Mid-sized wholesale distributors with sales teams in industries like CPG, beverages, foodservice, or industrial supplies who want an adaptable front-end system for faster selling and improved operational visibility.

Key Factors to Evaluate When Choosing Distribution Software

1. Commercial Model Fit: Consider subscription structure, user vs. resource-based pricing, add-ons, and integrations. Evaluate the total cost of ownership (TCO) over three years, not just the first year.
2. Functional Must-Haves: Identify critical features such as pricing logic, promotions, rebates, lot/serial tracking, EDI, warehouse management (WMS), and returns. Prioritize these based on revenue impact and operational risk.
3. Sales Workflows: Assess support for rep ordering (mobile or offline), customer portals, contract pricing, and quote-to-cash speed to ensure smooth sales operations.
4. Data Model and Integrations: Review how the system manages SKU master data, pricing tiers, customer records, tax, carriers, EDI, and analytics. Ensure a clear mapping of system-of-records.
5. Time-to-Value: Estimate implementation timelines, partner availability, internal bandwidth, and migration requirements to understand how quickly the system will deliver ROI.
6. Change Management: Plan for training, standard operating procedures (SOPs), admin ownership, and a sustainable cadence for updates and improvements.
7. Actionable Reporting: Look for reports that provide insights you’ll actually use—such as margin by customer/SKU, fill rates, on-time-in-full (OTIF), promotion ROI, dead stock, and lead-time variability.

Implementation Roadmap for Distribution Business Software

Phase 0: Proof and Plan

Define and document your core use cases, system requirements, and integration points. Identify success metrics such as order cycle time, pick accuracy, and user adoption to measure progress effectively.

Phase 1: Core Implementation

Focus on foundational setup—items/SKUs, customer data, price lists, order workflows, and essential reporting. This phase establishes the operational baseline for future scalability.

Phase 2: Scale

Expand capabilities to include warehouse optimization, promotions and trade spend management, EDI integration, advanced pricing models, and structured sales playbooks to enhance productivity.

Phase 3: Optimize

Refine performance through margin analytics, demand signal tracking, and returns optimization. Introduce automation for alerts, workflows, and AI-assisted reordering to drive efficiency and continuous improvement.

Recommended Fits by Scenario

• Fast sales-led growth with reps and promotions: SimplyDepo combined with a lightweight accounting or ERP system.
• Deep ERP and long-term standardization: Epicor Prophet 21 or Infor CloudSuite Distribution.
• Cloud ERP with flexibility: Acumatica (choose partners with proven domain expertise).
• Finance-first single suite: NetSuite for unified visibility across financials and operations.
• Microsoft-centric SMB–mid-market organizations: Dynamics 365 Business Central with relevant ISV extensions.
• Budget-conscious and modular approach: Odoo, provided governance and implementation quality are well managed.

Featured Image by Freepik.