Driving the future of distribution with Infor and NAW: Highlights from TUG Connects 2024

Portrait of a young woman in a warehouse

I’m thrilled to share some insights from our recent conversation with Kevin Samuelson, CEO of Infor, and Eric Hoplin, CEO of the National Association of Wholesaler-Distributors (NAW) at TheUserGroup.Org’s (TUG) annual TUG Connects 2024 event. This year’s event boasted record-breaking attendance, showcasing the incredible synergy between Infor and NAW. This partnership is not just about technology—it’s about empowering distributors, the unsung heroes of our economy, to thrive in a rapidly evolving market.

Here’s how Infor and NAW are leading the charge to transform the distribution industry, leveraging wholesale distribution ERP, wholesale distribution WMS, and other innovative solutions.

Celebrating the backbone of the economy

Samuelson opened his address with an appreciation for the community and the resilience of distributors. He highlighted the critical role they play despite facing challenges such as margin erosion, inflation, and supply chain challenges. Infor is committed to providing distribution ERP solutions that enhance distributors’ agility and competitiveness, contributing to their success over the next 10 to 20 years.

Eric Hoplin, CEO of NAW, one of America’s leading trade associations and the creators of an industry research, analytics and advocacy resource for wholesale distributors, reinforced this message. Hoplin emphasized that distributors account for approximately one-third of the economy. He praised the technological transformations driven by Infor, particularly our impact on overcoming workforce challenges and supply chain resilience.  

Infor and NAW: An important partnership

A major theme of the TUG Connects 2024 event was the strength of the partnership between Infor and NAW. Hoplin highlighted this collaboration as a driving force for significant advancements in the distribution sector. By combining Infor’s technological prowess with NAW’s extensive industry knowledge and advocacy, this partnership is poised to deliver innovative wholesale distribution software solutions and strategic insights that will benefit the entire distribution community.  

Hoplin noted three key trends in the industry:

  • Technological transformation: The rapid acceleration of technology, especially with AI, is revolutionizing how distributors operate.
  • Workforce challenges: Attracting and retaining skilled workers, especially in tech roles like data scientists and cybersecurity experts, are becoming increasingly crucial.
  • Supply chain resilience: Distributors are focusing on de-risking their supply chains and bringing operations closer to home to ensure reliability and resilience.  

Overcoming ERP challenges with innovation

Historically, ERP projects have a dismal success rate, with 50–75% failing to meet expectations, according to Gartner and McKinsey. Samuelson emphasized Infor’s mission to disrupt this trend by providing three key solutions:

  • Simplified deployment: Reducing the complexity, time, and cost of ERP software implementation.
  • Long-term flexibility: Ensuring our software remains adaptable to ongoing changes in the business environment.
  • Partnership for success: Providing continuous support to ensure long-term success beyond the initial implementation.  

A strategic approach to the cloud

Infor's commitment to the cloud is evident through our ongoing investments and innovations in cloud technology, a point emphasized by Samuelson during his keynote. Unlike conventional methods of simply hosting on-premises products or creating a one-size-fits-all solution, Infor has invested $4.5 billion US into developing industry-specific, multi-tenant SaaS platforms. This dedication ensures seamless upgrades and tailored solutions for various industries, with distribution at the forefront.  

Beyond core ERP:Integrated solutions

Infor’s edge products, integrated with the core ERP, provide a comprehensive suite tailored for distributors. These Gartner-recognized solutions ensure a consistent user experience with robust security and single sign-on capabilities. The seamless integration of these products is designed to improve business processes and drive efficiency.  

Leveraging best practices and industry insights

Infor has embedded industry best practices into our software, facilitating quicker adoption and efficiency improvements. This approach goes beyond software—it's about reconfiguring processes to align with the specific needs of the distribution industry, thereby enhancing the overall performance of wholesale distribution management.  

Enhanced integration with Infor OS

Infor OS, rich with APIs and easy integration capabilities, ensures a flexible and loosely coupled system. This foundation supports integrating various applications, making it easier for businesses to innovate and adapt with their wholesale management software.  

Strategic partnership with AWS

Infor’s unique relationship with AWS, one of their top customers, brings unparalleled advantages in terms of AI, security, and innovation. This collaboration ensures Infor’s solutions are at the forefront, leveraging AWS’s $80 billion US annual R&D investment.  

Revolutionizing distribution with AI and GenAI

Infor’s AI capabilities are transforming how distributors operate, offering pre-packaged automation and data-driven process intelligence. Specific AI solutions, built in collaboration with industry leaders, provide tangible benefits like increased efficiency and cost-savings in wholesale distribution operations.  

Enhancing user experience

Recognizing the diverse needs of various organizational roles, Infor has developed industry-specific, role-based UIs. This focus ensures that each user has an intuitive and efficient interaction with the system, enhancing overall productivity across all aspects of wholesale distribution management.

Commitment to long-term success

Infor’s investment in support teams and technologies underscores their commitment to ensuring customer success in the long term. Focusing on continuous improvement and adaptation, Infor aims to provide unparalleled support and value to our customers, going beyond just ERP software for distribution.

Conclusion

Infor’s innovative approach, industry dedication, and strategic partnerships position us as a leader in transforming the distribution sector. As we embrace the future, the partnership between Infor and NAW will play a crucial role in helping distributors navigate technological advancements and achieve sustained success. Infor and NAW are committed to driving growth and innovation in the distribution industry.

For more details about NAW and Infor’s distribution-specific capabilities, visit the following resources:

Join us at the next TUG Connects event. Together, we can build a brighter future for distribution!

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