Building ERP Software that Works for Electrical Distribution

To keep up with the competition, electrical distributors need specialized capabilities from their distribution software. There is no typical day-to-day for the industry—one hour might consist of serving contractors, the next servicing products for homeowners or shipping sensitive electrical products such as lighting fixtures, sensors or motor starters. Most electrical distribution companies will have processes that might not be accommodated by every software platform: counter sales with various payment types, wire-cutting, reel tracking and head-pulling, for example. Supporting complex job management, including change orders, deliveries and progress payments are also a necessity for your distribution software. Datix can help you use Prophet 21, the leading distribution ERP solution from Epicor^®, to automate and support these processes for your electrical distribution business. 

Leading electrical distributors like Rexel, Revere Electric, Gross Electric and United Electric trust Epicor^® to manage operations.

Here at Datix, we know that it’s built by, and for, manufacturers and distributors. The platform has a robust tool belt of capabilities that can handle all the challenges businesses in the market face. Some of the key functionalities and modules that Prophet 21 can provide for companies specifically in the electrical distribution industry include:

• Cut wire and reel tracking
• Lot billing
• Advanced rebate functionality
• Automatic price updates
• Companion item suggestions
• Contract pricing
• Front counter capabilities
• Electronic data interchange (EDI)

Best-in-Class Processes for Electrical Distributors

ERP solutions from Epicor^® are built with functionality designed not only to address the distinctive requirements of your business but also to help you increase sales, improve customer service and reduce operating costs. Many of Prophet 21’s modules can be built to power the unique needs and tasks of your industry. For example, Lot Billing allows you to handle large projects for contractors that may ask for their electrical material in stages—and to pay for it as they receive it. Prophet 21 enables you to first deliver and bill the contractor for rough-in materials, then invoice and deliver finished goods later on. It also allows you to quote prices for either the entire lot or for the individual finished goods, giving you more control over your pricing and preventing your customers from shopping around and pricing goods individually.

Prophet 21’s front counter capabilities also allow your electrical distribution enterprise to handle the face-to-face business with customers and electricians. You can help any customer on the spot at your front counter by accessing your entire inventory from the Order Entry screen, offering a price, placing the order, then accepting payment, or recording the transaction for invoicing. Also, you can apply any cash or credit card deposits against an order—avoiding the accounting nightmares of placing a customer’s money in an envelope or keeping financial information on a list near the register. Not only will the functionality save your electrical distribution business money, but it can also improve interaction with valued customers.

Why Datix for Electrical Distribution ERP

Prophet 21 can truly make your life as an electrical distributor easier. However, it won’t be able to do that straight out of the box. While Epicor^® does specialize in manufacturing and distribution solutions, by nature it is not built to specialize in specific verticals right away—it needs to be able to cater to its wide range of customers in the manufacturing and distribution world after all. That’s why your company needs a specialist with in-depth knowledge both of Prophet 21 and of your industry needs to implement an ERP solution that has the capabilities to support electrical distribution. That includes dealing with the complex inventories and a wide range of customers that are inherent to the market.

Datix has almost 20 years of experience with Epicor^® solutions. Our expert consultants have helped many businesses from all industries—across manufacturing and distribution—implement ERP that works for them. We know which modules will work best for an electrical distributor, and how to customize them so they support your unique business processes. Whether you’d like a helpful ear to talk about the implementation processes or need a partner to help get you through it, get in contact with one of our consultants today. We can help!