Wholesale distributors need ERP software that connects inventory, purchasing, sales, order fulfillment and accounting. This guide compares eight options for US distributors. For more detail, see O2B's supply chain management, inventory management and vendor management pages.
8 ERP options at a glance
| ERP | Best for |
|---|---|
| Odoo | Small and mid-size distributors wanting inventory, purchasing, sales, shipping and accounting in one system |
| Microsoft Dynamics 365 Business Central | Distributors already on Microsoft 365 |
| Oracle NetSuite | Growing distributors with several entities |
| Infor CloudSuite Distribution | Large distributors |
| Epicor Prophet 21 | Wholesale distributors needing distribution-focused order, inventory and EDI workflows |
| Blue Link ERP | Small and mid-size wholesalers wanting integrated inventory, accounting and warehouse tools |
| Cetec ERP | Small distributors that also do light manufacturing |
| Datacor ERP | Chemical and process distributors |
Wholesale features to look for
- Customer-specific pricelists and contract pricing
- A B2B ordering portal for customer self-service
- EDI with large retailers and trading partners
- Multiple units of measure and product conversions
- Warehouse management with barcode scanning
- Landed-cost tracking for freight, duty and import charges
A distributor ERP can bring data from sales, purchasing, warehouses and shipping into connected workflows. The right system depends on your product mix, number of locations, order volume and existing software.
Odoo
Odoo brings inventory, purchasing, sales, shipping and accounting apps into one system. Small and mid-size distributors can configure these apps around their order and warehouse workflows, then connect carriers and other services as needed.
- Manage products, stock and warehouse operations.
- Connect purchasing, sales orders and accounting workflows.
- Extend shipping workflows with carrier integrations.
For current license information, see Odoo pricing.
Microsoft Dynamics 365 Business Central
Business Central is an ERP option for distributors already using Microsoft 365. Teams can evaluate its finance, sales, purchasing, inventory and warehouse workflows against their distribution processes. The product's fit depends on the required modules and setup.
Oracle NetSuite
NetSuite is a cloud ERP option for growing distributors that need to coordinate operations across several entities. Compare its inventory, order and financial workflows with your distribution requirements.
Infor CloudSuite Distribution
Infor CloudSuite Distribution is an option for large distributors evaluating industry-focused distribution workflows. Review how its capabilities fit your product catalog, warehouse operations and order processes.
Epicor Prophet 21
Epicor Prophet 21 is a distribution-focused ERP. Epicor describes tools for order management, inventory, pricing, supply chain visibility and EDI transactions. Review its fit against your sales channels, trading partners and warehouse processes.
See Epicor Prophet 21 for distributors.
Blue Link ERP
Blue Link ERP focuses on small and mid-size wholesalers and distributors. Its product information covers integrated inventory, accounting, order entry, warehouse management, landed costs and multi-currency workflows.
See Blue Link distribution ERP.
Cetec ERP
Cetec ERP is a web-native ERP that can be deployed in the cloud or on a local server. It may suit smaller distributors that also handle light manufacturing and want to coordinate inventory, orders and production work.
Datacor ERP
Datacor ERP is aimed at chemical and process distributors. When reviewing it, check how its product, inventory and distribution workflows match your operation.
Real example: credit checks for 1,500+ B2B customers. A trading and distribution company in the US and Europe needed credit checks inside its ERP. O2B brought Creditsafe into Odoo for its 1,500+ B2B customers. Read the case study.
Choosing a distributor ERP
An ERP specialist can help evaluate requirements, implementation scope and vendor fit. Read O2B's guide to choosing an Odoo implementation partner.
Trading and import/export companies
Trading companies that buy, stock and resell goods often need their ERP to handle multi-currency purchasing, freight and duties as landed costs, drop-shipping, and back-to-back orders that connect a customer order to its purchase. See Odoo for wholesale and distribution for O2B's distribution services.
Common ERP implementation challenges
Distributors should plan for inconsistent product and supplier data, change management for warehouse and purchasing teams, and integrations with accounting, sales channels or carriers. Cleaning data, mapping the new workflows and testing each integration before launch can reduce disruption.
Our verdict
For small and mid-size US distributors, Odoo covers inventory, purchasing, sales, shipping and accounting in one system, and connects to carriers like FedEx. Larger distributors may look at Infor or NetSuite.
Running a distribution business?
See how Odoo would handle your stock, orders, carriers and customer credit, like it does for our distribution clients.
Supply chain management · Odoo integration
Talk to an Odoo ExpertFAQs
What's the best ERP for wholesale distributors?
It depends on company size and needs. Compare inventory, warehouse workflows, EDI, integrations and support when shortlisting options.
What should a distributor ERP include?
Common needs include inventory, purchasing, sales orders, warehouse operations, shipping and accounting.
Can Odoo support wholesale distribution?
Odoo can connect inventory, purchasing, sales, shipping and accounting apps in one system. The setup should reflect the distributor's products and processes.
Can ERP connect inventory, orders and shipping?
An ERP can connect these workflows when configured with the required applications and carrier integrations.
Is this the right ERP for a trading company?
It can be. Compare multi-currency purchasing, landed costs, drop-shipping and back-to-back orders against your import, export and resale workflows.