Last Updated on April 22, 2024 by Ossian Muscad
If you’re like most business owners, you’re always looking for ways to improve your efficiency and accuracy. And if you work in sales and distribution of retail goods, then you know that mobile technology is a huge help. The advent of mobile distributor apps has allowed for a more efficient business.
There are various mobile apps available that can help with everything from inventory management to order processing. So, if you’re looking to get ahead of the competition, you must take advantage of distributor apps.
This article will discuss the top seven apps that are perfect for distributors in 2024. These apps will make your job easier and help you get the information you need quickly and accurately. So don’t wait—download these apps today and see the difference they can make for your business!
What are Apps for Distributors?
Apps for distributors are essentially mobile applications designed to streamline the sales and distribution process for professionals in the retail goods sector. These tools are vital in managing inventory levels, processing customer orders, and keeping track of shipments in real-time.
Unlike traditional methods that often rely on manual data entry and can be prone to errors, distributor apps offer a more efficient and accurate way of handling these tasks. They usually come with a range of features, including barcode scanning, real-time inventory updates, customer relationship management (CRM) capabilities, and analytics on sales performance.
This suite of features not only reduces human errors but also significantly improves the speed and efficiency of the distribution process, allowing businesses to respond more quickly to market demands and customer needs.
Why Use Apps for Distributors?
Utilizing technology to streamline operations is not just an option; it’s a necessity. Apps for distributors are becoming indispensable tools in enhancing efficiency, accuracy, and overall business performance. Here are some compelling reasons to incorporate these apps into your business model:
- Time and Cost Savings: Utilizing mobile distributor apps can dramatically reduce the occurrence of costly errors associated with manual data entry by leveraging more accurate and efficient mobile technology.
- Improved Shipment Tracking: These apps can incorporate GPS tracking features, allowing for real-time monitoring of shipments. This capability ensures timely deliveries and helps in avoiding any operational delays, keeping the distribution process smooth and reliable.
- Enhanced Inventory Management: Distributor apps effectively maintain accurate inventory levels through features like barcode scanning. This means you’re less likely to encounter issues related to stock shortages or overstocking, thereby optimizing your inventory management practices.
7 Best Apps for Distributors in 2024
Now that you know why apps for distributors are so important, it’s time to look at the top seven apps that are perfect for distributors right now. These apps will help you save time and money and get the information you need to run your business more effectively. So, without further ado, here are the top seven apps for distributors in 2024:
Asset Panda
Asset Panda is a cloud-based asset tracking and management platform that supports purchase order management, work order management, and compliance management. This app is perfect for distributors who need to keep track of their inventory and ensure that their products comply with industry regulations. Asset Panda streamlines asset tracking for distributors, offering real-time inventory visibility, barcode scanning, and reporting functionalities. It centralizes asset data, simplifies management and reduces loss.
Key Features
- Barcode scanning for efficient asset tracking
- Real-time inventory visibility across locations
- Reporting on asset usage and depreciation
- Work order creation and management
- Integration with popular accounting and sales platforms
Pros
- Improves asset tracking accuracy and efficiency
- Reduces asset loss and downtime
- Provides valuable asset data for better decision-making
- Integrates seamlessly with existing workflows
- Offers a user-friendly interface
Cons
- May not be suitable for very large or complex asset portfolios
- Lacks advanced features for preventive maintenance
- Free plan has limited functionality
Zoho Inventory
Zoho Inventory is a cloud-based inventory management system that helps businesses track their inventory levels, locations, and expiration dates. This app is perfect for distributors who need to keep track of their inventory levels and ensure that their products are fresh and safe for consumption. It offers features for stock control, order fulfillment, and reporting, helping businesses maintain optimal stock levels and improve efficiency.
Key Features
- Multi-warehouse inventory management
- Purchase order creation and management
- Low stock alerts and reorder point suggestions
- Barcode scanning for faster picking and packing
- Sales order fulfillment and tracking
Pros
- Affordable and scalable solution for businesses of all sizes
- Streamlines inventory control processes
- Improves order fulfillment accuracy and speed
- Integrates with other Zoho applications
- Offers a mobile app for on-the-go inventory management
Cons
- Lacks advanced features for complex inventory management needs
- Reporting capabilities might be limited for some users
- Customer support might not be as comprehensive as some competitors
ShipStation
ShipStation is a cloud-based shipping platform that caters to distributors with its efficient shipping management tools. This app is perfect for distributors who need to ship their products quickly and efficiently. ShipStation integrates with major carriers, automates shipping workflows, and helps businesses save on shipping costs. This app fulfills orders through a variety of fulfillment providers and shipping carriers. Pair this with its multitude of automation features, and you can potentially save hours on fulfillment.
Key Features
- Integrates with various shopping carts and marketplaces
- Discounted shipping rates from major carriers
- Automated shipping rule creation
- Real-time shipment tracking
- Multi-channel order fulfillment capabilities
Pros
- Saves time and money on shipping processes
- Offers a wide range of shipping options and integrations
- Automates repetitive tasks for improved efficiency
- Provides real-time shipment visibility for customers
- Scalable solution for businesses of all sizes
Cons
- Pricing plans can be complex for businesses with high shipping volume
- Setting up integrations might require some technical expertise
- Limited features for warehouse management and inventory control
Orderhive
Orderhive is a cloud-based order management system (OMS) that helps businesses track and manage their orders. It offers features for managing purchases, sales, inventory, and shipping, providing a centralized platform for streamlining operations. This app is perfect for distributors who need to keep track of their orders and ensure that they are processed and shipped in a timely manner. With Orderhive, you can easily manage and track orders from a single platform.
Key Features
- Multi-channel inventory management
- Purchase order management and automation
- Order fulfillment with real-time tracking
- Warehouse management tools for picking, packing, and shipping
- Built-in CRM for managing customer relationships
Pros
- All-in-one solution for distributors of all sizes
- Streamlines inventory, order, and warehouse management processes
- Provides real-time data visibility for better decision-making
- Integrates with various marketplaces and sales channels
- Offers a user-friendly interface and mobile app
Cons
- Pricing plans can be expensive for small businesses
- Setting up and learning the platform might require some time
- Limited reporting and analytics capabilities compared to dedicated solutions
QuickBooks Commerce
QuickBooks Commerce is an inventory management solution from Intuit, designed to integrate seamlessly with QuickBooks accounting software. It’s a powerful cloud-based inventory and order management software for growing and cultivating multiple business channels. This app is available as a bundle with QuickBooks Online, providing multiple useful features that benefit small businesses and startups. It offers features for managing stock levels, sales orders, and customers, helping distributors maintain accurate inventory data and improve sales efficiency.
Key Features
- Tight integration with QuickBooks accounting software
- Inventory management with stock-level tracking and purchase orders
- Sales order creation, processing, and invoicing
- Customer management tools with contact information and purchase history
- Reporting on sales, inventory, and customer data
Pros
- Seamless integration with QuickBooks for streamlined accounting
- Simplifies inventory and sales order management processes
- Provides valuable customer data for marketing and sales efforts
- Easy to set up and use for existing QuickBooks users
- Affordable solution for small and medium-sized businesses
Cons
- Limited features compared to more comprehensive inventory management solutions
- Lacks advanced features for complex inventory needs (e.g., multi-location management, kitting, advanced forecasting)
- May not be scalable for businesses with high-volume operations
TradeGecko
TradeGecko, now rebranded as QuickBooks Commerce, is a comprehensive cloud-based inventory management and distribution platform tailored specifically for the needs of growing businesses. It provides a robust suite of features that streamline operations across purchases, sales, inventory, and shipping. By emphasizing automation, TradeGecko enables businesses to minimize manual work and reduce errors, thereby improving efficiency.
Key Features
- Multi-channel inventory management with real-time stock visibility
- Automated purchase orders and vendor communication
- Barcode scanning and warehouse management tools for efficient picking and packing
- Built-in CRM for managing customer relationships and sales pipelines
- Robust reporting and analytics for data-driven decision-making
Pros
- Scalable solution for growing businesses with increasing inventory complexity
- Streamlines purchasing, sales, and warehouse operations through automation
- Provides valuable customer insights for improved sales strategies
- Offers a user-friendly interface and mobile app for on-the-go management
- Integrates with various marketplaces and sales channels
Cons
- Pricing plans can be expensive for very small businesses
- May lack some advanced features for highly specialized distributors
- Customer support might not be as readily available as with larger competitors
Doba
Doba is a comprehensive dropshipping platform designed for both distributors and online retailers. It enables users to sell products from an extensive selection of suppliers across various categories without the need to maintain any inventory, effectively eliminating the complexities of storage and overstock. By centralizing product sourcing, warehousing, and direct shipping to customers, Doba streamlines the order fulfillment process. This platform not only simplifies operations for sellers by providing access to thousands of products but also ensures that they can offer competitive shipping times, enhancing customer satisfaction.
Key Features
- Access to a vast network of dropshipping suppliers and products
- Automated order fulfillment with real-time tracking
- Customizable pricing and margins for distributors
- Marketing and sales tools to promote drop shipped products
- Inventory management features to track supplier stock levels
Pros
- Ideal for businesses with limited startup capital or storage space
- Offers a wide variety of products to cater to different customer needs
- Simplifies order fulfillment and eliminates inventory management complexities
- Provides marketing and sales tools to boost online presence
- Scalable solution for businesses of all sizes
Cons
- Lower profit margins compared to traditional distribution models
- Limited control over product quality and branding
- Reliant on supplier stock availability and shipping times
- Requires strong marketing efforts to drive sales for drop shipped products
- May not be suitable for businesses selling high-volume or customized products
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Q1: What is the main difference between an inventory management app and a dropshipping platform?
An inventory management app is designed to help businesses track and manage their stock levels, sales, orders, and deliveries. It’s ideal for businesses that hold physical inventory. A dropshipping platform, on the other hand, allows businesses to sell products without holding any inventory themselves; the platform facilitates the sale and then directly ships the products from the supplier to the customer.
Q2: Can these apps integrate with existing sales channels?
Yes, most of these apps offer integrations with various marketplaces and sales channels such as Amazon, eBay, Shopify, and WooCommerce. This allows for streamlined operations, where product listings, orders, and inventory levels are synchronized across all platforms.
Q3: How do these apps handle product returns and refunds?
The handling of returns and refunds typically varies from one app to another. However, most apps provide a mechanism for managing returns, where you can track the status of returned items and process refunds accordingly. For dropshipping platforms, the process involves coordinating with the supplier to handle the return and refund based on their policies.
Q4: Are these apps suitable for a business with global operations?
Many of these apps are designed to support businesses operating in multiple countries, with features like multi-currency support, international shipping integrations, and the ability to manage inventory across multiple locations. However, it’s important to check each app’s specific capabilities and limitations regarding global operations.
Q5: How does the pricing for these apps generally work?
Pricing for these apps can vary widely based on factors like the number of orders processed, the level of features required, and the number of integrations. Many apps offer a tiered pricing model, where businesses can choose a plan based on their size and requirements. Some apps may also charge additional fees for extra features or higher volumes of orders.
Q6: How can these apps impact customer satisfaction?
These apps can significantly enhance customer satisfaction by ensuring orders are processed and shipped more efficiently, improving the accuracy of inventory levels to reduce the chance of stockouts, offering better visibility into order status, and enabling faster delivery times. Additionally, with integrated CRM features, businesses can provide more personalized customer service.
Streamline Your Distribution Operations with DATAMYTE
DATAMYTE is a quality management platform with low-code capabilities. Our Digital Clipboard, in particular, is a low-code workflow automation software that features a workflow, checklist, and smart form builder. This tool lets you digitize your distribution processes, enabling you to track sales and inventory levels in real-time, streamline order fulfillment, and automate repetitive tasks.
DATAMYTE also lets you conduct layered process audits (LPA), a high-frequency evaluation of critical process steps, focusing on areas with the highest failure risk or non-compliance. Conducting LPA with DATAMYTE lets you effectively identify and correct potential defects before they become major quality issues.
With DATAMYTE, you have an all-in-one solution for managing your distribution operations, from inventory tracking and order fulfillment to quality control and process improvements. Our platform integrates with various dropshipping apps, allowing for seamless operations and improved efficiency. Whether you’re a distributor or an online retailer, DATAMYTE can help you streamline your processes and drive business growth. Book a demo now to learn more.
Conclusion
These are just some apps available to help distributors in their day-to-day operations. By implementing just a few of these apps, you can potentially save hours and improve the accuracy of your data. The landscape of digital solutions for distribution is vast and varied, offering tools for every aspect of the supply chain, from inventory management to customer satisfaction.
In a time where efficiency and accuracy are paramount, leveraging these technological advancements can be a game-changer for businesses looking to stay competitive and responsive to market demands. Whether it’s through automating order fulfillment, enhancing product visibility, or streamlining returns and refunds, the right set of applications can transform your distribution operations into a well-oiled machine.
