Distribution Applications Product Roundup

Article ID: 21125

Distribution applications, generally speaking, are software solutions that help enterprises that perform the middle role between manufacturing companies and retailers. This may be fulfilled by a single entity or a chain of intermediaries, each of which must organize the flow of goods (or services) through their facilities and the flow of cash through their books. Distribution software at least partly automates these processes, usually with standard accounting functions such as accounts payable (AP), accounts receivable (AR), and general ledger (GL), and other integral activities such as inventory management. This product roundup surveys the distribution applications currently available that run on the System i under i5/OS.

Distribution functions are often incorporated into enterprise resource planning (ERP) apps and supply chain applications. Those types of applications deserve their own product roundup at a future date because of their more wide-ranging uses, so they aren't covered in this roundup unless they have a distribution function or are specifically aimed at enterprises in the distribution market.

Also not covered in this roundup are standalone applications that simply cover some part of distribution activities (e.g., shipping, replenishment, EDI, inventory) unless they specifically provide interfaces that make them capable of being integrated into a distribution system. This roundup doesn't cover Warehouse Management Systems, even though they are commonly part of distribution chains, because those applications were listed recently in the "System i Warehouse Management Applications Product Roundup" (May 07, article ID 20901 at SystemiNetwork.com).

John Ghrist is senior products editor for System iNEWS.


System i Distribution Applications

American Software Enterprise
American Software
American Software Enterprise is a supply chain management solution that includes extensive distribution functionality. Solution functions include customer order processing, purchasing, AR/AP, inventory control and accounting, cost management, distribution requirements planning, and inventory planning. American Software Enterprise also provides an integrated document-management system.
amsoftware.com

Chorus Distribution
IRIS Software Group
Chorus Distribution is designed for all sizes of organizations and offers an integrated solution that handles distribution from the point of requirement to cash processing. Functions include stock control, sales orders, sales analysis, replenishment, invoicing, purchasing, production-schedule control, order entry, e-commerce, and expedited picking and dispatch.
computersoftware.com

Common Sense
Service Information Access, Inc. (SIA)
Common Sense is SIA's complete ERP on-demand solution designed for small-to-medium manufacturers, distributors, transportation companies, and project-services firms. It provides end-to-end integration of enterprise business processes, IBM middleware technologies, and implementation services to deliver logistics and financial functions to users.
siaaccess.com

Distribution Express
DMS Systems Corporation
Distribution Express is a customer, inventory, and financial-management system designed for single and multisite retail and wholesale distributors, with emphasis on parts for automobiles, trucks, and recreational and marine vehicles. Basic system applications include point-of-sale order entry and invoicing, AR/AP, purchasing forecasting and receiving, inventory management, assembly functions, invoice reconciliation, and electronic customer support.
dms-systems.com

Distribution Modules
Management Systems Services Pty. Ltd.
Management Systems Services offers several independent but integrated applications that handle enterprise distribution functions. These include MSS Customer Relationship Management System, MSS Electronic Document Interchange System, MSS Inventory System, MSS Purchase Order System, and MSS Sales Order System. MSS also offers additional applications for handling financial transactions.
www.mss-group.co.za

DPS Extend
DPS, Inc.
DPS Extend is a web-enabled distribution system that handles business functions such as purchasing, receiving, inventory management, customer service, shipping, and billing, all in an e-business environment. Core distribution applications include order processing, work order management, service management, and sales analysis. Financial applications include AP/AR/GL, fixed assets, and payroll. Standard interfaces include shipping manifest, credit card processing, address cleansing, fax, and EDI.
dpslink.com

DS90
Software Concepts, Inc.
DS90 is a distribution system that includes functions for AP/AR/GL, inventory control, order management, purchasing, sales analysis, and commission management. It also provides an advanced applications package that supports EDI and e-commerce, credit card processing, barcoding, shipping-system integration, and offline and remote ordering.
sci400.com

DSTWare Warehouse Distribution Management System
DST, Inc.
DST's distribution-management system is a warehouse-centric module of DSTWare, an application that handles chain-, franchise-, service-, and distribution-management functions. The product offers receiving, picking, putaway, and warehouse maintenance functions.
dstinc.com

ecomDistributor
Cornerstone Computer & Services, Inc.
EcomDistributor is a WebSphere-based distribution product developed with the small-to-medium distributor in mind. It includes modules for order entry, inventory control and management, proposal entry and tracking, AR/AP/GL, project time tracking and cost reporting, purchasing and receiving, and service order management. EcomDistributor also features browser-based data entry and the ability to handle equipment, product, labor, and administrative cost elements.
cornerstone88.com

EliteSeries

PointForce Enterprise Distribution Management Systems
TECSYS, Inc.
EliteSeries and PointForce are distribution-management suites designed for high-volume enterprise supply chain environments and small-to-medium businesses, respectively. Key capabilities of both solutions include order management, procurement, inventory management, financial management, and value-added services. Special capabilities include stockless distribution, vendor performance-tracking, special-products tracking (e.g., lot-controlled, serial-numbered, hazardous materials), and supply chain event management.
www.tecsys.com

Enterprise 21
Technology Group International, Ltd.
Enterprise 21 is an ERP solution for distributors and manufacturers. Modules include AP/AR/GL, financial-report writing, customer relationship management, warehouse management, online product configuration, and EDI. Distribution functions include forecasting, quoting, purchasing, and vendor statistical analysis.
tgiltd.com

Epicor for Distribution
Epicor Software Corporation
The Epicor for Distribution suite helps users access and analyze information rapidly, automate procurement processes and inventory controls, and manage delivery and fulfillment activities. Application types in the suite include customer relationship management, back-office financials, warehouse management, e-commerce with integrated storefront, and inventory tracking.
epicor.com

Freedom Series/ec21 Wholesale Distribution
Butler & Curless Associates, Inc.
Freedom Series/ec21 Wholesale Distribution is a suite of applications that supports Internet-based order management and customer service, order entry, billing and invoicing, inventory control, purchasing and replenishment, AP/AR/GL, warehouse management, EDI operations, sales analysis, and customer relationship management.
bcafreedom.com

GXD
Xdata Solutions, Inc.
Xdata's GXD package handles most companies' distribution needs. Standard modules include AP/AR/GL, customer order processing, costing, pricing, cycle count/physical inventory, receiving, and sales history. Optional modules include kitting and electronic document distribution.
xdata.com

HarrisData Distribution
HarrisData
HarrisData Distribution provides an integrated solution to manage all facets of the distribution solution, including integrated, web-based customer and supplier self-service. HarrisData Distribution applications include Inventory Management, Purchasing Management, Order Management, and Financial Management modules.
harrisdata.com

HDX
Mincron Software Systems
Mincron's HDX is a comprehensive enterprise software product for the wholesale distribution industry. Available features include order processing, sales force automation, transfers, receiving, work order management, purchasing and inventory management, warehouse operations management, shipping management, e-commerce applications, collaboration tools, and financial functions, among others.
mincron.com

IBS Distribution Software
International Business Systems
IBS Distribution Software is a sales and logistics application suite designed to be the heart of a supply chain management system. It includes applications for inventory and distribution management, sales functions, and replenishment. Major functions include direct purchase and work-order creation, lot handling, budgeting, multiple-warehouse operations, performance evaluation, and European VAT and cost price per warehouse calculations.
ibsus.com

IMAS Corporate Software
Professional Support Group Pty. Ltd.
IMAS provides integrated management of all business functions of distribution or simple manufacturing organizations. Suitable for both client- and terminal-based sites, IMAS is available in a series of integrated but independently configurable modules.
psg.com.au

Infor Supply Chain Management (SCM)
Infor
Infor SCM is a general-purpose supply chain management suite that includes demand planning, distribution planning, transportation and logistics planning, and event management and warehouse management capabilities. It also includes an RFID-enablement framework. The distribution-planning module offers an inventory planner, a replenishment planner, and inventory management functions.
infor.com/solutions/scm

Inventory Control
Order Entry/Invoicing
Purchase Order/Receiving
Acclaim Software
Acclaim Software offers Inventory Control, Order Entry/Invoicing, and Purchase Order/Receiving, three standalone applications that integrate into a complete distribution system. The combined applications support multiple-company operations, online operations and inquiries, and flexible reporting capabilities.
acclaim-software.com

JD Edwards EnterpriseOne
JD Edwards World Distribution Management
Oracle Corporation
JD Edwards EnterpriseOne is an ERP suite that includes supply chain execution functions such as advanced stock valuation, bulk stock inventory, demand scheduling execution, inventory management, RFID processing, transportation logistics, and warehouse management.

JD Edwards World Distribution Management offers midsize businesses a means of streamlining distribution functions and supporting complex business operations with tightly integrated applications. These include applications for pricing, bulk-stock management, inventory and procurement management, requirements planning, sales order processing, vendor and customer self-service, and warehouse management.
oracle.com/applications/peoplesoft/scm/ent_one/solution_logistics.html
oracle.com/applications/peoplesoft/world/distribution_mgmt/index.html

Odyssey/Stockman
Oz Global Software
Odyssey is a browser-based, platform-independent distribution and ERP application that supports the System i. A product of Australian company Mid-Comp International Pty. Ltd., it's offered in North America by Oz Global Software as "Stockman." Odyssey/Stockman provides enterprises with financial-processing, inventory-management, sales, and distribution functions.
ozglobalsoftware.com/odyssey.html

Simplicity/400
Diversified Computer Services, Inc.
Simplicity/400 includes AP/AR/GL, e-commerce, payroll, inventory control, sales-analysis, order-entry and invoicing, and purchase-order tracking functions. Each module includes source code, as well as product documentation in MS Word files.
diversifiedcomputer.com

Solarsoft for Distribution
Solarsoft
Solarsoft for Distribution offers standard distribution application functions such as handling sales orders, purchase orders, and stock and warehouse management. It also provides industry-specific features and customizations, such as compliance with U.S. federal food-labeling standards, pharmaceutical batch traceability requirements, or E.U. control of substances harmful to health (COSHH) standards.
www.solarsoft.com

System 2000 Enterprise for Distribution (S2K)
Vormittag Associates, Inc.
S2K is a full-featured ERP solution for the wholesale distribution industry. It includes applications for sales analysis, financial management, e-business, warehouse operations, and purchasing. S2K offers opportunities for improving management of payables and receivables, mining sales data, and automating marketing, planning, purchasing, and ordering activities.
vai.net

Wholesale Distribution Software Solution
Magnatron, Inc.

The Wholesale Distribution Software Solution is a collection of integrated applications for AP/AR/GL, order management, inventory management, purchasing management, job costing, radio-frequency inventory control, EDI, shipping, and conveyor-belting inventory control. The solutions support multiple division, departments, and locations.
magnetron.com

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