Latest updates and insights from Kerridge Commercial Systems

Customer shopping habits have been shifting for some time, but the past 18 months have really expedited the pace of change. Recent research suggests that over the past year, 46% of consumers have shopped online for a product they would previously have bought in store. The convenience that ecommerce provides is here to stay, and it’s up to your business to make sure you have a platform that is up to the task.

Kerridge Commercial Systems (KCS) has expanded its offering, not only by providing leading ERP solutions, but also a range of ecommerce platforms that are fully integrated with its software. Many businesses are already reaping the benefits of B2B and B2C online trading by using these platforms, as are their own customers.

An ecommerce website has quickly gone from being a ‘nice to have’ to a crucial tool for staying competitive in today’s market. Regardless of the industry you’re operating in, your customers will expect you to have a website – but what if you’ve never launched your business online before?

Giles Greenslade, Business Development Director for Ecommerce at Kerridge Commercial Systems (KCS) reveals his top tips for making those all-important first steps into the online domain.

Sustainability: it became the topic of 2021 and is set to continue in 2022, as it is a subject the industry has embraced. We recognise that it doesn’t have to be a choice between being profitable or sustainable, we believe they go hand in hand. Marginal gains taken now can make a real difference and investing in technology is a simple way to start the sustainable journey.

Effective and controlled stock management lies at the heart of any successful distributive trade business. After all, the difference between having too much stock and too little can prove financially, logistically and reputationally damaging for a company – so taking steps to prevent this happening makes sound business sense.

The past 12 months have proved just how essential it is for businesses to prepare for disruption. One term you might have encountered recently is ‘circular economy’ - and it’s considered one of the core ways in which companies can build resilience, while enhancing their environmental credentials.

But what exactly is a circular economy? And how can ERP software help businesses like yours prepare for a more sustainable future?

Tony Pey, Head of Product Marketing at Kerridge Commercial Systems, examines how the role of an ERP system is changing. It’s still the engine that drives a business - but today merchants need to choose even more wisely to ensure their system not only delivers the functionality they need now and in the future, but that it can also co-exist in the new technology landscape.

Tony Pey, Head of Product Marketing at Kerridge Commercial Systems (KCS), explains how using a computer system with integrated ePOD (electronic point of delivery) as part of its delivery management solution will enable you to manage every aspect of the delivery cycle. 

Tony Pey, Head of Product Marketing, examines how to really achieve digital transformation, by using IT to change your business’ culture and behavior.

Monitoring business performance on the basis of timely and accurate information is a key priority for decision-makers in the fast-moving distributive trades.

K8 Business Intelligence gives individuals or departments access to secure, centralised data at the precise level they need to perform their roles effectively.

As a food wholesaler you will know that your largest costs lie with stock inventory. Keeping costs tight means striking a perfect balance between stock, storage and demand while maintaining a keen overview. So how can you tread the fine line needed for advanced inventory control?

Managing the supply chain efficiently can be a complex and time-consuming task for any production, inventory or procurement professional. With differing forecasts supplied by sales, customers or production and in varying formats, the strain on the operations professional to manage inventory manually is huge. Moving from offline spreadsheets and processes to MRP (Material Resources Planning) software can help streamline your process - here's how:

With many facets to a project, you need to manage the multiple orders and quotations, the delivery schedule and agreed pricing terms and the financial performance against the overall project.

Tony Pey, Head of Product Marketing at Kerridge Commercial Systems (KCS), explains how using a computer system with integrated ePOD (electronic point of delivery) as part of its delivery management solution will enable you to manage every aspect of the delivery cycle. 

Mark Steggall, Head of Product Management at Kerridge Commercial Systems (KCS), explains how using a modern computer system can keep your suppliers on their toes and ensure your customer service remains outstanding.

Chris Hirst, head of pre-sales at Kerridge Commercial Systems (KCS), explains how using a computer system with a fully integrated business intelligence (BI) module can provide you with clear insights into every aspect of your business, help you spot trends and support you in making crucial business decisions.

Sanjay Fatania, Financial Implementation Manager at Kerridge Commercial Systems (KCS), explains how using a computer system with fully integrated financials delivers greater efficiency, visibility and faster decision making to your business.

Mark Steggall, Head of Product Management at Kerridge Commercial Systems, explains the benefits of using a modern ERP system to manage supplier rebates.

Sterling has depreciated against the US dollar and the Euro since the referendum in June, hitting a 31 year low against the dollar in October.  At time of writing, the exchange rate had climbed following hints from Theresa May that she will be looking for a transitional Brexit deal that will favour British businesses.  However sterling is still comparatively weak, which presents some challenges for merchants and distributors. For example, the price of imported construction materials is predicted to increase by 3%. It also means that inflation may increase, which adds to the uncertainty we are facing.

But challenging times also present opportunities. Here are six things that merchants and distributors can do to mitigate against, and even benefit from, the economic situation:

It may seem that the Christmas period offers marketing opportunities primarily for retailers with consumer customers; people don’t tend to buy building, industrial or automotive supplies as Christmas presents. However there are seasonal opportunities for merchants, distributors and wholesalers too, and especially for those with a B2B ecommerce solution.

Managing your business’ accounts is not always an easy task, especially when you have to make sure that all of your numbers add up. Incorrect reporting could be the difference between you reporting a profit or a loss.

With one report suggesting that customer delivery performance expectations are higher than they were two years before, it is imperative that you provide your customers with a smooth delivery process.

As a company that manages the movement of stock, you will be fully aware of the importance of stock control in being able to provide great customer service. This is backed up by the fact that UK brands are estimated to be losing up to £15 billion annually due to poor customer service. We all know how annoying it is when an item you want to buy is out of stock!

Shopping cart abandonment is one of the main issues for online traders. According to recent research, three quarters of the world’s online shopping carts are abandoned, which means that you are potentially losing a lot of business.

Tony Pey, Head of Sales Engineering at Kerridge Commercial Systems (KCS), defines the advantages of SaaS and explains how it could work for your merchant business.

Previously we discussed the many advantages of using an ERP system. However before you get to reap the benefits of the software, it needs to be successfully implemented. With one report suggesting that 21% of companies’ ERP projects had failed, it’s not always a straight forward task.