Three Must-Have Software Platforms to Equip Your Sales Team for Success

As wholesale distributors look to grow in 2023, one of the key factors to consider is their sales technology stack. A well-designed and integrated tech stack can empower your teams to be more productive, efficient, and successful, driving growth and revenue for your business. In this article, we will explore the foundational technologies that every wholesale distributor should incorporate in their tech stack, including an email system, Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP) software, and Customer Relationship Management tool (CRM).

Beyond looking at individual technologies, we will focus on the idea of a central hub – a single platform that integrates these technologies and provides a comprehensive view. By incorporating a central hub, wholesale distributors can streamline their sales processes, improve communication across teams, and gain valuable insights into sales performances.

The Benefits of Integrating a CRM, ERP, and Email Communication Platform 

When it comes to outfitting your sales team for success, there are three essential software platforms that you need: a CRM system, an ERP system, and an email communication platform. When deciding where to purchase these, investigate your industry associations, user groups, and how your competitors operate. Choosing a platform that is meant to be used for all industries alike will not be specific to your operations and could be a challenge to align with your sales processes.

Let us take a closer look at the benefits of these software platforms:

Email Communication Platform: An email communication platform is designed to manage and send electronic mail. In today’s digital age, an email platform is a vital tool for businesses of all sizes. Every company has this, but if it is not integrated into your tech stack then you are losing important customer information and communication, especially in the case of employee turnover. Integrating your email platform with a CRM allows sales teams to track all client communications and appointments in one place, providing a comprehensive view of the sales process.

Overall, email communication platforms are essential tools for modern businesses. They enable sales teams to communicate and collaborate with colleagues and clients effectively, which is crucial for success in today’s fast-paced business environment.

ERP Software: An ERP (Enterprise Resource Planning) system provides the company’s inventory, sales orders, and financial data. An ERP provides sales teams with access to data about customer orders and inventory levels, allowing them to make better decisions about inventory levels, pricing, and product availability and enabling them to make more informed decisions and offer tailored solutions to customers.

WPCRM is tied directly to your ERP system to provide access and visibility into your existing customer data and goes live on day one of implementation. With access to your data, your team can spend more time selling and less time entering data and managing multiple systems.

Many wholesale distributors have invested in email platforms and ERP. While these platforms are essential for managing communication and resources, they do not provide a complete view of the customer’s journey. This is where a CRM system comes in.

CRM Software: A CRM (Customer Relationship Management) system is essential for sales teams and allows them to keep track of all customer interactions in one place. This includes contact information, past purchases, and any other relevant details. With a CRM system, sales teams can manage their sales pipeline, prioritize leads, and track progress toward meeting sales goals. Additionally, a CRM system can help sales teams provide better customer service by allowing them to quickly access customer information and respond to inquiries in a timely manner.

A CRM system serves as a central hub of information, providing a complete view of the customer’s journey from initial contact to post-sale support. By integrating the email platform and ERP with a CRM, wholesale distributors can create a unified platform that tracks all customer interactions and provides valuable insights into customer behavior.

Choosing a platform that is specific to your industry will better align with your sales process and the needs of your sales team making adoption easier and more seamless as well, so, you want to consider a purpose-driven CRM as opposed to a general-purpose CRM. Your CRM should automate workflows, saving time and improving efficiency. For example, if integrated with your email platform, WPCRM can automatically send follow-up emails to customers after a purchase or set reminders for sales teams to follow up with potential leads. It can also give marketing teams the ability to create marketing campaigns, track customer engagement, and measure the effectiveness of their marketing efforts.

In addition to marketing, the benefits of a CRM extend far beyond just the sales team. Dashboards created specifically for managers and executives help them navigate data from the ERP and understand overall sales performance in addition to giving them the functionality of drilling down to see individuals, teams, or regional performances. Dashboards provide executives with a 50,000-foot view of the health of their sales so they can make informed business decisions.

Overall, wholesale distributors might have all three of these software programs, but how they are integrated will bring their true value. Give your teams a central hub that can do it all including a complete view of the customer journey, streamline communication, workflows, data and analytics, sales pipeline, accounts and contacts, daily tasks, and reminders, and provides valuable insights into customer behavior. Help your sales team to improve customer satisfaction, increase sales, grow their business, and have a successful 2023.

As we have seen, a well-equipped sales team is crucial to the success of any business. By investing in the right software, you can give your sales team the tools they need to succeed. It is time to act. If you are not already using CRM software, now is the time to implement new technology tools to build a sales team set destined for growth in 2023. With its powerful features and integrations, WPCRM will help you close more deals and grow your business. To learn more, contact our sales team at [email protected] or schedule a demo.