4 Benefits of using AI Technology in Wholesale Distribution
6 min read - May 12, 2023
webpresented
In today’s rapidly evolving world of wholesale distribution, staying ahead of the curve is crucial. While Artificial Intelligence (AI) has gained recognition as a powerful tool, its widespread adoption in the industry is still in its early stages. Embracing AI technology can provide a strategic edge by streamlining operations and enhancing customer service. The potential benefits of AI are numerous for distributors who are willing to explore its untapped potential.
In this post, we will explore four key advantages of using AI in wholesale distribution and reveal how you can start leveraging this game-changing technology for your own business success. Then we will get into how AI can be leveraged specifically in your Customer Relationship Management software, or CRM, for wholesale distribution to leverage your data enhance your sales process and equip your sales team with new tools to grow revenue. Get ready to discover why AI is no longer a buzzword but an essential ingredient for thriving in the digital age!
Possibilities for AI technology in Wholesale Distribution
The application of artificial intelligence (AI) technology in wholesale distribution is still in its early stages. However, many experts believe that AI holds great promise for transforming the way businesses operate in the future. Here are some ways that AI could potentially benefit wholesale distributors:
- Increased Efficiency and Productivity – AI technology can help businesses automate tasks and processes which would otherwise be carried out manually. This can free up employees to focus on other more important tasks leading to increased efficiency and productivity levels.
- Improved Customer Service – AI-powered chatbots and virtual assistants can provide customers with 24/7 assistance, helping them to resolve issues quickly and efficiently. This can improve customer satisfaction levels and encourage loyalty.
- Enhanced Decision-making – AI can help business owners make better decisions by providing them with access to real-time data and analytics. This information can help to inform strategic decisions about pricing, product development, marketing, etc.
- Reduced Costs – Automating tasks and processes using AI can help businesses save money on labor costs. Additionally, AI-powered systems can often work faster and more accurately than human employees, leading to further cost savings.
AI technology in CRM for Wholesale Distribution
As we’ve seen, in wholesale distribution, AI can be used in a number of ways to improve business operations, but what about improving the sales process and increasing overall revenue? This is where AI in CRM comes in. WebPresented uses AI within WPCRM in multiple ways to enhance your sales process with features that help automate processes and provide insights that can inform strategic decision-making.
AI within WPCRM can help identify new sales opportunities and potential areas for improvement within the business. Suggested Products is a feature that uses existing data combined with artificial intelligence to show what your customers could be buying to uncover gaps in buying patterns. For example – do you have a customer who has been buying hammers, but not nails? Smart suggestions automatically uncover new sales opportunities with current customers, growing your existing customer base. This saves your sales team time from having to create and generate reports or research customer buying trends and allows them to focus on the opportunities.
In the WPCRM mobile app, reps can take the power of CRM on the go to sales meetings. Integrating with Enterprise Resource Planning Software (ERP) gives access to real-time data empowering reps to make data-driven decisions. Within our new mobile app, we have launched our newest product, Plaimaker, an AI-powered sales assistant that solves one of the biggest challenges for a salesperson; determining what actions to engage in first. Plaimaker is a tool that directs the sales professional to the most profitable or important activities of the day to help them close more deals and grow the business.
Integration with your ERP also gives you access to real-time pricing and inventory levels help your team be more efficient and give to create and send quotes from their phone. And it is never too late to view product information and uncover new opportunities – even when you are in the middle of the quoting process.
Addressing concerns and pain points of AI
As the use of AI grows in popularity, so too do the concerns and pain points associated with its implementation. However, there are several ways AI can be used to address these concerns and pain points, making it a valuable tool for wholesale distributors.
One of the most common concerns about AI is that it will lead to job loss. However, AI can be used to create new jobs and improve efficiency in existing ones. In addition, it can be used to identify patterns and trends that human beings may not be able to see, leading to new insights and opportunities.
Another common concern is that AI will make decisions that are not in line with human values. When used correctly, AI should help to uphold human values by providing unbiased decision-making based on data analytics. For example, if a company is considering two different suppliers for a product, AI can be used to analyze past performance data to make a recommendation about which supplier is more likely to provide a high-quality product at a fair price.
AI can be used to make decisions more quickly and accurately, but it cannot replace humans entirely. Ultimately, it should be seen as an aid to humans, not a replacement for them. Reaffirm your team that new software will only make their jobs easier and more efficient. AI technology has the potential to significantly improve wholesale distribution operations. By leveraging its predictive capabilities, automation tools, and data-driven insights, businesses can streamline processes and increase efficiency while delivering higher-quality services. With these benefits in mind, it is important for companies to understand how AI can be used to their advantage and remain competitive within the industry. Investing in AI technology now can help them stay ahead of the curve and maximize profits in the future.
WPCRM is an AI-powered CRM built with the end-user in mind, providing the sales reps with the tools they need to save time, discover new opportunities, and sell more, in an intuitive and user-friendly interface. With full integration of important business solutions like your ERP, e-commerce, Outlook, and marketing automation, WPCRM is the one-stop shop for the sales rep. Interested in seeing WPCRM in action? Sign up for a free demo.