Industry
Distribution
ERP and integration solutions for complex distribution networks.
Distributors need accurate inventory, reliable order processing, and connected warehouse and finance operations. N1ERP builds ERP and integration platforms that keep distribution businesses moving.
Common challenges
- Multi-warehouse inventory visibility
- Order-to-cash complexity
- Supplier and channel fragmentation
How N1ERP helps
- Business Central for distribution
- Inventory and purchasing workflows
- EDI and API integrations
The problem
Thin margins leave no room for stock errors
Distribution is a volume business with narrow margins. A few points of inventory inaccuracy translate into lost sales, emergency purchases and write-offs. Yet many distributors still run stock in one system, orders in another and pricing in spreadsheets maintained by the sales team.
As the business adds warehouses, customer-specific price lists, drop-shipping or new sales channels, those gaps multiply: sales promise stock that is already allocated, purchasing reorders items that are sitting in another location, and finance cannot see true margin per customer.
Business Central's inventory, warehouse, purchasing and pricing capabilities cover most distribution needs well. We configure them around your locations, item tracking and pricing rules, then connect suppliers, customers and channels so orders flow without re-keying.
Scope
What's included for Distribution
Multi-location inventory
Locations, bins, transfer orders and item tracking (lot or serial) configured to match your physical warehouses.
Pricing and discounts
Customer price groups, volume discounts and campaign pricing managed in Business Central instead of spreadsheets.
Purchasing and replenishment
Reorder policies, requisition worksheets and vendor lead times so purchasing is driven by real demand.
Warehouse processes
Receipts, put-aways, picks and shipments sized to your operation — from simple to directed warehouse management.
Customer and supplier integration
EDI or API links for orders, confirmations, delivery notes and invoices with key trading partners.
Typical timeline
How the work is phased
Indicative ranges. We confirm a plan for your scope at the end of discovery.
01 · 2–3 weeks
Discovery
Warehouse walkthroughs, pricing review and order-flow mapping.
02 · 6–10 weeks
Configure & integrate
Inventory, pricing and purchasing set up; partner integrations built.
03 · 3–4 weeks
Migrate & test
Item, customer and stock migration with physical count reconciliation.
04 · 2–4 weeks
Go-live
Cutover around a stock count and hypercare through the first month-end.
Deliverables
Sample deliverables
- Order-to-cash process map
- Location and bin structure
- Pricing and discount matrix
- Replenishment parameters per item category
- EDI / API partner specifications
- Stock count and cutover plan
Ecosystem
Systems we integrate with
- Dynamics 365 Business CentralERP
- EDI (EDIFACT / X12)Logistics
- Third-party WMS / 3PLLogistics
- Carrier & shipping APIsLogistics
- ShopifyE-commerce
- Power BIData & Reporting
- Bank statement & payment filesPayments & Banking
FAQ
Frequently asked questions
Is Business Central suitable for distributors?
Yes. Its inventory, multi-location, purchasing, pricing and warehouse capabilities are a strong fit for wholesale and distribution companies, and it can be extended for specific trading rules.
Can it handle lot and serial number tracking?
Yes. Item tracking by lot, serial number and expiry date is standard and can be required at receipt, shipment or both.
Do we need full warehouse management?
Not always. Smaller warehouses often run well with basic inventory picks; directed put-away and pick with bins makes sense at higher volumes. We size it to your operation.
Can you connect us to our customers' EDI requirements?
Yes, typically through an EDI provider or direct API, mapping orders, despatch advices and invoices to Business Central documents.
How do we keep stock accurate during the switch?
We plan cutover around a physical count, migrate quantities by location and lot, and reconcile before releasing the new system for orders.
Business Central for Distribution
Tell us about your systems and goals. We'll help you define the right next step.