Many of the assumptions we make about how customers will react to customer service & other customer-facing activities are misleading and incorrect.
Stumbling on Customer Service Read More »
Graybar: ‘June was best sales month in history.’
Graybar Sales Grow 20% in First Half Read More »
Uncertainty is keeping businesses from spending, which could result in further economic challenges.
Could Another Economic Downturn Be a ‘Self-Fulfilling Prophecy’? Read More »
This is the first in a series of articles looking at emerging technologies increasingly used by distributors in their businesses. This article looks at cloud computing, which continues to grow in popularity as a way to deliver business processes over the Web.
Full Emerging Technologies Series is available here.
Software as a service (SaaS) is anticipated to grow 20 percent to $12 billion in revenue this year, according to IT research company Gartner.
Yet in an industry with tight margins and a reluctance to invest in new technologies, SaaS, a variation of cloud computing that is the use of Web-based services to support business processes, is viewed with a critical eye among distributors.
But as more companies adopt cloud technology for their business, the service is becoming difficult to ignore.
Emerging Technologies Series: The Growth of Cloud Computing Read More »
IT procurement managers should look at nine contractual terms to reduce risk in cloud contracts, according to Gartner Inc.
9 IT Procurement Best Practices to Reduce Risk with the Cloud Read More »
Wholesale sales were up 15.4% from a year ago.
June Wholesale Revenues Tick Up 0.6% from May Read More »
Kevin Roach, executive vice president and general manager of Epicor, talks with MDM about the merger of software companies Activant and Epicor and how the new organization is working to get the most out of its combined capabilities. Here’s how the integration will affect distributors.
The merger of Activant and Epicor in April was just one of the latest developments in the continuing consolidation of the distribution software industry. Kevin Roach, executive vice president and general manager of the new combined Epicor, recently spoke with MDM about the merger and what it means for distribution companies currently on Epicor platforms …
Behind the Epicor-Activant Integration Read More »
Bigger doesn’t always mean better in the sales process.
Commentary: Segmenting for Success Read More »
MSC Industrial Direct Co. Inc., Melville, NY, is accelerating its approach to acquisitions, according to COO Erik Gershwind. “Historically, I would categorize MSC as opportunistic when it came to acquisitions,” Gershwind says. “But now we’re getting more proactive, making it a bigger part of our plan.”
MSC Industrial Accelerates Acquisition Plans Read More »
New briefs from July 26-Aug. 10, 2011
MDM News Digest 4115 Read More »
This report was formerly called the Inflation by Commodity Group Report.
These product groups provide a snapshot of inflation trends based on the Producer Price Index from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. Second quarter 2010 is compared with second quarter 2011, and first quarter 2011 with second quarter 2011. This report is produced by MDM editors.
To access, premium subscribers should ensure they are logged-in to download this pdf report by clicking Download pdf below the product list (link shown after logging in).
Not a subscriber> Subscribe now or purchase this report.
Industrial:
Construction:
Electrical:
Power Transmission & Fluid Power
Fasteners
Tools
Jan-San & Packaging
Hardware
HVAC/Plumbing
Gases/Welding
Plastics
MDM Pricing Trends Report: Second Quarter 2011 Read More »
The best advisory boards include objective, experienced businesspeople who can provide real input to the company.
Tip: Include Outsiders on Your Board of Advisors Read More »
Clayton, Dubilier & Rice buys share for $370 million in cash.
Ingersoll Rand Agrees to Sell 60% Stake in Hussmann Business Read More »
Grainger’s daily sales in the U.S. were up 5 percent in July.
Grainger July Organic Sales Up 7% from July 2010 Read More »
MAPI economist: India show the most ‘promising prospects for employment growth.’
Report: BRIC Countries Face ‘Crucial Challenges’ to Sustained Growth Read More »
This is the pdf of this issue of Modern Distribution Management. Apply the full $34.95 pay-per-view cost of this issue toward an annual subscription, which includes two issues a month plus access to more than eight years of online archives and market data. Call 1-888-742-5060 or email info@mdm.com to subscribe. Subscribers log-in to download this issue.
Download This Issue in pdf: Aug. 10, 2011 Read More »
Organic sales for the diversified global manufacturing and technology company increased 10 percent.
Emerson 3Q Sales Improve 16% Read More »
Sales for the bearings manufacturer were up 3.4 percent for the first six months of the fiscal year.
General Bearing Sales Down 3% in 2Q Read More »
New leaders tapped at distributor.
New CFOs at WinWholesale, Noland Company Read More »
June orders for manufacturing technology were up 15.3% from May.
Manufacturing Technology Orders Up 103.9% YTD Read More »
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