Leveraging IT can help companies become more flexible and innovative while also reducing risk, yet many distributors still view it as "a cost to be managed or minimized," say Guy Blissett and Sanjay Agarwal in Wholesale Distribution Disrupted, Part 3: Building a Distributor of the Future.

"To effectively energize the business (versus just enabling it), distributors need to leverage digital ERP and edge applications," they say.

And although many distributors cite implementation risks as a reason to wait, modern ERP packages actually work to reduce risk while providing great benefits.

"ERP implementations create opportunities to transform your business with streamlined processes, centralized back-office functions, new service offerings and a better understanding of business profitability," Blissett & Agarwal say.

Read more about how aggressive use of IT can improve your company in Wholesale Distribution Disrupted, Part 3: Building a Distributor of the Future.