Having the right metrics in place can prevent time wasted on meaningless analysis.
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This article is part of MDM's 2015 Distribution Trends Special Issue. It provides a look at how the supply chain has become more sophisticated as the industry moves toward the 'factory of the future.'
The annual feature was researched and written by MDM editors based on interviews with dozens of wholesaler-distributors, as well as industry experts and manufacturers. MDM also conducted a survey of its readers to uncover the trends outlined in this issue.
The full special issue is available to download in PDF format to MDM Premium subscribers. Subscribe below for full access. Or log-in if you are already a subscriber.
Trends outlined in the 2015 report include:
- Good News, Bad News for U.S. Economy
- Distributors Get Back to the Basics
- ‘Doubling Down’ on Distributor Relationships
- Distributors Embrace, Expand Online Customer Base
- Distributors Seeking ‘Lean’ Supply Chain
- Distributors Adapt to More Sophisticated Supply Chain
- Distributors Combine Traditional, New Means for Recruiting
- Distributors Change Tune on Generational Shift
- Trend Snapshots for 13 Sectors
The report also includes the following case studies and interviews:
- 2015 MDM Market Movers
- AJ Adhesives Takes Service to New Level
- Plumbers Supply’s “Win-Win-Win-Win”
- MDM Market Leader Profiles
- Culture Drives Success for ERIKS North America
- TTI’s Strategic Approach to Global Growth
The possibilities that analytics has to offer can be overwhelming. As a result, it can be a challenge to organize big data in meaningful ways.
PIPs provide low-risk way to quickly implement customer-specific pricing changes.
This month's Data Snapshot looks at the estimated size of the Power Transmission MRO market.
Accuracy is crucial when implementing an analytics strategy.
In a recent MDM survey, we asked distributors how they plan to grow revenue in 2015. Just behind product line/category expansion was growing revenue from existing customers, or increasing wallet share.
Understanding your market can allow you to take advantage of opportunities unseen by competition.
Looming transformation involves tying together technology & data.
What's visually appealing isn't always the best information.
More than half (56 percent) of respondents to the latest MDM-Baird Distribution Survey plan to increase overall investment levels in analytic capabilities, which doesnt mean just an investment in technology platforms. It requires investment of time and people to effectively utilize the amount of data available, regardless of the level of maturity.
This article includes:
- Challenges associated with investment
- Problems with incorrect or incomplete data
- Priorities for analytics application
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Not a subscriber? Subscribe below or learn more. Subscribers also have access to the following related articles:
- Overcoming the Barriers to Analytics
- Grainger Tackles the Data Challenge
- 2015 State of E-Commerce in Distribution: E-Commerce on Path to Maturity
This month's Data Snapshot looks at the estimated size of the Plastics MRO market.
Qualitative evaluation of data should be paired with quantitative analysis.
To fully harness the power of analytics, your team must be ready and willing to use it. To prepare team members to make data-driven decisions, you must start making changes within your organization.
Distributors must start viewing IT as strategic rather than just tactical.
Subscribers should log in below to read this article.
Not a subscriber? Subscribe below or learn more. Subscribers also have access to the following related articles:
- E-Commerce on Path to Maturity
- Grainger Tackles the Data Challenge
- Digital Common Sense Versus Amazon
In the Distributors Guide to Analytics, Tom Gale speaks to the power of data in sales and marketing. Most companies have some sort of database to hold customer information but arent harnessing the power it holds.
This month's Data Snapshot looks at the estimated size of the fasteners market.
Giving sales reps accurate pricing information can increase profits.
Analytics helps the distributor focus on where the best sales opportunities lie.
