When orders are stuck in email inboxes and real-time inventory isn’t visible to sales, spreadsheets stop working.
Traditional distribution systems promise control, but they bring enterprise complexity and long implementations that most SMB distributors don’t need.
This guide covers seven distribution management software platforms designed for small- to medium-sized distributors. You’ll learn which approach fits your workflows, what each platform costs and when a CRM-first platform is the smarter starting point for your business.
Key takeaways for distribution management software
Most SMB distributors need better sales visibility and customer tracking before they need complex warehouse systems.
Full distribution platforms add cost and complexity that only make sense once basic sales workflows are running smoothly.
Start with a CRM-first platform to centralize customer data and order visibility, then add inventory and operational tools through integrations as your business grows.
Try Pipedrive free for 14 days to solve sales visibility without operational complexity.
CRM-first vs. DMS-first: which is the best fit for your business?
Before choosing distribution management system software, you should understand the two main categories it falls into.
Customer relationship management or CRM-first platforms prioritize sales visibility and customer relationships, handling inventory through integrations.
Distribution management software or DMS-first platforms prioritize inventory and warehouse operations, with sales features built in.
Choose CRM-first if | Choose DMS-first if |
Your biggest problem is lost quotes and poor sales visibility | Your biggest problem is stockouts or inventory chaos |
Sales reps can’t see customer order history during calls | You manage multiple warehouse locations |
You want to start using the system within days | You run field operations with delivery routes |
You need better customer tracking more than warehouse management | You need native inventory control more than sales pipelines |
Most SMB distributors start with CRM-first platforms, solve immediate sales visibility problems quickly, then add inventory and operational tools through integrations as the business grows.
This sequence reduces upfront costs and implementation risk, delivering faster ROI.
7 distribution management software options for SMB distributors
Efficient distribution business management software looks different depending on your business needs.
These seven providers support SMBs with varying needs, from all-in-one platforms to specialized solutions.
Platform | Overview |
Pipedrive |
|
Pipeline CRM |
|
SimplyDepo |
|
EMERGE App |
|
Method CRM |
|
WizCommerce |
|
Acumatica |
|
Use this comparison to narrow your options by approach and pricing, then review each platform in detail below to see which fits your business operations.
1. Pipedrive: Best overall for SMB distributors
Pipedrive manages customer relationships and sales pipelines while connecting to the inventory and accounting tools you already use.
It’s a strong choice for SMB distributors because it solves sales visibility problems quickly without the cost and complexity of replacing your entire system.
Use the following key capabilities to help distribution workflows run smoothly.
Customizable deal stages track each order from initial quote through purchase order, delivery and repeat orders. Teams see which customers are ready to reorder and which quotes need follow-up.
Workflow automation streamlines communication by triggering follow-ups based on typical purchase patterns.
Set 30-day or 60-day reminders after delivery so reps reach out when customers are ready to buy again.
Integrations connect Pipedrive to platforms like MRPeasy for real-time stock visibility and QuickBooks for accounting. Sales reps see what’s available during customer calls without switching between systems.
As your distribution needs grow, you can add more integrations without switching platforms or losing the sales data you’ve already built.
A mobile app lets your sales team update orders, check customer history and respond to requests while visiting customer locations.
Pricing
Pipedrive’s pricing starts at $14 per user per month when billed annually for the Essential plan.
The Advanced plan at $34 per user per month adds workflow automation and priority support. All plans include a 14-day free trial.
Pipedrive in action: The same CRM-first setup adapts to different distribution workflows:
Wholesale electronics distributors use custom fields to track warranty periods and serial numbers, with automated follow-ups when customers’ typical reorder cycles approach.
Food service suppliers set deal stages for quote → approval → delivery → reorder, with workflow automation triggering reminders based on typical consumption patterns for restaurants.
Industrial supplies distributors use product catalogs in deals to track which SKUs each customer orders regularly, making repeat orders faster and highlighting cross-sell opportunities.
Regardless of what you distribute, the core workflow remains the same: track customer relationships, automate follow-ups and integrate with your existing inventory and accounting systems.
2. Pipeline CRM: Best for wholesale-specific workflows
Pipeline CRM provides templates and deal stages designed for wholesale sales cycles, with commission tracking built for B2B distribution teams.
The CRM-first wholesale distribution management software handles:
Custom pipelines for B2B deals that match wholesale sales stages, from initial outreach through contract negotiation and repeat ordering
Sales forecasting with historical trends helps distributors plan inventory levels and identify when specific products will likely move based on past performance
Email drip campaigns nurture wholesale leads through automated sequences triggered by time or customer actions, keeping prospects engaged without manual follow-up
Communication centralization connects email, phone and activity logs so sales and operations teams see the full customer context before every interaction
Pipeline CRM suits wholesale distributors who want industry-specific sales features without having to build custom workflows from scratch.
Pricing
Pipeline CRM pricing starts from $25 per user per month when billed annually.
3. SimplyDepo: Best traditional DMS for CPG/beverage
SimplyDepo helps streamline operations with inventory tracking, mobile apps for field teams and route accounting.
The platform handles:
Real-time multi-location inventory with offline mobile access lets field reps check stock levels and place orders even without internet connectivity, syncing when connection returns
Route accounting and proof of delivery manage delivery schedules, help optimize routes between stops and capture what was delivered in the mobile app
Order entry with mobile access enables field teams to process orders on-site with customers, reducing lag between sale and fulfillment
QuickBooks integration syncs financial data with accounting systems while maintaining distribution-specific workflows in SimplyDepo
SimplyDepo fits distributors in CPG, beverage or food service where field operations and route management drive the business model.
For example, if your sales team spends their day delivering beverages to convenience stores or dropping off restaurant supplies, SimplyDepo’s mobile-first approach keeps operations running smoothly.
Pricing
SimplyDepo doesn’t publish pricing on its website, but it offers a 60-day free trial so users can try the platform before committing.
4. EMERGE App: Best for inventory-heavy operations
EMERGE App is built for distribution companies that need robust inventory management and warehouse operations without a complete ERP software project.
The platform handles:
Real-time inventory tracking that shows stock levels across locations so teams can avoid stockouts and make smarter replenishment decisions
Purchasing workflows that connect sales orders to purchase orders, helping wholesale distributors streamline order processing and procurement
Multi-currency pricing that supports import and export businesses that manage costs in different currencies
Timeline records to keep a clear history of invoicing, inventory movements and order changes
EMERGE App suits distributors who need more inventory depth than CRM tools provide but don’t want enterprise complexity.
If you’re tracking fewer than 100 SKUs with simple reorder points, CRM integrations may handle this without the learning curve.
Pricing
EMERGE App offers a free forever plan with a limit of 4 quotations, sales and purchases per month. Paid plans start from $34.90 per user per month when billed annually.
5. Method CRM: Best for QuickBooks integration
Method CRM extends QuickBooks accounting with customer relationship and sales visibility features.
The platform handles:
Two-way QuickBooks sync that keeps customer data, invoices, payments and inventory updated in real time without manual data entry
Sales order to invoice conversion that turns approved orders into invoices with one click
Customer self-service portals that let buyers view order history, check order status and submit reorders without calling your sales team
Digital quote approvals that let customers sign estimates online, which automatically convert to sales orders in both systems
Method CRM works for distributors who want to keep QuickBooks for accounting while adding order management and customer self-service features.
Pricing
Method CRM starts at $35 per user per month. A 14-day free trial is also available.
6. WizCommerce: Best for B2B self-service ordering
WizCommerce combines CRM functionality with B2B e-commerce and customer portals that let buyers place orders directly without involving a sales rep.
The platform handles:
AI-powered order taking in the field with offline capability, letting sales reps create quotes and orders on-site that sync when connectivity returns
Customer self-service portal enables buyers to view past orders, check inventory availability, place reorders and track shipments through a dedicated login
Custom pricing per customer shows account-specific pricing, payment terms and shipping options so buyers see accurate costs when ordering through the portal.
Product presentations and catalog sharing generate PDF catalogs and order summaries that sales reps can share with customers during meetings or via email
WizCommerce fits distributors with high-volume repeat customers who want to reduce order processing time with direct buyer access. If most orders require custom quotes or negotiation, the platform may be too rigid.
Pricing
WizCommerce doesn’t list pricing on its website. You’ll have to contact sales to get customized pricing based on the number of seats and features you need.
7. Acumatica: Best enterprise option when you’ve outgrown SMB tools
Acumatica provides a cloud ERP designed for mid-market distributors who need advanced capabilities, such as multi-warehouse management, complex reporting and deep system integrations.
The platform handles:
Advanced multi-warehouse inventory with serial and lot tracking, matrix items for size/color variants and embedded warehouse management with barcoding
Connected Electronic Data Interchange (EDI) and shipping that automates supply chain processes with EDI and integrations to major shipping carriers
Demand forecasting and planning that uses historical data to predict inventory needs and optimize stock levels across multiple locations
Configurable sales pipelines adapt to different distribution models while connecting directly to inventory, purchasing and financial systems for end-to-end visibility
Acumatica suits distributors with 100 or more employees who need capabilities SMB tools can’t provide, but it brings enterprise-level complexity and cost.
Pricing
Acumatica doesn’t list pricing on its website. You’ll need to contact an Acumatica partner for a custom quote based on your implementation requirements and expected transaction volume.
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How to choose the right distribution management software
Some wholesalers need clearer order management and sales visibility. Others need tighter inventory tracking or smoother procurement.
To choose software for a distribution business, start by understanding what each type of software delivers to SMBs, then match those capabilities to your bottlenecks and budget.
8 distribution management software features that matter for SMBs
Before comparing platforms, it helps to separate must-have distribution capabilities from nice-to-have extras.
These are the eight functions that have the most significant impact on customer experience, on-time delivery and profitability.
Key feature | How it helps |
Order management | It centralizes quotes, orders and delivery status so sales and operations work from the same information and customers receive consistent updates |
Inventory tracking | It reduces stockouts and overstocking by giving teams real-time data on quantities, locations and reorder points |
Procurement & replenishment | It turns sales demand into purchase orders without spreadsheets or manual reminders |
Dashboards & reporting | It provides clear views of margins, on-time performance and profitability to support everyday decision-making |
APIs & integrations | It connects accounting, e-commerce and shipping tools so the distribution network functions as one system |
Customer experience | It keeps buyers informed with accurate availability, delivery timelines and account history |
Scalability | It lets you add modules or integrations as the business grows without replacing the platform |
User-friendly access | It gives field and office teams web-based and mobile tools they can realistically use each day |
Use these features as a filter, not a checklist. Weigh each one against the problem costing you the most time or revenue.
Evaluate your main distribution bottleneck
For distribution businesses, problems usually arise in two categories: sales workflows or distribution operations.
If deals are getting lost in inboxes, reps can’t see order history and customer experience feels reactive, a CRM-first approach makes sense.
Platforms like Pipedrive, Pipeline CRM and Method focus on sales pipelines, order management visibility and dashboards that help teams make informed decisions without rebuilding the warehouse.
If your problems are stockouts, overstocking or messy order fulfillment, a DMS-first platform such as EMERGE or SimplyDepo is the better fit.
These systems focus on inventory tracking, procurement and day-to-day distribution operations, with sales handled as part of a broader supply chain management workflow.
Fix sales visibility first if growth is the issue. Fix operational complexity first if the warehouse is the bottleneck.
Note: For most SMBs, a CRM-first approach delivers faster results with lower cost and risk. Add integrations as you grow and only move to DMS once warehouse operations become the bottleneck.
Match the implementation timeline to your team’s change capacity
Software only works at the speed your team can adopt it.
CRM-first distribution platforms are usually cloud-based and can be deployed in days or a few weeks.
Operations managers can configure pipelines, connect APIs and start using real-time data without an extended project plan. This approach suits SMBs that need quick wins.
DMS-first platforms require more structure. Setting up inventory rules, replenishment workflows and field tools typically means vendor-led onboarding that lasts weeks to months.
That’s fine if distribution operations are your core challenge, but it demands more time from already busy teams.
Be realistic about capacity. A 30-person wholesaler often benefits more from a fast, user-friendly rollout than from the “perfect” system that takes a quarter to launch.
Budget for the total cost of ownership, not entry pricing
Actual cost includes implementation, integrations with accounting or e-commerce systems, minimum seat requirements and the internal time needed for training and customization.
Hidden costs to ask about include:
Implementation fees. CRM-first platforms often offer self-service setup at no extra cost, while DMS and ERP platforms typically require paid vendor-led implementations.
Integration costs. Connecting to inventory, accounting or shipping tools may require paid add-ons or custom development.
Minimum users. Some platforms require you to pay for a minimum number of seats even if your team is smaller.
Training time. More complex platforms consume staff time during onboarding, even when training is technically “free”.
Many platforms – including SimplyDepo, WizCommerce and Acumatica – don’t publish pricing, so request detailed quotes that include all these factors before comparing options.
A lighter platform that improves customer satisfaction and your team adopts quickly can deliver faster ROI than a feature-rich system that takes months to implement.
Final thoughts
Distribution software works best in stages. Clarify sales workflows first, then strengthen operations as complexity increases.
Platforms like Pipedrive support that staged approach, helping SMB distributors build structure without committing to enterprise systems too early.
Try Pipedrive free for 14 days to gain real-time visibility into your distribution workflows without the enterprise complexity.
