Food Distribution Software

What is Food Distribution Software?

The wholesale food distribution industry presents a variety of unique challenges, particularly regarding transportation and storage requirements. Meat and poultry distributors face concerns that are entirely different from those encountered by produce or seafood distributors, and full-line foodservice distributors may face virtually all of those concerns. Wholesale distribution software for food distributors helps reduce lead times, track pricing and develop more efficient route planning, thereby improving operations in warehousing and delivery processes for foodservice wholesalers.

Food Distribution Software Features & Functionality

Food distribution software is a specialized form of warehousing and transportation management software. Specific features include:

As part of a broader enterprise resource planning (ERP) suite, top food distribution software can also oversee the general ledger and accounts receivable, providing real-time reports of order entry, purchasing and food pricing levels.

Evaluating Food Distribution Software

Like most industries, food distribution has been directly affected by globalization and economies of scale, not to mention environmental concerns. So although international exporting and importing in today's advanced systems is easier than it ever has been, a trend toward “locally sourced” food operations has encouraged more organizations to shift into these arenas. Food distributor software provides businesses with the advanced functionality needed to manage the specific complications of international food distribution networks – as well as more effectively reorganize through decentralization and the growth of regional food hubs.

Regional operations can particularly benefit from food and beverage distribution software’s ability to help with increasingly complex distribution tasks, but since these systems are expensive and the food market is highly competitive, new products are seeking to capture business from smaller sources, offering specific functionality at more affordable prices.

Specific questions to ask when evaluating food distribution ERP software include:

• Do you need an on-premise client/server deployment, or are you looking for a software-as-a-service (SaaS), or cloud, deployment?
• Will you need a system that offers reverse logistics for returns management?
• Can the system manage the unique regulatory compliance for your particular market?
• If your organization distributes to food manufacturers, will the system provide the necessary kitting and assembly functionality?

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