Cloud, mobility and e-commerce as focus areas for distributors: Survey

NEW DELHI: US-based software company Info said that investment in cloud solutions will be top-of-mind for distributors over the next year, according to results from a recent survey conducted by Infor and third-party research organization TechValidate .

The results show that 40 percent of survey respondents are very likely to consider investing in a cloud solution during the next twelve months, while 32 percent of companies polled are currently hosting technology in a cloud environment. An additional 14 percent confirmed plans to transition away from on-premise applications.

As distributors seek to improve differentiation and reduce costs in an increasingly competitive market, using a cloud-enabled technology environment becomes a viable option to help mitigate IT-related expenses. Hosting applications in the cloud can also deliver the flexibility and connectivity, which can help to promote greater efficiency and agility in day-to-day operations across multiple locations.

"The cloud is important for distributors because the industry's shifting business model has brought about new opportunities for growth, but also a unique set of challenges," said Kelly Squizzero, industry and solution strategy director, Infor Distribution.

"Migrating to the cloud can help distributors deliver maximum value for customers, because critical information, such as inventory levels, can be accessed in real-time from various locations. This can give decision-makers more visibility to help them make the best choices for their global or nationwide organization," said Squizzero.

In addition to cloud computing, the survey found that 57 percent of distributors plan to invest in e-commerce solutions within the next twelve months, and 44 percent citied online sales as an important driver for business growth. Mobility was also a key issue, with 43 percent of respondents planning to invest in mobile applications.

Equipping users with mobile access can help promote greater workforce productivity by providing visibility into data at any time, from a WIFI/internet-enabled location or device. This can be particularly influential for employees who are frequently on-the-move, such as account executives or warehouse managers, as they can make and receive updates in real-time while away from their desks.

"Infor has improved our business because it allows us to integrate the entire process of inventory management, sales data and customer service, giving users the information they need right at their fingertips" said Jeff Bolton, IT manager, Sturgis Materials, Inc.

"We are considering investment in cloud technology over the next twelve months because it will help us to further increase profitability by eliminating the cost of on-site hardware and prepare our company for future growth or expansion," said Bolton.

According to the survey, distributors continue to invest in Infor because the company is viewed as a trusted business partner whose applications can help to increase productivity and enhance customer satisfaction.