Wholesale & Distribution:: Order Processing & Inventory Modernisation

Modernise your order processing, inventory, warehouse, and marketplace systems so orders flow automatically, stock stays accurate, and your team spends less time on manual entry.

Book a free call to discuss your distribution systems See our approach

The wholesale systems we modernise.

Wholesale operations depend on connected systems, but many have grown through layers of older tools, manual processes, and fragile integrations. These are the systems we most often modernise.

Order processing systems

Bespoke Access or VB6 databases, heavily customised Sage 50/200, or ageing .NET and Delphi applications handling sales orders, purchase orders, and back-orders.

ERP & trading platforms

Microsoft Dynamics Business Central, Sage X3, Sage 200, Epicor, Kerridge K8, Infor, Oracle NetSuite, and SAP Business One — often heavily customised, partially integrated, or running on outdated versions.

Inventory management & stock control

Multi-location stock, reorder points, batch and lot tracking, often maintained separately from order processing.

Warehouse operations

Goods-in, put-away, picking, packing, dispatch, and returns processing, frequently supported by manual workflows or spreadsheets.

Marketplace & e-commerce integrations

Amazon, eBay, Shopify, WooCommerce, or bespoke web shops with manual order imports and delayed updates.

EDI connections

Integration with major retailers and suppliers using Electronic Data Interchange, often dependent on fragile batch processes.

Trade pricing & customer accounts

Tiered pricing, volume discounts, credit terms, and customer-specific agreements handled through custom logic or external tools.

Purchase ordering & supplier management

Reorder processes, supplier lead times, and cost tracking, typically disconnected from real-time stock data.

Shipping & carrier integration

Label printing, tracking, and rate comparison managed across separate systems.

Barcode scanning & labelling systems

Often partially implemented or disconnected from the core system.

Integration layers

Links between order processing, accounting systems such as Sage, Xero, or QuickBooks, and warehouse tools. The common pattern is fragmentation — each part works, but the system as a whole does not operate in real time.

Common problems we see in wholesale operations.

Your systems still process orders and invoices, but they are becoming harder to change, harder to trust, and more expensive to support.

Does any of this sound familiar?

Issue 01

Every order gets keyed in by hand

Orders arrive through multiple channels, but they all end up in one place manually. This slows down fulfilment and introduces avoidable errors. Staff spend time copying data instead of processing orders.

Issue 02

Stock levels are never accurate

System records, warehouse shelves, and online availability rarely match. Stock levels are only trusted after manual checks. This leads to overselling, back-orders, and customer dissatisfaction.

Issue 03

Systems that don't talk to each other

Order processing, stock control, accounting, and marketplaces operate separately. Data is moved through batch imports, often overnight. When something fails, the issue is discovered too late.

Issue 04

Off-the-shelf platforms like Brightpearl, Orderwise, or NetSuite don't fit

Off-the-shelf wholesale ERP platforms are designed for standard workflows. When your pricing structures, picking rules, or product configurations differ, the system forces workarounds. Spreadsheets return as a parallel system.

Issue 05

Product catalogue and pricing data is irreplaceable

Your catalogue contains years of operational knowledge: SKUs, pricing rules, supplier histories, and customer agreements. Any modernisation must preserve this data completely and accurately.

Issue 06

Marketplace requirements are hard to keep up with

Amazon, eBay, and EDI partners update formats, APIs, and compliance requirements regularly. Legacy systems cannot adapt at the same pace, leading to manual workarounds or lost integrations.

How we modernise wholesale systems.

We start by reviewing your current systems, data, and workflows. Product catalogues, pricing structures, customer accounts, supplier data, and order histories are identified and mapped before any changes are made.

If the system can be improved safely, we modernise it in stages: order processing, stock, warehouse, EDI, marketplace integration, or reporting.

Modernise in stages where the system can be improved safely

See our full modernisation approach See our step-by-step process Or start with a Health Check

What a modernised wholesale system can support.

A connected foundation for order processing, inventory, warehouse operations, and multi-channel fulfilment.

Automated order processing

Orders from all channels flow into a single system automatically. Manual re-keying is removed. Staff focus on exceptions rather than routine data entry. Back-orders and allocation rules are handled within the system.

Real-time inventory visibility

Stock levels are updated continuously across all locations. Reorder points trigger purchase orders automatically. Batch and lot tracking are built into the system where required.

Modern warehouse operations

Barcode scanning supports goods-in, picking, packing, and dispatch. Picking lists are generated based on warehouse layout. Returns processing and credit notes are integrated into the workflow.

Marketplace & channel integration

Amazon, eBay, Shopify, WooCommerce, and EDI connections operate in real time. Stock levels, pricing, and product data are synchronised across all channels.

Trade pricing & customer accounts

Pricing rules are applied automatically based on customer group, volume, and contractual terms. Customer accounts include credit limits, payment terms, and statement generation. Sales analysis is available across products, customers, and channels.

A stable technical foundation

Every modernised system includes internationalisation support, responsive interfaces, CI/CD pipelines, authentication, test data environments, and a structured deployment process.

Take the free self-check to see where you stand

Wholesale & distribution modernisation: your questions answered

Can you modernise our systems without stopping order processing?

In most cases, yes. Work is carried out alongside your existing systems, with functionality migrated in stages. Where a switchover is required, it is planned around your operational calendar.

Our product catalogue has 50,000 SKUs. Can you migrate all of it?

Yes. Product data, pricing structures, supplier records, customer accounts, and order histories are systematically extracted and migrated. Data integrity is treated as a core requirement.

We've looked at Brightpearl, Orderwise, or NetSuite. How is this different?

Those platforms are designed for a broad range of businesses. A modernised system is built around your workflows, which reduces the need for workarounds and makes future changes easier.

Can you integrate with Amazon, eBay, and our website?

Yes. Marketplace integration is a standard part of most projects. Systems are connected using real-time APIs, ensuring consistent data across all channels.

How long does a typical project take?

A single module such as order processing or inventory typically takes 2–4 months. A broader system covering multiple areas takes 4–8 months. Initial working components are usually available within the first few weeks.

How much does it cost?

Most projects fall between £35,000 and £150,000 depending on scope. This is typically lower than the combined cost of licensing and customising commercial ERP platforms over time.

What about peak trading periods?

Projects are planned around your business cycle. Any significant changes are scheduled outside peak periods to avoid disruption.

Named legacy systems we help distributors modernise.

Wholesale and distribution estates typically combine an ageing ERP with an even older database engine underneath. These are the named systems we assess most often.