ERP Software Packages for Food and Beverage Distribution

As we have discovered in our experience with over 100 ERP solutions, each ERP software package has its strengths and weaknesses.  We track our extensive selection and implementation experience with various enterprise systems in our proprietary ERP Solutions Database.  Below is a summary of a small sub-set of data from that database, which our project teams use to help clients select the right ERP software for their organizations.

The below identifies the generalized functional strengths of each of the listed ERP solutions for distribution within the food and beverage industry.  Our ERP software selection process leverages more detailed information from our database to conduct a more thorough assessment of software fit with each client’s business requirements.

ERP Software Packages for Food and Beverage Distribution

Food and Beverage Software Functionality	IBS	Apprise	NetSuite ERP/CRM	Batchmaster Food	Infor Sx	Ross Enterprise
General Ledger, Accounts Receivable, Accounts Payable	High	High	High	High	High	High
Manufacturing Resource Planning (MRP)	High	High	High	High	High	High
Electronic Data Interchange (EDI)	High	High	Medium	High	High	High
Customer Relationship Management (CRM)	High	High	High	High	High	High
PM	High	High	High	High	High	High
Usability	High	High	High	High	High	High
Advance Shipment Notice (ASN)	High	High	Medium	High	High	High
Auto Pricing and Auto Scheduling	High	High	High	High	High	High
Bar Code Capability	High	High	High	High	High	High
Document Management System	Medium	High	High	High	Medium	High
Contract Manufacturing	High	High	High	High	High	High
Contract Warehousing, Inventory Management and Tracking	High	High	High	High	High	High
Sales Forecasting	High	High	High	High	High	High
Sales Planning	High	High	High	High	High	High
Salesforce Management and Tracking	Medium	Medium	High	Low	High	High
Product Management and Tracking	High	High	High	High	High	High
Commission Management	High	High	High	High	High	High
Account Management and Tracking	High	High	High	High	High	High
Marketing Promotion Campaign Planning	High	Medium	High	Medium	High	High
Promotion Management and Tracking	High	Medium	High	High	High	High
Discount and Rebate Processing	High	High	High	High	High	High
Regulatory Compliance (FDA, etc.)	High	Low		High	Low	High
Label Management	High	Medium	High	High	Medium	Medium
Quality Systems - Lot Tracking, Batch Traceability, Recall Management	High	High	High	High	High	High
CAPA (Corrective and Preventive Action)	High	Low	High	Low		High
Customer Feedback Tracking	High	High	High	High	High	High
Reporting for Finance and Accounting in the Food Distribution Industry	High	High	High	High	High	High

Disclaimer: For illustrative purposes only. Assessment for your unique needs may vary based on specific business processes and requirements. You will want to develop more detailed requirements as part of your software evaluation and selection process.