According to new research from Philadelphia-based Pembroke Consulting (www.pembrokeconsulting.com), over the next four years wholesalers plan to increase technology purchases principally for Online Ordering, Customer Relations Management (CRM), Sales Force Automation and Warehouse Management systems (WMS). In 2003, $53 billion was spent by this market segment for technology.
Pembroke President, Adam J. Fein, Ph.D., says, “In the coming years, distribution executives will invest in technologies that improve productivity, enhance existing service offerings and meet new demands for customer self-service in B2B supply chains.”
Pembroke conducted the study, “Forces of Change: The Road to Opportunity,” on behalf of the Distribution Research and Education Foundation. Copies of the study are available for purchase at www.nawpubs.org.