Most distributors aren’t failing at AI — they’re failing at data. This piece unpacks why 95% of GenAI efforts deliver no ROI, how agentic AI is changing workflows, and why a unified data foundation is becoming the real competitive edge.
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The administration is pushing for a single federal AI standard to replace a growing patchwork of state rules. If enacted, the framework could simplify compliance for distributors and accelerate AI adoption across the sector — with broad implications for software vendors and digital strategy. Here's what to know.
Unified commerce platforms paired with agentic AI are helping distributors eliminate “phantom margin loss,” optimize fulfillment and unlock real-time decision-making — shifting operations from reactive workflows to autonomous, profit-driven systems that boost growth, efficiency and customer experience at scale. This piece explores the work being done here and the factors at play that determine success rates.
Executives say AI is becoming mandatory at work, but that message isn’t fully reaching employees. A new survey highlights a growing perception gap between leadership expectations and how workers actually view and use AI.
Pepper said the Series C funding will expand its AI-powered platform for independent food distributors, accelerating product innovation, ERP integrations and go-to-market efforts across ordering, sales, receivables and embedded payments workflows.
AI is reshaping distributor CRM — but only when backed by the right platform strategy. In this episode of the MDM Amplify Podcast, LeadSmart's Kevin Brown breaks down smart AI adoption, data integration and how distributors can turn customer intelligence into measurable growth. We also touch on his 30 years of perspective in the industrial supply channel and share takeaways from NAW's 2026 Executive Summit.
Eric Hoplin, NAW CEO, testified to the U.S. House Committee on Education and the Workforce’s Subcommittee on Workforce Protections on how the distribution industry is deploying AI.
AI can make room for the human connection that actually wins business. Read how artificial intelligence in distribution can reengineer highly manual processes into ones that are faster, more accurate, and yes, more human.
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Packer said the project represents a key step in the company's broader AI roadmap, which aims to expand automation and digital tools across the company.
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AI adoption in distribution isn’t just a technology story — it’s a leadership story and one that centers on partnerships. SRS Distribution’s collaboration with InstaLILY demonstrates the power of approaching AI not as a transactional vendor purchase, but as a strategic partnership designed to rewire how an organization grows. Learn all about it here.
Two Stanford MBAs took a two-year deep dive into researching AI use in wholesale distribution — conducting 200+ executive interviews with industry leaders. Their takeaway: distributors are not only ready for AI, they’re eager for it. Here’s why they’re making this industry their career focus.
AI in distribution isn’t about having perfect data — it’s about knowing where to start. Here, discover five benchmarks that may signal your business is more AI-ready than you think.
Acumatica Cloud ERP's Distribution Edition offers AI-assisted product recommendations and automated warehouse selection.
Proton's new AI-powered product information management system automatically scrapes, collects and enriches product data.
Joined by distribution, eCommerce and AI experts Devashish Saxena and Lance Owide, this sponsored episode explores why successful transformation is ultimately a human-first journey. Our discussion covers how distributors can approach AI with intention; the evolving role of digital leadership; and why clarity of purpose matters more than chasing the latest tools.
From smarter inspections and technical support to demand planning, sourcing, and inventory optimization, this article by Avnet's CIO explores how distributors can leverage AI as a true agent of change to drive efficiency, resilience and competitive advantage.
Will robots replace us? AI take our jobs? The answer (at least so far) has been “no.”
AI promises much to distributors — but where does it deliver? Here, a pair of Stanford graduate students reveal the findings of their major industry research project that applies the scientific method to show the discrepancies between AI hype and real return on investment while showing how distribution leaders can cut through the noise.
