Recent years have seen the paper industry go through some significant structural changes with much. Competition remains fierce while over-capacity and low margins mean merchants have to work smarter. The most efficient, with a broad range of services, will succeed. Operational scale is important for margins but growing distributors must preserve the best of local service and brands.
Some paper merchants are diversifying into packaging, signage print and facilities management. These create new revenue streams but increase the complexity of your operation. Digital print means even traditional paper merchants have to provide a much larger range of products.
Dealing with specific local country differences in a global market has also become an important requirement. For example, there are significant differences in how distributors operate in the US and Europe.
E-commerce is becoming a key factor within the industry. Communications protocols like PapiNet and XML have become less costly and easier to use
Market drivers:
- Shrinking market driving industry consolidation
- Development of new distribution channels
- Need to maintain margins
- Increased customer demand for new products and services
- Increased product ranges to meet specialist customer requirements
- Need for improved and cost-effective logistics.
Customers are demanding:
- Greater range of product lines and services
- More flexible service
- More flexible pricing structures
- Faster, more efficient distribution
- Localised stock holding
- Electronic trading capabilities
- Increased credit
A leap forward with automation
Paper merchants have specific requirements for from distribution software. IBS’ Enterprise 6.0 has been designed with experts who work in your industry. Merchants require a system that can deal with credit control, margin control, year end bonuses and complex volume and pricing plans. IBS software enables merchants to work in the most efficient way to maximize margins while maintaining the highest possible levels of customer service.
- Item segmentation
- Pricing and dual pricing
- Indent sales
- Supplier price support
- SMI (sales managed inventory)
- Faster invoicing/remittance
- Converting
- Activity-based costing
- Greater control and visibility across the entire organization.