I've maintained for some time that "Infor is the innovator's choice”—particularly for distributors serving contractors and tradespeople. A recent case study featuring State Electric Supply, published by the National Association of Electrical Distributors (NAED), truly highlights that this isn't just marketing talk but a proven reality.
State Electric Supply, a regional distributor based in Huntington, West Virginia, sought to optimize its order entry process to enhance efficiency and customer satisfaction. Working closely with Infor™, it implemented an artificial intelligence (AI)-powered solution known as "Product Recommender," part of Infor Velocity Suite, which integrated seamlessly into its existing order-entry platform. Leveraging customer-specific buying patterns, regional preferences, and extensive historical sales data, the tool provides intelligent real-time recommendations for complementary products, transforming the sales experience.
As John Spoor, owner of State Electric Supply, explained in the NAED article, "It's about making order entry intuitive and guiding sales staff to better decisions." The system offers built-in guidance for new employees, while seasoned professionals gain a trusted partner that complements their deep industry expertise.
NAED highlighted that overcoming initial skepticism among staff members was crucial. Spoor emphasized that the tool was designed to augment salespeople’s capabilities rather than replace them, ultimately boosting commissions and customer satisfaction.
Today, the results speak for themselves. The NAED article reported that State Electric Supply has achieved significant improvements in operational efficiency, including faster and more accurate order processing. Customers noticed the difference immediately, with one remarking that the salesperson seemed to "read their mind." This illustrates the potential of well-implemented AI solutions in building customer loyalty and trust.
Furthermore, the NAED study highlighted that sales representatives now effortlessly capture incremental revenue through suggested complementary products—increasing commissions and overall sales without additional stress or effort.
The key takeaways from the NAED report highlight essential best practices for successful AI implementation: Start with clear goals, engage your team early, embrace iterative development, and select technology partners that deeply understand your industry's nuances.
Explore the full State Electric Supply success story at NAED's Digital Center of Excellence: https://www.naed.org/dcoe. You'll see firsthand why I consistently emphasize "Infor is the best choice for distributors who sell to contractors and tradespeople." Innovation isn't on the horizon; it's already here, delivering tangible, measurable success.
Learn more about how Infor’s CloudSuite™ solutions can help digitally transform your distribution operations through AI-powered automation and help you meet your complex business challenges head-on.
Steve Levy
VP Enterprise Architecture, Distribution, Infor
Before joining Infor, he honed his skills and expertise working in the distribution industry. Steve was the Executive Vice President at a wholesale paper distributor. With his extensive experience and unmatched talent, Steve is undoubtedly one of the most impressive and sought-after experts in the field of enterprise architecture today.