IT CRITICAL TO MAKING CUSTOMER PROCUREMENT A COMPETITIVE ADVANTAGE

Here are the reasons why wholesaler-distributor businesses must key in on computing power, the Internet, and software driven business processes to improve customer procurement.

Charles Bonomo, vice president and CIO of MSC Industrial Direct Co., Inc. (Melville, NY), a leading supplier of metalworking and industrial supplies, spoke on the importance of innovations in IT for improving customer procurement during a presentation at the National Association of Wholesaler-Distributors NAW 2011 Executive Summit held in Washington, DC. As guest presenter, Bonomo emphasized the fact that computing power, the Internet, and software driven business processes are the norm, and that wholesaler-distributor businesses must key in on those technologies to improve customer procurement.

According to Bonomo, IT resources need to refocus on the areas across the supply/value chain where a competitive advantage can be created.

One area where MSC is especially innovative along its supply chain involves the company’s customer supply chain solutions. Their solutions are centered on vending machine-based on-site distribution, customer managed inventory, vendor managed inventory, ERP punch out, and web-based solutions to simplify a customer’s procurement process.

“Software-driven business processes are becoming standardized and inter-connectable, especially in terms of cloud computing. Such advancements are allowing us to assemble applications (business functionality) regardless of where the computing source resides or what the basis of the technology is to better serve our customers,” said Bonomo.

Bonomo is responsible for MSC’s IT strategy, and most recently the implementation of a new master data management tool to manage the company’s product data. He is also serving as the executive sponsor for developing the company’s e-commerce and product data initiatives. These strategic initiatives include reengineering the customer’s online and mobile experience(s) using web 2.0 and 3.0 guidelines, and ensuring that the product data can support the company’s online and offline initiatives.

The NAW 2011 Executive Summit that took place in January focused on how distributors can “Get Back to Growth.” The event explored in-depth current business issues and the frustrating uncertainty surrounding other economic fundamentals. Attendees also discussed actions that all wholesaler-distributors can take immediately to improve their chances for success in a still rocky economic environment.

www.mscdirect.com