Technology Leader Panel
Data-Driven Distribution: Transforming with Clean, Connected Data
Wednesday, August 5 , 9:00 AM PDT / 12:00 PM EDT – 10:00 AM PDT / 1:00 PM EDT
You have more data than ever. The problem is you can’t trust most of it.
Distributors are sitting on more data than ever, yet many still struggle to act on it. Disconnected systems, inconsistent data definitions, and siloed information create a gap between what the data says and what leaders can actually use to make decisions, serve customers, and drive growth.
In this Technology Leader Panel, we examine what it takes to build a data foundation that works: clean, connected, and accessible across the business. Panelists will share how they are tackling data quality challenges, integrating systems to create a unified view, and turning data discipline into a competitive advantage.
Key Takeaways
- What “clean data” actually means in a distribution environment, and why it is harder to achieve than it sounds
- How connected data architecture reduces friction in sales, operations, and customer service
- Practical approaches to data governance that do not require a full IT overhaul
- How leading distributors are using unified data to power analytics, AI, and better decision-making
- Common failure points in data transformation initiatives and how to avoid them
What You’ll Learn
- What separates distributors with functional, trusted data from those still managing around broken systems and conflicting reports.
- How to evaluate your current data architecture against the demands of AI, analytics, and real-time customer expectations.
- Practical steps for improving data quality and connectivity without replacing your entire technology stack.
- How to build the internal alignment and governance structures that make data transformation stick long-term.
Join Us
Register to learn how distribution technology leaders are turning data quality from a persistent problem into a strategic asset.on., and operations leaders managing global supplier relationships.
Guest
Frank Heenan
Group Vice President – Americas, Epicor Software
Jeff Camporini
Technical Consultant, Professional Services, Phocas Software
Sponsor
Panelists
Frank Heenan
Group Vice President – Americas, Epicor Software
Frank Heenan brings over 20 years of software experience serving the supply chain with particular focus on distribution. He has spent several years working with distribution companies transforming their business to become leading edge providers in the markets they serve. As a supply chain executive, Frank has assisted companies with operational efficiency, revenue generation and growth, warehouse automation, eCommerce strategies, customer relationship tools and methodologies, and business intelligence processes. At Epicor, Heenan is responsible for driving revenue growth and market expansion in the Americas.
Jeff Camporini
Technical Consultant, Professional Services, Phocas Software
Jeffrey Camporini is a Technical Consultant in Professional Services at Phocas Software, where he helps organizations transform ERP data into trusted, actionable analytics. With more than 20 years of experience spanning purchasing, inventory management, sales, IT, ERP implementations, and business intelligence, Jeff brings a practical understanding of how businesses use data to drive better decisions. He has worked with customers across a wide range of industries—including distribution, manufacturing, building materials, industrial supply, and retail—helping them build clean, connected data foundations that improve reporting, planning, and operational performance. Before joining Phocas, Jeff led ERP and analytics initiatives for a multi-site building materials distributor, giving him firsthand experience with the operational and data challenges many organizations face today.
Hosts
Ian Heller
Co-Founder and Chief Strategy Officer, Distribution Strategy Group
Ian Heller joined Grainger as a part-time truck unloader in college and left fifteen years later as the VP Marketing. Since then, he’s held senior executive positions at four other publicly-held firms, consulted with dozens of distributors, and continues to write and speak extensively on how AI, strategy, channel evolution, and other major trends affect the industry. Ian holds a B.A. in History from Roosevelt University and an MBA from the Kellogg School at Northwestern University.