Industry Insights

The industry’s first evidence-based benchmark found only 26 distributors with AI operating in production. The companies at the top aren’t experimenting with artificial intelligence. They’re redesigning how distribution works.

Additional AI capabilities under development include conversational search, an AI-powered customer answering tool and faster, intelligent quoting

In a keynote fireside chat titled “The CIO’s AI Playbook: What BlueLinx Learned Building an AI-Ready Distribution Operation,” Gautam will discuss the infrastructure, data strategy and technology investments underpinning the company’s AI transformation.

For distributors, the European launch reflects the accelerating adoption of embedded AI within ERP platforms, with capabilities aimed at improving inventory planning, sourcing, fulfillment, financial workflows, and operational decision-making from within existing enterprise systems.

The webinar will reveal the Platinum, Gold, and Silver honorees, explain the research methodology and highlight the characteristics shared by the industry’s AI leaders.

The acquisition expands Schneider Electric’s presence in the fast-growing industrial AI software market, where manufacturers are increasingly adopting AI to improve equipment reliability, optimize production and reduce operating costs.

The announcement reflects a broader trend across wholesale distribution as companies deploy AI to automate estimating, quoting and other document-intensive workflow

Just a year ago, many distributors were asking where AI might fit into their businesses. At Distribution Strategy Group’s Applied AI for Distributors conference held June 23-25 in Rosemont, Ill., that question was absent.

Grainger chief technology officer Jonny LeRoy tells attendees at DSG’s Applied AI for Distributors conference in Chicago how the distributor keeps AI costs in check and prepares for the heightened risks from hackers armed with AI tools.

Artificial intelligence will transform wholesale distribution, but distributors that succeed will be those that treat cybersecurity and workforce development as strategic priorities rather than afterthoughts.

Among the distribution use cases gaining the most traction are demand forecasting, inventory optimization, warehouse operations, route planning, pricing, sales support and cross-functional coordination.

How AI is doing that today, and will do it even more in the near future, was the subject addressed by three tech experts in a session today at Distribution Strategy Group’s Applied AI for Distributors conference entitled “Intelligent Revenue Operations: Aligning Customer, Procurement & Digital Strategy With AI.”

The choice for distributors, is whether to establish approved, secure, and productive uses for AI or allow adoption to spread without direction.

Here are 10 tips from the speakers on today’s Tech Leaders Panel: Dan Kaminstein, senior principal product manager at ERP vendor Epicor; John Murcott, executive vice president of product and strategy at HawkSearch, a provider of site search; and Sam Bobb,  o-founder and chief technology officer at Kaavio which offers product content technology.

Danna Stone, senior vice president of marketing, and Ed Fenton, vice president and AI and digital transformation officer, said the $12.9 billion electrical distributor is focusing its AI efforts on inventory management, workforce productivity, customer experience, and operational efficiency rather than chasing the latest technology trends.

AI is already improving sales, inventory management, receivables and warehouse operations, DSG co-founder Jonathan Bein said at DSG’s Applied AI for Distributors Conference on June 23 in Rosemont, Illinois.

Artificial intelligence is creating one of the largest investment cycles in modern U.S. history and opening new opportunities for distributors, but companies must remain disciplined in how they deploy the technology, economist and keynote speaker Alex Chausovsky told industry executives Tuesday.

The conference begins June 23 at the Chicago Marriott O’Hare with a program centered on economic trends, AI-enabled business systems, and distributor-led implementation strategies.