Confirmation time increases, errors multiply, and the sales team wastes time on administration instead of growing customers.
Biggest opportunity
B2B customer self-service and digital order channel
Connect individual catalogue, pricing, availability, ordering, credit rules, fulfilment statuses, documents, returns and sales team actions.
Recommended first step
Link customer orders to internal systems
Build the entire scenario from individual catalogue and pricing to ERP registration, status, documents and reorder.
The greatest return is generated not by the B2B portal alone, but by the entire commercial process connected to it, which helps the customer buy more and more frequently, whilst enabling the company to reduce manual work and better manage the process and profitability.
Complete sector analysis
The full digital sector analysis is presented below. A more detailed analysis tailored to the specific operating model is available on the business area pages.
6
How this sector operates
Wholesale and distribution connects manufacturers or importers with retailers, professional users, service companies and other business customers. Value is created by ensuring range, availability, financing, product information, picking, delivery and service.
Large number of products and variants
Range may consist of anywhere from several hundred to hundreds of thousands of SKUs with different attributes, packaging, units, alternatives and documentation.
Each customer may have different terms
Final pricing and service rules depend on contract, segment, quantity, product group, promotion, currency, credit limit and delivery terms.
Repeat orders represent a large share of turnover
Customers often purchase the same or similar products, so the speed and convenience of order repetition has direct financial value.
Inventory directly affects working capital
Too little inventory means lost sales, whilst too much means frozen capital and greater risk of write-offs.
Orders are received through multiple channels
Customers order by phone, email, through account managers, EDI, portals or direct system integrations.
Delivery promise is part of the sale
Customers care not only about the product and price, but also actual availability, delivery time, partial fulfilment and clear order status.
Market context and change drivers
The sector is influenced by growing B2B customer self-service expectations, margin pressure, supply volatility, the need for product data standardisation and electronic document expansion. More advanced companies are digitalising not just order submission, but the entire customer, product, pricing, inventory and fulfilment process.
B2B customer self-service expectationCustomers expect to see their prices, availability, order history, documents and delivery status at any time.
Margin pressureEasier supplier comparison increases the need to manage prices, discounts, minimum margins and unprofitable order exceptions more precisely.
Supply volatilityChanging supply lead times increase the importance of real availability, substitutes and replenishment planning.
Product data standardisationCustomers and partners require consistent attributes, images, certificates, packaging, logistics and technical documentation.
Electronic document expansionStructured invoices, delivery notes and other electronic documents reduce manual work and speed up reconciliation.
Data-driven sales decisionsPurchase history, margins, category potential and changes in customer activity are increasingly used for specific sales manager actions.
Digital maturity model
0
Orders and commercial rules managed manually
Customer orders, pricing, product information and documents are predominantly managed by phone, email and spreadsheets.
1
Core internal systems in place
ERP, accounting or warehouse systems are in use, but customer channels and commercial processes remain fragmented.
2
Individual customer and order functions digitalised
A catalogue, order form or partial integrations are in place, but pricing, availability, statuses and exceptions are still managed inconsistently.
3
Core B2B order management process integrated Typical current situation
Portal, ERP, warehouse, pricing and documents exchange data, and the customer can view their terms and order status.
4
Data-driven B2B commerce Siektina
Product, pricing, customer and stock data are managed consistently, and forecasts and recommendations are used to improve sales and inventory.
5
Adaptive distribution model
Channels, pricing, inventory, offers and service are securely optimised in near real-time, whilst maintaining clear human control.
Key finding
Competitiveness in wholesale trade is increasingly determined by the ability to quickly provide customers with accurate product information, individual pricing, realistic availability and a convenient repeat ordering method.
ERP and warehouse systems are usually already in operation, but the commercial process between customer need and internal systems remains fragmented. Sales managers become intermediaries between emails, price lists, stock levels, logistics and documents.
First, it is advisable to select one customer segment and create a seamless scenario from login and personalised catalogue through to order transfer to ERP, status tracking, documents and repeat purchase.
Related digitalisation topics
B2B order portalsCustomer self-service portalsERP integrationsProduct information managementOrder automationInventory and demand analytics
8
Orders are still manually entered into ERP
Critical
Orders received by phone, email or spreadsheets are checked, clarified and manually entered into ERP by employees.
Consequences
Confirmation time increases, errors multiply, and the sales team wastes time on administration instead of growing customers.
Product information scattered across different sources
Critical
Attributes, photos, certificates, packaging, alternatives and supplier data are stored in ERP, files, emails or on employees' computers.
Consequences
Customers find it difficult to choose a product, employees waste time searching for information, and the launch of new channels and markets slows down.
Individual pricing managed in too many places
Critical
Customer prices, discounts, promotions, quantity limits and contractual terms are distributed between ERP, spreadsheets and sales managers' knowledge.
Consequences
Quotations are prepared slowly, with the risk of price discrepancies, excessive discounts and unprofitable sales.
Customers are not shown reliable product availability
Critical
Physical stock, reservations, goods in transit, planned receipts and possible substitutes are not combined into a single realistic fulfilment promise.
Consequences
Promised deadlines are not met, sales are lost and status enquiries to sales managers multiply.
Stock replenished too reactively
High
Planning relies on historical averages and separate reports, without adequately considering promotions, seasonality, customer plans and supplier reliability.
Consequences
Stock shortages and surpluses occur simultaneously, deteriorating service levels and working capital efficiency.
Customer purchasing data not converted into specific sales actions
High
Declining purchases, unpurchased categories, recurring order timing and cross-selling opportunities are not systematically presented to the sales manager.
Consequences
Additional revenue opportunities are missed, and sales work depends too much on employee memory and initiative.
Order status scattered across several systems
High
Confirmation, reservation, picking, dispatch, partial fulfilment, returns and documents are managed separately.
Consequences
Customers frequently enquire about status, whilst deviations and unmet promises are noticed too late.
Document flow requires substantial manual work
Medium
Invoices, delivery notes, certificates, credit documents and other attachments are sent through different channels and searched for in multiple systems.
Consequences
Administrative enquiries multiply, slowing down reconciliation, payment and order completion.
7
Integrated order scenario for one customer segmentVery high impactFor one significant customer segment, connect personalised catalogue, pricing, availability, basket, order transfer to ERP, statuses and documents.
Centralised product information managementVery high impactCreate a single reliable source for attributes, documents, media, packaging, alternatives and channel publishing.
Integrated pricing and margin controlVery high impactCentralise customer pricing, discounts, quantity rules, promotions, approvals and minimum margin across all channels.
Reliable availability and delivery promiseVery high impactConnect stock levels, reservations, goods in transit, planned receipts, supply lead times and substitutes.
Demand and inventory planningHigh impactUse sales, seasonality, promotions, customer plans and supplier reliability for more accurate replenishment and redistribution.
Data-driven sales actionsHigh impactAutomatically highlight declining purchases, non-purchased categories, periodic order timing and cross-selling opportunities.
Order, status and document automationHigh impactAutomate order validation, transfer to ERP, status synchronisation, credit rules, documents and exception handling.
Biggest opportunity
B2B customer self-service and digital order channel
Connect individual catalogue, pricing, availability, ordering, credit rules, fulfilment statuses, documents, returns and sales team actions.
Higher order frequency and average customer turnover
Lower cost per order serviced
Faster order confirmation
More cross-selling opportunities
Fewer pricing, stock and document errors
Greater growth capacity without increasing administration at the same pace
Greater customer loyalty and reduced dependence on a specific manager
Expected business impact and financial result
Higher revenueMore convenient ordering, better search, real-time availability and related product suggestions can increase order frequency and average order value.
Better margin controlCentralised pricing and discount rules reduce uncontrolled discounts and unprofitable sales.
Lower service costsSelf-service, automated order processing, status and document processes reduce repetitive sales and administrative work.
More efficient working capitalMore accurate demand and replenishment planning reduces stock-outs, excess inventory and write-offs.
Greater capacity for growthAn integrated model enables serving more customers, orders and products without disproportionately increasing the team.
Reduced dependence on specific managersCustomer pricing, documents, order history and commercial rules become organisational knowledge rather than just employee knowledge.
6
Problema
Orders are still manually entered into ERP
Confirmation time increases, errors multiply, and the sales team wastes time on administration instead of growing customers.
→
Sprendimo kryptis
B2B order and customer self-service portal
Individual catalogue, pricing, availability, ordering, history, statuses, documents, user permissions and integrations with ERP, WMS and logistics.
Problema
Individual pricing is managed across too many places
→
Sprendimo kryptis
B2B order and customer self-service portal
Individual catalogue, pricing, availability, ordering, history, statuses, documents, user permissions and integrations with ERP, WMS and logistics.
Problema
Reliable product availability is not shown to the customer
→
Sprendimo kryptis
B2B order and customer self-service portal
Individual catalogue, pricing, availability, ordering, history, statuses, documents, user permissions and integrations with ERP, WMS and logistics.
Problema
Order status is fragmented across multiple systems
→
Sprendimo kryptis
B2B order and customer self-service portal
Individual catalogue, pricing, availability, ordering, history, statuses, documents, user permissions and integrations with ERP, WMS and logistics.
Problema
Document flow requires substantial manual work
Administrative enquiries multiply, slowing down reconciliation, payment and order completion.
→
Sprendimo kryptis
B2B order and customer self-service portal
Individual catalogue, pricing, availability, ordering, history, statuses, documents, user permissions and integrations with ERP, WMS and logistics.
Problema
Product information is fragmented across different sources
→
Sprendimo kryptis
Product information management system
Centrally manages attributes, classifications, media, technical documents, packaging, alternatives, localisation and publishing to different channels.
Recommended digital solutions
Solutions should operate as one connected B2B commerce architecture. The portal should not become merely a catalogue, nor ERP a factor limiting customer experience.
B2B order and customer self-service portal
Individual catalogue, pricing, availability, ordering, history, statuses, documents, user permissions and integrations with ERP, WMS and logistics.
Product information management system
Centrally manages attributes, classifications, media, technical documents, packaging, alternatives, localisation and publishing to different channels.
Pricing and Commercial Rules Management System
Manages customer pricing, contractual discounts, quantity limits, promotions, margin control, approvals and price validity across all channels in one place.
Order and Integration Management Platform
Receives orders from the portal, EDI or partner systems, validates data, transfers to ERP, synchronises statuses, documents and manages exceptions.
Inventory, Demand and Replenishment Planning Platform
Combines sales, stock levels, reservations, supply lead times, seasonality, customer plans and promotional data for forecasts and replenishment recommendations.
Commercial Activity and Customer Potential Platform
Combines purchase history, category potential, margin, offers, contracts, changes in customer activity and recommended sales actions.
Investment priorities
Link customer orders to internal systemsBuild the entire scenario from individual catalogue and pricing to ERP registration, status, documents and reorder.
Organise product and pricing dataDefine data owners, attribute model, pricing rules, validity and a single source of truth.
Ensure real availability and delivery promiseConnect stock levels, reservations, goods in transit, planned receipts and supply lead times.
Turn customer data into sales actionsCreate analytics on customer potential, categories, purchasing changes, margin and recommended actions.
Expand forecasts and AI only thenDeploy more advanced models only when core data and processes are already reliable and impact can be measured.
Key implementation conditions
ERP should not limit customer experience
ERP can remain the core transactional accounting system, but the portal may require a separate integration, search and data presentation layer.
Pricing rules must be clearly defined
Informal exceptions and spreadsheets must be converted into clear, auditable rules applied consistently across all channels.
Product information must have owners
It is necessary to determine who creates, validates, supplements, localises and publishes product attributes, documents and media.
Availability is not just ERP stock balance
It is essential to distinguish between physical, reserved and available stock, goods in transit, planned receipts and the actual delivery promise.
Customer migration is part of the project
Segmentation, activation, training, sales team incentives and a clear process for customers who temporarily remain in legacy channels are required.
Electronic documents must be provided for in the architecture
Invoice, delivery note, certificate and other document formats and integrations must be planned together with the order process.
Recommended implementation sequence
01
Single customer order scenario analysis
Define how an order flows from product search and pricing through to ERP, warehouse, delivery, documentation and repeat purchase.
Customer and internal process map
Systems and integrations map
Pricing and Availability Rules
Initial KPIs
02
First Value-Creating Scenario
Create a seamless, ERP-integrated order journey for one significant customer segment.
Login and User Permissions
Personalised Catalogue and Pricing
Search, Basket and Repeat Order
Order Transfer to ERP
History and Status
03
Expansion of Product, Pricing and Availability Management
Customer Migration and Sales Team Operating Change
Shift real order flow and transform the manager's role from order administration to customer development.
Customer Segmentation and Activation Plan
Sales Team Rules
Usage Monitoring
Exceptions Process
KPI Review
05
Expansion of Stock and Commercial Analytics
Use accumulated data to manage customer potential, cross-selling, margin, demand and replenishment.
Customer potential analytics
Demand forecasts
Replenishment recommendations
Pricing and margin analysis
AI scenario pilots
12
Recommended KPIs
Proportion of orders placed via digital channel, %
Measure how many orders have been moved from telephone and email.
Digital channel revenue share, %
Track the portal's contribution to overall turnover.
Proportion of active self-service customers, %
Evaluate actual customer usage, not just created accounts.
Average order confirmation time, min.
Measure reduction in administration and waiting time.
Proportion of orders requiring manual correction, %
Track data, pricing and integration quality.
Order line fill rate, %
Evaluate product availability and order fulfilment.
Proportion of deliveries completed on time and in full, %
Measure fulfilment of delivery promise given to the customer.
Inventory turnover, times per year
Assess the efficiency of working capital utilisation.
Realised gross margin change, percentage points
Assess the financial impact of pricing and discount control.
Average active customer turnover, EUR
Monitor customer value growth following implementation of self-service and sales recommendations.
Repeat order duration, min.
Measure the effort required for customers to repeat frequent orders.
Number of order status enquiries per period
Assess the impact of self-service and status communication on service workload.
Key risks
Portal digitises a messy processUnclear pricing, availability or exception rules are simply transferred to a new interface.Kaip suvaldyti Before development, describe the entire process, hierarchy of rules, responsibilities and most common exceptions.
Inaccurate product, pricing or stock data reduces trustCustomer sees incorrect information in the portal and returns to the account manager or competitor.Kaip suvaldyti Define data owners, quality checks, error monitoring and clear synchronisation frequency.
First version covers too many customers and exceptionsAttempting to serve all countries, segments, currencies and non-standard contracts at once delays real value.Kaip suvaldyti Start with one significant customer segment and a consistent order scenario.
Sales team does not encourage customers to use the portalManagers see the portal as a threat to their role or an additional administrative burden.Kaip suvaldyti Shift their role towards customer development, involve the team in design, and link KPIs to customer activity and revenue.
Legacy ERP system limits expansionLimited interfaces, slow data updates, or complex pricing models hinder customer channel development.Kaip suvaldyti Use a clear integration and data layer, and replace ERP functions in stages only where necessary.
AI deployed without data and process preparationForecasts, search, or recommendations become unreliable due to weak product, customer, or demand data.Kaip suvaldyti Start with a limited scenario, measure accuracy and business impact, and maintain clear human oversight.
5
Advanced solutions create additional value only when product, pricing, customer, order and inventory data are already reliable. AI recommendations must be measurable and should not replace clear human accountability for pricing, credit or promises made to the customer.
Already applied in the sector2
Short-term demand signal analysis
Highly urgent
Forecasts supplemented with the latest order, search, promotion, customer plan and supply signals.
How it is applied Relevant for seasonal, fast-changing or supply-constrained product groups.
What value can be created
Less stock-outs
Lower excess inventory
Better service level
What is needed for this to work
Quality history
Promotion data
Supply lead times
Medium-termCommercial solutions are available
Data-driven pricing and discount recommendations
Relevant
Models evaluate cost price, inventory, demand, customer potential and margin limits, and provide a price or discount recommendation.
How it is applied It is worth starting with selected product and customer groups, leaving price limits, approvals and a clear audit trail.
What value can be created
Higher margin
Fewer uncontrolled discounts
Faster quotations
What is needed for this to work
Reliable cost price
Pricing rules
Segmentation
Long-term perspectiveCommercial solutions are available
Market expansion2
AI-driven product search
Highly urgent
Semantic search allows the customer to describe needs in natural language and selects suitable products, alternatives or bundles.
How it is applied Particularly relevant for broad technical assortments where the customer does not always know the exact code or product name.
What value can be created
Greater search conversion
Less consultative work
More related product sales
What is needed for this to work
Structured attributes
Alternative product links
Price and stock integration
Medium-termCommercial solutions are available
Next best sales action recommendations
Relevant
The model evaluates purchase history, seasonality, category potential and changes in customer activity, and suggests the most relevant action.
How it is applied Used to alert about declining purchases, approaching periodic orders or additional categories not being purchased.
What value can be created
Higher customer turnover
Earlier detection of customer churn risk
More consistent sales work
What is needed for this to work
Unified history
CRM
Results measurement
Medium-termApplied in practice
Early stage1
AI assistance for managing order exceptions
Relevant
The system identifies incomplete or risky orders, gathers context and presents the employee with possible solution options.
How it is applied Suitable for credit limit, missing items, atypical quantities, price or delivery exceptions, where the final decision is confirmed by a responsible employee.
What value can be created
Shorter decision time
Less manual checking
More consistent rules
What is needed for this to work
Digital order flow
Clear rules
ERP integration
Medium-termApplied in practice
9
Where to start with wholesale digitalisation?
Select one customer segment and one end-to-end order scenario: individual catalogue, pricing, availability, basket, order transfer to ERP, status and documents. The first version should be sufficiently narrow, yet actually used.
Can a B2B portal help increase revenue?
Yes, provided it is not merely a product catalogue. Revenue is increased by more convenient repeat ordering, better search, real availability, alternatives, related product suggestions and the ability to purchase at a time convenient to the customer.
How does a B2B portal differ from a standard e-commerce shop?
A B2B portal typically requires individual pricing, contracts, credit limits, multi-user permissions, shopping lists, documents, partial fulfilment, repeat orders and deep ERP and warehouse integrations.
Does the ERP need to be changed first?
Most often not. The ERP can remain the primary transaction recording system, whilst an integrated layer for customers, search, pricing and orders can be built on top of it. Changing the ERP is only worthwhile where its data or interfaces genuinely restrict the process.
What should the first version of a B2B portal include?
It should cover login and permissions, individual catalogue and pricing, search, real availability, basket, order transfer to ERP, history and statuses. It is not necessary to cover all customers, territories and exceptions immediately.
When is a PIM system necessary?
When the assortment is wide, products have many attributes, alternatives, technical documents or languages, and the same information is published across multiple channels and markets.
How to assess the project payback?
Measure the proportion of digital orders and revenue, order confirmation time, need for manual correction, customer enquiries, average customer turnover, margin, order fill rate and stock turnover.
How to encourage customers and sales representatives to use the portal?
The portal must genuinely save time and provide more benefit than email: individual pricing, history, documents, quick repeat ordering and reliable status. The role and KPIs of sales representatives should be reoriented from order administration towards customer activity and growth.
When is AI worthwhile in wholesale?
AI is useful for product search, alternative selection, customer potential and churn risk signals, demand forecasts, pricing recommendations and order exceptions. It is only meaningful when reliable data and clear human oversight are in place.
Next step
An assessment of where the most revenue and team time is lost in the B2B sales process
The analysis will cover customer orders, individual pricing, product data, availability, ERP integrations, documents and sales team operations, helping to select one first version where the benefits can be clearly measured.