When it’s time to choose an ERP for your building materials business, most distributors dive headfirst into comparing features and pricing. Seems logical, right? But here’s the truth: this is where many of them get it wrong—and end up stuck with a system that doesn’t actually work for their operations.
The problem isn’t the lack of options. The ERP market is packed with software that promises powerful features, flexible pricing, and “seamless” integrations. The problem is how those features and costs are evaluated.
Distributors often fall into the trap of comparing ERPs like they’re shopping for a car—lining up long feature checklists and picking the one with the most bells and whistles for the lowest monthly rate. But ERPs aren’t just tools—they’re the backbone of how your entire business runs. And in the building materials industry, your needs are unique.
Managing inventory with complex units of measure, handling multi-warehouse logistics, tracking special orders, working with contractor accounts, and managing delivery schedules aren’t standard in every ERP system. If the software wasn’t built with building materials in mind, those critical tasks turn into frustrating workarounds.
And then there’s the pricing. On paper, one ERP might look like the cheaper option—but what about the hidden costs? Add-on modules, implementation time, training, third-party integrations, support fees—it all adds up. A lower upfront cost can quickly spiral into a higher total cost of ownership.
Most distributors fail in the ERP comparison process because they’re looking at surface-level specs, not real-world fit. The key is to prioritize industry-specific functionality, ease of use for your team, and long-term scalability over just a shiny feature list or low price tag.
The smartest move? Stop trying to find the “best” ERP in general—and start looking for the right ERP built specifically for building material distribution. That’s where real value (and ROI) lives.
