What is distributor management software (DMS)?

What a DMS does

A distributor buys goods from companies and sells them on to many retailers, usually on credit and with its own vans. A DMS keeps that whole cycle in one system, so nothing has to be typed twice:

• Orders: orders from retailers, by app, WhatsApp, phone or salesperson, in one list, checked against each shop’s rate and credit limit.
• Buying and stock: what to buy from the company, goods received, and stock by batch and expiry.
• Billing: the delivery challan and the GST bill for every order.
• Delivery: loading vans, stops for each driver, proof of delivery and returns.
• Collections: cash and UPI collected on the route, udhaar by shop and by age, and reminders.
• Field sales: salespeople’s visits and orders, joined to the same orders and retailers.
• Reports: dispatch sheets, dues, stock and ledgers for the owner and the accountant.

Who needs a DMS

Any distributor or stockist who supplies many retailers again and again: dairy and milk distributors, FMCG and kirana suppliers, bakery, beverage and packaged water distributors, ice cream and frozen food, confectionery, personal and home care, and beer, wine and spirits. It matters most when orders come from dozens or hundreds of shops, drivers collect cash on the route and udhaar is spread over many retailers.

Signs you need one

• Orders arrive on WhatsApp and calls, and some are missed or entered twice.
• Bills are typed one by one after the day’s orders close.
• Nobody can say quickly which shops have owed money for more than 45 days.
• Drivers’ cash doesn’t match the bills at day close.
• Stock expires at the back of the godown while new stock goes out.
• Crates go out full and come back short.
• You can’t see where your salespeople are or which shops they visited.

DMS vs field sales (SFA) apps

A field sales app, also called SFA (sales force automation), is for the sales team: attendance, outlet visits, location and orders booked at the shop. A DMS runs everything after the order: stock, challans, GST bills, delivery and payments. If you have salespeople, you need both, and they work best when they share the same orders, rates and retailers. Read the full comparison of DMS and field sales apps.

How Bagdor does it

Bagdor is a DMS made for Indian distributors, in four connected apps. The office works in the Distributor Panel in a web browser. Retailers order in the Retailer App or simply type the order on WhatsApp. Drivers deliver with the Driver App, which works without network. Salespeople use Bagdor Sales, and the office sees them live on the map.

Every approved order becomes a challan and its GST bill automatically overnight. Stock goes out first-expiry-first-out, crates are counted at every stop, and udhaar is tracked with a WhatsApp reminder to overdue shops every morning. Comparing with what you use now? See Bagdor vs Tally and Bagdor vs Excel.

Bagdor is priced per active retailer per month, and Bagdor Sales is included. We share a quote after a demo. Call or WhatsApp +91 96962 25851, or email info@bagdor.in.