3 Distribution Technology Upgrades to Future-Proof Operations in 2026

The distribution industry is constantly evolving. From advanced data analytics tools to automation, new technologies promise to enhance operations and reduce costs every year. 

As technological advancements continue to accelerate, here are three distribution technology upgrades you should invest in to stay ahead of the curve in 2026 and beyond.

Automate Order Acknowledgments and PO Matching

Many accounts payable (AP) teams struggle to properly match purchase orders (POs) with order acknowledgments. In fact, according to an Institute of Financial Operations & Leadership (IFOL) report, only 6% of AP teams use POs for all invoices, leading to frequent mismatches and increased manual intervention. With WorldView's order management automation tool, you can prevent these issues.

The tool uses optical character recognition (OCR) technology to automatically match POs and acknowledgments within seconds, saving AP teams hours of manual effort. And if the tool discovers any discrepancies, such as pricing differences or quantity variations, it instantly flags them and routes them to the appropriate team members for review.

This automatic matching significantly reduces invoice processing times, allowing AP teams to dedicate more time to other high-value tasks, such as cash flow optimization and data analysis. It also prevents unauthorized and duplicate payments before they occur. 

Last but not least, the AP order acknowledgment automation solution improves vendor relationships by expediting payments, making it a net positive for both your business and suppliers.

Connect ECM to Your ERP

Despite rapid technological advancements, many AP teams still use manual processes. In fact, nearly seven out of ten AP professionals still manually key invoices into their enterprise resource planning (ERP) platform, according to the IFOL report. This reliance on manual, paper-based processes often leads to data entry errors and increased invoice processing times.

Fortunately, you can overcome these challenges by connecting an enterprise content management (ECM) system to your ERP. Here are some core benefits of ERP + document management software integration:

• Centralized information: Team members often spend a lot of time digging through shared drives or emails to retrieve invoices, POs, and receipts. ECM and ERP integration frees team members from this burden by linking all payment-related documents directly within the ERP system.
• Enhanced efficiency and speed: ECM and ERP integration automates processes and eliminates slow, paper-based workflows, speeding up invoice cycle times.
• Better compliance and audit readiness: Integrating your ERP with an ECM ensures all transactions are captured in a unified audit trail. This can strengthen internal oversight and reduce audit preparation time when auditors request documentation.
• Cost savings: Investing in ECM and ERP integration can reduce printing and paper storage costs.

Digitize Approval Workflows

Manual AP processes tend to prolong invoice processing times due to delays in approving invoice payments. Instead of spending hours chasing approvals via email, automation software lets you create custom rules to route invoices to the appropriate team members for review, accelerating approval workflows. 

For instance, with WorldView's AP automation software, you can send invoices to the right people within your organization for approval in seconds, based on predefined approval hierarchies.

It's no wonder businesses that implement advanced AP automation can process invoices within 2.9 days, compared to the industry average of 8.2 days, according to an Ardent Partners report.

Additionally, since AP automation software provides clear visibility into how invoices move across departments, it enables you to identify bottlenecks and see how long it takes for invoices to get approved from the moment you receive them.

Prepare Your Operations for 2026 With Distribution Tech Upgrades

WorldView offers a variety of distribution workflow tools, particularly for companies in the building materials industry seeking to enhance operational efficiency in the building supply chain.

Ready to transform your operations with a tool that integrates smoothly with DMSi? Discover how WorldView's Enterprise Content Management tool for DMSi users can help your team simplify document management and save time and money.