- NetSuite Wholesale Distribution, Wholesale Distribution - Solutions
By Naren Sompalli, Consultant at OSSM
As a consultant working at OSSM, I’ve had the opportunity to support a wide range of wholesale and distribution businesses in optimising their inventory operations. With years of experience guiding organisations through system implementations and process improvements, I’ve seen firsthand how inventory challenges – such as fluctuating demand, supply chain complexity, and limited visibility can severely impact operational efficiency and business growth.
This blog brings together my practical knowledge and on-the-ground experience with NetSuite Inventory Management to help distribution teams better understand how the right technology can transform stock control, fulfilment, and forecasting. It’s written for those navigating the pressures of modern distribution – where the need for real-time accuracy, integration, and responsiveness is greater than ever.
As part of OSSM’s commitment to sharing practical insights, I’ll also be speaking during this month’s Masterclass on Inventory Management in NetSuite. This session is part of our Strategic NetSuite Learning Series, designed to help users extract more value from their ERP investment.
Let’s explore what real-time inventory visibility really means, and why it matters now more than ever.
What does real-time inventory visibility really mean?
Inventory sits at the core of every distribution business. It affects how you fulfil customer expectations, manage supplier relationships, and track profitability. Yet for many organisations, inventory data is either incomplete, delayed, or spread across multiple systems – resulting in inefficiencies and avoidable risks.
NetSuite Inventory Management provides real-time visibility across your entire inventory lifecycle. It enables businesses to track stock accurately across multiple locations; warehouses, stores, remote depots – all within a single cloud-based system. The ability to manage stock availability, movement, and valuation in real time means fewer errors, improved decision-making, and more reliable fulfilment performance.
With NetSuite’s dashboards, businesses gain immediate insight into inventory levels, reorder points, trends, and financial impact. This eliminates the need for disconnected spreadsheets or manual reconciliations and empowers both operational and financial teams with consistent, reliable data.
What we’ll cover in the Masterclass
The upcoming Masterclass is designed to provide practical guidance – not just theory, on how to apply NetSuite’s tools in real business scenarios. During the session, we’ll walk attendees through several essential areas, including:
Stock adjustments and imports
Learn how to manage inventory updates efficiently and how to handle bulk data imports when introducing new product lines or updating quantities across sites.
Traceability
We’ll cover how to use batch and serial number tracking to improve traceability and compliance – particularly useful for regulated or perishable goods.
Manual and WMS-Based stock takes
Whether you’re using basic NetSuite inventory functionality or the full Warehouse Management System (WMS), regular stock counts remain critical. We’ll explore how to manage both physical and system-based stock takes.
Accounting integration
Discover how NetSuite connects inventory movements directly to your financial system – ensuring accurate valuation, cost reporting, and real-time accounting alignment.
These are not just features – they are tools that can be tailored to fit your specific workflows and operational challenges.
Why inventory management matters more than ever
In today’s distribution landscape, delays, miscounts, and poor stock visibility aren’t just operational issues – they impact your bottom line. Businesses still relying on manual systems or fragmented software often face frequent stockouts, excess stock holdings, lost sales, and limited scalability.
NetSuite changes this by offering a unified platform that brings inventory, finance, procurement, and fulfilment into one environment. This eliminates silos and introduces automation, real-time reporting, and role-based visibility across departments.
During the Masterclass, we’ll also discuss how NetSuite supports:
Automated procurement processes
Automatically generate purchase orders when stock hits defined thresholds. Set preferred vendors, review lead times, and maintain healthy stock levels without overbuying.
Improved demand planning
Use historical data and seasonal trends to forecast demand more accurately, reduce manual calculations, and proactively manage stock replenishment.
Streamlined fulfilment
Ensure that once an order is placed, the fulfilment process runs smoothly; right through picking, packing, and delivery – while maintaining full visibility into status and exceptions.
This combination of real-time data, automation, and integration allows businesses to scale confidently while meeting service-level expectations.
NetSuite for Wholesale Distribution: More than just inventory tracking
NetSuite’s Inventory Management capabilities are part of a broader ecosystem purpose-built for distributors. It connects the dots between customer orders, supplier deliveries, warehouse operations, and financial management.
With NetSuite, you’re not simply logging stock in and out – you’re building a more responsive, connected business. Real-time dashboards let your teams see what matters most. For operations, that could be inventory turnover or picking accuracy. For finance, it’s inventory valuation and margin impact. For leadership, it’s about having one version of the truth.
For distribution businesses aiming to future-proof operations, NetSuite provides a system that adapts to complexity, supports growth, and reduces manual effort at every stage.
Our commitment at OSSM as NetSuite consulting partners
As NetSuite consulting partners, OSSM is committed to helping UK and Irish distributors implement NetSuite in a way that reflects their unique needs and business processes. We don’t just focus on system configuration – we work with your team to simplify workflows, eliminate bottlenecks, and unlock lasting value.
From managing multi-site warehousing and stock reordering to integrating WMS features and mobile scanning, our team brings experience across every facet of inventory and ERP implementation.
We’re proud to partner with businesses to ensure their system works the way it should – from day one and long after go-live.
Register for the Free Masterclass
If you’re a NetSuite user or considering how cloud ERP can support your distribution business, this session will give you a clearer picture of how to transform your inventory strategy with practical tools and expert insights.
Date: Wednesday, 30th July
Time: 10am – 11am IST/BST
Location: Online
Register now and take the first step toward smarter, more efficient inventory management.
About the Author
Naren Sompalli
Naren holds a Bachelor of Engineering degree from BNM Institute of Technology. As a NetSuite specialist, he is involved in implementation at OSSM, collaborating with a team of experienced consultants. Naren conducts workshops for solution implementation and delivery, providing technical support and expertise.
