In a recent Infor webinar on Process Mining, organizers showcased how distribution leaders were able to uncover hidden bottlenecks, streamline workflows, and customize processes to match real-life patterns in just days, not weeks. It’s a perfect example of how modern distribution businesses can move from assumption to insight, and from insight to action.

This much is clear: this isn’t just another tool. It’s a new way of seeing operations, one that delivers immediate value.

What Is Process Mining?

Traditional process improvement often starts with whiteboards, sticky notes, and assumptions. Teams sketch how they think processes work and make changes based on that model. The problem? Reality almost always differs from perception.

Process Mining changes the game. By pulling event logs and data flows directly from your ERP or business systems, it creates an objective, data-driven view of how work actually happens across your organization.

Instead of guessing where bottlenecks live, you see them. Instead of debating where orders get stuck, you have proof. That clarity is why distribution leaders are paying attention.

Why It Matters for Distributors

Distribution businesses live and die by operational efficiency. Margins are tight, competition is fierce, and customer expectations for speed and accuracy are higher than ever. Process Mining plugs directly into these challenges by providing visibility into the lifeblood of distribution:

• Order-to-Cash: Are orders slowing down? Where do approvals get hung up?
• Procure-to-Pay: How long does it really take to move from purchase order sent to receipt, and where are the delays?
• Inventory Management: Which workflows cause stockouts, double-handling, or mis-picks?
• Logistics: Where are shipments delayed, and how can routing be optimized?

 

Infor Process Mining, in particular, is designed with distributors in mind. It integrates seamlessly with Infor CloudSuite Distribution providing preconfigured insights tailored to distribution workflows. That means you’re not just getting generic analytics, you’re seeing distribution-specific pain points mapped out in real time.

Tangible Benefits for Distribution Leaders

The benefits go far beyond transparency. For distributors, Process Mining translates into real business outcomes:

• Eliminate Inefficiencies: By pinpointing exactly where delays, rework, or errors occur, leaders can make targeted fixes that deliver measurable ROI.
• Accelerate Cycle Times: Faster order fulfillment and payment cycles mean improved cash flow and happier customers.
• Strengthen Compliance: With a clear digital trail of every process step, audits become smoother and less risky.
• Enhance Customer Experience: By reducing errors and speeding up response times, distributors build trust and loyalty.
• Enable Continuous Improvement: Process Mining is an ongoing capability that lets leaders monitor performance and adapt over time.

 

Moving Beyond Reports and Dashboards

One of the biggest takeaways for distributors is that Process Mining goes far beyond standard reporting. Traditional dashboards only show you what happened (volumes, cycle times, exceptions).

Process Mining answers the harder question: why it happened.

• Why do certain orders always take longer to ship?
• Why does one supplier consistently cause downstream delays?
• Why are some warehouses more efficient than others?

 

By uncovering cause-and-effect relationships, distributors can shift from reactive reporting to proactive problem-solving.

Why NSA Clients Are Paying Attention

Technology on its own is never the full solution, NSA understands it’s about how you apply it. That’s where we shine.

As a trusted Infor partner with deep roots in the distribution space, NSA helps clients:

• Interpret mining outputs and connect them to business priorities.
• Prioritize improvements that deliver the biggest operational and financial impact.
• Integrate insights into broader digital transformation strategies.

 

Our role is not just to provide access to powerful tools like Infor Process Mining, but to guide distributors in turning data into action.

Final Takeaway

Process Mining is no longer an abstract concept. For distributors, it’s a practical, proven way to unlock efficiency, reduce costs, and gain a competitive edge.

The recent Infor webinar was just the beginning. For NSA’s clients, the excitement is in what comes next: using these insights to drive smarter decisions and more agile operations.

Ready to explore how Process Mining can transform your distribution business? Connect with NSA Computer Exchange today and start uncovering the hidden value in your processes.