XMC Blog

We’ve all seen the snack trucks visiting our local C-store. The driver quickly restocking shelves, scanning items, and printing invoices on the spot. That’s the art—and the hustle—of modern route-selling: turning a vehicle into both a mobile store and a miniature warehouse.

Consumer packaged goods distributors that sell directly to retail (grocery, convenience store, etc.) are commonly referred to as Direct Store Delivery (DSD) distributors. DSD distributors are all about maximizing sales velocity and brand loyalty. A positive buyer experience and high customer satisfaction are crucial to accomplish these goals. For that reason, DSD drivers and representatives typically perform a wide range of other tasks in addition to delivery. Some examples include:

XMC (xkzero Mobile Commerce) provides specific operational efficiencies to route delivery operations, including proof of delivery. These efficiencies translate into savings of both time and money for organizations.

Our XMC (xkzero Mobile Commerce) clients are invaluable to us. XMC is designed to be user-friendly, reliable, and consistently deliver optimal performance for your business. However, even the best software can occasionally encounter issues.  

Route drivers play a crucial role for manufacturers and wholesalers, acting as the face of customer service for your business. They might visit 10-20 or more customers each day, handling various transactions like deliveries, route sales, new orders, returns, and payments.

Beyond these tasks, driver reps also take on other important activities. They might service loaner equipment, manage containers, keep track of customer stock levels, introduce new products, monitor sales trends, and roll out promotions.

Delivery distributors play a crucial role in ensuring products reach retailers—and ultimately, consumers—efficiently. They are often manufacturers, wholesalers, or distributors who deliver products directly to retailers using their own fleet of vehicles. Whether you’re a DSD distributor, a route and van sales business, or a hybrid of both, your success depends on responsiveness and operational efficiency. In all cases, efficiency and responsiveness to their customers’ needs are vital to success and mistakes can be costly.

Running a delivery operation is expensive. But for companies who utilize electronic Proof of Delivery (ePOD), the benefits add up pretty quickly. We’re talking eliminating- or at least easily resolving- payment disputes, decreasing labor and fuel costs, improving margins (thru better inventory control), reducing driver turnover (because they have the right tools to do their jobs), and most of all – improved customer satisfaction yielding long-term loyalty. 

XMC has always been packed with intelligence to help guide decision making for companies route operations with Surveys, Tasks, Documents, Guided Workflow, Photo Tags and so much more.

Now, XMC offers as whole new software tool to help management, sales and delivery drivers be better informed, server customers better, and enhance decision making.

Acumatica has recognized XMC (xkzero Mobile Commerce) for achieving Technical Validation for Acumatica version 2024R2. 

This builds on XMC having previously earned the Certified Application designation from Acumatica.  

Life moves PDQ. Productivity demands, smartphones, and ever-evolving technology mean we’re all finding ways to communicate faster and more efficiently. Today, as with technology, we are seeing increased use of acronyms in our daily lives.But let’s be real, acronyms aren’t new—they go way back. The Romans loved their Latin abbreviations (think "ETC."), and for centuries, institutions like the government and military have used acronyms to streamline complex information and, at times, add a layer of secrecy. IYKYK. From government agencies like the FBI, CIA, and CDC to famous figures like MLK, JFK, and DDE, acronyms are everywhere. They even help us express emotions—OMG! LOL! —making communication faster and more efficient. 

For companies planning to scale and grow, having a bidirectional integration between the delivery distribution software (DSD, Route Selling) and the ERP is vital.

Recently, we announced that we launched a new website for XMC-xkzero Mobile Commerce. We built this website for you, our fellow ERP partners. The idea is for xmcerp.com to become an indispensable resource for all your needs in closing the delivery gap in mid-market ERP. 

XMC works seamlessly with Acumatica, Sage X3 and Sage 100 ERPs and allows businesses to thrive in today’s digital economy. We know you have so many businesses that could benefit from what XMC has to offer and we want to make sure you are aware of all of them, so we made something for you! 

XMC (xkzero Mobile Commerce) is now recognized as an “Acumatica-certified Application” by the cloud ERP company

XMC has a great new feature that is perfect for home delivery customers whereby route drivers need to make deliveries, but the customer may not be there for a signature.

XMC offers a number of ways for reps to quickly and accurately add items to transactions in the field. For those who wish to take speed and accuracy to the next level, consider trying the Camera Scan feature available with XMC.

The goal for most Delivery Distribution operations is for driver reps to make as many customer visits as possible each day. Many organizations rely on a best guess when calculating how much time is spent at each Customer location. If you know that information accurately, then it makes it easier to create optimized routes, and set proper customer expectations.

When I was a kid one of the game shows I enjoyed was Family Feud. In the show, the two feuding families would brainstorm the answers to silly trivia questions, and host Richard Dawson would reveal the answers by calling to the big board with the words “Survey Says!”.

As a supplier, think of all the time you spend hashing out shelf space with your retail customers. Winning over their faith to give you a couple more feet, or maybe an end cap. Rejoicing when you learn they’ll accept your large cooler for the summer season, allowing you to sell 30% more.

Businesses going mobile with ERP have two choices when it comes to mobile apps. One group relies on a stable internet connection to complete transactions (Web Apps). The other group, Native Apps, are apps that can record transactions regardless of internet connectivity. There is another category–hybrid apps. But hybrid apps are essentially web dependent apps too.

Integrating Direct Store Delivery (DSD) data and processes with your ERP is essential for any business that plans to grow and scale. However, not every DSD/ERP integration is created equally. When choosing a new DSD solution, it’s important to avoid the ultimate pitfall of poorly integrated systems, and that is something called ‘Version Lock’.

Obtaining proof of delivery is something you naturally expect when using FedEx or UPS, but it’s still not a given for mid-sized B2B wholesalers and manufacturers. Increasingly however, B2B companies who do their own delivery are feeling the pressure to match the consumer experience offered by the likes of Amazon.

Understanding route and van sales basics is pretty…basic. Route sale drivers are simply sales reps who captain a mobile warehouse. The goal is to visit as many customers as they can during the course of a day, selling products directly off the truck to B2B customers.