How Baxter-Rutherford Streamlined Representation Contracts and Consigned Stock with Business Central
At-a-Glance
Baxter-Rutherford, Inc. — premier US wholesale master distributor and manufacturer representative specializing in commercial piping, valves, and industrial fluid control.
CHALLENGE:
Needed an enterprise ERP to automate specialized multi-channel operations across manufacturer representation contracts, consigned stock warehousing, and standard buy/sell inventory models.
SOLUTION:
Intelegain customized Dynamics 365 Business Central around their unique distribution models, engineering custom modules for representation contracts, consigned stock warehousing, standard buy/sell workflows, and Power BI reports.
RESULTS:
Unified three distinct distribution models on a single ERP, automated complex manufacturer commissions, achieved 100% consigned stock accountability, and accelerated operational reporting.
The Challenge: Managing Complex Hybrid Wholesale Distribution Channels
Baxter-Rutherford operates a highly specialized and sophisticated distribution model in the industrial pipe, valve, and fitting (PVF) sector across the Pacific Northwest and national US markets.
Unlike conventional wholesale distributors that operate purely on a buy/sell model, Baxter-Rutherford operates three distinct commercial channels simultaneously: acting as manufacturer sales representatives (earning commissions without taking title), warehousing and fulfilling consigned inventory for principal manufacturers, and executing direct buy/sell wholesale distribution.
Managing these three divergent operations through standard software was impossible. Legacy systems could not distinguish owned inventory from consigned manufacturer stock, and calculating tiered sales commissions across representation contracts required tedious manual spreadsheets, leading to calculation delays and auditing friction.
Need to support unique hybrid distribution models: manufacturer representation, consigned stock, and buy/sell.
Manual, error-prone calculation of representation service commissions across multi-tiered contracts.
Lack of dedicated consigned inventory workflows for handling, tracking, and customer order fulfillment.
Inability to produce unified executive operational and financial reports across all commercial channels.
Why Intelegain Was Chosen
Baxter-Rutherford partnered with Intelegain due to our proven ability to architect bespoke business logic on top of Microsoft Dynamics 365 Business Central without compromising core platform upgradability.
Implementation: The Intelegain Approach
The customized distribution ERP deployment was delivered across three structured phases:
Phase 1: Business Model Mapping & Custom Extension Architecture
Intelegain analyzed Baxter-Rutherford’s three commercial channels. We designed a tailored Business Central architecture utilizing modern AL extensions to support representation contracts and consigned inventory workflows.
Phase 2: Consignment Workflows & Automated Commission Engine
We built dedicated warehouse handling rules for consigned stock, ensuring customer orders decrement supplier stock accurately. We automated commission calculations, linking invoiced shipments to principal commission statements.
Phase 3: Buy/Sell Integration, Power BI Dashboards & Go-Live
We integrated standard purchasing and wholesale inventory workflows. Custom Power BI operational reports were embedded into user workspaces, and the platform was launched with complete user adoption.
Measurable Results & Business Impact
Representation, consignment, and buy/sell channels unified on a single ERP
Calculation of complex manufacturer commissions and service fees
Audit-ready traceability of consigned manufacturer stock vs owned inventory
Operational visibility across all supplier principals and client accounts
The customized Business Central deployment gave Baxter-Rutherford an unmatched competitive advantage. Operations, warehouse staff, and accounting teams operate within a single, elegant platform that natively understands their hybrid business model. Consigned stock is tracked with absolute precision, commissions are calculated automatically, and leadership reviews multi-channel profitability in real time.
Project Details
Baxter-Rutherford, Inc.
USA
Wholesale & Distribution
Microsoft Dynamics 365 Business Central
Modernize specialized wholesale
See how Business Central handles manufacturer representation, consigned stock, and standard distribution.
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