Krated vs spreadsheets vs ERPs

Three ways to run a distribution business.

Spreadsheets break under volume. ERPs cost six figures and take 18 months. Krated runs in between, and grows with you from there.

Side by side

Side by side, across your operation.

  • Order capture

    Spreadsheets
    Manual capture from every channel
    ERPs (SAP/Sage)
    Portal that buyers must adopt
    Krated
    Every order in one structured queue. Buyers change nothing.

  • Catalogue

    Spreadsheets
    Spreadsheet with no buyer access
    ERPs (SAP/Sage)
    Module with rigid structure
    Krated
    Shareable links with buyer-specific pricing

  • Invoicing

    Spreadsheets
    Copy-paste from order to template
    ERPs (SAP/Sage)
    Automated invoicing, complex setup
    Krated
    One-click from confirmed order. Synced to accounting.

  • Inventory

    Spreadsheets
    Manual counts. Guesswork.
    ERPs (SAP/Sage)
    Accurate but 6-month implementation
    Krated
    Real-time levels, reorder alerts, batch tracking

  • Delivery

    Spreadsheets
    Phone calls and paper PODs
    ERPs (SAP/Sage)
    Add-on module, extra cost
    Krated
    Route assignment, tracking, digital POD

  • Trade documents

    Spreadsheets
    Scattered across email and folders
    ERPs (SAP/Sage)
    Centralized but buried in menus
    Krated
    Linked to every order, invoice, and delivery

  • Accounting sync

    Spreadsheets
    Manual CSV export/import
    ERPs (SAP/Sage)
    Built-in but inflexible
    Krated
    Two-way real-time sync with Xero, Sage, Pastel

  • Procurement

    Spreadsheets
    Email and phone
    ERPs (SAP/Sage)
    Separate module or product
    Krated
    Buyer-side: browse, order, track, manage spend

  • Setup time

    Spreadsheets
    Instant but never truly done
    ERPs (SAP/Sage)
    6 to 18 months
    Krated
    Live in a week

  • Cost

    Spreadsheets
    Free tool, $28K/employee/year in hidden labour
    ERPs (SAP/Sage)
    $100K to $1M+ implementation
    Krated
    $99 to $499/month. Unlimited seats.

  • Buyer disruption

    Spreadsheets
    Buyers have no visibility
    ERPs (SAP/Sage)
    High (buyers must use portal)
    Krated
    None. Buyers keep ordering however they want.

The real choice

It is not spreadsheets vs ERPs. It is separate systems vs one.

The cost of spreadsheets is not the spreadsheet. It is the gaps between systems. Orders that do not match invoices. Inventory counts that do not match reality. Deliveries nobody can trace. An ERP closes those gaps but at enormous cost, time, and disruption. Krated runs alongside the software you already use, fills the gaps quietly, and grows into more of your operation as you go.

Stop reading. See it with your data.

Drop in your product list. Decide afterwards.

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