The Challenge
Switch providers and keep orders and inventory in sync
Changing the logistics provider meant integrating the new warehouse management system with Storm’s Sage accounting system. At the same time,
Storm accepts electronic orders from national chains such as Builders Warehouse, which also needed to flow without manual capture.
Why this mattered:
- Manual entry would be slow and prone to errors
- Multiple parties and systems had to exchange data consistently
- Order intake, stock movements, and shipping updates needed to reflect in Sage
A Sage consultant recommended evaluating Flowgear, which is listed in the Sage Marketplace.
New 3PL, same accuracy
Switching logistics partners required syncing orders and stock movements with Sage while continuing to accept electronic retail orders without manual capture.
End to end order and stock loop
On delivery experience, CEO Nick Middelmann said the Flowgear Professional Services team was “easy to deal with because they could discuss issues in non-technical, business terms.”
The Solution
One platform to automate order and stock processes end to end
Using Flowgear, Storm Distribution automated the full operational loop with the new logistics partner.
What was implemented:
- Order receipt into the logistics provider’s WMS
- Stock pick confirmations back to Storm
- Purchase order creation in Sage
- Stock shipment updates to complete the cycle
From a technical angle, the project connected several data formats and communication protocols through a single platform.
The Results
Automated flows and fewer touch points across partners
With the integrations live, Storm’s team no longer re‑keys information between systems or partners.
Benefits observed:
- Orders, picks, POs, and shipments move automatically between Storm, Sage, and the logistics partner
- Lower risk of data capture errors and faster processing across the chain
- A single integration layer handling multiple formats and protocols
Fewer touch points
Orders, picks, POs, and shipments now move automatically between Storm, Sage, and the 3PL with lower error risk and faster processing.
Extend to more channels
With the core flows running, Storm can apply the same approach to additional retailers or operational steps.
Looking Ahead
Rebuilt processes, enabling scalable multi-channel growth.
According to Middelmann, the platform enabled Storm Distribution to put a completely new set of solutions and business processes in place. With the core flows running, the team can extend the same approach to additional retail channels or operational steps as needed.
