Sustainability in wholesale: how smart IT contributes to a greener future

Sustainability is no longer a “nice to have”. In the wholesale sector, it is becoming increasingly important, not only because of stricter laws and regulations, but also due to changing expectations from customers and partners. According to Dana Langelaar, SAP Solution Architect at Ctac, wholesalers are increasingly looking for ways to reduce their ecological footprint and make their processes sustainable.

A lot is already happening in practice, says Dana: electric trucks, energy-efficient warehouses, recyclable packaging and smart route optimisation are reducing emissions and waste. ‘But significant impact is also achieved when technology is used strategically,’ says Dana. ‘SAP Cloud ERP provides wholesalers with the tools to embed sustainability in their business.’

The role of IT in sustainable wholesale

Wholesalers play a central role in the global supply chain and can therefore make a real difference. According to Dana, smart technology helps wholesalers take concrete steps towards more sustainable business management.

Why SAP Cloud ERP?

According to Dana, SAP Cloud ERP offers a solid and scalable foundation for achieving sustainability goals. She highlights a number of features that she believes make the difference:

1. Integrated management and reporting

The SAP Sustainability Control Tower provides insight into both financial and non-financial data (such as CO₂ emissions). This enables wholesalers to better manage ESG goals and report transparently.

2. Zero emissions

SAP Product Footprint Management makes the ecological impact of products and processes visible, enabling companies to focus more specifically on sustainable production and resource planning.

3. Zero waste

SAP Responsible Design and Production supports circular design and production. Every part of the process – from purchasing to reuse – contributes to waste reduction.

4. Transparency in the chain

SAP Cloud ERP provides real-time insight into the entire supply chain. This is essential for monitoring sustainability standards and doing business ethically – something that customers increasingly demand.

5. Efficiency and cost savings

Cloud-based IT solutions not only reduce costs, but also lower energy consumption – a win-win for both business management and the environment.

6. Support for circular initiatives

Tools such as SAP Signavio can be used to analyse and adapt processes in line with circularity. The SAP Business Technology Platform also allows additional apps to be developed to support sustainable initiatives.