ENAVATE, a leading Microsoft Dynamics provider in the U.S., today announced its first general availability release since acquiring the MBS Dev eCommerce and Dynamics AX ERP Distribution platform from Essendant Inc., in December 2014.  The Dynamics AX 2012 R3 release enables independent office products and janitorial/sanitation distributors to compete with large online retailers such as Amazon, providing the same B2C online shopping experience customers have come to expect from their business vendors.

"Amazon is already a formidable contender in the office products and jan/san space, putting pressure on Essendant's dealers to greatly increase the effectiveness of their eCommerce presence.  ENAVATE's AX 2012 R3 version is strategically aligned with Essendant's focus on providing leading content and capabilities that enable breakthrough merchandising and cross-selling capabilities to our independent dealers," said Girisha Chandraraj, SVP, Chief Digital Officer, for Essendant.  "Most dealers' customers expect their online shopping experience to include contemporary features seen on B2C sites, while still supporting the more complex B2B features and individual customer requirements, and this 2012 version takes that user experience to the next level for the independent dealer channel."

In addition to providing enhanced eCommerce capabilities, ENAVATE's product roadmap plan gives distributors access to Microsoft's newest platforms, Dynamics AX7 and Azure cloud hosting.  By staying in-step with Microsoft, ENAVATE's Advanced Distribution ERP platform is the most advanced system offered by a third party technology provider in the office products and jan/san distribution space.

"Office products and janitorial distribution remain major industry segments for us," said ENAVATE Chief Sales and Marketing Officer, Kevin Dooley.  "We will continue to focus our deeply skilled resources, IP and development investments on product and service innovations for these and other focused distribution segments."