Best E-Commerce Catalog Management Software for Industrial Distributors
Matt Christensen
PresidentDecember 12, 2025
For industrial distributors, the success of your e-commerce strategy depends on one thing above all: product data quality.
Your customers—contractors, engineers, and buyers—expect accurate, detailed, and searchable information with every click. But when your catalog includes tens of thousands of SKUs from multiple manufacturers, managing that data across systems can quickly become overwhelming.
That’s where product catalog management software and e-commerce catalog software come in. The right platform helps you centralize, enrich, and deliver consistent product data across your ERP, website, and partner channels—saving time and improving the customer experience.
Below, we’ll explore leading catalog management solutions—including DDS’ Acadia platform—and compare how they stack up in functionality, scale, and value for industrial distributors searching for the best B2B e-commerce software for distributors in 2026 and beyond.
What Industrial Distributors Need in a Catalog Management Platform
Before choosing a solution, here’s what to prioritize in a catalog management system:
- Centralized data control – One place for SKUs, specs, and digital assets.
- Automated updates – Real-time manufacturer data synchronization.
- Data normalization and enrichment – Consistent attributes for improved search and filtering.
- Scalability – Ability to manage large catalogs with complex data structures.
- E-commerce integration – Seamless connection to ERP and commerce platforms like BigCommerce and Shopify.
- Industry focus – Taxonomies and content structures designed for industrial distribution (not generic retail).
Comparison of Top E-Commerce Catalog Management Solutions
Interested in learning more about DDS’ Acadia platform?
Platform Highlights + Distributor Considerations
DDS (Distributor Data Solutions)
Strengths: DDS’ Acadia platform was built specifically for the manufacturing and distribution ecosystem. As a leading e-commerce catalog software option, it connects distributors directly to a verified network of over 1,700 manufacturers, delivering AI-enriched, standardized, and commerce-ready product data. Its direct integrations with BigCommerce, Shopify, and myriad ERP systems ensure a continuous data flow with minimal manual effort.
Weaknesses: Geared toward B2B workflows; less relevant for distributors with a strong consumer-facing component.
Best for: Industrial distributors managing large, complex product catalogs that require manufacturer-authorized, automated data delivery.
Unilog
Strengths: Offers a unified environment for PIM, content management, and e-commerce storefronts—allowing distributors to manage digital sales and data from one interface.
Weaknesses: Not as flexible for distributors already using established ERP or e-commerce systems; limited automation for manufacturer data ingestion.
Best for: Mid-sized distributors seeking a combined PIM and web commerce solution.
Affiliated Distributors (AD)
Strengths: Streamlines product data ingestion for AD member distributors with standardized, manufacturer-supplied feeds.
Weaknesses: Membership required; limited tools for enrichment or advanced customization.
Best for: AD members leveraging pre-built data feeds to populate e-commerce platforms.
Syndigo
Strengths: Provides advanced data governance, validation, and syndication tools for brands and retailers; supports structured product data at global scale.
Weaknesses: Built primarily for brand-to-retail ecosystems; implementation can be resource-intensive for industrial distributors.
Best for: Distributors needing strict data compliance and governance, or those working across multiple retail channels.
Web Scraping Services
Strengths: Useful for filling temporary data gaps when official manufacturer feeds are unavailable.
Weaknesses: Produces inconsistent and unverified data; lacks taxonomy, validation, and integration features; often violates manufacturer data rights.
Best for: Temporary, last-resort data collection—not enterprise-grade catalog management.
Why DDS and Acadia Lead the Industry
Unlike generic catalog management or scraping tools, DDS’ Acadia platform was engineered specifically for distributors’ needs. It bridges the gap between manufacturers and distributors by automating the entire product data delivery process—ensuring every SKU is accurate, enriched, and updated in real time.
The DDS advantage includes:
- Manufacturer-authorized product data—no scraping or unverified sources.
- AI-powered data normalization for cleaner filtering and faster site search.
- Deep integrations with ERP and e-commerce platforms.
- Unmatched scalability with 12.5 million+ SKUs and growing.
- Trusted industry network spanning Industrial, Electrical, Plumbing, HVACR, and Tools.
For industrial distributors, this means a single, automated solution to maintain data accuracy, speed up onboarding, and scale confidently—especially when evaluating the best B2B e-commerce software for distributors.
Conclusion
Choosing the right catalog management platform can make or break your digital strategy.
While tools like Unilog, AD, and Syndigo each provide value, and web scraping may fill temporary gaps, DDS’ Acadia platform offers the most comprehensive, distributor-focused solution.
By combining AI enrichment, real-time manufacturer connections, and direct e-commerce integrations, DDS empowers distributors to manage cleaner catalogs, improve customer experiences, and drive digital growth—without the complexity.
Interested in seeing DDS’ Acadia platform in action?
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Author Bio
Matt Christensen is President and co-founder of DDS (Distributor Data Solutions), the leading e-commerce product content provider for the wholesale distribution industry. Prior to launching DDS in 2014, he spent a decade as technology director at an independent electrical distributorship, where he helped pioneer one of the industry’s first online offerings — an experience that shaped DDS’ unique, data-driven approach.