The CRM that works for your distribution business
Proton is giving reps revenue-generating ideas every day. It's not just a reporting tool, it's a sales growth tool.
The value of Proton for our industry is that right out of the box, it speaks our language. It understands what challenges distribution companies have.
Proton gets info to our sellers fast and effectively, so they can talk about what's relevant and what's important. With Proton, our team has better discussions with customers.
Proton is the best ROI of any tech investment we've made in the past 30 years.
We’re seeing a 3x profit return for every dollar spent on Proton software. What makes Proton different is the people and their domain expertise. It feels like we have a partner — a group that’s living and breathing distribution. They understand the unique challenges distributors face.
Before Proton, important info was buried in reports and often overlooked. With Proton, the data is right at our fingertips, easy to access and actionable. It's a game-changer for our daily routine.
Proton has made our sales team much more proactive, rather than just reacting to incoming orders. This has helped us increase the order size per invoice.
Proton recommends products for our sales team, tells reps what customers are due to reorder, and shows what they browsed online but didn’t buy. It provides better visibility and accountability. We went from a one-dimensional CRM to a three-dimensional one with Proton.
Proton’s added one day's worth of sales per month. Sales reps are getting a full day of extra sales revenue attributed to Proton.
Proton has helped us to greatly reduce ramp-up time for our new sales staff. Today, it's around 60 to 90 days – just a third of what it used to be.
When a CRM works, everybody gets on board pretty quick. So far, we've had a lot of wins. That makes it contagious; if everybody sees that guy got that sale, they want to get the next one.
Seeing how Proton’s three key components—CRM capabilities, AI-driven insights, and website integration—overlap was eye-opening. Integrating these drives revenue and enhances communication.
Reps want to sell. But most days, they’re stuck doing everything else.
Not because they want to be — but because there’s too much to track, and no system built for how they actually work. Up to 72% of their week goes to admin: entering orders, pulling reports, chasing inventory. The rest? They’re flying blind. No clear priorities, no easy way to spot what each customer needs.
They’re sellers in title, order-takers in practice.
Proton fixes that. It’s the first CRM built for distributors that uses data to tell reps who to call, what to sell, and when to follow up. And with Pronto handling the busywork, your team can stop being busy — and start actually selling.
Your AI teammate that lives inside Proton CRM
Here’s what I found:
- You last met with Sarah from Acme Supply two weeks ago to discuss their fall HVAC stocking order.
- You’ve got an open opportunity called “Seasonal Accessory Restock” in Qualifying, worth $32,000.
- There’s an outstanding quote (#Q-10984) for Trane XL filters and compressor coils totaling $20,450.
- They haven’t reordered air handlers in over 90 days — could be worth checking in.
- I also spotted a wallet share gap in thermostats — based on similar accounts, you could be capturing an additional $12,000 annually.
Here are similar in-stock alternatives:
- Zurn 1” Pressure Regulator (P/N ZPR-100) – $89.50 – 36 in stock
- Apollo Lead-Free Regulator (P/N AP-RG100LF) – $91.20 – 22 in stock
- Bell & Gossett Valve Regulator (P/N BG-VR112) – $95.75 – 17 in stock
Sure, here’s a draft:
“Hi Olivia — it was great catching up today! I’d love to schedule a lunch & learn for your team to walk through our FlexSeal™ and SureGrip™ gasket lines, including the new SKUs for high-temp environments. Would next Tuesday at 3PM work? Happy to bring lunch and printed materials. Let me know.”
Here’s the note I’ll log to Proton:
“Met with John Evans at Acme Tools. Discussed their upcoming warehouse buildout — potential need for air filters and flex hoses.”
Should I go ahead and save this?
Here’s an optimized route for your trip:
- ACME Supply – 123 Elm St – Meeting about plumbing fittings
- ABC Distributors – 821 Maple Ave – Recently downloaded our HVAC product catalog
- TNT Industrial – 450 Ridge Rd – Previously quoted on electrical conduit (Quote #E-5489)
- Lowe Electric – 19 Willow Ct – No recent activity, but they’re a top 20 target account
Total drive time is 1hr 12min.
How Proton helps distributors grow
Increase sales
Most reps in distribution are stuck in reactive mode—entering orders, answering calls, and hoping customers keep buying. Proton helps them shift into proactive selling by highlighting at-risk accounts, uncovering missed opportunities, and recommending what to sell next.
Proton gets info to our sellers fast and effectively, so they can talk about what's relevant and what's important. With Proton, our team has better discussions with customers.
Boost efficiency
Too many reps spend their day chasing down answers, digging through reports, and entering data—staying busy, not productive. It’s admin work disguised as selling. Proton handles the busywork so your team can focus on revenue-generating tasks.
After I got into Proton, my sales skyrocketed. Proton hasn’t just helped me maintain and build my business; it's also helped me personally. It has made me a better sales rep.
Get live visibility
Proton gives you live access to the info you need—your way. Check stock in a click. Ask your AI assistant, Pronto, which customers are down. Build a report if that’s your thing. Whether you're in sales, service, or leadership, you’ll get answers fast—no digging, no system-switching.
Just think of the best assistant you’ve ever had. You can plug an account number or contact name into the system and get all the information you need within seconds.
Improve collaboration
Most reps in distribution are stuck in reactive mode—entering orders, answering calls, and hoping customers keep buying. Proton helps them shift into proactive selling by highlighting at-risk accounts, uncovering missed opportunities, and recommending what to sell next.
Proton’s helped us open those lines of communication and bring a lot more accountability between the inside and outside sales teams. When a CRM works, everybody gets on board pretty quick.
What happens when your CRM actually works for you
The more your team uses Proton, the smarter it gets
Proton continuously pulls in data from wherever it lives: your ERP, website, PIM, document storage, and more.
We analyze your transactional, customer, product, and quoting data to find opportunities that a rep might miss.
Proton doesn’t just surface insights—it puts them to work. It nudges reps with smart suggestions and handles routine tasks like drafting emails, logging notes, and scheduling follow-ups.
When those actions lead to revenue, Proton takes note. It learns from every win—whether a rep follows a recommendation or Proton acts on its own.
The more your team uses Proton, the smarter it gets. It’s a cycle: better recommendations lead to more sales, creating a virtuous cycle that drives ongoing growth.
Bridge the gap between leadership and the frontlines
Enterprise-grade security and privacy
Your data is protected with the highest standards. Proton is one of the only distributor-focused CRs with SOC 2 Type II compliance—trusted by IT teams and ready for even the most rigorous reviews.
Evaluating CRMs? Don’t wing it.
Grab our free CRM RFP Guide was built specifically for distribution leaders evaluating sales tech. Includes must-ask questions, side-by-side comparison frameworks, and pitfalls to avoid.
