5 Essential Takeaways From CSU 2025 (For Distributors of Every Level)

CSU 2025 wasn’t just another virtual meeting—it was our biggest event of the year, bringing together 680+ promo pros from every corner of the industry.

Designed for distributors at every level, CSU is where commonsku’s product experts and success leaders showcase powerful industry insights, give hands-on platform training, and reveal what’s ahead on our innovation roadmap. 

Whether you’re new to commonsku or looking to scale up, we packed two dynamic hours with strategic guidance and game-changing updates to help you supercharge your business.

Read on for the five takeaways every distributor needs to know for the year ahead.

Streamline Operations: Supercharge Efficiency with Integrations & Automations

Juggling nonstop tasks and manual data entry is a pain every promo distributor knows too well.

commonsku tackles this head-on, by automating your busy work with seamless integrations for cumbersome tasks like invoicing and taxes.

"Once that invoice lands inside of QuickBooks and a full payment is logged against that invoice, commonsku's able to keep track of it at every stage. It's an awesome feeling to not have to worry about closing out that invoice."

Here is a list of some of the integrations we offer your business:

• • • Help with invoicing? → Check out QuickBooks Online
    • Help with taxes? → Check out Avalara

We also offer our Enterprise tier solutions to connect directly to platforms like Netsuite, Zoho, and custom ERPs through flexible APIs and webhooks.

It's all about bringing your entire workflow together so you can focus on growing your business.

Unlock Real-Time Intelligence: Power Up with Connected Supplier Workflows  

At the heart of the promo industry is a vibrant supplier community, and we're committed to helping you build those essential connections. 

Through commonsku’s Connected+ supplier program, you gain immediate access to leading partners like SanMar, PCNA, and S&S Activewear via the powerful PromoStandards network.

"You can collaborate directly with our suppliers through comments, view their live inventory, submit ePOs, and track order statuses in real time."

New to PromoStandards? Check out this article where we debunk 3 PromoStandards myths.

Distributors can immediately connect to this powerful network, unlocking real-time inventory updates, submitting electronic POs directly into supplier ERPs, and tracking orders without missing a beat.

No more waiting for manual updates or chasing down statuses.

PromoStandards makes it effortless to collaborate, source with confidence, and move at the speed of business.

See which of your suppliers are already connected →

Simplify Finances: Transform Your Workflow with Enhanced Approval Tools  

Managing financial accuracy and keeping approvals moving shouldn’t slow you down. Yet, in a fast-paced promo environment, delays in sending invoices or securing approvals can cause frustration and stall momentum,  especially when you’re juggling multiple clients and orders.

That’s why we launched features like Approve & Pay, letting you combine sales order approvals and upfront payment collection into one smooth, digital step—perfect for smaller or first-time customers who need a frictionless experience.

"This feature combines multiple steps of the commonsku workflow into one. A client reviewing the sales order, approves, then the invoice is automatically generated, ensuring payment is collected before production begins."

Want to explore more features to streamline the finances in your business? Check out the list below:

• • • Too many margins to update → Bulk update your margins.
    • Costly credit card fees → Try our new Credit Card Fee feature.
      

We continually refine our platform based on direct customer feedback, so the features we build are shaped by your real-world needs and ideas.

Scale Your Storefront: Smarter e-Commerce with Seamless Integrations  

As business moves increasingly online, digital transformation is reshaping the promo industry. 

With Shops, commonsku’s next-generation digital storefront, distributors can streamline e-commerce operations, automate admin tasks, and unlock tools that let every brand tell its story with ease. Robust integrations and intuitive workflows ensure you spend less time on backend busywork and more time driving sales and engaging clients.

Don't just take it from us, hear it from our Shops users:

See how Whitestone and Creative Boulevard use Shops to turn every order into a brand story.

"This is about reducing duplication, but it’s also about giving your team focus on what really matters: serving customers and fulfilling orders, not just data entry."

Plus, new integrations with Shopify and ShipStation are on the horizon, allowing you to seamlessly pull in online orders and automate shipping logistics. These updates make it easier than ever to elevate your client experience, boost margins, and grow your brand online.

Here's what each integration can do for you:

• Shopify x commonsku: This integration will automatically flow orders from a Shopify storefront into commonsku for PO generation and fulfillment management.
• ShipStation x commonsku:  Designed to automate shipping logistics by sending Shop order details straight to ShipStation for label printing and carrier management. 

Drive Results: Leverage Analytics and Manager Dashboards for Smarter Decisions

Are you an owner or a manager? If you are, then setting measurable goals, whether its for your sales or client targets, is your norm.

Our latest innovation focus is on reporting tools that put actionable data at your fingertips. The enhanced Sales Dashboard Report gives you an instant, at-a-glance view of each rep’s progress across sales orders, production, and invoices: helping you spot what’s new, what’s moving, and what’s complete in real time. 

"This breakdown gives you a clear view of what’s new, what’s moving, and what’s completed, all in real time. It’s why many managers and owners rely on this report daily or weekly."

With commonsku’s reporting suite, you get more than static numbers with actionable clarity, proactive control, and a powerful engine for continuous growth.

Check out these other cool reports in commonsku:

• • • Want to track your client performance → Learn about the Client Comparative Report.
    • Want to see how your products are tracking →Take a look at the Product Sold Report.

Ready to Take the First Step Towards Transforming Your Business?

Eliminate busywork, connect with the industry’s leading suppliers, streamline your finances, and unlock real growth by making the switch:

• Schedule a 15-minute demo → See how commonsku Shops work.
• Take your own tour → Explore commonsku for your business.
• Browse other distributor success stories → Get inspired by industry leaders.