Computer Insights

What Computer Insights does

Computer Insights, Inc. is a US-based private software firm that develops and supports The Business Edge, a vertically specialized ERP platform built specifically for fastener and industrial-supply distributors. The product is a Linux-based, integrated suite covering order entry, purchasing, inventory, billing, accounts receivable/payable, sales analysis, and general ledger, and is extended through a broad set of add-on modules including Wireless Warehouse, Vendor Managed Inventory (VMI) with mobile apps, Container Receipts, Certificate Management, Quality Management, Shop Floor Data Collection, Counter Sales/POS, CRM, RESTful APIs, and the Fastener Supply Chain Network (FSCN). The platform integrates with third-party systems such as Avalara (tax), ShipEngine (shipping), ThomasNet (product sourcing), Fiserv/Clover Connect (payments), Able Label, Intuilize (BI), VendNovation, 8x8, and partner sourcing platforms (Fasteners Clearinghouse, ILSMART, PartsBase, Nationwide Fastener Directory).

The company sells primarily via direct enterprise field sales — phone, email, website forms, and industry trade shows — supported by content marketing through the LINK Magazine partnership and active participation in fastener industry associations (MWFA, STAFDA, NFDA, FIC, MAFDA, MFDA, NCFA, NEFDA, PWFA, SEFA, SFA, WIFI). Pricing is quote-based, subscription/annual, with third-party module licensing fees layered in; a remote (non-onsite) implementation model is positioned as a cost advantage (cited at approximately one-third competitor cost). Customer concentration leans heavily into North American fastener distributors, ranging from 4-employee SMBs to 500+-employee enterprises, with documented multi-decade relationships indicating high renewal but a narrow vertical.

Ownership is private and apparently bootstrapped/founder-led, with Dennis R. (Denny) Cowhey referenced historically as President through his retirement on December 31, 2019. Operating geographies are limited to the US and Canada. The company has no disclosed funding rounds, no parent company, no subsidiaries, no M&A activity, and reported headcount in the 11–50 range, consistent with a profitable niche software firm rather than a venture-backed scale-up.

Name

Computer Insights

Legal name

Computer Insights, Inc.

Website

https://ci-inc.com

Company type

Private

Founded year

1999

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

Computer Insights, Inc. is a US private software firm that builds and supports The Business Edge, a purpose-built ERP for fastener and industrial-supply distributors, sold via direct sales and annual subscriptions across the US and Canada.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Distribution ERP Software

NAICS

Software Publishers (5132), Custom Computer Programming Services (541511)

SIC

Services-Prepackaged Software (7372), Services-Computer Programming Services (7371)

akta.pro primary industry

Distribution & Wholesale ERP (Inventory, Order, Warehouse) (HDAEAEAC)

akta.pro secondary industries

Core ERP Suites (Financials, Procurement, Projects) (HDAEAEAA), ERP Implementation & Systems Integration Services (BPAEAGAA)

Keywords

• Fastener distribution ERP
• Inventory management software
• Warehouse management system
• Vendor managed inventory
• Industrial supply software

Headquarters

HQ city

Bloomingdale

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Software

Cost components

Personnel, Technology or R&D, Marketing or Sales, Operations, Others

Revenue model

1. ERP Software Licensing: The Business Edge ERP software is sold as an integrated business processing system for fastener distributors. The software includes a base system with optional add-on modules (marked with * in features list) that may require additional third-party licensing fees.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels2 records

Marketing channels5 records

Core offering

Computer Insights, Inc. develops and licenses The Business Edge, a purpose-built ERP software system engineered specifically for fastener distributors and industrial supply companies. The platform integrates order entry, purchasing, inventory management, billing, accounts receivable/payable, sales analysis, and general ledger with fastener-industry-specific capabilities such as lot traceability, certificate management, complex specification handling, and integration with the Fastener Supply Chain Network.

Product overview

Computer Insights, Inc. offers The Business Edge, a unified ERP platform purpose-built specifically for fastener distributors and industrial supply companies. The core product combines order entry, inventory management, purchasing, billing, accounts receivable/payable, sales analysis, and general ledger into a single integrated system. The platform extends through specialized add-on modules including Wireless Warehouse for real-time barcode-based warehouse operations, Vendor Managed Inventory (VMI) with mobile apps for field operations, TBE Mobile for smartphone/tablet access, Certificate Management for quality compliance, Container Receipts for import tracking, Workflow Automation for streamlining processes, DocumentConnection for document management, Quality Management System, Counter Sales/POS, CRM Actions, Credit Card Connection via Fiserv, ShipEngine integration for shipping, Avalara for tax compliance, Able Label for printing, and RESTful APIs for custom development. The Fastener Supply Chain Network module provides B2B connectivity to master distributors and sourcing platforms.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• The Business Edge Purpose-built ERP system designed specifically for fastener distributors. Provides integrated order entry, purchasing, inventory management, billing, receivables, payables, sales analysis, and general ledger functionality. Includes multi-level pricing, contract pricing, credit card processing, EDI, unlimited units of measure, and comprehensive inventory tracking by location, lot number, and manufacturer details.
• Fastener Supply Chain Network (FSCN) B2B integration network connecting fastener distributors with master distributors (Brighton-Best, Kanebridge, Lindstrom, Star Stainless, Stelfast, XL Screw) and inventory sourcing sites for real-time pricing, availability, and electronic purchase order submission.
• Credit Card Connection Credit card processing integration via Fiserv internet gateway for pre-authorizations, sales, credits, and voids. Secure storage in Credit Card Rolodex with PCI compliance support.

Quantifiable outcome

• Increased productivity by 60% and reduced labor by 50% through wireless warehouse and paperless operations
• +7 more outcomes

Named customers26 records

Segments4 records

Ideal customer profiles3 records

Technology focussed Yes

API detail

Has API

Yes

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Integration19 records

Feature8 records

Partnerships

Twelve partnerships are on record, tiered core and strategic.

• AvalaracoreTechnology or IntegrationAvalara provides tax calculation and compliance integration with The Business Edge. Features include seamless tax calculation, address validation, sales tax reporting, nexus determination, and optional tax filing and remittance services. Customers report 80%+ reduction in sales tax compliance time.
• ShipEnginecoreTechnology or IntegrationShipEngine integration provides integrated parcel shipping with rate quotes from UPS, FedEx, and USPS. Includes tracking number and cost tracking, one-click web tracking, emailed invoices with tracking links, and shipping label creation.
• ThomasNetstrategicTechnology or IntegrationThomasNet strategic alliance allows viewing of Thomasnet product images inside The Business Edge with one-click hypertext links to product landing pages. Enables upload of prices and package quantities to Thomasnet website.
• Fiserv (CardConnect)coreTechnology or IntegrationFiserv provides credit card processing integration. Allows entering and submitting credit card transactions directly within The Business Edge including pre-authorizations, sales, credits, and voids. Features secure card storage without PCI compliance requirements.
• Able LabelstrategicTechnology or IntegrationAble Label provides labeling software integration with The Business Edge. Features 684 label sizes and colors, 1941 fastener pictures in logo library, custom customer labels, and integration with Datamax and Zebra printers.
• Brighton-Best InternationalcoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorMaster distributor partner in Fastener Supply Chain Network. Enables searching suppliers' line cards using unique product trees, checking pricing and supplier availability, validating package quantities, and submitting validated purchase orders electronically.
• Kanebridge CorporationcoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorMaster distributor partner in Fastener Supply Chain Network enabling real-time pricing, availability checks, and electronic purchase order submission.
• Lindstrom FastenerscoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorMaster distributor partner in Fastener Supply Chain Network enabling integrated pricing and inventory access.
• Star StainlesscoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorMaster distributor partner in Fastener Supply Chain Network enabling integrated pricing and inventory access.
• Stelfast InccoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorMaster distributor partner in Fastener Supply Chain Network enabling integrated pricing and inventory access.
• XL Screw CorporationcoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorMaster distributor partner in Fastener Supply Chain Network enabling integrated pricing and inventory access.
• BoltWisestrategicTechnology or IntegrationBoltWise works with Computer Insights' RESTful APIs to build features and custom tools for mutual fastener distribution customers.

Scale indicators1 record

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Direct peers

• Distribution One: Distribution One provides ERP software purpose-built for wholesale distributors across multiple verticals. Comparable to Computer Insights as a vertically-focused distribution ERP vendor serving small and mid-sized distributors with comparable feature sets around inventory, order management, and warehouse operations.

Emerging players

• Acumatica: Acumatica is a cloud-native ERP platform with strong distribution edition serving small and mid-sized distributors. Comparable as a modern, scalable ERP option that competes for the same SMB and mid-market fastener and industrial distribution customers seeking cloud delivery.
• Fishbowl Inventory: Fishbowl provides inventory management and manufacturing solutions for small and mid-sized businesses. While less specialized than Computer Insights, it serves as a lower-cost alternative for smaller fastener and industrial distributors evaluating inventory-centric solutions.
• JobBOSS by Exact Macola: JobBOSS is an ERP solution for small manufacturers and job shops including some fastener manufacturers. Comparable as a vertical-focused ERP for small/mid industrial operations, competing for the manufacturer segment of Computer Insights' customer base.

Broad incumbents

• Epicor Software: Epicor is a major ERP vendor with strong distribution and manufacturing verticals including industrial supply. While broader than Computer Insights, Epicor competes for the same mid-market fastener and industrial distributor customers with deeper R&D resources and a global footprint.
• NetSuite (Oracle): Oracle NetSuite is a leading cloud ERP suite for distribution and wholesale businesses. Competes for the same mid-market and enterprise customers with broader functionality, but lacks fastener-specific vertical features that Computer Insights emphasizes.
• Microsoft Dynamics 365 Business Central: Microsoft Dynamics offers distribution and supply chain ERP capabilities that compete in the broader mid-market distribution space. While not fastener-specific, it represents a credible alternative for distributors evaluating platform consolidation onto a major vendor stack.
• Sage 100 / Sage X3: Sage provides ERP solutions including Sage 100 and Sage X3 targeting distribution and manufacturing SMBs and mid-market. Represents a long-standing competitor in the small and mid-sized distribution ERP space where Computer Insights also competes.
• Infor Distribution SX.e: Infor offers distribution-specific ERP solutions (including SX.e) for larger wholesale distributors. Represents a competitive threat at the upper end of Computer Insights' customer base with broader functionality but less fastener-specific vertical depth.

Others

• Blue Yonder (formerly JDA): Blue Yonder provides supply chain planning and execution software including demand forecasting relevant to fastener distributors. Comparable only in the supply chain and VMI-adjacent capabilities, but operates at much larger enterprise scale and is not a direct ERP competitor.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Xx.com/businessedge2
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/computerinsights

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles1 record

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Computer Insights