Why Is the Service as Software (SaS) Model a Game Changer for Manufacturers and Distributors?

Traditional platforms that once supported online transactions now struggle to meet the demands of modern buyers, who expect flexibility, transparency, and digital-first experiences.

Adding to this shift is the rise of generative AI, which is already altering how customers discover and evaluate products. Research from BrightEdge shows that over 65% of traffic from generative AI tools never reaches traditional websites (BrightEdge, 2024).

This means your business risks being invisible if you rely solely on outdated digital strategies. To adapt, you need systems that not only simplify your operations but also make your content visible to AI-driven search engines. WebriQ’s Service as Software (SaS) model, combining service, software, and AI integration, is designed to help you achieve both.

At the center is StackShift, the Content Operating Platform. Alongside the Forge Suite tools and CitationGrader for AI visibility. WebriQ’s Service as Software model gives you a connected framework to remain competitive.

What Makes WebriQ's Service as Software (SaS) Model Relevant for Manufacturers and Distributors? 

The Service as Software approach goes beyond just providing software.

You are supported with expert services and AI-driven integration that address both the operational complexity and the search visibility challenges in e-commerce.

• StackShift functions as your orchestration layer, connecting commerce, content, and digital experiences.
• Forge Suite Tools (CiteForge, PublishForge, and PipelineForge) equip you with structured, AI-ready content and data workflows.
• CitationGrader ensures your business is measurable and visible within generative search engines.

The combination allows you to reduce complexity, accelerate publishing, and ensure your content and product catalogs are discoverable in the GEO (Generative Engine Optimization) era.

Why Does StackShift Matter for Manufacturers and Distributors?

It works as an AI-driven Content Operating Platform designed to create, manage, and grow digital content without the delays of traditional CMS tools.

It brings together:

• Product catalogs and information management
• Logistics and operational data
• Media and digital assets
• Customer interactions

With its modular, API-first, and headless design, StackShift connects ERP systems, logistics partners, and storefronts without the limits of monolithic platforms.

Its AI-driven architecture supports automation and natural-language workflows, giving manufacturers and distributors the flexibility to handle fluctuating demand, multi-warehouse operations, and complex catalogs on their own terms.

StackShift: Real-World Applications and Success Stories

StackShift’s role as an AI-driven Content Operating Platform is best illustrated by real B2B projects.

Two examples: Belwith Keeler and Jamplast show how manufacturers and distributors use their modular design to simplify operations and improve customer experiences.

1. Belwith Keeler B2B Portal

Belwith Keeler built a private, invite-only portal with more than 6,700 SKUs. Powered by StackShift’s MACH-based architecture, the portal enabled:

• Customer-specific pricing and discounts
• Quote and order functionality
• Shopping by collection
• Advanced search and filtering
• ERP and media integrations
• Multi-location shipping support

This approach improved efficiency and created a customer-focused platform.

2. Jamplast B2B Portal

Jamplast, a distributor for 3D printing supplies, introduced a B2B portal designed for wholesale buyers. Features included:

• Structured product catalog with filters
• Pricing options with an RFQ module
• Product pages enriched with media and reviews
• Account management with order history
• API-based data exchange, secure payments, and shipping tools

The solution enhanced customer satisfaction while reducing operational complexity.

The Bigger Picture

These two examples highlight StackShift’s impact on B2B commerce.

To extend these benefits further, the Forge Suite applies the same modular, AI-driven approach to content, publishing, and data workflows.

How Does the Forge Suite Prepare Content and Data for AI-Driven Discovery?

The Forge Suite is made up of CiteForge, PublishForge, and PipelineForge, addressing the content side of modern commerce. Together, these ensure your content is not only operationally efficient but also ready for AI-driven discovery.

CiteForge

- Restructures your product data, catalogs, and technical documents into schema-rich, modular blocks that AI can interpret and cite.

A 2025 Semrush study found that nearly 90% of links cited by ChatGPT come from beyond page two in Google, showing how structured, machine-readable content is critical for AI visibility.

PublishForge

- Acts as an AI-powered knowledge graph and content engine, organizing your content into a live knowledge graph and deploying it across search, chat, and AI agents.

PipelineForge

- Connects with your first-party and CRM data, enriches it with external insights, and uses AI agents to prioritize leads, personalize engagement, and optimize sales pipelines toward measurable KPIs.

Why Should You Measure AI-Readiness with CitationGrader?

It is no longer enough to assume your content will surface in search.

A Pew Research Center study found that when AI-generated summaries appear in Google results, traditional link click-through rates drop to just 8%, compared to 15% when summaries are absent (Pew Research, 2025).

This is where CitationGrader becomes essential. It evaluates how visible your content is to generative engines, showing whether your information is being cited and where improvements are needed.

Integrated into the Service as Software (SaS) model, CitationGrader gives you a closed loop: create structured content, publish it at scale, and measure its visibility in AI-driven search.

Final Thoughts

As a manufacturer or distributor, you face both operational and visibility challenges. Traditional platforms may process transactions, but they cannot prepare your business for the realities of AI-driven discovery.

When you use StackShift, integrate the Forge Suite tools, and apply CitationGrader, you gain a model that supports growth, efficiency, and long-term discoverability. This is what makes WebriQ’s Service as Software (SaS) model a true game changer for modern manufacturers or distributors.

Talk to an expert about making your B2B commerce AI-ready.

FAQs: Service as Software (SaS) Model a Game Changer for Manufacturers and Distributors