For Immediate Release
Burklund Distributors Chooses Solution for iPad
Convenience Distributor to Track Rebates with iPad App
CHICAGO - July 11, 2011 - Ai2, a software developer serving the convenience industry, announced today that Burklund Distributors of East Peoria, IL will be replacing paper-based sales data tracking with a version of Ai2's ProSel, a new application running on the iPad. Burklund is a member of the WAM group of distributors, a cooperative organization that spans the United States.
The custom modification to Ai2's sales force automation application was developed in a joint effort between Ai2 and WAM, a private company that acts as an agent for distributors in the convenience store industry. WAM's main focus is the administration of the monthly programs that manufacturers sponsor to promote certain product lines. Rewards are available for distributors and retailers who purchase the required amount of product in a certain period of time. Distributors and retailers need to track their compliance with each program they enter, a procedure that was paper-based until now.
The current procedure for tracking over 400 salespeople and 20,000 retailers involves Scantron, generating a massive amount of paperwork. The ability to share data with distrbutors and disseminate it to the mobile sales force via the iPad will save thousands of hours annually for WAM and its members. The new process will also help retailers track how close they are to their next reward.
"I'm honored that WAM chose us to help their members with this app," said Douglas Katich, CEO for Ai2. "When salespeople can help their retailers by sorting through a mountain of data in a few seconds, they provide tremendous value and encourage customer loyalty."
Burklund is a 70-year-old organization focused on helping the operators of convenience store chains increase sales and profitability. For more about Burklund visit the company's website.
WAM is a private company based in Saginaw, MI. It is engaged in the structuring and implementation of programs designed to increase the sales of manufacturers, distributors and retailers who contract for WAM's services WAM decides which Convenience Products Distributors and which Manufacturers will be offered the opportunity to contract for its services. WAM is not structured as a buying group. Rather, WAM acts as an agent for distributors and the retailers they service with "preferred" suppliers. WAM retains a percentage of the revenue generated from suppliers for the distributor's sales and merchandising efforts. WAM pays each participating distributor its respective share on an annual basis. For more about WAM, visit the company's website.
Ai2 (formerly Access International) was founded in 1986 headquartered in downtown Chicago. Their applications are used by over 75,000 users each day to capture over 75 billion dollars in sales each year. Ai2 improves the order entry process for some of the nation’s largest distributors in foodservice, convenience store, grocery, beverage, hardware, medical, beauty and industrial supply. For more information about Ai2, visit www.ai2.com.
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Ai2 Media Contact
Ray Walsh
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