For Immediate Release
Gem State Distributors To Roll Out iPad Solution
Rebate Tracking To Be Automated for Idaho Distributor
CHICAGO - July 11, 2011 - Ai2, a software developer serving the convenience industry, announced today that Gem State Distributors of Pocatello, Idaho will be replacing paper-based sales data tracking with a version of Ai2's ProSel, a new application running on the iPad. Gem State is a member of the WAM group of distributors, a cooperative organization that spans the United States.
Manufacturers of candy and snack products offer incentives for distributors and retailers to purchase a certain amount of product in a given time. WAM administers these programs for its 23 distributor members, almost all of whom will deploy this solution within the next year. The modification to ProSel was developed to replace the paper-based collection and compilation of data related to hundreds of these manufacturer-sponsored rebate programs. A mobile salesperson will now have instant access to compliance data for every retailer and every program.
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.
"We're very excited about the opportunity to help Gem State and the rest of the WAM members, said Douglas Katich, CEO for Ai2. "If a sales rep can tell a retailer that he's just one case of candy bars from hitting a bonus, everyone meets their deadline and everyone wins. Nowadays, a sales rep needs to stay connected to all the important information he needs in the field, and our app will help with that," said Katich.
Gem State Distributors is a family owned business founded by Don Noorda in 1958. His sons Paul and Joseph are currently leading the company. Gem State serves Idaho, Utah, Wyoming, Colorado, Arizona, and New Mexico. For more about Gem State 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 and is 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
(800) 835-3200