For Immediate Release
Stewart Distribution Takes Control of Rebate Tracking
iPad App From Ai2 To Assist Salespeople
CHICAGO - July 11, 2011 - Software developer Ai2 announced today that Stewart Distribution of Waycross, Georgia will soon deploy a custom version of Ai2's ProSel, an iPad-based mobile application designed to track compliance in various manufacturer-sponsored rebate programs. The custom application is exclusively for members of the WAM group, a company that facilitates cooperative volume discount buying for distributors in the convenience industry.
The solution 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.
WAM is currently using a Scantron sheet that has to be manually fed into a machine, similar to the grading of tests in schools. The modified version of ProSel gives the distributors' outside salespeople the ability to remotely access any retailer's program status. This will help distributors monitor their progress in these programs and increase retailer compliance.
"We're very excited about the opportunity to help Stewart 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 this solution will help with that," added Katich.
Stewart Candy was founded on April 15, 1922 by James Ernest Stewart, Sr., a 24-year-old businessman and candy maker. With Peanut Brittle and Peppermint Lumps as his original inventory, "J.E." made candy in the morning and sold it from his Model A in the afternoon. Today "J.E.'s" grandchildren operate and manage the business with the same dedication to the high business and ethical standards he set forth. For more about Stewart 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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