For Immediate Release
Tripifoods To Deploy iPad App For Salespeople
Reps Will Now Track Manufacturer Rebates On The Go
CHICAGO – July 11, 2011 – Software development company Ai2 announced that Tripifoods of Buffalo, New York will automate the rebate tracking process for its salespeople and retailers. Tripifoods is a member of WAM, an organization that helps manufacturers work with distributors on volume discount buying programs. The solution is a custom version of Ai2's ProSel and will run on the Apple iPad.
The modification to ProSel 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 rebates for WAM’s 400-plus salespeople and 20,000-plus 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 Tripifoods 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 approach will help with that," added Katich.
Founded in 1911, Tripifoods has served 18 states through four generations of family ownership. Tripifoods 250,000 sq. ft. distribution center serves 18 states, utilizing a fleet of the most modern delivery vehicles and satellite tracking technology.For more about Tripifoods, 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