By Janet Zlokovich
We are seeing where more manufacturers need our expertise for their Trade Promotion data acquisition. Three sides of the foodservice trading partner triangle – manufacturer, distributor & operator are implementing new enterprise systems and purchasing software applications for their rebate tracking, so there is a downstream impact on their Trade claim reporting. At Answers Systems, we turn this into a positive!! We look for the ultimate benefit the industry will receive from new trading partner capabilities, particularly when they result with an improved billback claim output file or transmission method for delivery. This especially applies to distributors, since they contribute to the majority of billback claim submissions.
Regardless if it is a new file format or changing the host connectivity for the file transfer protocol, Answers Systems has been able to successfully react to streamlining these new requirements into our data acquisition model. We embrace and influence the technology evolution, while at the same time recognize it will take staffed professionals and expertise to translate and integrate these changes to our data load automation processes.
A big part of why this has become a reality is because Answers Systems has the knowledge and proven expertise for managing electronic data. This skill is recognized as a core competency in our portfolio of accomplishments. We have dedicated resources focused on performing these services because we know trading partner requirements will change. We’ve been in full production with accepting and loading billback claim data files since 2006, so we stand tall compared to other trade promotion management services.
In one recent example, a new approach was required to load a data file, which that had been converted from the source specification after it was exported by an E-Commerce service, into our system. It was a challenge but not a roadblock. We feel this is just another illustration of our acceptance and preparedness for doing business with a wide range of trading partners.
Answers Systems’ manufacturer clients benefit from our data extraction capabilities with enhanced reporting they can use for collaboration and developing business strategies with their shared customer. When the data file is an electronic output file, a manufacturer has visibility and access to all the information submitted on the deviated claim. Unlike the “summary totals” information that we commonly hear is the normal data capturing method prior to using our trade promotion management services.
In our opinion, there is never too much data! Every sales transaction reported as part of the deviation support is captured to allow a comprehensive analysis of the claim submission. This return verified information to the claimant that will assist with the sync of their internal rebate tracking.
Our data acquisition resources can offer qualified and experienced recommendations for the preferred file type and transmission method. The charter at Answers Systems is to follow the GS1 US standards (http://www.gs1us.org/sectors/foodservice) but we are flexible and will accept alternative file layouts knowing that it can take time for some trading partners to adopt and enhance their systems to meet these requirements.
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