Address Distributor Deduction Backup…in a Day…with Boardwalk!

Adesso
Adesso Boardwalk Flyer
Click to Download

Are you tired of sorting through pages and pages of distributor deduction backup? Boardwalk can help!

 
Our Boardwalk solution, that replaces the manual process with an incredibly simply process, cuts your admin time by +93%!
 

Download the flyer for more details, contact us, or message us on LinkedIn to have a quick conversation!

Flamingo TPM Redefines Trade Planning & Deduction Management

Adesso-Redefined-Trade-Planning-And-Deduction-Management

Rolling Meadows, IL. September 21, 2021 – We are beyond excited to announce the recent successes enabled by the Flamingo TPM redefined trade planning and deduction management solutions, which are enabling unprecedented time-savings for Adesso’s client community.

Adesso’s new Annual Planner, which is completely integrated into the Flamingo TPM solution, simplifies and streamlines annual and semi-annual planning, eliminating any need for dual entry of plans, enabling scenario planning, and essentially avoiding the need to input individual deals again! This enables both the CPG manufacturer sales team, along with their sales agency partners, to significantly reduce administrative time and instead allow for deeper analysis into the trade plans and results. An entire trade plan that once took a day or two, is now done in just an hour or two!

On the settlement side, Adesso’s new Boardwalk solution addresses the challenge of organizing and consolidating MCB/deduction backup, and simplifies finding the appropriate deal to match to each deduction within Flamingo TPM. Specifically, distributor backup is sent to a secure FTP site, and deductions are automatically populated. Promotion deductions, which are typically > 75% of the deduction, are targeted based on customer, amount and date, which is a process that becomes more accurate over time with machine learning.

This solution enables clients to immediately:

  • Reduce admin time (most recently cited as over 93%) addressing settlements from the initial short-pay to the closing of the deal.
  • Quickly collect the ‘low hanging fruit’ of repays, and eliminate double-dipped promotions, so they can move to deeper trade analysis and more effective promotions – benefiting both the clients’ business and their retail partners.

“Technology – is and always will – be the cornerstone of what we offer,” said Rich Jones, EVP of Technology at Adesso Solutions. “I have been part of trade and deduction management since Adesso’s inception in 2002, and I have never seen anything like our recent developments with the Annual Planner and the Boardwalk solution. It really is exciting, and we’re grateful for our client-partners whose input was an integral part of this innovation!”

For additional information, we invite you to visit us online at https://AdessoSolutions.com, on LinkedIn or contact Karin Souren, Director of Marketing directly at ksouren@adesso-solutions.com or 847-342-1095 x4031. 

# # #

Client Settlement Community Estimates Boardwalk Reduces MCBs/Deductions Admin Time by 93%+

Adesso

Rolling Meadows, IL. August 9, 2021 – We are proud to announce the initial successes of our Client Settlement Community, formed earlier this year to proactively address the challenges clients face when addressing MCBs/deductions. The community’s objective has been to share, review and improve upon existing processes and best practices in this strategic area in order to continue to improve upon Adesso’s offerings. With this as a foundation, Adesso leverages technology to dramatically reduce admin time for deduction management, specifically with distributors who have innumerable pages of deduction backup. With input from clients and key sales agency partners, major progress has been made, resulting in Adesso’s new Boardwalk Rapid Deduction Matching solution.

Boardwalk addresses the challenge of organizing and consolidating MCB/deduction backup, and simplifies finding the appropriate deal to match to each deduction. Specifically, distributor backup is sent to a secure FTP site, and deductions are automatically populated. Promotion deductions (typically > 75% of the deduction) are targeted based on customer, amount and date, which is a process that becomes more accurate over time with machine learning.

This solution enables clients to immediately:

  • Reduce admin time (cited as over 93%) addressing settlements from the initial short-pay to the closing of the deal.
  • Quickly collect the ‘low hanging fruit’ of repays, and eliminate double-dipped promotions, so they can move to deeper trade analysis and more effective promotions – benefiting both the clients’ business and their retail partners.

“This is breakthrough stuff,” said Tim Pantzlaff, Vice President of Client Effectiveness at Adesso Solutions. “I wish I had this when I was working on the client side in the natural-specialty area, and I am thrilled to work with this terrific community to develop this solution that dramatically reduces the administrative burden of deduction management for our clients!”

“We view our clients as key drivers for input into our solution; and it is truly their solution, as well as how we grow our business,” said Fred Schroeder, President & CEO at Adesso Solutions. “Additionally, we are extremely pleased to be working with our clients’ sales agency partners who have invaluable input and experience in this area.”

To learn more about Boardwalk and Adesso’s complete trade solution for natural-specialty CPG, please contact Karin Souren, Director of Marketing, at ksouren@adesso-solutions.com, visit us on LinkedIn, or call 847.342.1095.

# # #

Boardwalk Re-Imagined Deduction Settlement – Join a Webinar

Adesso

Would You Like to Cut Deductions Admin Time by 93%?

Wouldn’t it be nice if you could automate the traditionally manual and time-consuming step of bringing trade documents and data, such as contracts and deduction backup documents into the TPM system?

We Have Now Made This Quick & Easy!

So, What Is

Adesso

Addresses the challenge of organizing and consolidating MCB/deduction backup, and simplifies finding the appropriate deal.

Adesso

Deduction backup documents, from distributors such as UNFI/KeHE, are sent to a secure FTP site, and deductions are populated.

Adesso

Promotion deductions (typically > 75% of the deduction) are targeted based on customer, amount and date, which becomes more accurate over time.

Adesso
“Technology is the cornerstone at Adesso, and we continue to enhance our solutions based on feedback from our client community. We developed the Boardwalk Re-Imagined Deduction Settlement solution  based on client and not-yet client suggestions, and is a key offering that will impact efficiency and business process among our client community.” Rich Jones, EVP of Technology Adesso Solutions

How It Works...

We Simplify & Automate Your Settlement Process!

You, or your broker partner, simply upload your emailed or downloaded backup from your distributor into a central location within the Flamingo system.

Boardwalk reads your images and finds the best matches for the backup, based on invoice #, check #, and deduction amount; then recommends which promotions to match each deduction, significantly narrowing the scope so all you need to do is approve or update the recommendation to the appropriate deduction and then finalize the settlement.

Would you like to know more?

Join us for a half hour webinar to review Boardwalk — our newest solution that can help you reduce your MCB/deduction settlement time by 93% or more!

Boardwalk Benefits You,
Your Sales Agency Partners
& Your Retailers

Boardwalk BenefitsReduce admin time (most recently cited as over 93%) addressing settlements from the initial short-pay to the closing of the deal. Boardwalk BenefitsQuickly collect the ‘low hanging fruit’ of repays, and eliminating double-dipped promotions so you can move to deeper trade analysis and more effective promotions – benefiting both your business and your retail partners.

Adesso Solutions Launches ‘Boardwalk’ Re-Imagined Deduction Settlement Solution

Adesso

Uniquely Addressing the Needs of Natural-Specialty Manufacturers

Rolling Meadows, IL. July 19, 2021 – We are excited to announce the launch of Adesso’s brand new ‘Boardwalk’ solution, our Rapid Deduction Matching System and backup downloading, specifically for distributors such as KeHE and UNFI. Over the past few months, we have invested significant development time to enhance our solutions to specifically add functionality that makes Flamingo the only solution that completely meets the unique needs of natural-specialty manufacturers.

Adesso’s Boardwalk Rapid Deduction Matching solution addresses manufacturers’ deduction documents in two key areas to reduce time spent getting the distributor backup data into the system:

  1. Leverages Optical Character Recognition (OCR) to facilitate adding deduction, trade, and other pertinent documentation to populate key fields.
  2. Leverages Artificial Intelligence (AI) to narrow the scope of the open and pertinent deductions to address and reduce search time.

With the combination of Flamingo TPM and the Boardwalk Rapid Deduction Matching solutions, manufacturers benefit from a best-in-class deductions process and solution for the Natural-Specialty channel that enables them and their sales agency partners to clear deductions more quickly and accurately than any other solution available.

“You will reduce admin time, often by 50%,” said Fred Schroeder, President & CEO at Adesso Solutions. “Boardwalk enables you to rapidly address settlements – from the initial short-pay to the closing of the deal; enabling you to quickly collect the ‘low hanging fruit’ of repays, so your team can move to deeper trade analysis and more effective promotions – benefiting both your business, and your retail partners.”

To learn more about Boardwalk and Adesso’s complete trade solution for natural-specialty CPG, please contact Karin Souren, Director of Marketing, at ksouren@adesso-solutions.com. Visit Adesso on LinkedIn here.

# # #

Adesso Invites Clients to Go Beyond the Sea of Trade Information

Adesso-AnnualPlanner

Exploring Trade Opportunities at TPE Client Community Fall Conference in Disney

Rolling Meadows, IL. June 21, 2021 – We are extremely excited to announce our upcoming TPE Client Community conference will take place Tuesday, September 7 through Thursday, September 9 at Disney’s Yacht Club Resort and Convention Center in Lake Buena Vista, Florida. This conference offers business leaders and executives in sales, finance & trade marketing, targeted field sales users & finance administrators, as well as key sales agents / broker partners the opportunity to discuss industry issues and collective challenges within trade.

“As a more recent client, the conferences I have attended proved extremely informative in understanding the system’s capabilities and best practices,” said Tom Huls, Chief Sales Officer at Chosen Foods. “With the new syndicated data and Annual Planner functionality, this is another key time for this event. I do love how much the Adesso Team seeks feedback. It just does not happen at other 3rd party system providers. This is a must-attend event for Chosen Foods!”

The conference will provide invaluable networking opportunities, along with numerous conference sessions that will include presentations, client-led success sharing, and interactive workshops, with major session topics to include:

  • Detailed review and discussions around the Lighthouse Retailer Analysis & Effectiveness solution, which addresses the sea of trade information, and brings in Integrated Trade & Consumption Analysis, Customer Volume & Financial Analysis, and Warehouse Withdrawals.
  • Trade planning discussions, with in-depth review of the new Annual Planner and opportunities to improve strategic trade planning.
  • Workshops around Natural-Specialty trade strategy development, including topics such as annual trade planning, deduction management processes, broker involvement, and warehouse withdrawals.
  • Exploration of how to leverage the Smart Dashboards analysis and reporting BI tool for deeper analysis and strategic business growth.

“I’ve attended quite a few of Adesso’s client conferences,” said Steve Huisenga, Vice President of Sales at American Pop Corn Company. “And everything from the networking to the discussions around new system functionality and business process improvements has made these events both educational and beneficial for Jolly Time. They listen to our needs and opportunities and take action – these conferences are a key part of that. They are extremely beneficial and address it in a fun, positive environment.”

For additional information, we invite you to visit us online at https://AdessoSolutions.com, or contact Karin Souren, Director of Marketing directly at ksouren@adesso-solutions.com or 847-342-1095 x4031.

# # #

‘Working Trade’ vs ‘Non-Working Trade’

Non-Working Trade

Essentially, by non-working trade, we refer to dollars that do not get to the consumer, do not drive targeted distribution, and do not drive repeat purchase.

Examples of Non-Working Trade

    • OI’s & the Resultant Forward Buying
    • Non-Targeted Slotting/Free Goods
    • Administrative Fees
    • Short Coded Buy Downs
    • Unauthorized Deductions That Need to be Repaid

Working Trade

Working Trade is targeted spending with retailers to drive growth, your brand franchise/equity, and represent dollars reflected at the consumer level.

How Can You Measure This?

While short-term results may be difficult to measure, retailer level case growth is a barometer. Longer-term consumption growth, reduced spending per case, and reduced slotting are key metrics. Also, spending can be evaluated and measured by ROI, ‘cost per incremental case’, and customer profitability longer term.

So When Do You Begin to Evaluate This?

It is important to note that these are not ‘big company’ approaches – companies under $10M address some or all of these areas when discussing working trade vs. non-working trade.

On-Demand Webinar - Working Trade vs Non-Working TradeNatural-Specialty Trade Spending Webinar (On-Demand)

Would you like to learn more about ‘Working Trade’ vs. ‘Non-Working Trade’? We have developed an educational webinar for CPG manufacturers in the natural-specialty segment, and invite you to join us at your convenience for this on-demand webinar. Feel free to reach out on LinkedIn to learn more about Adesso.

History of Trade Spending

In a 1971 effort to halt inflation, the Nixon administration froze wages and prices for 90 days. He froze them again in 1973. Manufacturers raised prices before the freezes—then didn’t lower them. Instead of reducing prices, they began giving discounts to retailers that could be passed on to consumers for limited times.

In the mid-80s, retailers began taking control. They launched programs aimed at boosting volume—and the dollars stores would earn as products passed through their shelves. This was the birth of today’s trade promotion programs and the fees retailers collect for them. Trade promotion costs have risen steadily since the late 2000s.

Today, trade spend is still a crucial aspect of doing business, but it helps brands manage their business rather than hurt them. The purpose of trade spending today is to encourage promotion via discount, secure additional distribution, or shelf space, or to drive additional volume. It can be in the form of a percent discount from list price, an amount per unit, or a fixed or lump-sum payment for merchandising provided by the retailer.

What is TPM Software?

A TPM software solution enables businesses to better plan and operate in all aspects of trade.

Adesso’s Flamingo Trade Promotion Effectiveness (TPE) solution helps you manage and control spending, as well as plan and forecast. Our TPM software solution gives you visibility into your spending, accountability and control, offline scenario planning, and real-time reporting and analysis. Our Cloud-based model helps you relax and take charge of your trade spending.

Adesso’s Flamingo Trade Promotion Management solution combines this standard system, which is built upon the industry trade process and best practices, coupled with our unique System Effectiveness Services that together dramatically improve our clients’ trade promotion spending and effectiveness.

What is the Difference Between TPE vs TPM?

Adesso Trade Promotion Effectiveness (TPE) Goes Beyond TPMTrade Spending is a major area to address for CPG manufactures both in the Natural-Specialty and conventional retail segments. Most companies have limited visibility and are spending a lot more than they think. Few companies have a comprehensive approach to address it. There is a much better alternative than using spreadsheets for addressing the complex issues surrounding trade planning and deduction management. So, what is the difference between TPE vs TPM?

Trade Promotion Management (TPM)

TPE vs TPM.. Trade Promotion Management is the industry term for the process of managing the entire life-cycle of trade promotions within a software solution. It includes the Annual Operating Plan, Customer Planning, Customer Execution, Settlement (Reconciliation) and Analysis.

So, Then What is TPE?

Adesso goes well beyond TPM to deliver the steps required to not only manage our clients’ trade spending, but to maximize its effectiveness. Therefore, we have developed a unique approach that includes a combination of business processes, best-in-industry and easy-to-use systems, as well as effectiveness services to help clients take appropriate steps that build upon each other to achieve Trade Promotion Effectiveness (TPE) so they can relax about managing their trade.