Retailers expect promotions by consumer products companies to drive revenue, volume, profitability, and category growth. To achieve these goals, consumer products companies must present comprehensive promotional programs that are tightly integrated with consumer marketing campaigns and tailored to the specific needs of the retailer and its customers or target consumers. They must also forecast accurately, provide marketing support, and ensure inventory availability. Sales managers and trade marketers must collaborate extensively with cross-functional teams for brand marketing, supply chain management, and finance to achieve these goals. Specialized software programs can help, as this white paper explains.
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Over the last five years, leaders in the produce industry have leveraged elements of traceability requirements to increase their competitive advantage; however, more recent innovations in today’s technology, including those related to mobility, are making opportunities from these gains ever more significant as they enable a more cohesive connection among growers, distributors, processors, retailers, and consumers. Read this paper to learn more.
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The new consumer wants engagement. Shopping now involves concepts like transparency, co-creation, sharing, personalization, authenticity, voice, and the expectation of delight. The retail industry winners will not only recognize the shifts afoot, but also proactively work to capitalize on these changes. This white paper identifies seven key consumer touch point challenges facing retail today and discusses the steps necessary to manage and overcome them.
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Exclusive new survey findings point to the priorities and investments retailers are planning for over the next 36 months. Forward-looking results unveil the internal goals and external pressures driving retail decision strategies over the long term. This report will help retailers plan and prioritize around emerging trends from now through 2015.
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To succeed in their tasks, planners and schedulers rely on materials resource planning (MRP) software to make recommendations and send signals. To make meaningful suggestions, MRP requires a steady diet of accurate, relevant, and timely data. This guide breaks down two critical MRP project success factors: 1) tips to select the right MRP software, and 2) best practices to extract meaningful value from MRP solutions.
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The U.S. manufacturing industry is more productive than that in many countries, and jobs are growing. But for these trends to continue, U.S. manufacturers will have to keep their edge by investing in technologies that allow them to do what they do better, faster, and more efficiently. One of the key components of enterprise resource planning (ERP) packages is called manufacturing resource planning (MRP-II) or, as it is also known today, sales and operations planning (SOP). Download this paper to find out how MRP-II can help you manage change.
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Organizations seeking the services of a value-added reseller (VAR), channel partner, implementer, vendor, or consultant require an evaluation of what this service provider has to offer. This report will assist organizations looking to determine the best-fit service provider for their implementation needs. Based on information provided to TEC by Cre8tive Technology and Design and its clients, this report focuses on real-life implementation projects delivered by the service provider to three of its existing clients.
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Organizations seeking the services of a value-added reseller (VAR), channel partner, implementer, vendor, or consultant require an evaluation of what this service provider has to offer. This report will assist organizations looking to determine the best-fit service provider for their implementation needs. Based on information provided to TEC by itelligence and its clients, this report focuses on real-life implementation projects delivered by the service provider to three of its existing clients.
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In late 2009, Concept One, a sports, entertainment, and fashion accessory firm, decided it needed a better way to deliver reporting to its managers. Report building had become a distraction for the IT department, preventing it from helping other lines of business. Also, it sometimes took several days to fulfill a request for a custom report. Read how this firm achieved an 866% ROI in two months using IBM Cognos Express.
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To increase profits, companies are searching for ways to reduce costs or sell more at the highest possible price. Many companies are turning to imported goods and materials due to lower manufacturing costs, but this can involve many hidden costs. In this paper, PM War Stories and Pronto Software examines how to effectively track the total cost of goods shipped to aid executives in making faster, better sourcing decisions.
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Mobile device usage is changing how consumers engage with retailers—bringing together the physical and the virtual in ways that other cross-channel efforts have not. But even though it’s relatively inexpensive for retailers to experiment with mobile, many have been slow to develop a mobile strategy. This survey report examines the consumer mobile landscape, and lays out the challenges and opportunities for retailers.
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Organizations seeking the services of a value-added reseller (VAR), channel partner, implementer, vendor, or consultant require an evaluation of what this service provider has to offer. This report assists organizations looking to determine the best-fit service provider for their needs. Based on information provided to TEC by Scalable Data Systems, this report focuses on real-life implementation projects delivered by the service provider to three of its existing clients.
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As customers demand ever greater levels of product customization, manufacturers must be able to respond quickly and efficiently. Production lines designed for a single product must be adapted for multiple products, and traditional methods of supply chain management must be transformed to cope with ever-shorter product lifecycles. This paper explores today’s challenges in manufacturing and distribution.
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Simon Ellis, practice director of supply chain strategies at IDC Manufacturing Insights, responds to questions regarding the business processes of wholesale distributors and customer relationship management (CRM) tools, and discusses how new technology trends—cloud, mobility, social business, and big data—are affecting wholesale distributors.
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Maximizer CRM 12 is now TEC Certified for online evaluation of salesforce automation (SFA) solutions in the Customer Relationship Management (CRM) Evaluation Center. The certification seal is a valuable indicator for organizations relying on the integrity of TEC research for assistance with their software selection projects. Download this report for product highlights, competitive analysis, product analysis, and in-depth analyst commentary.
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If you're a manufacturer or distributor considering an enterprise resource planning (ERP) system with an integrated customer relationship management (CRM) application, you need to find out how far the "CRM concept" really extends to other elements of the ERP system, such as order frequency, buyer habits, specific customer invoicing requirements, etc. How vendors answer the eight crucial questions in this report will tell you what you need to know.
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Selecting the right software provider for your business can be a daunting. The last thing any person or company wants is to invest in the wrong technology and choose the wrong partnership. This white paper identifies five common mistakes distributors make when embarking on the software selection process and provides tips for keeping your enterprise resource planning (ERP) system replacement on track.
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Recent trends in the distribution industry are forcing companies to continually re-evaluate their processes and value propositions and strategically chart new courses. This report contains support from a number of thought leaders for three resolutions that wholesale distributors can't afford to ignore.
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Sophisticated enterprise resource planning (ERP) and business intelligence tools have made it possible to quickly calculate and report key performance indicators and metrics. In this white paper, learn about a balanced approach, applying lean and Six Sigma concepts, to business process re-engineering, assessing the alignment of your policies and strategic goals, and implementing systems and organizational structures, to support a culture of measurable improvement.
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NetSuite Wholesale Distribution Edition v11.2 is now TEC Certified for online evaluation of enterprise resource planning (ERP) solutions for distribution in the ERP Evaluation Center. The certification seal is a valuable indicator for organizations relying on the integrity of TEC research for assistance with their software selection projects. Download this report for product highlights, competitive analysis, product analysis, and in-depth analyst commentary.
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Though product recalls are never desired, they do happen. Your company’s response can make the difference between being the role model and losing market share or even being displaced from the market. In this white paper, PM War Stories, in collaboration with Pronto Software, examines how to effectively manage a product recall to mitigate liabilities, protect your brand and turn the crisis into an opportunity. Read more.
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A strategic planning process is critical for distribution companies. Not unlike personal financial planning, distribution executives have to select the best investments needed now to create profitable growth in the future. If you fail to make the right commitments at the right time, you will miss opportunities and increase your risk. This paper outlines a set of core analytics customized for wholesaler distributors.
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This second annual benchmark study covers U.S. export operations and compliance. The survey covered export regulatory reform, operations management practices, organizational structure, compliance policies, and export management technology. This year’s study looks at the impact of going global with export control reform.
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Natural disasters, customer bankruptcies, product recalls . . . there are dozens of unexpected events that can wreak havoc on your global supply chain. Are you prepared to react swiftly to these contingencies? A continuous supply chain design is a new concept that is emerging to help companies succeed in the face of the unexpected. See how you can design the supply chain around both long-term goals and short-term realities.
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More than 200 supply chain managers were surveyed on their international transportation management (ITM) practices, processes, and the technologies that support them. This report is the third annual study on this subject—a benchmarking initiative seeking to parse out companies that are succeeding at any particular function and examine why they are successful.
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Sage 100 Standard ERP (formerly Sage ERP MAS 90), v. 4.5, is TEC Certified for online evaluation of distribution solutions in TEC's enterprise resource planning (ERP) Evaluation Center. The certification seal is a valuable indicator for organizations relying on the integrity of TEC research for assistance with their software selection projects. Download this report for product highlights, competitive analysis, product analysis, and in-depth analyst commentary.
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Organizations seeking the services of a value-added reseller (VAR), channel partner, implementer, vendor, or consultant require an evaluation of what this service provider has to offer. This report will assist organizations looking to determine the best-fit service provider for their implementation needs. Based on service provider details provided to TEC by BT Business Solutions and its clients, this report focuses on real-life implementation projects delivered by the service provider to three of its existing clients.
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Microsoft Dynamics GP 10.0 is now TEC Certified for online evaluation of financial packages in the Accounting Evaluation Center. The certification seal is a valuable indicator for organizations relying on the integrity of TEC research for assistance with their software selection projects. Download this report for product highlights, competitive analysis, product analysis, and in-depth analyst commentary.
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Retailers today need to acquire ability to quickly adapt to changing market conditions or customer trends. They also need to plan for the future. One technology that can assist retailers is wireless. Wireless technology can be used not only to address business problems such as quick price changes, but can also help retailers make internal operations more efficient. They need a comprehensive wireless strategy that supports all aspects of the retail organization, from store operations, to warehouse or distribution centers, to corporate offices. Download this white paper to learn more.
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Organizations usually rely on historical data and transactions to determine their pricing strategy. However, this data is typically insufficient to arrive at a competitive price. Moreover, customers these days are well informed about the value of products they want to purchase. That's why organizations need to arrive at their pricing strategy only after taking into consideration external intelligence and competitive data. E-procurement systems and price comparison websites have put customers in the bargaining position with the availability of real-time information. This is the type and speed of data organizations need to obtain. Leveraging such information can help an organization counter the threats of new entrants, competitive rivalry, and substitutes with a strong pricing strategy.
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Traditionally, robots have not played a prominent role in the implementation of lean strategies. However, due to their repeatability, speed, accuracy, and flexibility, the role of robots in lean implementations is constantly increasing. Automation equipment, which includes robots, is rapidly becoming a core component to lean manufacturing and the reduction of manufacturing costs. Download this white paper to learn more about the 10 ways large and small manufacturers are benefiting from robotic automation in lean manufacturing environments.
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Read about how Mayflex used IBM Cognos Express to replace a complex spreadsheet system, improve time-consuming budgeting and forecasting processes, compare actuals against budgets at various levels, and save time for end users through automatic system updates.
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The Proximity Hotel in Greensboro, North Carolina, is the first hotel in the US to receive Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) certification at the platinum level from the U.S. Green Building Council. Combining luxury with energy efficiency and environmental sustainability, the hotel places the highest priority on guest comfort. The owner's goal is a sustainable, energy-efficient hotel that never compromises guest comfort. Learn more now.
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Even in a strong economy, retail is an extremely competitive industry. This paper lays out the external pressures and challenges retailers face when attempting to understand sales drivers and promotional performance. It also identifies best practices needed to create the deep insights required to optimize inventory levels, avoid stock outs, maximize margins, and keep customers loyal—even in volatile market conditions.
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Even as manufacturers and retailers seek to control costs and drive efficiency across the supply chains, controlling the financial impact of unsaleable products remains a constant challenge. A study conducted by Wipro Technologies in collaboration with Food Marketing Institute (FMI) and Grocery Manufacturers Association (GMA) estimates that the potential cost impact of unsaleables is over $2 billion annually. This study identifies the multitude of challenges involved in unsaleables management and provides a comprehensive operational roadmap for tackling them. It also lays out specific strategies addressing shelf-life management, product rotation execution, product dating variances, consumer confusions, and demand chain management. Find out more. Download this study now.
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When Amway needed to provide training to over 4 million distributors worldwide, improve sales readiness and retention of new distributors, and manage learning across regions with different regulatory issues, it deployed SumTotal Learning Management, in three separate on-premise installations. See how this e-learning rollout to over 1.8 million people in 2 years helped Amway grow penetration to new distributors by 30%.
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Social media possess tremendous potential to drive revenue. But defining a business-effective social media strategy can be challenging for retailers who may be new to the channel—not to say a bit skeptical. Fortunately, advances in social media analytics now offer retailers the ability to act on intelligence gleaned from online conversations occurring across both professional and consumer-generated media sites. Learn more now.
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Epicor ERP Software System (v. 9.05) is now TEC Certified for online evaluation of enterprise resource planning (ERP) solutions for distributors in the ERP Evaluation Center. The certification seal is a valuable indicator for organizations relying on the integrity of TEC research for assistance with their software selection projects. Download this report for product highlights, competitive analysis, product analysis, and in-depth analyst commentary.
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Forward-looking wholesale distributors are evolving from just inventory managers to information managers. This white paper reviews how these companies are leveraging enabling technology to break down the silos that exist within the enterprise and extend themselves beyond their company’s four walls to collaborate with trading partners and drive business value, in addition to increasing productivity and profits.
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Wholesale distributors face two fundamental challenges. The first: to create an environment where processes and services can be rapidly tailored to the changing needs of customers and suppliers. The second deals with technology. To stay competitive, distributors must view their business models from a customer perspective, and build a technology stack that enhances their trading partners’ performance as well as their own.
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To meet the challenges of rapidly changing market dynamics, wholesale distribution companies must transform traditional linear supply chains and their sequential processes into virtual communities or ecosystems—that is, into adaptive supply chain networks (ASCNs). Read about how warehouse management systems can help companies and their partners avoid supply chain problems.
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Manufacturers and retailers are making great demands on their supply chains, and no one is better positioned to turn these challenges into growth opportunities than wholesale distribution companies. This white paper addresses how wholesalers can take advantage of these opportunities with an application that offers warehouse management features for even the most complex wholesale distribution environment.
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The retail thought process has irrevocably changed. Science-supported process is now core to the merchandising discipline. However, faith in science is not always grounded in an understanding of what it can do (even for the largest retailers), leaving us with some concerns about unrealistic expectations and a backlash later in the decade. Read about the seven critical tenets for 21st-century merchandising.
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The short list of what retailers need from first-generation mobile capabilities is surprisingly long, spanning deep product information, ratings and reviews, scanning capabilities, full commerce, and more. Download this white paper to learn more about the state of consumer mobile in retail today, as well as the mobile use cases that retailers have currently deployed. Download now.
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Promoting band image, improving overall business performance, and keeping customers happy is a main concern of many businesses. This paper demonstrates how the Extended Enterprise platform can help specific verticals to promote and sell their products to external audiences. Know the value of the Extended Enterprise solution in financial services, insurance, government, retail, manufacturing, healthcare, and associations.
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The advent of social networking sites can help shed light into the dynamics of customer demand. Retailers can choose to tap into consumer sentiment as expressed on social media networks and get personal with the right customers through the use of sophisticated technology to turn “unstructured” sentiment into usable data that can then be meshed with other internal information to create business insights. Find out how.
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Integrated water resources management (IWRM) is a framework that supports collaboration and fosters proactive decision making for efficient management of scarce water resources. GoldSim is a software tool for conducting simulations of complex systems to support management and decision making in engineering, science, and business. This paper provides a brief overview of GoldSim, with special emphasis on IWRM applications.
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CitiXsys product iVend Retail is now TEC Certified for online evaluation of point-of-sale (POS) solutions in the Wholesale and
Retail Trade Evaluation Center. The certification seal is a valuable indicator for organizations relying on the integrity of TEC research for assistance with their software selection projects. Download this report for product highlights, competitive analysis, product analysis, and in-depth analyst commentary.
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The company is the leading producer and distributor of roast and ground coffee, in Romania. After entering the Romanian market in 1995, the company has already captured a market share of almost 50 percent. However, en route to this enviable position there were significant challenges to be overcome throughout its sales and marketing organization. Find out how a new business intelligence (BI) system helped.
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What should occupational health and safety (OHS) managers be looking for as they consider taking their incident reporting capabilities to a more robust online solution? This white paper takes you through a number of key issues that need to be dealt with, the best way to solve these issues and, finally, what online solutions are available today, including their pros and cons.
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E-commerce technology continues to evolve rapidly. Research conducted in 2008 indicated that 46 percent of retailers interviewed expected to upgrade their implementation of e-commerce technology by the end of 2010. This report identifies and evaluates e-commerce platform vendors on the basis of functionality and market impact, calls out key issues in e-commerce for retail, and provides a quantitative ranking of vendors.
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Levi Strauss SA needed a marketing application that would support its customer relationship management (CRM) programs. In addition to insight into customer behavior, Levi’s wanted to know about customers’ preferred communication channels and their response to brand campaigns. Learn about the solution that helps Levi’s achieve this, as part of Levi’s Loop program, by expanding the company’s communication channels.
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Increased global competition and rising costs place continued pressure on all midsize companies to optimize resources, meet tighter delivery schedules, and improve overall responsiveness. When looking at the pressures driving the top performers of midsize companies, however, the story is different. Find out why—and how these drivers affect the enterprise resource planning (ERP) strategies of these best-in-class companies.
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Today’s midsized distributors can benefit from their software systems in ways that were impossible a few years ago. By layering advanced, affordable supply chain management (SCM) and electronic data interchange (EDI) functionality on top of their existing enterprise resource planning (ERP) system, they can profit from improved productivity and lower labor costs. Find out how.
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