Our relationship with iControl has been a great partnership
Setup & Maintenance of Data
- SBT Success Begins... and Never Stops... with Data Integrity!
Precise, on-going data synchronization is a non-negotiable requirement for Scan-Based-Trading. Few retailers have the economies of scale to keep-up with the kind of non-stop item file and pricebook maintenance that is essential to pursuing SBT. Achieving optimal scan accuracy is not a destination to reach - it is an on-going process to follow. Going to SBT without the means to develop and maintain pristine data is a penny wise, and a dollar foolish.
At its core, the iControl System is built to enable our clients to reach and maintain a state of statistically-maximal accuracy in their item file and pricebook.
We reach this goal without expecting our clients to perform IT calisthenics; we customize our solution and workflow to correspond to each retail client’s unique environment. Removing burdens, not adding any, are what we’re about.
A dollar “saved” or “earned” by a well-structured SBT program delivers more than just a dollar – it ensures on-going supply and a consumer that can trust our retailer – and keeps coming back!
Why are we fanatics for data accuracy?
Precise, on-going data synchronization is a non-negotiable requirement for Scan-Based-Trading. Few retailers have the internal resources or time to deliver the kind of vigorous, non-stop item file and pricebook maintenance that SBT require.
It's not at all that they are bad or indifferent operators. Far from it. Most of our clients are the best in their class of trade. The reason we've seen numerous item file and pricebook that are suboptimal is because no single retailer has the economy of scale to manage a pricebook and item file for a small DSD category with the kind of focus and attention to detail that SBT requires.
Before you can pay on scan, you must remove known and unknown obstacles to scanning, and then never stop working to keep the obstacles from reappearing!
Achieving maximal accuracy is not a destination to reach. It is an on-going process to follow. Today’s 99.9% accurate database can become next week’s 99.1% accurate database, with a single missed item file or pricebook update. And so on in a downward spiral.
For this reason, iControl has not only the most comprehensive Account Setup procedures of any company in the field, but the largest team of analysts by a country mile. Our analysts are dedicated to making sure our retail partners don’t just reach a high level of data-accuracy, but as importantly maintain it, to ensure our program's long-term success.
Without accurate data – on day 1, day 100, or day 1,000 – someone along the supply chain will suffer, which in turn will begin a downward spiral of nasty consequences:
- Bad data means some sales that did occur won’t be paid for
- Underpaid vendors will then adjust by reducing supply to match the "new" lower sale
- Sales will consequently decline further, with fewer units on sale
- Profits will sag for supplier and retailer alike
- The Supplier will resort to reducing margins and charging fees
- The retailer, offended by lower sales & profits, might restrict merchandising space
- ultimately, consumers will stop trusting the retailer to carry the products they want!
- These consumers will look to shop elsewhere not just the goods of DSD categories, but others as well.
In other words...
Diving into SBT without taking the time to develop, refine and maintain a pristine data set, is the ultimate example of a strategy that is a penny wise, and a dollar foolish!
