MONTGOMERY, Ala. -- Looking to add a mobile aspect to its purchasing activity, convenience store distributor W.L. Petrey Wholesale will upgrade its sales technology with a mobile order entry and sales solution from technology solutions provider Ai2.
The solution, called ProSel, is designed for a mobile salesperson to handle orders, returns, customer purchase history, catalog browse, multimedia and other tasks required by the wholesale distribution industry.
A distinctive function of the ProSel solution is its use of situation-specific data in the field. For example, ProSel delivers sales reports and information on "order voids," or shortages, to salespeople who can immediately fill the gaps on a retailer's shelf.
"We are excited to help the c-store industry in particular, and distributors in other industries, take technology to new heights," said Douglas Katich, CEO for Ai2, Chicago. "ProSel is helping salespeople in wholesale distribution get more done."
Ai2, historically a Microsoft shop, altered its course slightly to focus on development of sales force automation solutions for iPad and has been developing for the iPad since it was first released in 2010.
ProSel is geared to professionals in several different wholesale distribution verticals including convenience, food, jewelry, industrial paper, janitorial supply, wine and spirits. The benefits its users report include reduced printing costs, a sharp reduction in order entry errors and virtually zero IT maintenance, according to Ai2 officials.
The W.L. Petrey company was established in 1898 as a retail mercantile business. It has since grown to service a 500-mile territory around its headquarters in Montgomery, Ala. Its primary line of goods distributed includes dry and frozen groceries, candy, health and beauty aids, deli items, tobacco products, novelty items and beverages.
Ai2 was founded in 1986. More than 100,000 users access its applications each day to capture upwards of $100 billion in annual sales. More than 10,000 retail stores and more than 1,000 movie theaters use Ai2 solutions for their order entry needs.
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