In this episode of the Lessons for Tomorrow podcast, guest host Brendan Cameron, Strategic Accounts Director at Americaneagle.com, discusses AccelDX powered by ROC Commerce and the Affiliated Distributers (AD) digital catalog with special guests Bryanna Kennedy and Michael Benedict.
Bryanna Kennedy, Senior Director of Digital Success at Affiliated Distributors, focuses on advancing members' digital journeys with the right partners, content, and platforms. Michael Benedict, General Manager of ROC Commerce, supports the B2B distribution, wholesaler, and manufacturing markets by helping clients become digitally enabled. Together, they explore the impact and benefits of AccelDX.
What is AccelDX?
Recognizing that all members should be digitally enabled, AD partnered with ROC Commerce to develop AccelDX, aimed at helping members advance their digital capabilities. AccelDX, or "Excel in Your Digital Experience," provides a digital catalog powered by AD content and ROC Commerce technology. The goal is to align AD's offerings with members' needs, ensuring they can thrive in the evolving digital landscape. This collaboration aims to empower members with the right tools and support for digital success.
The Challenge Behind the Creation of AccelDX
AD tasked ROC Commerce with this daunting job right from the start. To handle the massive data load, ROC Commerce had to spin up additional disks but managed to successfully load all SKUs for AD and other clients. Additionally, the platform supports the inclusion of customized SKUs, allowing clients to integrate their own products. This capability provides a single source of truth for product data, significantly streamlining the implementation process and enhancing efficiency for AccelDX customers.
The Integration of ROC Commerce and AD
ROC Commerce, an enterprise-grade platform, was adapted to create AccelDX, which integrates out-of-the-box with the AD content catalog. This integration allows businesses to quickly set up their ecommerce sites with essential data, significantly reducing costs. AccelDX offers multiple tiers — catalog only, request for quote, or full commerce — enabling businesses to scale their digital presence based on their readiness and needs. This flexible, cost-effective approach enables small businesses to enter the digital marketplace and compete with larger organizations.
How AccelDX Empowers Efficient Product Data Management
AD's catalog, which started as a solution for poor product data, now boasts 7.4 million enhanced SKUs, standardized by member-driven content steering committees. This comprehensive data model ensures accurate categorization and attributed data, essential for independent distributors. AccelDX helps members optimize their data within their ERP and digital platforms, supporting multiple divisions, including electrical, industrial, plumbing, and HVAC. By maintaining and continuously improving this vast data set, AccelDX enables members to establish a strong digital presence with high-quality, reliable product information.
AB Pipe: The First Implementation of AccelDX
AB Pipe, lacking a digital presence and resources, turned to AD for help. They needed a solution to streamline their ordering process, which relied on text messages and images. AD introduced them to AccelDX, and AB Pipe committed to the program. Within 14 weeks, they had a full catalog and website. AD's digital success team managed the implementation, ensuring a smooth and quick transition. This hands-on support from AD was crucial in helping AB Pipe navigate the AccelDX workflow and establish a robust digital presence efficiently.
ROC Commerce’s Role in the Pilot Program
ROC Commerce provided significant behind-the-scenes support to AD, helping establish a structured process for implementation. This included data review, content creation, and discovery sessions with clients to configure AccelDX appropriately. Bryanna Kennedy adds that this was their first API integration from AD's PIM to another platform, and ROC Commerce's engineering team ensured a seamless data transfer. This collaboration made it easy for members to select products and have them appear on their websites, simplifying the often complex process of data formatting and migration.
Feedback from AB Pipe on AccelDX
AB Pipe shared positive feedback about its experience with AccelDX. They appreciated the low cost of entry and the platform's scalability. According to Michael Benedict, AccelDX serves as an accessible starting point for smaller businesses to establish their online presence with AD. AB Pipe highlighted the ease of integration with their ERP system and the ability to customize shipping options. This flexibility allowed them to grow alongside larger organizations without the need for significant additional investment or platform migration, preserving their initial investments and enhancing operational capabilities efficiently.
AB Pipe’s Future Roadmap with AccelDX
AccelDX offers AB Pipe a seamless pathway to scale beyond initial capabilities. Michael emphasizes that as AB Pipe grows, they can easily integrate with their ERP system and customize shipping through AccelDX. The platform, built on a scalable foundation, allows AB Pipe to transition to more advanced functionalities within ROC Commerce without significant additional costs. This ensures continuity and growth without the need for disruptive replatforming, aligning their operations with larger industry players like Kirby Risk and State Electric, who also benefit from AD's advisory board insights.
Strategies for Helping Members Grow with AccelDX
AccelDX supports members like AB Pipe in evolving their digital presence. Bryanna emphasizes a phased approach, starting with AccelDX to gather insights and optimize. As businesses learn from internal teams and customer feedback, they naturally progress to integrated solutions within ROC Commerce. This growth is supported by AD's resources and ROC's partnership, ensuring members transition seamlessly to higher levels of digital capability without premature or forced website builds. The focus remains on genuine readiness and evolving organically, reflecting AD's mission to empower member growth through tailored digital strategies.
Does AccelDX Benefit B2B Sales Reps?
AccelDX offers significant advantages for sales teams, enhancing customer engagement and operational efficiency. Michael Benedict highlights how salespeople can seamlessly integrate online and offline interactions, managing orders, discounts, and product configurations directly through AccelDX. This omnichannel approach simplifies customer interactions, reduces errors in order processing, and improves order accuracy by providing comprehensive product information and specifications. Bryanna cites examples like Ramsden Square Fasteners, where digital tools have transformed business operations, attracting new customers and streamlining processes with support from AD and ROC Commerce's continuous platform enhancements.
Learn More About AccelDX
For those interested in AccelDX, Bryanna recommends attending upcoming AD North American meetings, starting with the August event in Colorado. These meetings provide opportunities to learn about AccelDX's capabilities and schedule personalized discussions. Bryanna encourages direct outreach via email or phone for immediate inquiries, emphasizing AD's commitment to supporting member needs and aligning AccelDX with current and future business requirements across various divisions.
AccelDX Future Roadmap
AccelDX is set to integrate 360-degree images and enhance content such as associated products and replacement parts. These updates are guided by AD's content steering committees and member feedback, ensuring continuous enhancement. Meanwhile, ROC Commerce plans advanced theming options, improved pricing capabilities, and other features in upcoming releases. Both platforms emphasize seamless integration and robust, automated data management through AD's catalog API, underscoring ongoing commitment to efficiency and customer satisfaction in digital solutions.
How to Get Started with AccelDX
For small business owners like AD members eager to join AccelDX, the first step is to reach out to Bryanna to schedule a consultation. During this discussion, business objectives are reviewed to ensure alignment with AccelDX solutions. From there, the process begins swiftly, aiming to get businesses up and running within just 14 weeks. This streamlined approach emphasizes quick implementation and tailored support, enabling businesses to leverage AccelDX effectively and efficiently to meet their digital transformation goals.
How to Prepare for Your AccelDX Implementation
Before embarking on the AccelDX program, preparation is key. Small business owners should first understand their business dynamics, including customer perspectives and operational processes. This insight helps in setting clear goals and expectations for digital transformation. Gathering essential materials like logos, imagery, and documents ensures a smooth project kickoff. Networking meetings starting in August, such as the bearing and powertrain event in Colorado, offer opportunities to engage directly with AccelDX resources like Brianna. This collaborative approach, supported by Americaneagle.com and ROC Commerce, aims to empower businesses to thrive digitally.
Achieve Digital Success with AccelDX
From facilitating seamless integrations with robust catalog data to enhancing customer engagement through advanced tools like impersonation and automated workflows, AccelDX stands as a comprehensive solution. The program not only supports rapid onboarding within 14 weeks but also fosters continuous improvement with upcoming features like 360 images and enhanced content. With strong partnerships with AD and ROC Commerce, AccelDX promises to empower businesses to achieve digital success effectively and affordably, shaping a promising future in ecommerce.
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This podcast is brought to you by Americaneagle.com Studios.
Connect with:
- Lessons for Tomorrow: Website // Twitter // Instagram // Facebook // YouTube
- Tim Ahlenius: LinkedIn // Twitter
- Brendan Cameron: LinkedIn
- Bryana Kennedy: LinkedIn
- Michael Benedict: LinkedIn
- Resources: AccelDX Info | AB Pipe and Supply Case Study | Affiliated Distributors (AD) | ROC Commerce
About: The Lessons for Tomorrow podcast is centered around conversations between industry experts sharing insights from the past, to apply in the present, to achieve success in the future. This podcast is the "motivational poster" in your ear; each episode is centered around conversations which motivate you to tackle new initiatives at your organization. We will be talking with some of the best and brightest minds in technology and marketing and will hear from the experts themselves about their latest experiences, their most recent challenges, and the road ahead. Every episode has a different story, a different answer, a different approach.
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