Software developer Ai2 announced today a license agreement with US Foods to deploy ProSel-- an iPad remote order entry and sales force automation app -- to US Foods’ mobile staff of territory managers. ProSel operates on the iPad and handles all of a mobile sales representative’s daily administrative functions, from mobile order entry to item pricing to the display and management of files and multimedia content.
US Foods serves more than 250,000 customers, making it very likely that you’ve eaten food or used products supplied by this Rosemont, Illinois-based company. Their sales force is one of the largest in the United States among all service companies.
Mobile technology in foodservice is not a new concept, but it is an ever-evolving one and the largest companies (US Foods is the United States’ second-largest foodservice distributor) make it a priority to stay well ahead of competitors. “It is a privilege to form this new relationship with one of the industry’s most powerful companies, and we are excited to deliver them a new total mobile solution,” said Douglas Katich, CEO for Ai2. “ProSel will enable US Foods’ territory managers to give a complete multimedia presentation to each customer while having access to robust order-taking functionality and content management.”
With ProSel in the field, US Foods’ item database will be resident on the iPad and will be updated remotely, real-time or as needed. ProSel interfaces seamlessly with a distributor’s ERP host computer system, sending orders and updates from the field. Information about pricing, nutrition, recipes and other data critical to the broadline foodservice distributor’s job is all readily available with the convenient form factor and usability of the iPad.
US Foods’ sales force used Ai2’s legacy PC order entry solution for thirteen years. Ai2’s vast knowledge of US’ Foods business methods were a key factor in US Foods selecting Ai2’s ProSel solution. “Having worked with them for over a decade, we know their unique requirements at the user level and the administrator level,” commented Katich. “It is our commitment to deliver proven solutions and not just promises.”
ProSel is Ai2's latest addition to its software suite for the wholesale distribution industry. The app is designed to give a mobile sales rep offline access to their complete product catalog, images, a robust search function, content management, document syncing, easy remote ordering and much more. The app debuted one year ago and more than 35 major US wholesalers have already licensed ProSel for iPad to replace their legacy PC based mobile ordering systems. “The wholesale industry is that backbone of US commerce and we have been servicing this industry for over 26 years,” Katich said. “Wholesalers are not known as early adopters of new technology but the iPad has changed everything.” Katich added, “In the 26 year history of Ai2, we have never witnessed a new technological platform being adopted by our wholesale industry customers with more rapidity than their adoption of the iPad.”
With nearly $20 billion in annual revenue, US Foods is the 10th largest private company in America, and a leading foodservice distributor. Many of the entities that make up US Foods were founded in the 19th century, including one that sold provisions to travelers heading west during the 1850s gold rush. The company had used the name U.S. Foodservice since 1993. US Foods offers more than 350,000 national brand products and its own “exclusive brand” items, ranging from fresh meats and produce to prepared and frozen foods. The company employs approximately 25,000 people in more than 60 locations nationwide, and provides the food and related products to more than 250,000 customers, including independent and multi-unit restaurants, healthcare and hospitality entities, government and educational institutions. The company is headquartered in Rosemont, Ill., and jointly owned by funds managed by Clayton, Dubilier & Rice Inc. and Kohlberg Kravis Roberts & Co. Discover more at the company's website.
SOURCE: PRWEB https://www.prweb.com/releases/2012/4/prweb9383678.htm
