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Tuscaloosa, AL - Two words facility maintenance distributors and their customers are likely to be using and hearing much more in coming years are "analytical solutions."
Analytical solutions involve analyzing large amounts of data in order to address an end-customer's specific needs.
When used properly, it can elevate a distributor's performance and working relationships with customers. Analytical solutions help distributors "tune in" to customers' needs, bringing to light important business-building information, such as:
Why certain products are selected
What products are likely to be purchased in the future, from which customers, and why
Advance purchasing consistency
Improvements in the quality of purchasing decision making
Greater transparency
Advances in customer satisfaction.
"Many end-customers are struggling when it comes to making wise product decisions," says Leah Runge, AFFLINK’s eLev8 Marketing and Training Manager. "The analytical solution method provides distributors and end-customers [with] comprehensive product information and insight to make the procurement process much more effective."
Using analytical solutions typically requires the use of computers and web-based technologies. According to Runge, some facility maintenance distributors are already using these strategies, which are expected to become more commonplace in the professional cleaning industry.
"Along with providing greater understanding as to why customers are selecting certain products, this information also helps to provide a roadmap to future [customer] needs," adds Runge.
"We really have never had this before in the professional cleaning industry and it is likely to have a major impact on all facility maintenance distributors."
Historically, facility maintenance purchasing decisions have relied on limited amounts of information on a limited number of specific products. According to Runge, this will not work in the 21st century.
"The end-customer is demanding much more from distributors and this will certainly increase in coming years," she says. "Today, operating and maintaining a facility is very complex. The use of analytical solutions will help work through this complexity, improve customer care, enhance operational efficiency, and likely prove to be a cost savings for end-customers as well."
AFFLINK and eLev8 are now on Facebook. Visit us at: http://www.facebook.com/AFFLINK or https://www.facebook.com/AFFLINKelev8
AFFLINK is also on Twitter: @AFFLINK
About AFFLINK
AFFLINK (www.afflink.com) is the global leader in supply chain optimization, providing clients with innovative process and procurement solutions to drive efficiencies in today's leading businesses. The eLev8 system helps organizations uncover never-before-seen opportunities and quantify their value to enhance their overall image, promote a healthy workplace, decrease total costs, increase productivity, and satisfy Green and sustainable objectives.
