How Eby-Brown Utilized Innovation & Automation to Conquer its Challenges with Master Data Jim Marchiando, Eby-Brown Jeff Wilson, Eby-Brown Melissa Wall, Eby-Brown

 Wholesale Distribution Company which serves as a provider of products to primarily the convenience store/gas station industry  If you see it in a convenience store, there is a good chance it got there through Eby-Brown  Offerings include:  Candy/Snacks  Tobacco  Food service  Health and Beauty Aides  Beverages  More………………… Results

About Eby-Brown

 Leader in Distribution in the Midwest and Mid South  Founded in 1887, Wake Family ownership since 1956  Eby-Brown is the third largest wholesale distributor in the U.S.  Offering broad product lines and services to independent and chain C-Stores,  Geographic coverage focused in the Great Lakes and Mid South operating six warehouse locations servicing approximately10,000 retail accounts in 15 states About Eby-Brown

Geographic Presence

 As we transitioned from project to maintenance mode, we recognized that we did not have effective solutions to meet organizational needs for master data.  The wholesale distribution industry is a highly competitive, ever- changing sector  Eby-Brown is extremely customer-centric. Accordingly, we are heavy on customization and exception handling  We needed an optimal, automated architecture that was also flexible in order to react quickly to market opportunities  As with any organization, data drives key and strategic decisions at Eby-Brown Background

 So, we embarked on a journey to find a solution that met our organizational needs  Performed research on and attended demos by several different companies  Decided that the Innowera Process Runner software best satisfied our master data requirements  The support structure and customer service received from Innowera was unparalleled  Purchased software in October, 2012 Background

Comparison – Process Runner vs Other

 How Eby-Brown’s solution was an enabler to meet requirements for master data processing  How Eby-Brown utilized it’s solution to streamline daily, master data processes  How Eby-Brown has used it’s solution to assist with meeting needs in other functional areas of the organization LEARNING POINTS

 DEMO – Material master changes  Flexibility of Process Runner – From simple to complex  However, if issues arise…………….  Innowera’s response time to trouble shooting is outstanding  Their knowledge of the tool enables Process Runner to meet business process requirements DEMO

 We did find a tool to create, change, and manage data in mass  Ability to execute mass price changes in a timely manner  For acquisitions, were able to on board customers and create new materials in mass, faster, and with fewer errors  Ability to extract large amounts of data for analytical purposes and subsequent processing – ad hoc requests Results

 BUT, we also discovered so much more………..  Were able to streamline daily master data processing in several areas including vendors, materials, and customers Linked multiple SAP transactions to enhance accuracy and create efficiencies in processing time  Able to create transactional data for testing purposes  DEMO – Sales order through to invoice creation Results

 Ability to use Process Runner in other functional areas  Vistex – claims processing and agreement entry  Periodic requests to changes in master data driven by the functional areas  Excel Add-in functionality - allows owner of data to drive process  Plant operations  Finance transactions  HR transactions  Demo – Excel Add-in Results

 Be proactive – identify issues and needs before they become problematic  Be creative – Do not set boundaries or limitations on what you can accomplish  Make sure to develop a user strategy  Improved accuracy of master data  Easier identification of errors  Were able to repurpose staffing to focus on analytics instead of processing KEY LEARNINGS

 Testing Methodology – always test in Q environment first  Roll out of functionality – develop deployment strategy  Cannot access anything in Process Runner that SAP security does not support.  Process Runner control panel offers an additional layer of security BEST PRACTICES

 Jim Marchiando   Office phone:  Jeff Wilson   Office phone:  Melissa Wall   Office Phone: Contact Information