(Re)Launch of DistiSync pricing management software
This month sees the relaunch of our unique system for product pricing and lifecycle data management. Although already in use by a number of large electronics brands, 2024 saw a program of enhancements to add new features and functionality, as well as a new name.
Now known as DistiSync, the software was first created in response to specific product pricing management pain points experienced by one of Freshleaf’s customers. The problem for that customer - as for many other organisations - was this: pricing data was being managed in a way that was costing them a lot of time – time which could have been better spent on strategy, product road-mapping, development or sales. There was also friction with the distribution partners over other issues – like communication of product status and lifecycle changes. Product managers complained of wasting time searching back through emails to prove that information had been sent. And they were sometimes accused of not communicating even-handedly with their partners – notifying one distributor before another, or not providing information at all.
DistiSync solves these specific workflow problems. It was born out of a sound understanding of the pain points of selling standard product at volume via distribution channels. It all started with a pricing tool to replace the spreadsheets. The Pricebook tool allows product managers to set up and manage their pricing in an intuitive spreadsheet-style interface, but with a review and release cycle that allows it to be locked for changes, and approved by the senior team prior to a new release. It has full versioning, putting an end to confusion over which copy is the latest, and it retains pricing history in every cell. Releases are securely published via the distributor portal to ensure even-handed and consistent communication of pricing.
The lifecycle challenges were solved by two tools, one for publishing new products, and one for EOL. New product data can be revealed to distributors before it’s publicly available, and product managers can check to see which of their distributors has accessed it. At the other end of the product life, a product can be marked as last-time-buy in the pricing tool, which triggers an automated process of notifications and reminders, followed by the removal of the code from the price list at the appropriate point. It’s largely set-and-forget, massively reduces manual admin burden and ensures distributors are kept in the loop about lifecycle changes.
Added to those features is a database for technical specifications, and an API to syndicate the pricing, lifecycle and technical data out to multiple channels, including the public website and distributor systems. Everything has notifications and reminders, an audit trail, and workflows that make sense and save time.
Customers who use DistiSync have described it as transformational. It makes them easier to do business with, reclaims days and weeks of wasted time, and sets the standard amongst other businesses in the same industry. If you sell standard parts at volume via the distributor ecosystem, need something more scalable and robust than spreadsheets, but can’t face the price tag and inflexibility of ERP software, you can find out more about DistiSync at www.distisync.com.
