MEI Launches "Frontline Planner" with New TPM Functionality
MEI launched "Frontline Planner", a new functionality for its trade promotion management solution. The solution was created in a collaborative partnership with MEI TPM client, Pinnacle Foods Group LLC, and was completed within five months launching in August of 2007. The Front-Line Planner allows users to create an Excel-based planner specific to their customers to enter plans, develop and examine "what-if scenarios", and then choose the "Perfect Plan" all within the familiar Excel format. Once satisfied with the plan, users upload it directly into the MEI Trade Promotion Management System. Because Excel is now integrated there is a significant time savings by eliminating duplicate entry. The lack of manual entry results in 100 percent accuracy and the integration means no more stand alone Excel files with stale information. This also shortens the feedback loop, streamlines the planning process and allows for collaboration and sharing with customers and brokers.
