Beer Industry Electronic Commerce Coalition Releases New Supply Chain Materials

BIECC

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: September 11, 2009
Contact: David Christman; dchristman@nbwa.org; (800) 300-6417

Beer Industry Electronic Commerce Coalition Releases New Supply Chain Materials
Publications Focus on Improving Technologies Within the Three-Tier System

ALEXANDRIA, VA - The Beer Industry Electronic Commerce Coalition (BIECC) – a group representing distributors, brewers and importers – today unveiled three new documents:

•    Hitting the Mark: Accuracy in Beer Sales Forecasting
•    Global Data Synchronization Pilot Project Report
•    An updated Route Accounting System (RAS) Checklist

These new tools all further the BIECC’s mission to maximize the beer industry’s common interest pertaining to the utilization and implementation of electronic commerce within the three-tier system (suppliers, distributors and retailers) of beer distribution in the U.S.

“This is a great demonstration of distributors and suppliers working well together to focus on improving efficiency and increasing productivity,” said BIECC Executive Secretary David Christman. “These three additions to BIECC’s growing pool of resources continue the group’s mission to create an even more effective, technologically advanced three-tier system of beer distribution on every level.”

Hitting the Mark focuses on beer distributors and suppliers capitalizing on efficiency gains and cost savings through an increased focus on beer sales forecasting. The report proposes that by improving sales forecasting, beer distributors can minimize out-of-stock products; improving product freshness and warehouse efficiency maximize warehouse space; provide cash flow efficiencies and capitalize on peak sales weeks.

The Global Data Synchronization (GDSN) Pilot Project Report examines the results and findings of a pilot project the BIECC and National Beer Wholesalers Association (NBWA) sponsored about Global Data Synchronization in the beer industry. For the first time, true three-tier alcohol distribution was tested at both the item and price level within the Global Data Synchronization Network with varying levels of success. This paper recaps the pilot project and its participants, details the findings and provides a roadmap towards future implementation of data synchronization in the beer industry.

The Route Accounting System (RAS) Checklist is for beer distributors to use when shopping for a new vendor or assessing their current provider. The checklist has been updated to include modern technologies and features offered by various solution providers.

“We are confident that these resources are all positive steps forward in an industry that demands technological competency and efficiency,” concluded Christman.

All three of these documents are now available in the publications section of the BIECC Web site at www.biecc.org and will also be available at the BIECC booth located on the Trade Show Floor at the upcoming NBWA Annual Convention & Trade Show being held in Las Vegas September 22-25.

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The Beer Industry Electronic Commerce Coalition (BIECC) is a consortium of brewers, importers and distributors working together to provide a single industry voice on electronic commerce issues. Since 1994, the BIECC has worked to educate beer suppliers and beer distributors as well as represent the industry on various global standards bodies and organizations. For more information on the BIECC, please visit the Web site at www.biecc.org.