Socius Network, a buying consortium with 20 members spanning the UK, Ireland, Scotland and the Channel Islands, specializes in procuring food service, janitorial and hygiene supplies. Established in 2008, the Socius Network was created to represent independent distributors of non-food products within the foodservice sector. Their primary focus is to unite the collective strength of our members to secure optimal deals from manufacturers. Matthew Slade-Pedrick oversees the procurement and commercial agreements including rebates.

The Challenge

Cumbersome Spreadsheets

In the past, rebate management was a cumbersome process conducted through spreadsheets on Dropbox, necessitating data input four times across different sheets. This manual approach led to error-prone calculations and distribution onto invoices.  

Slade-Pedrick says, “The transition to our current system has been transformative, consolidating all rebate management onto a unified platform. This integration provides clear visibility into the process, facilitates accurate forecasting and allows us to discern the anticipated rewards. This streamlined approach not only enhances efficiency but also directly benefits our members.”

Discrepancies and Errors

At Socius Network, monthly operations were consistently marred by errors, presenting a persistent challenge. Slade-Pedrick explains, “These errors were primarily attributed to the inherent risk of human interaction in the exchange of data between our manufacturers and our internal input processes. Consequently, when disseminating information to manufacturers or members regarding rebate amounts, discrepancies often led to challenges and corrections. This iterative process not only incurred additional costs but also resulted in significant time delays, highlighting the need for a more streamlined and accurate rebate management system.

The Software

Why Enable

According to Slade-Pedrick, “Ultimately, what stood out for us was the people—the human element. While there are many rebate systems in the market with similarities, it was the team at Enable that made the difference. The sales and development team demonstrated a genuine commitment early in our interaction. They took the initiative to thoroughly understand our business, industry and the surrounding infrastructure. Their proactive approach and impressive efforts in getting to know us played a significant role in building a mutual understanding and trust between us and the Enable team.”

Supporting Cash Flow and Profitability

The rebate management system plays a crucial role in bolstering our businesses by providing essential support to their cash flow and profit endeavors. This system empowers businesses to effectively oversee their operations and gauge profitability. Maximizing its utilization is of utmost importance. Slade-Pedrick says, “We employ the concept of "the collective," encouraging as many members as possible to engage with dedicated suppliers. This strategic approach aims to optimize rebates by consolidating the purchasing power of numerous members with a single supplier so they can maximize their returns.”  

Reliable System and Results

The primary goal of implementing Enable was to achieve more stable and reliable results from the information they input into the system. Slade-Pedrick says, “This assurance of error-free data will not only save us valuable time but also foster development opportunities. The enhanced reliability will instill confidence in our members regarding the accuracy of our processes as a buying group.”

He continues, “This reliability will open up expanded opportunities for our members to secure larger payouts. Ultimately, the emphasis on reliability stands out as the most significant result, underpinning the effectiveness and trustworthiness of our operations.”

Freeing Up Time

Slade-Pedrick comments, “The implementation of Enable has freed up a significant amount of time for one individual who was previously dedicated solely to managing rebates on spreadsheets. This newfound efficiency allows us to leverage this person's skills in a more proactive manner, such as engaging in marketing initiatives, providing web support and offering valuable assistance to our members. The shift from manual rebate management to Enable has not only streamlined processes but has also empowered our team to contribute more dynamically across various facets of our operations.”

Partner Dashboard

According to Slade-Pedrick, “The Partner Dashboard serves as a valuable tool for our members, offering insights into potential achievements and rewards when considering a shift to a preferred supplier. It provides a clear forecast of the financial gains members can expect, empowering them to make informed decisions about switching between suppliers. This visibility is particularly beneficial when maximizing opportunities with different suppliers. If a member has reached the maximum potential with one supplier, the dashboard allows them to explore and reap the benefits from another. Additionally, the collective aspect is reinforced, as members can align their sourcing choices with the majority, fostering a sense of focus and collaboration within the network.”

Advanced Reporting

Currently, their reporting relies on a set of spreadsheets, involving a manual process of reviewing past year's data, creating graphs and making decisions that are partially based on gut feelings. Slade-Pedrick says, “The introduction of advanced reporting from Enable marks a significant improvement. This functionality will provide a genuine historical perspective, offering accurate trends and pinpointing areas where specific members are positively influencing the supply chain. The insights derived from the advanced reporting will empower us to make informed adjustments and strategic decisions, ensuring we maximize our returns based on concrete data rather than intuition alone.”

Exceptional Team and Dedicated Onboarding

Slade-Pedrick says, “The onboarding team and the implementation team at Enable have truly been exceptional. Their support has been invaluable, providing guidance and going above and beyond to ensure that we feel like a priority. It's evident that they treat each customer with a personalized touch, making us feel like the sole focus of their attention.”

He continues, “While there were inevitable challenges during the implementation of a new system, the team at Enable navigated us through each hurdle, offering assistance and demonstrating a level of commitment that can only be described as phenomenal. Their dedication and willingness to go the extra mile have greatly contributed to the success of the onboarding process.”