Top 40 distributor AIA Corporation (asi/109480) has announced the launch of Experience AIA, a technology platform integrating ASI’s ESP system and infrastructure with AIA-exclusive tools and resources.

Exclusively available to AIA distributors, the platform aims to simplify, streamline and automate many aspects of running a business, including sales analytics, MVP supplier pricing and an expedited order-to-cash cycle.

“Our goal was two-fold,” Sharon Zarter, AIA’s vice president of business technology, said in a press release. “First, to provide AIA distributors with a comprehensive platform and toolset that supports all aspects of their business — from sourcing products and order entry and billing, to data analysis and marketing. And second, to anticipate and meet the evolving online shopping needs of end-users with capabilities like company stores and e-commerce sites.”

As COVID-19 pushes AIA distributors to quickly evolve their business and sales models, Experience AIA provides real-time inventory updates for a large percentage of AIA MVP suppliers, as well as personal protective equipment (PPE) keyword product searches. “In today’s all-virtual business environment, Experience AIA is enabling AIA distributors to operate their business remotely, stay connected with customers, and make smart buying decisions despite fluctuating inventory,” said AIA CEO Nancy Schmidt.

Building upon ASI’s upgrades to its presentation features, AIA distributors can brand presentations with their logo or the end-user’s logo on featured products, including for virtual presentations. Experience AIA also eliminates the need for multiple websites and catalogs, providing business content and sales all on one domain. Additional features include preferred supplier pricing appearing in product searches, order entry functionality that expedites PO delivery, flags to designate new orders, revised orders and repeat orders and order management functionality that provides continuous updates and is highly customizable depending on the workflow of a specific distributor

“AIA has been at the forefront of delivering advanced technology to better serve distributors and we’re thrilled they chose ASI’s ESP,” said Bob DeFord, ASI’s senior vice president of distributor sales and marketing. “In addition to customizations on ESP that help AIA simplify order entry and processing, AIA has also leveraged its strong supplier relationships to integrate pricing and industry- and event-specific content so distributors can provide end users with tangible solutions they can use during this critical time of economic recovery.”

Following a trial launch and beta testing, AIA has migrated 95 distributors to the new platform, resulting in $65 million in sales processed through Experience AIA and over 50,000 purchase orders produced. “In our first month with AIA, we entered 1,000 orders and couldn’t believe how easy it was to use,” said Tina McNulty, owner of Amherst, NY-based Prime Promo. “What used to take 20 to 30 minutes to enter orders now takes just a few minutes. As AIA continued its enhancements over the last year, we’ve benefited from the intuitive and user-friendly shortcuts that make it easier to find products, process repeat orders and provide clients with quick turnaround on product ideas to meet their needs.”

With reported 2018 North American promotional product revenue of $189.8 million, AIA Corporation ranked 13th on Counselor’s latest list of the largest distributors in the industry.