Walmart Deductions Don't Have to Ruin Your Holidays: The Gift of Automated Deduction Processing

In the midst of the holiday season, it's a fond time for many (parties, gifts, sweet treats, oh my!) but for those who work daily to process chargebacks and deductions, the holidays may bring up some contrary emotions. During this seasonal period of increased consumerism, the volume of retailer chargebacks and deductions is extraordinary throughout and immediately following the holidays.

We recently spoke to one of our customers, a Walmart distributor, about this very topic. Prior to their implementation of iNymbus in 2016, our distributor was processing up to 1,500 deductions monthly and literally running a full 2 years behind in their efforts to resolve them.

The volume was so high, they had 3 full-time resources dedicated to working solely on Walmart deductions. Due to other needs driven by the busy season, it was atypical to even look at deductions in the fourth quarter. There simply was not time to get to them, resulting in pushing processing to late February (at the very earliest,) but more likely to the following spring.

How iNymbus Successfully Addressed the Distributor's Challenge

Upon stumbling across iNymbus, our distributor was very skeptical of the solution, assuming it would take too much time, money, and/or effort to implement. Automatic processing of deductions they had spent years being burdened with manually, simply sounded too good to be true. In fact it was so unimaginable, it didn't even seem worth exploring. However, it was not unusual for them to invoice Walmart over 5,000 invoices a week (more invoices = more deductions,) something had to be done.

Today, iNymbus can process an entire month's worth of Walmart deductions for our distributor in a couple of days, and it only took 2 weeks to implement.

           

Breaking Down Our Process Step by Step

Our ability to achieve this remarkable efficiency is made possible through the utilization of cutting-edge Robotic Process Automation (RPA) technology. Let me delve into the intricate step-by-step process that our cloud-based RPA system meticulously follows to expertly handle deductions:

• Efficient Identification: Our cutting-edge software excels at swiftly pinpointing newly generated claims on any retailer platform. It employs advanced algorithms to intelligently scan incoming claims and assess their validity based on predefined criteria. 
  
  
• Comprehensive Categorization: Upon identification, our software diligently categorizes these claims into distinct categories such as shortages, pricing claims, and more, ensuring systematic organization and clarity. This categorization process enhances precision and consistency in claim handling.
  
  
• Seamless Document Retrieval: The software smoothly retrieves essential documents from a wide array of online portals, removing the requirement for manual searches and minimizing the potential for human error.
  
  
• Swift Retailer Platform Upload: With remarkable precision, our system efficiently uploads the necessary documents to the retailer's platform, ensuring seamless communication and adherence to their specific requirements.
  
  
• Efficient Payment Reconciliation: Finally, our software expertly manages payment reconciliation, and cross-referencing data to ensure the accurate application and resolution of claims while maintaining financial integrity.

The remarkable aspect of this process lies in its complete automation; there is no need for human intervention. What's even more astounding is the swiftness at which this entire process is executed — a staggering 30 times faster than traditional manual methods. This accelerated pace not only saves invaluable time but also minimizes the margin for error, offering a level of efficiency that is truly transformative.

The seasonal stress associated with chargebacks and deductions has melted away, as iNymbus works automatically to keep up with the fourth quarter spike in deduction volume. Our distributor's staff has been freed from the monotony of deduction processing and is now focused on other higher-level tasks. What once was an especially burdensome quarter, is now no different than any other, with deductions being processed virtually on their own.