Special Pricing Authorization

The initiative to improve the Special Pricing Authorization (SPA) process has been an ongoing endeavor with support from more than 92 industry volunteers representing 28 different companies. We're always looking for new ways to improve the process, provide update best practices and to generally help your company run better!

The ideal situation is one in which both the distributor's and manufacturer's ERP systems communicate seamlessly. This allows for the timely and accurate exchange of data, removing human intervention, reducing errors, and increasing efficiency and effectiveness.

The four strategic goals of improving the SPA process are to:

• Standardize industry terminology
• Standardize the format of SPAs
  
• Automate SPA transmission and processing  
• Prevent common discrepancies

SPA tools and resources include the addition of an Accreditation Program to recognize manufacturers who have implemented the SPA recommended best practices, as well as the addition of the NAED SPA Exchange Program between distributor and manufacturer SPA personnel.

SPA Tools You Can Use
All of the resources listed below can be downloaded and used by distributors and manufacturers to make the SPA claim filing process more efficient and cost effective.

	SPA Process Vocabulary  This white paper includes a glossary of terms that are important to use in the SPA communication process.
	Recommended Best Practices: SPA Set Up This white paper has been designed to facilitate a dialogue among distributors and manufacturers for the purposes of making the process to update Special Pricing Authorization (SPA) more efficient and reducing costs for all parties involved. If a decision is made to grant a SPA, the SPA set-up process begins and is the topic of this white paper.
	Recommended Best Practices: SPA Updates This white paper has been designed to facilitate a dialogue among distributors and manufacturers for the purposes of making the process to update Special Pricing Authorization (SPA) more efficient and reducing costs for all parties involved.
	Recommended Best Practices: SPA Claim Filing This document provides an overview of the three strategic priorities for improving the SPA Claim Filing Process: Standardize industry terminology for SPA Claims and Credits Standardize the format of SPA Claims and Credits Automate the transmission and processing of SPA Claims and Credits
	Recommended Best Practices: SPA Discrepancy Resolution This critical tool provides an overview of the strategic priorities for improving the discrepancy process: Standardize industry terminology for SPA discrepancy resolution Standardize the format for SPA discrepancy resolution Automate the transmission and processing of SPA discrepancy resolution Prevent common mismatches
	Recommended Best Practices: SPA Process Accreditation Program The purpose of the SPA Process Accreditation Program is to provide an interactive road map for distributors to evaluate manufacturers and identify recommended best practices to accelerate efficiencies.
	Recommended Inventory Carrying Cost Calculator This template focuses exclusively on those costs that change because of the SPA. Contact Member Services at 1-888-791-2512 to obtain the Excel® workbook.
	SPA Exchange Program  The SPA Exchange Program offers SPA personnel the opportunity to learn the ins and outs of the daily operations of their counterparts.

Industry Standards for Data Formatting
IDEA's Industry Standards Committee developed the standards for formatting data in the EDI and Flat File format . These standards are:

• To file SPA claims electronically, Distributors submit an EDIPro 844.
• Electronic SPA credits are sent by Manufacturers with an EDIPro 849. 
• Electronic quotations, including SPA, are sent by Manufacturers with an EDIPro 845. 

The following leading industry software providers have incorporated NAED's SPA Recommended Best Practices into standard software releases

• Epicor Acclaim
• Epicor Array
• Epicor Eclipse
• Epicor Prophet 21
• Infor
• SAP Wholesale Distribution
• Ximple Solutions
  

Don’t see your software vendor listed above? Contact NAED Member Services or call 1-888-791-2512 to see how you can get your software vendor to integrate the SPA Recommended Best Practices into their products.