Minimum Version Required: 25.01
Pre-Conditions
You're receiving exceptions in your Value In Price Reporting (VIPR) report from BudNet.
The exceptions indicate a mismatch between the expected frontline price or discount price from BudNet and the frontline price reported in your Encompass system.
You have different pricing structures for on-premise and off-premise customers for the same products.
You have access to your BudNet portal and your Encompass system, specifically Customer Promotion Zones, Distribution Area settings, and potentially Exchange Task files.
Steps
Identify the Specific Exception: Note the Wholesaler ID, Business Date, and Product Description Codes (PDCNs) from the VIPR exception report. The URL provided in the exception can often give you direct access to the file status in BudNet.
Review Customer Promotion Zones in Encompass:
For the customer(s) listed in the exception, navigate to their "Customers Promotion Zones" in Encompass.
Verify if the customer is assigned to the correct promotion zones based on their on-premise or off-premise status.
Example Scenario 1 (Incorrect Zone): If an off-premise customer is in an on-premise promotion zone, they might be receiving the on-premise price when BudNet expects the off-premise price.
Resolution for Scenario 1: Delete the incorrect on-premise Customer Promotion Zones and add the customer to the appropriate off-premise promotion zones. Ensure these zones are tied to the correct "Market" that aligns with the expected BudNet pricing.
Investigate the "Legacy Frontline Zone" on the Distribution Area:
In Encompass, find the "Distribution Area" assigned to the customer(s) experiencing the exception.
Examine the "Legacy Frontline Zone" field within the Distribution Area settings.
Important Note: BudNet/VIPR uses the "Legacy Frontline Zone" on the Distribution Area to determine the expected pricing, regardless of how your actual pricing is calculated in Encompass.
Example Scenario 2 (Incorrect Legacy Zone): If a customer is set up correctly to receive the desired price, but the "Legacy Frontline Zone" on their Distribution Area is linked to a lower-priced promotion (either directly or through an attached Market), a VIPR exception will occur.
Compare Encompass Invoice Data with BudNet Expected Pricing:
Review the relevant invoices in Encompass for the products and customers in the exception.
Use the Invoice Price Calculator in Encompass to understand how the final price was determined, including any applied promotions.
Compare the actual selling price on the invoice with the "expected" frontline price indicated by BudNet in the VIPR exception.
Analyze Market and Promotion Configurations (If Necessary):
Understand how your Markets and Promotions are configured in Encompass and how they relate to your Customer Promotion Zones.
Verify that the Markets associated with your off-premise promotions are the ones BudNet expects for your off-premise customers (and vice versa for on-premise).
Caution: Making changes to Market and Promotion structures can have widespread effects. Proceed with caution and ensure you understand the implications.
Consider Potential Resolutions Based on Legacy Frontline Zone:
Option 1: Change the "Legacy Frontline Zone": On the Distribution Area assigned to the customer, change the "Legacy Frontline Zone" to one that does not have lower-priced promotions associated with it (either directly or through a linked Market).
Option 2: Change the Distribution Area: Assign a different Distribution Area to the customer, one that already has a "Legacy Frontline Zone" that aligns with the pricing BudNet expects.
If the Issue Persists, Contact Encompass Support:
If you have followed the above steps and are still experiencing VIPR exceptions, gather the following information to provide to Encompass Support for further assistance:
Product Description Codes (PDCNs) or ProductIDs involved.
The expected frontline price and discount from the BudNet VIPR report.
The frontline price being reported by Encompass (as seen on the invoice).
Any specific Markets and Promotion Zones you suspect might be involved
A clear description of the discrepancy and what pricing you expect BudNet to see.
Fields And Definitions
VIPR (Value In Price Reporting): A BudNet system for verifying and reporting pricing information.
PDCN (Product Description Code Number): A unique identifier for a product.
Frontline Price: The standard selling price of a product before any discounts or promotions.
On-Premise: Locations where alcoholic beverages are consumed on the premises (e.g., bars, restaurants).
Off-Premise: Locations where alcoholic beverages are purchased for consumption elsewhere (e.g., liquor stores, grocery stores).
Customer Promotion Zones: Configurable groupings of customers in Encompass that are assigned specific promotions and pricing.
Distribution Area: A geographical or logical grouping of customers in Encompass, which includes a "Legacy Frontline Zone" setting.
Legacy Frontline Zone: A setting within the Distribution Area in Encompass that BudNet/VIPR uses to determine the expected frontline price. It does not directly control pricing in Encompass but influences VIPR expectations.
Market: In Encompass, a higher-level grouping that can contain multiple Promotion Zones and is often tied to specific pricing strategies.
Promotion: A specific pricing offer or discount applied to products for certain customers or zones.
Exchange Task Files: Data files exchanged between Encompass and external systems like BudNet, containing pricing and other information.
Best Practices
Regularly Review Customer Promotion Zone Assignments: Ensure new and existing customers are placed in the correct zones based on their on-premise/off-premise status.
Understand the Relationship Between Distribution Areas and Legacy Frontline Zones: Be aware that this setting dictates the expected pricing in BudNet's VIPR reporting.
Maintain Consistent Market and Promotion Configurations: Ensure your Market and Promotion structures align with BudNet's expectations for on-premise and off-premise pricing.
Document Pricing Configurations: Keep records of your on-premise and off-premise pricing strategies and how they are configured within Encompass.
Proactively Address Pricing Changes: When implementing pricing changes, review the potential impact on VIPR reporting and adjust Encompass configurations accordingly.