Brand Assurance
Product Development and Merchandising present unique challenges to licensors. Without a system to track, capture and record product submissions, the product approval process can drag on for weeks or months. Contracts grant licensees the right to manufacture specific products, but often these rights are misused or valuable IP is underutilized. Brand integrity can suffer as a result of lack of data or visibility. With the IPM Suite Brand Assurance (BA) module, product submissions are tracked directly back to the source contract to insure that contract terms are being adhered to and rights are being optimized. An automated review process helps IP owners make certain that their brand is well represented on products.
Web-based access allows licensees to log in and submit products, review contract details and track submission status. Enhanced reporting tools let licensors assess product performance, identify under-used properties and maintain brand integrity.
Automated workflows allow for faster processing of product submissions. Using the IPM Suite BA module, submission timeframes have been reduced dramatically, seventy-five percent in one particular case. By decreasing time to market and improving contractual compliance, revenue is increased and the brand is properly represented in the marketplace. With easy access and advanced tools, the IPM Suite BA module provides IP owners with the business intelligence to fully manage and optimize their licensed properties.
Built-in Integration with Deal Data
With a built-in tie to the Deal Management module, there's no chance for accidental approval of products. The product approval process takes the information directly from the contract to facilitate access and available submission options.
- Licensees gain immediate visibility into what rights a contract and/or deal entitle them to
- Licensees may request an amendment to gain rights they don't have
- Increased level of compliance, as both parties can easily view rights granted
- Better coverage of the marketplace as unrealized potential for products are identified and tapped
End-to-End Tracking and Visibility
During product submission review, a full submission and approval history is captured providing the historical background and a full audit trail. Every comment, approval and rejection is tracked in one central location, thus no more searching through emails, spreadsheets and notes to recreate a holistic view of events from beginning to end.
Utilizing innovative and customizable approval workflow allows IPM Suite BA module users to get more done with less effort. Products are routed to each person that is part of the approval process for that particular product. Thresholds can be set for additional approval requirements, such as when dollar amounts exceed a certain pre-determined limit or when a submitted product is for a particular country. With two way visibility, both product approvers and licensees can benefit from centralized, readily available information, better communication, and a better audit trail.
Brand Management
The IPM Suite BA module helps IP owners maximize the value of their intellectual property by producing tangible products with greater visibility into the process. Structured review processes insure that standards are met and the proper approvals are obtained at each step in the submission lifecycle. The automated review process helps insure:
- Legal disclaimers and required copyright lines are included
- Art and production styles and standards are adhered to
- Safety and quality levels are high
Once products meet brand standards and are approved, product data is used to enforce proper royalty tracking as the product is sold in the marketplace.
Business Intelligence
The IPM Suite BA Module provides sophisticated reporting tools that provide visibility into the operational aspects of the brand assurance process and the royalties associated with approved products:
- View properties that are performing well or under-performing
- Access sales data at the SKU/ISBN/item level
- Increase revenue by easily identifying underutilized product rights
- Be alerted to licensees whose product submissions violate the terms of their contract