Ask northwest Iowa retailer Brett Bell what seed companies can do to help his business and you'll get a straight answer: “Provide tools that help automate business processes between the companies and retailers.”

Bell, account specialist for Ag Partners, LLC in Albert City, IA, says that as retail outlets like his continue to grow, there is a growing demand for products that facilitate the logistics of serving larger customers. One such product is AccessNK, a new Web tool developed by Syngenta Seeds that provides retailers a one-stop shop to check seed inventories, generate price quotes and orders, as well as manage customer data information.

“AccessNK provides us a lot of functionality in one tool,” says Bell. “One feature I like is the capability to go online and print out IRM [Insect Resistance Management] compliance agreements that already have customer information filled in.”

Eric Brown, Web community manager for Syngenta Seeds, says that AccessNK is the result of listening to their customers. “We are constantly looking for ways to provide our retailers tools that make their job easier,” says Brown. “AccessNK is central to our strategy to create long-term partnerships with our core customers.”

Imperative to that strategy is a commitment to ensure utilization. Syngenta partnered with Ag Technologies International (www.agtechintl.com), a distance learning company with expertise in food and agribusiness, to help develop training tools for AccessNK.

“AccessNK has little value if retailers won't use it,” says Rob McClelland, vice president for Ag Technologies Intl. “In development and training, Syngenta ensures that retailers have a positive experience and see value every time they use AccessNK.”

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