It’s no secret that Direct Store Delivery (DSD) billing and payments are notoriously complex.
Retailers, manufacturers, and distributors habitually navigate a fragmented technology landscape, juggling vast amounts of data. All this to simply ensure that retailers are billed for authorized products at accurate prices.
The result? An industry full of billing errors, delayed payments, and the constant risk of complex deductions.
But invoice errors are about to see a sharp decrease with the launch of Acuity. Formerly Invoi, Acuity streamlines DSD billing communications to ensure accurate invoicing and timely payments, revolutionizing how stakeholders across the supply chain do business.
Why this matters
For years, manufacturers, distributors and retailers alike have struggled with the complexities of managing DSD billing. Multiple data systems, outdated technology, and unreliable manual processes that led to a range of industry challenges and workarounds. Having fought this battle for years, our team at Tactiq set out to address the issue head on…and Acuity answers that call.
Acuity works across the supply chain, enforcing authorized pricing and ensuring accurate invoices are delivered within the mutually agreed upon timeframe. Acuity is also a huge time saver for AP and AR departments, helping them avoid the wild goose chase hunting down authorizations to ensure accuracy.
The platform is also helpful for organizations looking to digitize invoicing and eliminate manual processes. The product is EDI-ready, but users can also manually enter invoices, if you’re not ready to take that leap. Once submitted, DSD invoices are batched by retailer under Tactiq’s vendor number, providing centralized billing that is quickly becoming a requirement for large retail chains.
What makes Acuity different from its predecessor, Invoi?
Acuity isn’t just an improvement on Invoi — it’s a complete transformation. During early product development, the Acuity team set clear goals: build a more robust, scalable platform that automates critical processes, all while making the user experience more intuitive and efficient.
Enhanced User Interface
One of the most noticeable differences is the user interface. Acuity was designed with the user in mind. The platform is intuitive, easy to navigate, and efficient. Users no longer have to spend time deciphering complex systems — everything they need is at their fingertips.
Early users have echoed this sentiment, with Nick Rush, who leads our Acuity business development at Tactiq, noting: “Using Acuity has been incredibly intuitive. The user-friendly interface made it easy for me to understand the tool quickly.”
Automations & Scalability
Automation is driving several behind the scenes improvements. We’ve eliminated many of the manual processes required in Invoi, cutting down on the time and effort needed to submit invoices.
The tool is ideal for manufacturers trying to adhere to strict retailer mandates around planogrammed products billed at specific prices, within a specific timeframe, which can be challenging for suppliers.
Acuity’s modernized technology stack is designed to grow with businesses, so as you add new clients, retailers, or products, the platform can handle the increasing complexity.
One of the biggest differences that users won’t necessarily see, but they’ll definitely feel, are several automations. We’ve greatly reduced the manual steps needed for processing invoices, so our customers see more payments within agreed upon terms and fewer errors.
Key features of Acuity
Acuity isn’t just about making things easier — it’s about fundamentally changing how DSD businesses manage billing and payments. Here are some of the standout features:
- Automated Invoicing: Acuity houses program details down to the store level, and then leverages that data to validate invoices and reduce errors. This translates into clearer billing communications, fewer disputes, and more predictable payments.
- Centralized Billing: Many retailers require it, making Acuity a great tool to help manufacturers scale their business and expand their footprint.
- User-Centric Design: Acuity’s intuitive interface simplifies DSD billing, making it easy for both seasoned pros and new users to navigate the platform.
- Robust Reporting: Exportable Excel and PDF reports, making data analysis more accessible. Users can easily see real-time statuses of their invoices, from submission to processing, to payment.
Migrating customers: what’s the deal?
With any new system, there can be hesitations about making the switch. Our team at Tactiq understands that change can be uncomfortable, which is why we’re offering extensive training and support resources to help make the transition as smooth as possible.
Every customer will receive 1:1 training from Acuity’s team, as well as access to a library of how-to resources. The development team is also going the extra mile to make sure all data is transferred accurately, so users can start using Acuity without any hitches.
The migration process started with a pilot group in 2024, with the full rollout completed by the end of 2025. Do you have questions about the transition, Acuity’s support team is ready to assist!
