How Nexbelt Got Nearly 100 Reps to Ditch Excel for RepSpark

The Challenge Nexbelt Faced

Before RepSpark, Nexbelt was navigating a common growth hurdle: their back-end operations couldn't keep up with their front-end sales success. They relied on a manual order process made up of Excel sheets and an outdated wholesale platform that created constant bottlenecks:

• Excel Sheets for Wholesale: Sales reps submitted orders via stagnant Excel sheets. This forced the internal customer service team to spend hours re-typing data. One minor error could trigger a chain reaction of shipping mistakes and costly returns.
• Split Shipment Difficulties: Nexbelt’s previous software couldn't handle split shipments. If a rep had an order where half the items were in stock and half were backordered, they had to create two separate purchase orders. It was so cumbersome that most reps simply abandoned the software and went back to emails and Excel sheets.
• Lack of Visibility: Field reps were "flying blind." They had no visibility into live stock levels or incoming shipment ETAs, leading to a constant barrage of calls to the production and customer service teams.

The Solution

Nexbelt executed a strategic rollout designed for high rep engagement. The brand recognized that their sales force included everything from tech-savvy younger reps to industry veterans who "preferred the old ways," so they focused on:

• Simplified Training: Instead of forcing reps to sit through hour-long technical webinars, Seth and his team identified the most efficient and intuitive workflows and focused on getting their reps to learn those first. One of the most used features that the Nexbelt team focused training on was Assortments. This feature allowed reps to see every category, from gun belts to golf buckles, in one screen (a significant improvement over cells and columns found in their old Excel sheet method). They let the reps get used to the most common ways of using RepSpark that would immediately help their daily workflow, and then trained them on the next most important feature.
• Peer-to-Peer Support: By having Category Managers like Seth act as a "point person," reps felt they had a partner in the transition. If a rep got stuck, they didn't call a help desk; they called a manager who understood their specific industry needs.
• ERP Integration: Through an integration with RepSpark and NetSuite, Nexbelt ensured that the data reps saw was the same data the warehouse used, building trust in the platform from Day 1.

Soon after the brand’s reps realized the system wasn't extra work, it was a competitive advantage. When they saw they could place one order that automatically split into two ship dates based on real-time inventory, their old Excel sheet + outdated software combo felt obsolete. 

Reps went from hesitant about RepSpark to fluid in under a month.

The Results

• Accuracy: Eliminated manual re-entry errors and reduced return rates.
• Efficiency: Freed up internal staff from data entry to focus on dealer relationships.
• Visibility: Gave the field team 24/7 access to inventory without needing a middleman.

The transition from manual entry to RepSpark's automated flow has been a game-changer for the internal team. Processing an order has gone from a 10-minute manual marathon to a 60-second double-check. This has freed up the customer service team to focus on high-value dealer support rather than data entry.

The single biggest benefit for the field has been visibility. Reps can now see exactly when a belt is expected to arrive (e.g., "Available in March"). They can place a single order that automatically breaks into two ship dates based on availability. This allows reps to close deals on the spot with accurate delivery promises.

As Nexbelt targets international expansion and State and Federal agencies, having a professional B2B interface is no longer optional. RepSpark provides the infrastructure to manage pallets for European distributors while simultaneously handling specialized needs for government agencies, ensuring Nexbelt looks as innovative as the products they sell.

RepSpark also gives Nexbelt the agility to see trends in real-time and adjust its inventory and sales focus without being bogged down by the administrative weight of its previous manual systems.