TrackFly, a company specializing in technology that provides real time sales and inventory data, among other services, is acquiring ActionWatch, the main research data company for the action sports space.
The TrackFly service addresses the need to get sales and inventory data more quickly and in the same format across retailers.
In this new arrangement, the ActionWatch brand name will stay with the Buffalo Groupe, while TrackFly will be the customer-facing service, said ActionWatch President Keith Storey.
“ActionWatch staff will remain involved in interpreting and analyzing the data, while TrackFly gathers, processes, and presents the data on the upgraded platform,” he said.
TrackFly CEO Stephen Baird answered a few additional questions for SESO about the new partnership.
I’m curious, is this an acquisition? If not, can you explain further how this partnership works?
TrackFly CEO Stephen Baird: TrackFly is merging the historical market data into TrackFly’s upgraded technology to provide the industry with streamlined retailer integration, data organization, and enhanced brand and retailer collaboration tools.
While this is technically an acquisition, TrackFly and ActionWatch are moving ahead together to better service the industry as a whole.
How will the systems and data be integrated?
Stephen Baird: ActionWatch’s existing platform will be migrated to TrackFly’s platform for continuity in deliverables in a modern user interface and upgraded backend to provide data in near real-time reports.
If I am an ActionWatch customer, do I pay more for the service now or is this an add-on buy?
Stephen Baird: ActionWatch customers will be able to keep their same subscriptions, with additional perks to the TrackFly Sales Insights platform. Options to upgrade and add additional services are available as desired.
Does ActionWatch remain a standalone product?
Stephen Baird: ActionWatch will remain as a separate entity during the integration of services and operate alongside TrackFly until such time as the integration is completed.
Any additional insights that could help me understand how this will work and what it means for action sports industry brands and retailers?
Stephen Baird: In the spirit of the surf and skate community, TrackFly and ActionWatch decided to come together to enhance the intelligence available, rather than divide the data.
This means a larger retailer panel, faster data availability, and more connection between brands, sales reps, and retailers to work together to support the growth of the specialty retailer community.
