Introduction

Manufacturer chargeback—or “ship and debit”—programs are vital to the wholesale distribution industry. They help manufacturers and distributors align pricing, maintain competitiveness, and sustain profitable relationships. Yet, managing these programs can be complex. Manual tracking, data discrepancies, and disputes over eligibility often create friction and lost revenue.

Why It Matters

Chargeback programs ensure that distributors receive the right compensation for volume incentives, promotions, and negotiated pricing differences. But when managed manually—through spreadsheets, email chains, or outdated ERP extensions—they can become error-prone and opaque.

Common challenges include:

  • Dispute frequency caused by incomplete or unclear documentation
  • Delayed payments that strain relationships and cash flow
  • Limited visibility into claim status and program performance
  • Compliance risk due to inconsistent validation and audit trails

In today’s fast-moving market, these inefficiencies aren’t just operational—they’re strategic. Effective chargeback management drives confidence, transparency, and stronger channel partnerships.

The Modern Shift: Technology-Driven Efficiency

Forward-thinking manufacturers are moving away from reactive, manual chargeback handling toward proactive, data-driven management.
Modern platforms automate ship-and-debit processes, enabling:

  • Centralized visibility into claims, accruals, and settlements
  • Automated validation to flag discrepancies before disputes arise
  • Real-time analytics to identify profit leakage and performance trends
  • ERP and CRM integration that removes manual reconciliation steps

By embracing automation, teams can spend less time on paperwork and more time strengthening partnerships, refining pricing strategies, and identifying growth opportunities.

The IMA360 Solution: Simplifying Chargebacks End to End

IMA360 helps manufacturers transform their chargeback programs into a strategic advantage. The platform connects every stakeholder—manufacturers, distributors, and finance teams—through a single, governed workflow that removes friction and complexity.

With IMA360, organizations gain:

  • Results: Accurate calculations, faster settlements, and reduced revenue leakage.
  • Simplicity: Automated workflows that eliminate manual tracking and redundant effort.
  • Flexibility: Integration with any ERP or financial system, adapting to unique business models.
  • Trust: Transparent audit trails and compliance-ready reporting for every claim.

IMA360’s Distributor Chargeback Solution automates validation and reconciliation, ensuring claims meet agreed-upon terms. By unifying pricing logic, eligibility rules, and program visibility, manufacturers can execute ship-and-debit programs confidently—without the complexity.

The Impact: Better Relationships, Stronger Results

When chargeback management runs smoothly, every partner benefits.

  • Manufacturers maintain pricing control and protect margins.
  • Distributors receive timely, accurate compensation.
  • Finance and IT gain audit-ready documentation and clean system integration.

Beyond operational efficiency, the true impact is strategic: faster decisions, greater agility, and improved trust across the value chain.

Conclusion 

Chargeback programs don’t have to be a source of frustration. With the right systems, processes, and collaboration, they become a driver of mutual success. IMA360 helps manufacturers simplify every step—from claim validation to reconciliation—so they can focus on growth, not administration.

Complexity Simplified. Your Results Amplified.