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Introduction
Co-op and MDF (market development fund) programs are built to support channel partners and drive marketing activity—but for many brands, managing them is anything but simple. Between manual claims, inconsistent fund tracking and approval bottlenecks, what should be a growth tool often becomes a time sink.
That’s why more marketing teams are rethinking their approach to MDF management. With the right platform, brands can eliminate the friction, reduce the errors and actually see a return on the funds they allocate. Automation makes it possible to manage complex funding programs without overloading your team or frustrating your partners.
Understanding the Complexities of Co-Op and MDF Programs
Good Intentions, Complicated Execution
Co-op and MDF programs are designed to help partners run campaigns that support brand goals. But without clear systems in place, they often cause confusion. Brand teams get stuck processing claims manually, while partners struggle to understand eligibility, deadlines or how much they have available.
Common pain points include:
- Lack of visibility into available funds
- Delayed or lost reimbursement requests
- Inconsistent claim documentation
- Manual tracking in spreadsheets or disconnected systems
These issues lead to underutilized budgets, low partner engagement and lost opportunities to drive growth.
The Role of Automation in Fund Management Efficiency
Less Manual Work, More Impact
Automating co-op and MDF processes takes the pressure off brand and partner teams. With clear rules, built-in tracking and self-serve portals, partners can submit claims with confidence—and brand teams can process them faster.
Key automation benefits include:
- Real-time visibility into fund balances
- Automated approval workflows and reminders
- Built-in documentation capture and audit trails
- Simplified fund rule enforcement by partner or region
Automation not only saves time—it also increases usage, reduces errors and improves ROI visibility.
GearBox®: Automating Fund Management for Better Marketing Outcomes
Built for Channel-Focused Teams
GearBox® by IRIS Strategic Marketing Support (IRIS) is a modular platform designed for distributed marketing operations. Its co-op and MDF management tools are built to streamline every step of the process—from fund allocation and claim submission to reporting and reimbursement.
With GearBox®, teams can:
- Allocate and track funds by region, partner or campaign
- Provide partners with easy access to their available funds
- Automate claim submissions, approvals and audit trails
- Monitor fund usage and campaign performance in one place
By removing the friction from fund management, GearBox® helps partners participate more often—and helps brand teams finally get the visibility they need.
Schedule a Demo with GearBox®
If managing co-op or MDF still feels like a spreadsheet maze, it’s time to simplify. GearBox® by IRIS gives your team the tools to automate fund management and turn complex workflows into streamlined results.
Schedule your free demo today and see how IRIS can help you maximize fund impact across your partner network.
