Creating a Quality Interface for WIC Retailers to Provide Information to the State
Creating a Quality Interface for WIC Retailers to Provide Information to the State
About Arizona WIC
There are approximately 650 WIC-approved vendors in the Arizona WIC program, which provides nutrition education and breastfeeding support services, supplemental nutritious foods, and referrals to health and social services. The Arizona WIC consortium also includes the Navajo Nation, Guam, the Commonwealth of Northern Mariana Islands and American Samoa.
Business Case
While managing their participation in the WIC program, retailers deserve an easy interface to provide information to the state. Time, device, and software shouldn’t constrain the retailer from providing accurate application and authorization information. Vendor Web, alongside CMA’s HANDS product, facilitates a faster authorization process that supports every peer group retailer.
The Solution
Vendor Web was first implemented in 2006. Version 2.0 was implemented in 2015. This second version contained many upgrades, with both functionality and technology.
Vendor Web is a Retailer-centered application that uses national food categories/subcategories for price survey. It contains a guided program flow to facilitate the vendor application process. Retailers can self-manage demographic data. It also links data with the Vendor Authorization and Management Module within the HANDS WIC Eligibility System. And it includes reports for competitive price analysis.
Vendor Web utilizes a mobile-first design, and is a device-independent application. The application functions on a variety of devices (including smartphones), regardless of the local hardware or operating software. Its Intuitive, modern interface minimizes training needs.
The Results
Vendor Web gives retailers many options that make good business sense. It eliminates the paper WIC application and approval process. Retailers are responsible for managing their current demographic information. Vendor Web provides faster turnarounds during the open application period. It is Integrated with the WIC eligibility system. And it has proven to be a secure and scalable application.