Trade Marketing Software to Manage Field Teams and Campaigns

A POSM stand that never got placed, or a promo photo that doesn't match what actually happened on the shelf, usually surfaces only when a client asks about it. Trade marketing software closes that gap by putting task assignment, field reports, and real-time visibility into one system instead of a chain of calls and delayed photos. Planado runs as trade marketing software built for agencies managing promoters, POSM installers, auditors, and sales reps across multiple retail chains at once.
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Main / Industries / Trademarketing

Do these challenges sound familiar?

1
Unsure if POSM, banners, or stands are really placed — and if they look as intended.
2
Photo reports that arrive late or don’t match reality.
3
Difficult to track promo campaigns and events across regions and retail chains.
4
Managers and clients lack accurate, real-time reporting.
5
Manual reports — slow, inconsistent, and error-prone.

How Trade Marketing Software Keeps Your Field Teams in Control

Trade Marketing Software to Save Time on Organization and Control

Field marketing software only earns its place if promoters and auditors aren't calling the office to confirm what they're supposed to do that day. In Planado, every task – address, contact, instructions – is already on the assigned employee's phone before they head out, along with a push notification for anything new or changed.

  • Built-in checklists are matched to the task type, so a promo, a POSM placement, and an audit each follow their own set of steps
  • Photo reports and field data go to the office the moment the task is marked done, not at the end of the shift

Mobile App for Field Teams

As field team management software, the Planado mobile app puts every task on a promoter's or auditor's phone the moment it's assigned – address, contact, and instructions included, with a push notification for anything scheduled or changed.

  • A checklist has to be fully completed before a task can be closed, whether that's a promo activation, a POSM install, or a store audit
  • Photos (up to 10 per field) go into the closing report and upload automatically the instant the task is marked done
  • The app keeps working without signal in basements, warehouses, or stores with poor coverage, syncing everything once the connection returns

Real-Time Control and Transparency for Trade Marketing Teams

A photo report only proves something happened if the location and timing behind it can't be faked. Planado's geofencing blocks a task from being started or finished unless the employee is physically at the assigned location and within the scheduled window – no marking a store visit complete from the parking lot next door.

  • GPS tracking logs every visit and route, giving you a full history to review for any past date
  • Tasks running late or over time are flagged automatically as Overdue or Prolonged, so a missed stop surfaces before a client asks about it

Turnkey Planado Setup for Your Business

No setup fees, no waiting on IT – Planado's team configures your checklists, reports, and mobile workflows before you log in. From day one, the app is already matched to how your promoters, installers, and auditors work. Start a free trial and see it running with a real campaign.
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What Trade Marketing Management Software Includes for Your Agency

Raise Service Standards

Closing a task in Planado means picking an outcome – successful, unsuccessful, or unsuccessful with a stated reason – and that result attaches directly to the task record instead of a verbal update after the fact. This is the core of promoter management software: turning a finished visit into a checkable record, not just a completed to-do.

  • Required fields, like a shelf photo or a compliance checkbox, block a task from being marked done until they're filled in
  • Every completed report stays on file afterward, building an archive ready for audits, compliance checks, or a performance review months later

Client Portal

Give your clients a branded space with full visibility into POSM placements, promo campaigns, and field activities.

They can track completed and upcoming work, review photo reports, and see campaign results in real time. You decide what they see — while collecting feedback directly through the same channel.

Trusted By

Leading trade marketing and merchandising agencies, retail chains, and retailers use Planado to automate their businesses.

Virgin
QuickMend

Trade Marketing Software Integrations and Custom Settings

Marketing program management across multiple retail chains means different roles need different access – promoters, supervisors, auditors, and POSM installers can each be set up to see only what applies to them. Onboarding a new agency or campaign doesn't mean re-entering data by hand: employees, retail locations, and assignments can be bulk-imported via CSV.

Flexible roles & permissions

Set access for promoters, supervisors, auditors, and POSM installers so each role sees only what’s relevant

Bulk data import

Upload employees, retail locations, and assignments in minutes via Excel or API for quick onboarding.

CRM & ERP integrations

Connect with amoCRM, Bitrix24, 1C, or any system via API to automate data exchange and reporting.

Custom mobile workflows

Add checklists, photo reports, QR codes, and tailored scenarios for any campaign or project.

Your Benefits with Planado

Verified execution — every step confirmed with photos and checklists, ensuring full control.
Smart route planning — optimized visits on the map for faster, more efficient schedules.
Automated reporting — instant reports and analytics eliminate manual work.
Client transparency — customers access statuses and photo reports anytime via the portal.
Higher accuracy & productivity — fewer errors, more completed tasks, and consistently happier clients.

Still not sure? Test Planado out for yourself!

Sign up for your free trial and get full access to all features for 14 days. We will also customize Planado for your business absolutely free!
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Planado subscription plans

BasicPrice$12 /month per user billed annually
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Key features
Tasks management
Scheduling
Employee GPS tracking
Employee's mobile app
Checklists & reports
StandardPrice$19 /month per user billed annually
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Key features
All Basic features, plus:
Teams & work shifts
Customer notifications
Create jobs in mobile app
ProPrice$29 /month per user billed annually
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Key features
All Standart features, plus:
CRM integration
Mileage tracking
Documents signing
Recurring jobs
Product catalog and pick list
API & Webhooks
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FAQ for Trade Marketing Agencies

What types of field staff can be managed with Planado?

Planado covers the common roles in trade marketing – promoters, supervisors, merchandisers, POSM installers, auditors, brand ambassadors, and sales reps. In-house staff and outsourced teams can run in the same system, useful for agencies handling several types of experiential marketing software use cases at once.

Can I track employee locations in real time?

Yes. The map shows each employee's current position, with geofencing making sure a visit is only marked started or finished at the actual location and within the scheduled window. A full route history is available for any past date.

How are tasks created for field teams?

Tasks are built on a visual calendar with a template matched to the activity – promo, POSM placement, or audit – and assigned to a specific employee or left in an Unassigned list until picked up. Bulk import also covers onboarding a large batch of retail locations at once.

What reports do agency clients receive?
  • photos from the field,
  • completed checklists,
  • supervisor or employee comments,
  • geotags and timestamps,
  • task statuses and results. Reports can be exported in Excel, PDF, or shared directly with clients.
Is there a mobile app for employees?

Yes. Every field employee gets tasks, checklists, and reporting through the Planado mobile app, with offline mode keeping it usable in stores or warehouses with poor signal.

Can Planado integrate with other agency systems?

Yes. Planado connects easily with CRMs, ERPs, and BI platforms via API. This keeps your client database, sales systems, and reporting dashboards automatically in sync.

Is client and employee data secure?

Yes. Planado follows modern data protection standards. All information is stored securely, encrypted, and accessible only to authorized users.

Why is Planado better than competitors for trade marketing agencies?
  • Comprehensive field management: covers promoters, supervisors, merchandisers, auditors, and installers in one tool.
  • Client-ready reports: photo evidence, geo-confirmation, and structured KPIs for transparency.
  • Scalable platform: works equally well for 10 or 1,000+ employees.
  • Fast onboarding: intuitive mobile app that staff can start using within a single shift.
  • Advanced integrations: CRM, ERP, and BI connections out of the box.
  • Flexible setup: supports both permanent trade marketing operations and short-term promo campaigns.
How do I implement an FSM system like Planado for trade marketing step by step?
  1. Identify key processes — promotions, audits, merchandising, installations, etc.
  2. Set up task templates with checklists, reporting formats, and KPIs.
  3. Import staff and locations into the system.
  4. Train employees on the mobile app (usually takes 1–2 shifts).
  5. Connect integrations with your CRM or BI platform for real-time reporting.
  6. Pilot the system on a limited number of campaigns or locations.
  7. Roll out company-wide and monitor performance with analytics.
What are the best tools for managing trade marketing campaigns?
  • FSM (Field Service Management): Planado for scheduling, reporting, and field team control.
  • CRM: Salesforce, Zoho, HubSpot for client management.
  • BI & Analytics: Power BI, Tableau for data visualization.
  • Communication: Slack, Microsoft Teams, WhatsApp for team coordination.
  • Route planning & GPS: built-in Planado features for efficient logistics.
How does Planado help reduce costs and increase ROI?

Geofencing and required photo fields cut down on unverified visits, so agencies aren't paying for work that didn't actually happen as reported. Automated reporting also removes the manual hours spent compiling client-facing reports by hand.

Agencies running field teams across regions and retail chains tend to hit the same five walls, no matter how many people are on the road: Trade marketing software covers three points where campaigns typically lose accuracy: how tasks reach the field, what happens once someone's on-site, and how much of that gets verified rather than just reported. Beyond scheduling and field verification, trade marketing management software also covers what happens after a visit closes – how quality gets checked, and how much of that a client gets to see directly. For outside systems, Bitrix24 and Kommo connect directly, while Zapier and an open API cover 1C, other CRM platforms, or custom reporting tools. Trade marketing software should match how your agency already runs campaigns – not force a new process onto promoters and auditors who are already busy. Leave a request, and get a setup built around your field teams, your retail chains, and your reporting needs.