The right partner makes the difference

When your business runs 24/7, there’s no room for downtime. That’s the reality Dimension Hospitality faced when it was looking to transition to a new hospitality procurement company, also known as a group purchasing organization (GPO). So how did this large hotel management group accomplish such a major feat?

We chatted with Ron Wichowski, Senior Vice President of Operations and Food & Beverage at Dimension Hospitality, to find out how the Entegra team helped him navigate onboarding and establish a strong foundation for the partnership. 

As a newer Entegra partner, what were the top goals you wanted to accomplish during onboarding?

Wichowski: We were switching over from a different hospitality procurement company, and we wanted to make sure there were no speed bumps that would slow down our ability to keep our operations going, since our operations are open 24/7.  

During the onboarding process, we wanted to make sure all of our team members were able to understand and access the platform. Preparing our teams with good training and good onboarding prior to the switchover was very important to us. 

Related: Need advice on how to begin with a GPO?

What’s been the biggest improvement you’ve seen since getting started with Entegra?

Wichowski: Since we switched over to Entegra, here are the two biggest improvements I’ve seen:  

1. Personalized attention from the Entegra team

Our last group purchasing organization (GPO) was very big and didn't give us the personal attention that we really needed and expected. Entegra certainly excels in that area.

2. Real-time reporting  

Entegra has significantly enhanced our reporting ability. Rather than waiting 30 to 60 days to know how we’re doing, our reporting is now real-time, and that’s a huge improvement for us.

Read more: Put your data to work: how to boost your bottom line with procurement spend analytics

What has helped your teams the most during transition?

Wichowski: What’s helped us the most in this transition so far has been the personal engagement from the Entegra team. Anytime we have a question, Entegra is very quick to respond. I know exactly who I need to contact to resolve any issue that we encounter.

Related: What is a GPO? (Plus 8 myths and facts)

Can you share one early win from onboarding so far?  

Wichowski: Our biggest early win is being able to track our compliance with Entegra. With our last GPO, we weren't able to see what our compliance ratios were until three months after the fact. And at that point, it was very difficult to adapt where we needed to. Now we can run our compliance ratios on a weekly basis, and that shows us exactly where we stand so we can flex as needed.

What do you want Entegra to help you tackle next as the partnership matures?  

Wichowski: Our next big project with Entegra will be working at the Entegra Performance Kitchen with some of our executive chefs. We’re going to rebuild our core banquet and catering menu, which is currently 45 pages — much too long.

We want to condense that menu and utilize core products from our main vendors to make sure we’re cross-utilizing products. We also want to make sure our recipes are consistent and look great. Once those core menu items are rebuilt, we'll be able to put some regional flair into each menu version.

Read more: Q&A: How to build your best menu with culinary consulting

Ready to start your own success story?

Contact Entegra to learn how we can help you simplify procurement, improve visibility and build stronger operations. 

Frequently asked questions

These are the top questions operators ask about the client onboarding process at Entegra.

What happens during Entegra client onboarding?

Entegra onboarding is a structured process designed to help you transition smoothly with minimal disruption to your daily operations. The onboarding team manages account setup for you, including supplier and distributor alignment, program activation, digital platform access, training and performance tracking to ensure you are ready for a successful launch.  

How long does the Entegra onboarding process take?

The onboarding timeline varies based on factors such as the number of locations, categories in scope and supplier readiness. The Entegra team follows a milestone-based onboarding approach that includes planning, account setup, activation, training, go-live support and ongoing optimization to help ensure a seamless transition.

Will I have a dedicated contact during onboarding?

Yes. With Entegra’s dedicated Help Center, support is a phone call or email away. Depending on your needs, clients also have access to cross-functional experts across supply management, digital solutions, field support and client services.

How does Entegra provide personalized support during onboarding?

Entegra tailors onboarding to each client's goals, operational needs and business structure. Clients receive a customized transition plan, dedicated onboarding leadership, field support resources, tailored training and ongoing guidance from experts who help align procurement programs with business objectives. This high-touch approach ensures clients receive personalized attention from kickoff through long-term success.  

What training and tools will I receive as a new Entegra client?

New clients receive access to Entegra's digital solutions, including Entegra PurchasingIQ, along with role-based training and onboarding support. Training covers platform usage, purchasing workflows, reporting capabilities and best practices to help teams adopt new processes quickly and confidently.