About the MDF Module
The Marketing Development Fund (MDF) module helps vendors distribute and process marketing funds for partner marketing initiatives and campaigns through a comprehensive dual-environment system. Channel partners can easily submit MDF requests outlined with details such as campaign plans and expected costs through the Magentrix partner portal, while channel managers can quickly review fund requests, campaign statuses, program participation, and expenses through an automated process in Salesforce to help quickly approve and allocate funds or reimbursements to partners and marketing campaigns.
Key Capabilities
Dual Environment Architecture
Partner Portal Interface: Partners access MDF functionality through the Magentrix portal where they can create requests, manage campaigns, submit expense claims, and track reimbursement status with intuitive, self-service capabilities.
Salesforce Administrative Interface: Channel managers and administrators access comprehensive MDF management tools through Salesforce including request review, campaign approval, claim processing, and system configuration with full CRM integration.
Seamless Data Integration: Complete synchronization between environments ensures real-time status updates, consistent data accuracy, and comprehensive audit trails across both partner-facing and administrative interfaces.
MDF Request Management
Flexible Request Creation: Partners can create comprehensive MDF requests with multiple campaigns per request, detailed plan descriptions, expected outcomes, and supporting documentation to justify funding requirements.
Multi-Campaign Support: Single MDF requests can contain unlimited campaigns, each with individual approval status, funding amounts, timelines, and expense tracking capabilities for complex marketing initiatives.
Status Workflow Management: Structured status progression through Draft, Submitted, Approved, and Declined states with automatic read-only enforcement and controlled editing capabilities based on approval workflow requirements.
Campaign Planning and Approval
Campaign-Level Management: Individual campaigns within MDF requests support independent approval decisions, funding percentages, claim expiration dates, and reimbursement tracking for granular control over marketing activities.
Approval Workflow Control: Channel managers can approve or decline individual campaigns within requests, specify reimbursement percentages, and set claim deadlines through comprehensive approval processes in Magentrix.
Campaign Type Configuration: Predefined campaign types with configurable fields including start dates, end dates, requested amounts, and detailed descriptions for structured marketing activity planning.
User Access and Permissions
Partner Portal Users
Partner License Requirements: Only users with partner licensing can access MDF functionality, ensuring appropriate access control for external partner organizations and marketing fund management.
Comprehensive MDF Capabilities: Partners can create and edit Draft requests, submit for approval, manage campaigns, track approval status, submit expense claims, and monitor reimbursement progress through integrated portal experience.
Attachment and Documentation Support: Full support for uploading supporting documentation during request submission and expense claim processes with configurable attachment types based on Salesforce implementation.
Administrative Users
Channel Manager Access: Employee users with appropriate permissions can review requests, approve/decline campaigns, process expense claims, manage reimbursements, and configure system settings through comprehensive user interface.
Configuration Management: Administrative control over MDF settings including claim deadlines, attachment types, notification preferences, and approval workflows through centralized configuration interface.
Reporting and Analytics: Complete visibility into MDF program performance, partner utilization, campaign effectiveness, and financial tracking through native Magentrix reporting capabilities.
Configuration and Customization
MDF Settings Management
Global Configuration Options: Centralized control over claim deadlines, claims per campaign limits, attachment requirements, and notification preferences through comprehensive administrative interface.
Notification System Configuration: Configurable email notifications for request submissions, approvals, claim submissions, and reimbursement updates with separate partner and internal communication management.
Attachment Type Configuration: Support for both legacy Salesforce attachments and modern file objects with configurable attachment requirements for requests and claims.
Workflow Customization
Status Transition Control: Administrative control over request status changes with ability to revert approved requests to Draft status for partner editing when modifications are required.
Approval Process Configuration: Configurable approval workflows with individual campaign-level decisions and overall request status management based on campaign approval outcomes.
Claim Processing Flexibility: Support for single or multiple claims per campaign with configurable limits and approval processes for diverse reimbursement scenarios.
Integration Features
Salesforce CRM Integration
Native Salesforce Implementation: Complete integration with Salesforce platform including standard Campaign objects, custom MDF objects, and comprehensive data model for seamless CRM workflow integration.
Real-Time Data Synchronization: Automatic synchronization between Magentrix portal and Salesforce ensuring consistent data accuracy and real-time status updates across both environments.
Reporting Integration: Full integration with Magentrix native reporting and analytics capabilities for comprehensive MDF program analysis and performance tracking.
Journey Builder Integration
Onboarding Workflow Integration: MDF request submission can be incorporated into partner onboarding journeys for structured partner enablement and marketing fund utilization.
Progress Tracking: Journey Builder can track MDF request completion as milestone achievements within broader partner development and engagement programs.
Automated Communication: Integration supports automated communication triggers based on MDF request status changes and approval workflow progression.
Multi-Currency and Localization
Currency Support: Multi-currency capabilities for global partner programs with currency tracking at request and campaign levels for international marketing fund management.
Localized Experience: Support for localized interfaces and communication templates to accommodate diverse global partner communities and regional requirements.
MDF Workflow Process
Request Submission Workflow
Draft Creation: Partners create MDF requests in Draft status with required plan descriptions and expected outcomes, allowing preparation without submission commitment.
Campaign Addition: Partners add unlimited campaigns to requests with required campaign names, start/end dates, and requested amounts for comprehensive marketing activity planning.
Terms Acceptance and Submission: Partners agree to terms and conditions before submission, automatically converting requests to Submitted status with read-only enforcement.
Approval and Management Workflow
Administrative Review: Channel managers review submitted requests and individual campaigns through Salesforce interface with complete campaign details and supporting documentation.
Individual Campaign Approval: Managers approve or decline individual campaigns within requests, specify reimbursement percentages, and set claim expiration dates for granular funding control.
Request Status Determination: Overall request status automatically reflects campaign approval outcomes with Approved status for any approved campaigns and Declined status when all campaigns are declined.
Claims and Reimbursement Workflow
Post-Approval Claim Submission: Partners submit expense claims for approved campaigns with supporting documentation such as receipts and invoices after completing marketing activities.
Claim Review and Processing: Administrators review individual claims, approve or reject with detailed rationale, and process reimbursements through configurable reimbursement methods.
Reimbursement Tracking: Complete tracking of reimbursement status and payment methods with communication to partners about payment processing and completion.
Common Use Cases
Partner Marketing Enablement
Co-Marketing Program Support: Enable partners to request funding for joint marketing activities including trade shows, advertising campaigns, and promotional events with structured approval processes.
Marketing Campaign Funding: Support diverse marketing initiatives including digital campaigns, print advertising, event sponsorships, and content development with flexible funding and approval mechanisms.
Performance-Based Funding: Integrate MDF utilization with partner performance metrics and business planning objectives for strategic marketing investment alignment.
Channel Program Management
Fund Allocation and Control: Provide structured mechanisms for distributing marketing funds across partner ecosystems with appropriate approval controls and spending oversight.
Marketing Activity Tracking: Track partner marketing activities, campaign performance, and fund utilization for program optimization and partner enablement insights.
Compliance and Documentation: Maintain comprehensive audit trails of fund requests, approvals, expenditures, and reimbursements for regulatory compliance and financial oversight.
Strategic Partnership Development
Partner Onboarding Integration: Incorporate MDF request processes into partner onboarding journeys for structured enablement and early marketing activity engagement.
Relationship Building: Use MDF processes as touchpoints for ongoing partner communication, support, and strategic marketing collaboration development.
Program Analytics: Leverage MDF data for partner performance analysis, program effectiveness assessment, and strategic partner development planning.
Best Practices
Request Management Strategy
Clear Campaign Planning: Encourage partners to provide detailed campaign descriptions and expected outcomes for improved approval success rates and program effectiveness.
Documentation Requirements: Establish clear guidelines for supporting documentation during both request submission and expense claim processes for streamlined approval workflows.
Timeline Management: Utilize claim deadlines strategically to encourage timely campaign execution while providing sufficient flexibility for complex marketing initiatives.
Administrative Efficiency
Approval Workflow Optimization: Develop consistent approval criteria and processes for efficient request review and campaign evaluation across diverse marketing activities.
Communication Management: Configure notification preferences to balance stakeholder awareness with notification volume for optimal user experience and engagement.
Regular Program Review: Conduct periodic analysis of MDF program utilization, partner engagement, and campaign effectiveness for continuous program optimization.
Integration Optimization
Journey Builder Alignment: Align MDF processes with broader partner onboarding and development journeys for cohesive partner experience and strategic program integration.
Data Quality Management: Maintain consistent data standards across both environments for reliable reporting, analytics, and strategic decision-making capabilities.
The MDF module provides essential marketing fund management capabilities that support strategic partner relationships, controlled fund distribution, and comprehensive program oversight through integrated dual-environment functionality that serves both partner self-service needs and administrative management requirements.
See More: Setting Up Modules and About the Journey Builder Module
MDF Checklist >>