MONTREAL, Feb. 13, 2026 – Yanik Guillemette, a prominent technology entrepreneur and Chair of Accolad's External Advisory Committee on Technology and Innovation, has officially announced the deployment of a groundbreaking automation infrastructure. This innovative system enables Canadian organizations to seamlessly manage referral payments, sales incentives, and customer rewards through an expanded digital gift card marketplace, marking a significant advancement in business operations.
A Major Milestone for Accolad's Platform
This development represents a crucial milestone for Accolad, as its platform now provides access to more than 200 international digital gift cards from leading brands such as Amazon, Walmart, Esso, Boston Pizza, and IKEA. Simultaneously, it fosters a robust local ecosystem by featuring over 70 recognized Québec-based businesses, including Lambert, Mia Bijoux, La Cordée, Strøm Spa Nordique, and St-Hubert. This dual approach allows organizations to balance operational simplicity with meaningful support for local commerce, enhancing both efficiency and community engagement.
Automating Previously Manual Processes
Historically, referral programs and commercial incentive payments have relied on fragmented and cumbersome processes. These included manual transfers, physical gift cards, extensive administrative tracking, and significant delays that hindered business agility. Accolad's new integration is specifically designed to eliminate these operational frictions, transforming how companies handle financial incentives.
"Organizations want to reward people quickly—whether it's a referring customer, a salesperson exceeding targets, or a partner closing a transaction. Until now, these payments were surprisingly complex to manage. Our goal was to make them as simple as sending an email," explained Yanik Guillemette.
The enhanced platform now enables a range of automated functions, including:
- Automated referral payments
- Management of sales contests and performance challenges
- Distribution of digital commercial incentives
- Rapid issuance of compensations or promotional rewards
- Integration of incentives directly into automated customer journeys
Growing Adoption Across Key Industries
Accolad is experiencing accelerating adoption in sectors where financial incentives play a strategic role, such as tour operators, travel agencies, insurance providers, insurance brokers, and partner and affiliate networks. These organizations now utilize the platform to deliver digital bonuses and rewards to clients or partners, significantly simplifying administrative compliance and accounting processes.
"In many industries, issuing a bonus or reward remains unexpectedly complicated. Our objective is to transform these payments into an instant, traceable, and fully automated process," added Guillemette.
Supporting Local Economies in a Digital Environment
Beyond automation, Accolad promotes a hybrid approach that combines global brands with local merchants. This strategy not only streamlines operations but also strengthens regional economies by directing incentives toward homegrown businesses. By integrating over 70 Québec-based companies into its marketplace, Accolad ensures that organizations can support local commerce while maintaining operational efficiency.
The integration represents a forward-thinking solution to longstanding challenges in referral and incentive management, offering Canadian businesses a tool to enhance customer engagement, boost sales performance, and contribute to economic vitality. As digital transformation continues to reshape industries, Accolad's platform stands out as a key enabler of streamlined, effective financial reward systems.
