Ingram Micro Canada is bringing a Webstore to it reseller base that will enable its partners to do procurement and marketing online.
Called iBiz10, this e-commerce initiative furthers the distributor’s online strategy moving forward. The company already offers Mustang XML, Government e-pipeline,
IM Pipeline and online account statements and credit card payment services.
“”In the marketplace it is important to focus on streamlining the business and improving the supply chain and today we have extensively done that with this offering and augmenting it with a Webstore,”” said Murray Wright, president of Ingram Micro Canada of Mississauga, Ont.
Wright added that vendors are looking for new ways to reach customers and with this new offering it will allow them to stream content into the hands of the customer.
With iBiz 10 resellers will be able to access a standalone online storefront than can be customize for their business. Resellers will also be able to catalogue, set pricing levels, manage customer accounts, track order fulfillment, generate sales reports and create marketing campaigns through e-marketing.
The e-marketing tools include target messaging to select customers through e-broadcasting, e-mmercials, e-brochures, e-coupons and any other storefront specials or promotions.
Wright believes that with e-marketing tools resellers will have more options.
“”If a reseller today wanted to reach the customer with a direct mail campaign they would have to go through the process of creating the ad and mailing it out. Now marketing will be with the vendor to communicate to customers what the offering or reseller solution is. It could be a trade in or up or leasing or special of the day or even data mining. So if you start to understand when you sold customers a Pentium III and you have a Pentium III upgrade program you can market that through the Web store,”” he said
Also with iBiz 10, resellers can select an ASP or ISP server model on which to run their Web storefront solution. ASP servers hold multiple Web stores, while ISPs operates on a standalone server that can support more features.
Wright did not know the exact cost to the reseller for iBiz 10, but added that it would depend on what the reseller selects in terms of the ASP or ISP model.
“”What I can tell you is the specific cost savings for (Ingram Micro). If you look down the road more commerce will be conducted electronically and it is our responsibility to do this and this storefront will provide the potential in a different way to do business than usual,”” he said.
Currently, 35 per cent of Ingram Canada’s revenue is electronic and 70 per cent of all orders are now conducted online. All retail is done electronically as well at Ingram, Wright said.
“”The Web business is growing in double digits in the last 18 months. It is a real indication of where this market place is going,”” he added.
