Case Study

Industrial Automation implements B2B for under $1,000.

The need to engage in e-commerce is an ever increasing probability for a Small to Medium Enterprise (SME). Driven by reducing costs, electronic procurement solutions are on the increase world wide. A daunting expense to the SME the push to engage in B2B e-commerce is being driven by the big buying corporates and governments. Most SME are adopting a wait and see approach to B2B, some are taking the lions share of new contracts by embracing B2B.

Here's how one SME setup and engaged in B2B e-commerce at a fraction of what most organizations expect the cost to be.

The Need
Industrial Automation a forward thinking company supplying advanced water management systems knew the future growth of their business would require them to embrace the internet as a tool to servicing customers.

The Push
The Western Australian Water Corporation was in the process of implementing the e-procurement module of their SAP system. The Water Corporation approached Industrial Automation to supply their catalogue of goods electronically and to engage in the exchange of XML based business documents. The Water Corporation required current product pricing along with the exchange of electronic Purchase Orders, Advanced Shipping Notices and Invoices.

The Requirements
Industrial Automation saw the Water Corporation as a major customer they wanted to keep. However if they where to undertake B2B e-commerce it needed to be for all their customers not just the Water Corporation. Industrial Automation had in-house computing skills and already hosted their own Web Site, they did not wish to outsource this.

The Solution
Cat Tech’s RMS Catalogue was already tested with the Water Corporation, along with the Western Australia Governments GEM procurement system. The product also supported general purchasing and ordering by all of IA’s customers who had internet access. Cat Tech’s product could be purchased as a software license to be hosted in-house and enhance their existing Web Site.

The Result
Industrial Automation purchased a Cat Tech license for under $1,000. The software was supplied with manuals and a fully functioning e-commerce example. The software was built on an “Open Platform”, this meant there was no infrastructure costs for Industrial Automation. The staff at Industrial Automation were able to install set up and have a fully functioning B2B e-commerce solution running with no additional financial outlay. Enhancing the software to match the Industrial Automation existing Web Site was a simple task and the entire process was able to be undertaken without impacting existing staffing schedules.

The Outcome
Industrial Automation now has an online catalogue publishing detailed product information, images and prices. Contracted, client specific prices are supported for all their customers and all customers are able to order products. Where no credit arrangements are in place credit card details are required to complete an order. In addition the Web Site supports a secure document exchange engine sending and receiving XML based transactions over the internet between Industrial Automation and the Water Corporation.