Press
04.09.09 - Synaxon's EGIS Reaches New Heights
Usage soars as resellers start to see system as ‘much more than just a stock checker and online ordering system’ and make use of its rich array of features
Leading dealer group Synaxon is seeing usage of its online EGIS system soar as resellers start to take full advantage of the advanced features it offers to ensure that they are not only getting the best deal available today, but can also offer the most competitive pricing to their own customers.
As well as providing up to date availability and pricing information on more than 250,000 products through feeds from 15 major UK distributors, EGIS (Enterprise Global Information System) provides tools that enable resellers to instantly compare the different prices being offered on the same (or similar) products by different distributors. It also includes a feature that allows resellers to quickly check the prices at which their competitors are offering products on their web sites.
More of the 313 Synaxon member partners that have permanent access to EGIS are now making use of these resources to ensure that they have a real competitive edge in the market says Phil Meacham, Systems Support Manager at Synaxon UK.
“EGIS is much more than just a stock and price checker, it’s an online ordering platform capabilities, which provides a range of marketing resources and whole host of other services. It’s everything the modern IT dealer’s purchasing and sales team need. We are seeing more of our members start to use EGIS Mobile to compare buying prices and the Google price checker feature to see what their competitors are offering. By doing so, they can keep their fingers well and truly on the pulse, take advantage of the very best offers available on the market and make sure that they offer the very best deals to their customers and as a result, make sure that they secure the business.”
The EGIS Mobile tool enables resellers to quickly compare prices from different distributors – even while they are on the road or with customers – without calling up and logging in and out of various distributor sites. This saves an enormous amount of time and means that resellers can deliver an enhanced service to their customers.
In short, says Meacham, EGIS gives dealers a competitive advantage. “Add to this all the special terms and conditions that are on offer exclusively to Synaxon members, such as free delivery from many distributor partners, and the benefits of being a premier member soon start to add up. More of our members are now starting to make much fuller use of the system – and we’re very confident that this momentum will continue as more resellers upgrade to the premier level of membership.”
As well as these advantages, EGIS provides the dealer with comprehensive order management. Dealers have access to full order tracking and pricing history with all product information being fully cross referenced with detailed C-Net specification sheets. Resellers can also download the C-Net data into their own systems through the EGIS DataPack and EGIS DataPack Plus.
By making use of the EGIS Webstore solution, they can set up their own front-end site that makes full use of the EGIS data feeds. This feature-rich e-commerce solution is available ‘off the shelf’ and can be set up within a matter of days, making it very cost and time effective for smaller resellers. A number of Synaxon dealer members have already taken advantage of the service to set up their own EGIS WebStores and many more will be established in the near future, say Meacham. “This is a good time to get a WebStore set up. More businesses and people are buying online now. In 2007, 17p in every £1 was spent on online and that figure will have grown considerably by now. According to the latest IMRG Capgemini e-Retail Sales Index, UK consumers spent £4.2 billion online in July 2009 – 15.7 percent more than in June and 16.8 percent higher than July 2008. Add to this the fact that we are now in the run-up to the new school year and what’s expected to be a busy fourth quarter, making sure that your customers can buy whatever they want from you online, as well as in person or over the phone, is going to be a smart move”, he states.
To get the full benefits from EGIS and the exclusive trading terms, dealers need to enrol as Synaxon Technology Premier Partners (STPP). This also entitles them to a range of additional benefits including professionally over-printed bi-monthly mailers, a detailed web site listing, access to priority leads generated via the call locator, and a discount on all additional Synaxon services. The STPP membership subscription is just £99 per month.
Resellers that sign up as a Synaxon Technology Partner (STP) are given a free trial of EGIS and also have access to bi-monthly mailers which they can personalise with their own company details and access to all Synaxon UK supplier agreements and a listing on the Synaxon web site and call locator. STP membership is free.
