News

Newest Release of Internet Trading Network Includes Functionality that Aids Communication

YARDLEY, PA, February 9, 2004 - For many EDI-savvy distributors, exchanging information with customers and suppliers who do not belong to Value Added Networks (VANs) means they must revert to sending faxes and making phone calls. "That translates into a lot of manual processes when we communicate with 25 percent of our customer and vendor base who can't handle EDI," said Brad Madore, IT manager at Duncan Equipment Company.

Fortunately, functionality incorporated into Trading Partner Connect version 9.0, the latest version of Prophet 21's Internet trading network, helps distributors like Duncan Equipment communicate more easily with customers and suppliers without the same capabilities.

Prophet 21 provides distributors and manufacturers/suppliers with technology solutions that help them increase sales, improve customer service, and reduce operating costs. Trading Partner Connect, an Internet trading network, streamlines the commerce process between distributors, manufacturers/suppliers, and end-users.

Trading Partner Connect 9.0 allows distributors to send and receive electronic business documents using the File Transfer Protocol (FTP). An excellent way to communicate with out-of-network business partners through Trading Partner Connect, this eliminates the hassles of working through traditional EDI VANS, while opening new business channels. "This feature makes it easier for us to do business with a huge chunk of our customer base, which results in improved service and more sales," Madore said.

"Prophet 21 develops its solutions with one objective in mind," said Prophet 21 President and CEO Chuck Boyle. "We want to make it easier for our users to do business on a daily basis, so they can increase sales, improve customer service, and reduce operating costs. Trading Partner Connect 9.0 does just that."

Other Enhancements

Trading Partner Connect 9.0 features several other enhancements, including an Electronic Document Utility, with which distributors with transaction mapping expertise can create their own mappings. "The ability to write my own overlays is really exciting," says Rene Savage, sales and technical administrator at Stellar Industrial Supply. "It gives me a lot more control over my trading relationships."

A few of the features in Trading Partner Connect 9.0 include:

• Trading Partner Report Card: The Trading Partner Report Card offers a variety of information about the business conducted through the network, including the type, number, and dollar value of transactions, giving distributors a snapshot of their return on investment from the network.
• Dead Stock Alert Enhancements: Designed to streamline dead stock trading processes, the e-mail alerting distributors to the availability of dead stock now offers information about the seller, including contact name, e-mail address, and phone number

Pricing and Availability

Trading Partner Connect 9.0 is currently available. For additional information and pricing, please visit www.p21.com, e-mail info@p21.com, or call 1-800-776-7438.

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