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Fastest Growing Internet Trading Network Delivers More Value

YARDLEY, PA, June 29, 2005 - In just six months, purchase orders and invoices passing through Trading Partner Connect have grown from a total of $400 million to more than $1 billion, making it the fastest growing Internet trading network for distributors.

Prophet 21 designed Trading Partner Connect to help distributors expedite sourcing, expand geographic reach, and streamline transactions between other distributors and manufacturers.

Currently, Trading Partner Connect helps more than 350 distributors streamline transaction processes with 35 of the industry's leading manufacturers, including 3M, Carboloy, Loctite, and Siemens Energy and Automation.

"The $1 billion mark is a great milestone," said Chuck Boyle, Prophet 21 president and CEO. "But it's just the beginning. As more distributors and manufacturers recognize the value Trading Partner Connect can offer their businesses, we're confident that this number will double - and even triple - in a short time."

Why It Works

Abrasive-Tool Corporation, a Rochester, NY-based industrial distributor, sends almost all of its purchase orders through Trading Partner Connect. Matt Hannah, information technology director at the company, cites several reasons for choosing Trading Partner Connect over faxing orders or sending POs via traditional electronic data interchange (EDI). One of the top factors: Item rationalization.

Because many manufacturers and distributors use different part numbers for the same items, Trading Partner connect rationalizes - i.e., compares - item data stored in a distributor's solution to manufacturer data stored on the network. This way, distributors can send POs without taking the time to match their item numbers to those of their vendors. Currently, more than 17 million products from more than 1,150 vendor lines have been rationalized.

"It really helps us cut miscommunications and increase accuracy," said Hannah. "We have a higher rate of success transmitting all of our order lines, and we spend less time preparing our POs."

Trading Partner Connect also saves Abrasive-Tool Corporation the money they spent sending orders through value-added networks. But, Hannah notes: "Trading Partner Connect isn't just about the time- or money-savings. It's improved our accuracy and the quality of the service we offer our customers."

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