C2000 gets set to trade on the Net

Technology Distributor jumps on the e-commerce bandwagon.

Computer 2000 (C2000) has become the latest organisation to take advantage of the electronic revolution, by setting up an online ordering system across the internet.

Talking exclusively to PC Dealer, Neil Martin, technical director of C2000, said the distributor had been receiving 10,000 hits a day on its internet site, despite the fact that no orders could be placed.

Previously, the only electronic link between C2000 and its resellers had been its InTouch facility, which allowed resellers to check stock availability and prices.

From 1 April, resellers will continue to receive stock availability and price information but will now be able to order products as well.

Martin said: 'We will ease the transition for the resellers to e-commerce.

We are giving them the choice - they can either do it via the phone or the internet.'

He was unsure as to how many resellers would initially move to ordering over the internet, but expected a high percentage to order some of their goods electronically. 'If this method means we will supplement our telephone ordering service then that is good because it frees up salespeoples' time for other more in-depth sales. I anticipate that every reseller will still phone us up though,' he added.

Resellers will register once on the Website, gaining access to information specific to them. C2000 has 28,000 product lines, which resellers can choose to view, through product type or vendor's range.

The electronic ordering system, InTouch 2000, will be rolled out across Europe during the next few months. The distributor is aiming to add more functions to the system, so more product information can be stored, and therefore making the information more up-to-date.

During the first few months of operation, C2000 will manually check the orders, but it is hoped that by the end of May, the process will be done electronically.