Access-to-Retail

Access-to-Retail has created a web based catalogue and ordering platform that allows manufacturers, wholesalers and retailers to trade together using a single communication link. This is achieved by forming an online marketplace - accessed by registered users - that can flow through any given supply chain, and works in harmony with existing back of... fice procedures. Access-to-Retail is the only integrated online trading platform that links all buyers to their suppliers. As a global network it unites everyone into a single community. The concept started out as a single company solution for a multi-national company, to allow them to communicate their entire product range to wholesalers and retailers. This basic principal is the foundation of the many-to-many system that has become Access-to-Retail. All companies need to acquire the same communication strengths whatever their size; it is only their magnitude that changes. So what works for one company, very often works for a great many companies. Access-to-Retail's online trading system has been developed from the ground up using a vast number of different sized companies as sounding boards. Focus groups, workshops and demonstrations have been organised for companies of various sizes to attend, so that their numerous needs and existing procedures could be evaluated, and incorporated into a trading system that has mass market appeal. The purpose of these focus groups was to analyse the functions and navigational routes of the proposed Access-to-Retail system. We studied the procedures of how each company processed information both to and from their customers. This entailed discussions on marketing and promotions which gave an insight into the way companies channelled product information through their supply chain. At this stage we evaluated how they communicate with their customers and what information is required to conduct business. Cost and time savings were also exposed and how human resources could be used more efficiently. We compared our findings with the ...Read More