Many manufacturers are unsure whether the Internet can replace distributors as a way to provide product information to customers. This article discusses the role of e-commerce in the assembly field, reviews some e-commerce sites and explains how Internet providers can help manufacturers create an online presence.
Sean Toomes, international marketing director for Norgren (Littleton, CO), couldn't agree more. "E-business is here. It's not some vision for the future. Without it, you are dead--possibly sooner rather than later," he says. "Don't make the mistake of believing that e-business capabilities are optional; they are mandatory. As the global village turns into the global marketplace, U.S. manufacturers must turn from 'bricks and mortar' to 'clicks and mortar' if they are to remain competitive."