Link-Belt announces Link-NetPro
Using eBusiness to communicate with distributors
(Lexington, KY) – The Link-Belt Construction Equipment Co. announces its new eBusiness information delivery system for distributors, “Link-NetPro.” This new portal to the Internet will allow distributor access to vital information for sales, service, parts and warranty information via the web. Password-protected access is being launched in stages for authorized Link-Belt Crane Distributors worldwide, beginning January 2000.
“We believe that this new
level of business-to-business communications will provide our distributors
accurate and timely information for fast problem resolution,” said Pete
Wollison, Manager, Marketing Communications. “In the future it seems a
logical extension to offer this information system through our
distributors to our crane owners, once all online testing is complete.”
Link-NetPro site launched
The start-up of the Distributor extranet site, Link-NetPro, was launched in January 2000. The introductory content includes Link-Belt personnel listings, e-mail connections, what’s new/bulletin boards, co-op advertising, Parts and Service policies, factory training school schedules and business gift items/ordering.
By the end of January, all technical publications, or eManuals, will be
posted to the extranet site, Link-NetPro, featuring parts pages, service
manuals, and operator manuals for virtually every Link-Belt working crane.
More than 18 months in the creation and testing, this crane industry first
is a gigantic step forward in better serving distributors’ needs for
instant, accurate information for better problem resolution.
On-line SalesPro
Following the eManual release, Link-NetPro will become the new home for the highly successful SalesPro CD program. Renamed eSalesPro because it now resides on the web, it hosts all sales features, specs, capacities, pricing, configurator and competitive information. eSalesPro will provide instant response time for updated, accurate sales information to the distribution network.
On-line warranty
Once testing is complete, Link-Belt will introduce another first for the crane industry with the posting of its brand new eWarranty program that will allow electronic submittal and processing of all warranty claims, greatly decreasing the turnaround time to process claims and meet customers’ needs.
On Demand Printing
In the near future, when online viewing is not desirable, complete, bound manuals can be instantly printed using Link-Belt’s new print on demand (POD) capability. Now in development, this new system virtually eliminates all inventories of aged, printed publications and provides a more cost effective means to meet customer needs for timely, 100% accurate publications.
All of these eBusiness initiatives are designed to improve the speed and accuracy of vital information to Link-Belt’s distribution channel via the web and are an outgrowth of its continuous innovation and mission to be recognized as a leader in customer service and satisfaction.