|
Distribution Case Study
Company
Coast Paper is a preeminent Canadian distributor of quality printing
and office papers. Alliances with the world’s leading paper
manufacturers ensure Coast’s over 7,000 products support creative
and effective print communication, while its services provide
just-in-time delivery solutions for today’s digitally based
production environments.
Project
Fisher Towne & Associates was charged with designing an
interactive application that would essentially convert Coast’s
voluminous printed product catalog of coated, uncoated and web
papers, announcements, envelopes, and printer supplies into a
user-friendly searchable electronic interface.
Solution
In designing and developing what became known as the Coast
Printer’s Product Guide, Fisher Towne’s solution had to process
product and pricing updates quicker and more economically; it needed
to convey more information than the printed version; it needed to
calculate order pricing and handle complex queries; it needed to
database orders and inquiries; print price changes; and it needed to
offer substitutes when customers have a competitive product in mind.
In short, Coast wanted an application that would allow its users to
quickly find products to meet their job specifications and be able
to order them more efficiently, and accurately than previously
possible.
The Coast Printer's Product Guide has been heralded at a
revolutionary paper selection and purchase program. Fisher Towne’s
unique blend of contemporary computer know-how and database software
programming techniques have taken the selection and ordering of
paper and printing supplies to new levels of simplicity and
precision without compromising sophistication or efficiency.
The Printer’s Product Guide has simplified life for not only
for Coast’s customers, but also for the many people in charge of
entering and maintaining product information and pricing for the
catalog.
|