CenterStone Technologies, Inc., an international developer of Web-based sales order management software for manufacturers of apparel, footwear, equipment and accessories, reported that Icebreaker, of Sun Valley has selected the companys iVendix software application. iVendix will provide Icebreaker with a business-to-business (B2B) on-line ordering solution for their retail dealers and sales reps in North America. When Icebreaker goes “live” on the application later this year, dealers and sales reps will be able to view automated catalogs, check on the availability of product, place orders, and track and monitor the status of those orders using iVendix since it is accessible 24/7 via the Web.
“Earlier this year we did our own independent survey with our retail customers and we learned two things, first, that providing on-line ordering was a convenience that our customers desired, and second, that they prefer to do business on the CenterStone platform given that so many other brands are already there. This made it an easy decision for us,” said Troy Ballard, President of Icebreaker USA. “We were looking for a solution that our retailers would readily adopt and CenterStone has clearly become an industry standard. Implementing CenterStone will reinforce to our specialty retailers that their business is important to Icebreaker as we continue to expand the presence of our brand in the market,” said Ballard.
Alin Ungureanu, Chief Information Officer for Icebreaker New Zealand added, “In evaluating an on-line, B2B solution, we were looking for a platform that would meet our immediate needs in North America, but could also grow with us into other markets, namely Europe and the South Pacific. We want to provide best practice tools to our customers all over the world and in our evaluation, CenterStone was the only one that could deliver for us geographically in terms of a multi-languages and multi-currency application.”
Tom Detmer, chief executive officer of CenterStone Technologies, commented, “The team at Icebreaker understands the importance of the specialty retail distribution channel to the building of a world-class consumer brand. It is the specialty retailers that truly supports, promotes and protects the Icebreaker brand. They understand the unique value that this distribution channel provides, and want to maintain it as a distinct, strong and vibrant channel for their brand. We are excited that Icebreaker selected CenterStone to help them with their brand expansion by providing their dealers with our on-line B2B solution. We interact with hundreds of specialty retailers every day, and they want to conduct business with Icebreaker at their convenience on a 24/7 basis using the CenterStone solution. We deliver a large and extensive user community that is continuing to grow at a very rapid pace. And it is the adoption rate by this user community that will drive the ROI for Icebreaker and will help them grow their brand in the specialty retail channel,” Detmer said.
Brands that currently use CenterStones Software-as-a-Service (SaaS) model and make the companys other solutions available to retail customers and sales reps include: The North Face, JanSport, Vans and VF Imagewear, part of VF Corporation (NYSE: VFC); Pearl Izumi, a division of Nautilus, Inc. (NYSE: NLS); Marmot Mountain, Ex Officio, Marker Apparel, Adio Footwear and Planet Earth, part of K2 Corporation (NYSE: KTO); Under Armour (NYSE: UA); Helly Hansen; Perry Ellis Intl. (NASDAQ: PERY); Geneva Watch Group; Cleveland Golf, and Fidra Golf, part of Quiksilver, (NYSE: ZQK); SmartWool, a division of Timberland (NYSE: TBL); RipCurl; Billabong; Sport Obermeyer; Smith Optics; Garmont and Bridgedale; KHS Bicycles; Dale of Norway; ONeill Clothing; Hot Chillys; Petzl and others.
