Privately held CenterStone Technologies reported record numbers for transactions processed through its iVendix and Escape B2B applications in 2007 for the third consecutive year. 


Increased adoption of web-based wholesale ordering by specialty retailers and sales reps on two continents (using the multilingual/multicurrency tools), coupled with the 24/7 availability and ease-of-use are key factors.

“All of our numbers are up, and up significantly,” reported Tom Detmer, CEO of CenterStone Technologies.  “CenterStone’s e-commerce solutions, Escape and iVendix, processed more than $1.2 billion in wholesale transactions in 2007.  On iVendix, we had a record number of active users in 2007 of 9,725, which is a 53 percent increase over 2006, further demonstrating the acceptance of our solution by the specialty retail community.  iVendix processed 144,002 orders, an increase of 65 percent over 2006 for a total of $677.0 million in wholesale dollars, representing an increase of 67 percent in wholesale dollars over the 2006 numbers.  To say we are ‘pleased’ would be an under-statement,” said Detmer.


How CenterStone works


CenterStone Technologies operates a multi-tenant, Software-as-a-Service (SaaS) platform and provides Web-based, B2B, sales order management applications in six languages and local currencies in North America and Europe.  The company’s solutions have widespread adoption among specialty retailers and sales reps and help to expand the marketplace for vendors by enabling retail dealers and sales reps to view online catalogs, check inventory availability, create sales proposals and place preseason orders, reorders, and retail employee orders more effectively and efficiently with their vendors. 

 

CenterStone Technologies makes vendors more competitive by providing increased inventory turns at retail, reduced customer service costs, and greater speed to market, thus increasing profit margins and improving relationships with their customers – specialty retail dealers. CenterStone’s B2B solutions are purchased (on a subscription basis) by manufacturers of consumer products who sell into non-big-box specialty retail channels. 

Increased ROI with commonly overlooked B2B web presence


“During the last several years, manufacturers have predominantly focused their web initiatives on their B2C web sites, which are now solidly established, and the majority of vendors have overlooked the importance of their B2B presence on the Web.  CenterStone has witnessed an enormous ground swell of interest in B2B technology as manufacturers have come to understand the value of B2B in driving down the cost of sales as well as its importance in helping to grow top-line sales.  Research shows compelling evidence that those manufacturers with B2B solutions – who are therefore easier for specialty retailers to do business with – receive a larger share of retailers’ open-to-buy dollars,” stated Peter O’Neil, executive vice president of sales and marketing for CenterStone Technologies.
 
Manufacturers who work with CenterStone

CenterStone’s client base includes manufacturers of well-known brands in the apparel, footwear, sporting goods, snow sports and outdoor recreation industries, including VF Corp (The North Face, Vans and Reef), Under Armour, Jarden Corporation (Marmot and ExOfficio), Adams Golf, Cleveland Golf, Yakima Products, Rossignol, Helly Hansen, Pearl Izumi, SmartWool, Buck Knives, RipCurl, Billabong, Sport Obermeyer, Smith Optics, KHS Bicycles, Dale of Norway, O’Neill Clothing, Hot Chillys, Petzl; Sole Technology, Four Star Distribution, Buck Knives, Fresh Produce Sportswear, The Orvis Company, Patagonia Europe – more than 90 other well-known consumer brands.