CenterStone Technologies, Inc.added Petzl to the list of clients using its iVendix software application. iVendix will provide a business-to-business (B2B) online ordering system for Petzls retail dealers and sales reps on both continents. When the application goes live later this summer, Petzl dealers in Europe (starting with France and Austria) and North America will be able to place their pre-season orders and all their re-orders using their local language and currency. Dealers and sales reps will be able to check on the availability of product as well as track and monitor the status of their orders on iVendix since it is accessible 24/7 via the Web.
CenterStone is an international developer of Web-based sales order management software for manufacturers of apparel, footwear, equipment and accessories, serving the outdoor recreation, snow sports, sporting goods, surf and action sports industries. The companys international ecommerce solutions have been widely adopted by specialty retailers in these markets on two continents.
According to Roody Rasmussen, president of Petzl's North American business, “CenterStone provides a world-wide B2B e-commerce solution that is currently used by thousands of specialty retailers and sales reps in the outdoor industry, and therefore a large percentage of our dealers are already familiar with their solution. In order for Petzl to continue to provide excellent customer service to our valued specialty retail customers, and to provide the convenience of 24/7 access to our products, the company realized that it needed a battle-tested online solution. We pride ourselves in designing and producing innovative and high quality products, and we also want to ensure that our business systems match that brand promise. Great tools are a pleasure to use–in the mountains or in the office.”
“Excellent customer service is important in any culture and in any language. There are thousands of outdoor retailers in Europe who need easy access to Petzl products. In addition, sales reps need to be able to check product availability and monitor the status of their orders. CenterStones track record will make it easy for our customers to do business with us and help our sales force provide more efficient service. Because iVendix is a multi-language, multi-currency platform, Petzl will be able to have a seamless solution across our world-wide business. Retailers all over the world face the same challenges: balancing back-office operations with customer service at the storefront. Because Petzl is providing an easy-to-use yet sophisticated retail support tool, our dealers will be able to spend more time during the day on the shop floor with their customers and will still be able to check availability and order our products 24/7. Quality time with customers is also important because of the products we sell and our tradition of product education,” said Pascal Bonino, president of Petzl SSA.
Tom Detmer, chief executive officer of CenterStone Technologies, commented, “We speak with specialty retailers every day, and an enormous percentage of dealers in the outdoor recreation industry have indicated that they want to conduct business at their convenience on a 24/7 basis, and one of the top brands that they have been requesting on our iVendix solution is Petzl. It is a very positive reflection on the senior management team of Petzl that they pay such close attention to their dealers. We are particularly excited that Petzl has selected CenterStone to handle their online B2B e-commerce business in Europe as well as North America. Based upon our success with other brands in the outdoor retail industry, we have no doubt that CenterStone will contribute to the ongoing growth of the Petzl business.”
Brands that currently use CenterStones Software-as-a-Service model and make the companys solutions available to retail customers and sales reps include: The North Face, JanSport and VF Imagewear, part of VF Corporation; Pearl Izumi, a division of Nautilus, Inc.; Marmot Mountain, Ex Officio, Marker Apparel, Adio Footwear and Planet Earth, part of K2 Corporation; Helly Hansen; Perry Ellis Intl.; Geneva Watch Group; Cleveland Golf, and Fidra Golf, part of Quiksilver; RipCurl; Billabong; Sport Obermeyer; Smith Optics; Garmont, Bridgedale and Icebug; KHS Bicycles; Dale of Norway; ONeill Clothing; Hot Chillys; Walk-EZ International and others.
