CenterStone Technologies, Inc. announced that The Apparel Group has selected the companys iVendix software application to launch in 2009. When it is “live” later in 2009, iVendix will provide the Enro and Foxcroft brands of The Apparel Group with a business-to-business (B2B) on-line ordering solution for their retail accounts and sales reps. Retail accounts and sales reps will be able to view automated catalogs, check product availability, place orders, and track and monitor the status of those orders using iVendix because it is accessible 24/7 via the Web.
“These challenging economic times dictate that manufacturing companies align their cost structures and improve the efficiency and execution of their business,” said Mark Walz, Executive Vice President of The Apparel Group. “The specialty retailing community faces similar challenges, and vendors need to look for new ways to foster the continued viability of this channel, and having a B2B e-commerce solution is now an absolute necessity. We want to make it easier and more profitable for our customers to do business with us. Being easier to do business with will become an additional attribute of our brands and one more reason retail accounts will seek out The Apparel Group,” continued Walz.
“CenterStone helps its clients build and promote their brands in the B2B world. We provide tools that facilitate the dissemination of a consistent brand message – quickly, easily and in a timely manner – to specialty retailers and sales reps. In this day and age, just about everyone does a pretty good job of building, supporting and promoting their brand in the B2C consumer world, but the entity that drives the largest volume of purchases, the dealer base, the specialty retailer, is in need of the same brand support and timely messaging,” said Tom Detmer, CEO of CenterStone Technologies. “iVendix delivers a large and extensive user community that is continuing to grow at a very rapid pace. And the adoption rate of the user community will drive the ROI for the team at The Apparel Group,” Detmer added.
Brands currently using CenterStones Software-as-a-Service (SaaS) platform and making the companys solutions available to retail customers and sales reps include: The North Face, JanSport, Vans, Reef and VF Imagewear, part of VF Corporation; Pearl Izumi; Marmot Mountain, Ex Officio and Marker Apparel, brands of Jarden Corporation; Under Armour; Helly Hansen; Perry Ellis Intl.; Geneva Watch Group; Cleveland Golf; SmartWool, part of Timberland; RipCurl; 180s; Sport Obermeyer; Smith Optics; Rossignol; Dale of Norway; ONeill Clothing; Hot Chillys; Petzl; Icebreaker; Four Star Distribution (C1RCA); Fresh Produce Sportswear; Yakima Products; Billabong; Patagonia Europe; The Orvis Company and others.
With North American headquarters outside Dallas, in Lewisville, Texas, and world headquarters in Hong Kong, The Apparel Group is a pioneer in innovative garment technology and one of the worlds largest manufacturers of mens and womens fashion apparel and makes dress shirts, wovens, knits and bottoms for Dillards, Nordstrom and many other department stores and specialty retailers.
