IBM India launches Web-based initiative for customers

BANGALORE: IBM has created a new channel to conduct business through the Web with its customers. The company has set up an extranet Web site dedicated to each customer. This will also the customers to transact their PC business with IBM over the web. Through this channel customers will be able to place orders as well as access information on IBM products, services and support.

According to IBM, this initiative would benefit customers by providing information in a centralized place that is accessible at any point of time, direct customer requests to the extranet site, analyze customer navigation and buying habits, reduce selling costs for IBM and reduce costs for customers through end-to-end purchasing channel and provide access for customers to product information, announcements, rate contracts, online order tracking, expected shipment dates, status of deliveries.

IBM India Ltd. V.P. Personal Systems group Neelam Dhawan said," Most corporate customers have decentralized their IT buying process. This initiative greatly helps such companies to reduce their internal lead-time in the buying process. The web site will serve as a one stop point for all IBM PC business transactions". The first customer to benefit from this initiative is Hindustan Lever Ltd.