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The Internet Sourcing
Network "ISN" is
a private extranet that C-ME builds and maintains for
retailers that will centralize their merchandise
review and search process. ISN allows retailers and
vendors to conduct business using the internet
without the need to invest in expensive hardware,
software or training.
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The
ISN provides vendors with a pro-active means
of showcasing their products to
major retailers, in contrast to passive marketing
vehicles such as paper catalogs or samples sent to
buyers by mail. Vendors have direct access to targeted
retail buyers, foresight into a retailer's procurement
cycle, feedback on their products, and weekly
"open-to-buy" information broadcast from
retailers.
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C-ME
standardizes all of its vendors' Product line sheets
and catalogs in a uniform format which retail buyers
are familiar with and will use daily. This current
source of information ensures prices, terms, styles,
and materials are easy to compare between vendors.
And because the ISN is dynamic by nature, the
vendor may add or remove displayed products on its
own or with the assistance of C-ME at any
time, providing retail buyers with fresh new items
to view on a daily basis.
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Using C-ME's
Focasting and DEPS software
applications, the ISN promotes interactivity between
the retailer and vendor by handling retailer's
product inquiries and vendor responses via e-mail.
The retailer can now apprise vendors of the amount
of merchandise they can order during a given period ("Open-to-buy"),
special products being sought, request more specific
information on a product, or merchandise planning and
buying goals. These interactive features give C-ME
retail partners ready access to diverse merchandise
and makes vendors an active part in merchandising
decisions, thus giving both the retailer and the
vendor a competitive advantage over companies not
using the ISN.
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