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Strategic Information
CIMA E-Commerce Survey
Top Internet business priority: Facilitate business with dealers
Construction equipment makers' top Internet business priorities in the next 12 to 18 months are aimed at facilitating business with
their dealers and distributors, according to CIMA's latest e-commerce survey of members.
Parts Catalogs Online
When asked to rank their e-commerce initiatives during that period, the top-ranked priority was electronic communication with dealers
(ranked number one or two by 45% of respondents), followed by Web-based parts catalogs for distributors (ranked first or second by 30%
of respondents).
The survey results reveal the specific ways CIMA members plan to use the Internet to support their dealer and distributor networks in
the future.
Although 32% currently use CD-ROMs to provide parts catalogs to distributors, construction equipment makers will increasingly move these
parts catalogs and product support documentation libraries to the Web, where they can be continually updated.
Currently 16% of CIMA members offer parts catalogs online, but an additional 74% say they will do so in two years.
Parts Ordering
Other Web-based dealer support functions offered by construction equipment makers include online parts ordering, currently offered by
18% of CIMA members; another 76% plan to implement it within the next two years.
Online order/delivery status information, currently offered by 10% of manufacturers, but planned by another 77% within two years; and
warranty claims processing, currently offered by 9%, but planned by another 67% within the next two years.
Survey On Web
CIMA polled its members to provide them a snapshot look at construction equipment industry Internet usage, to benchmark themselves
against their peers and competitors. The CIMA e-commerce survey was sent to all members manufacturing construction equipment products
or components. The full report is available on the CIMAnet website to members only. For more information, contact CIMA's Chuck Frey
(414-298-4126, e-mail:cfrey@cimanet.com).
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