Ford Motor Company Intranet Showcases First Implementation of CONNECT's OrderStream

Strategic Insights -

CONNECT, a leading provider of business-to-business electronic commerce software, announced that MSX International has launched a "virtual print shop" called Orbitek Document Services, which is based upon CONNECT's award-winning OrderStream application. The system is currently used on Ford Motor Company's corporate intranet, allowing Ford customers to order printing and copying services directly from their desks. By customizing CONNECT's OrderStream software, MSX International was able to "go live" in a short period of time with a fully functional, scaleable e-commerce system.

Key Takeaways:

  • MSX International launched a "virtual print shop" called Orbitek Document Services, based on CONNECT's OrderStream application, on Ford Motor Company's corporate intranet.
  • The system enables Ford customers to order printing and copying services directly from their desks, as well as computer and office supplies.
  • ORDERStream is a powerful, Internet-based order capture and customer service system designed to automate and streamline the selling of finished goods and services.
  • MSX International's Business and Technology Group provides services to the Ford community via on-site copy centers located within various Ford buildings.
  • The Orbitek system complements these on-site centers by enabling Ford customers to order services remotely.
  • Kathy Gawronski, manager of systems planning at MSX International, stated that they chose to work with CONNECT because of their clear technology advantage and proven track record.
  • Bart Foster, executive vice president of Sales and Marketing at CONNECT, Inc., noted that MSX International's success illustrates how a company can leverage CONNECT's technology and expertise to diversify its revenue stream.
  • MSX International's customers within Ford are using Orbitek to produce materials such as business reports, presentations, engineering manuals, posters, brochures, newsletters, and business cards.
  • Ford employees also use Orbitek to order computer and office supplies, including floppy disks, magnetic tape, paper, and toner cartridges for printers and fax machines.
  • CONNECT and a team from MSX International worked together to customize OrderStream to accommodate the intricate details of print orders.
  • Graphic representations are used to help customers understand what their finished products will look like.

Statistics:

  • MSX International has 52 facilities in 23 countries around the world.
  • Three business units--Business and Technology Services, In-Client Services, and Product Development Services--provide a full range of services to the transportation industry.
  • The Business and Technology Services Division provides a full line of corporate document management services, including full-color process printing and high-speed digital print-on-demand services.
  • MSX International supports and hosts a wide variety of Web and client/server applications, including financial, mission-critical, and secure Web-based reporting systems.
  • MSX International's customers within Ford are using Orbitek to produce an average of 500 documents per day.
  • The Orbitek system has reduced the time it takes for Ford customers to receive their printed materials from 3-5 days to 1-2 days.

Sources:

  • CONNECT, Inc.
  • MSX International
  • MSX International Web site: www.msxi.com
  • CONNECT Web site: www.connectinc.com
  • Source: CONNECT, Inc.
  • Contact: Samantha Moore, CONNECT, Inc., 650-254-4016, semoore@connectinc.com
  • Todd Berkowitz, Schwartz Communications, Inc., 415-512-0770, toddb@schwartz-pr.com
  • Kathy Gawronski, Systems Development Manager, 248-304-7740, David Crittenden, Director of Corporate Development, 248-299-1077, both of MSX International