Government-Education eProcurement Hub First to Feature Wireless Connection Via Internet-ready Sprint PCS Phones and Brience 2.0 Framework(TM)
LAS VEGAS, Nov. 13 /PRNewswire/ -- Ingram Micro Inc. (NYSE:IM)
, the largest global wholesale provider of technology products and services, today announced it will offer mobile Internet access for PartnershipAmerica.com, enabling government and education technology buyers to use a wireless connection to source products for the first time.
(Photo: http://www.newscom.com/cgi-bin/prnh/20000801/IMLOGO )
Mobile connection to eProcurement technology solution provider storefronts on PartnershipAmerica.com, via Sprint PCS Phones, links government and education technology purchasers with an online marketplace featuring Ingram Micro's network of qualified technology solution providers and an inventory of more than 280,000 products. The new service, based on the Brience 2.0 Framework(TM), allows mobile online searches of information technology product pricing and availability, order status and electronic ordering via a Sprint PCS Phone. The offering represents Ingram Micro's integral role as a commerce service provider, connecting the IT supply chain with the electronic infrastructure that will bring greater efficiency and meet the challenges of new channels to market in the Internet economy.
"Ingram Micro is dedicated to Web-enabling our business and being the leading e-market maker in the technology arena," said Guy Abramo, chief strategy and information officer, Ingram Micro Inc. "Mobile Internet access to PartnershipAmerica.com provides a valuable and efficient service for public sector technology buyers to conduct real-time business -- anywhere, anytime. This also provides a key competitive advantage for our technology solution providers who deliver products and services through PartnershipAmerica.com."
The PartnershipAmerica.com mobile access service, created by Brience Inc., a provider of platform software for extending e-business applications to wireless devices, and custom solutions provider for the Sprint PCS Wireless Web for Business, is the first application of its kind designed specifically for public sector technology buyers. The service allows instant connection from any location via an Internet-ready Sprint PCS Phone to PartnershipAmerica.com for up-to-the-minute technology product information with capabilities for detailed searches by keyword, SKU, category, manufacturer, contract location or brand name. KPMG Consulting, LLC, a leading Internet integration services company, was instrumental in working with Ingram Micro to create the tools necessary to integrate this service with the PartnershipAmerica.com site. As part of this new service, Ingram Micro will offer pre-programmed Internet-ready Sprint PCS Phones to a select group of its Partnership America customers for use with their government and education buyers.
PartnershipAmerica.com uses a variety of key technology applications to make public sector purchasing more efficient and cost effective. Key features of the eProcurement hub already include time-saving price comparison tools, Web storefronts with expert logistics, and an advanced request for quote (RFQ) and price comparison system where real-time quotes generated by qualified technology solution providers are ranked and accepted by public sector buyers.
Mobile Internet access is initially available on a limited basis. For more information about Ingram Micro's PartnershipAmerica.com, including mobile Internet access to the online marketplace, or to obtain a Web storefront with mobile functionality, government-education buyers and technology solution providers can contact Keith Wilson, Partnership America manager for Ingram Micro, at (714) 566-1000, ext. 22746. Ingram Micro will be demonstrating this new service at Fall COMDEX 2000 in Las Vegas during the week of Nov. 13, 2000.
About Ingram Micro Inc.
Ingram Micro Inc. is the largest global wholesale provider of technology solutions, products and services. The company operates in 34 countries with sales exceeding $30 billion for the past four reported quarters. Ingram Micro's global regions offer e-commerce solutions, logistics services, and technology product distribution and marketing to more than 175,000 technology solution providers and manufacturers. The company is focused on maximizing shareowner value and achieving customer satisfaction by continuously innovating the IT supply chain. Visit http://www.ingrammicro.com/.
Ingram Micro is a trademark used under license by Ingram Micro Inc. All other logos, brand names and product names are trademarks of their respective companies.
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Source: Ingram Micro Inc.
Contact: Jennifer Marchetta of Ingram Micro Inc., 714-382-1403,
jennifer_marchetta@ingrammicro.com; or Lisa Falcetti, ext. 234,
lisa_falcetti@benjamingroup.com, or Carrie Brooks, ext. 239,
carrie_brooks@benjamingroup.com, both of Benjamin Group/BSMG, 949-260-1300,
for Ingram Micro Inc.
Website: http://www.ingrammicro.com/