Printers Realize Efficiencies with Online Tools from xpedx
CINCINNATI—06/02/2009—For commercial printers Ralph Stewart and Steven Reiss, job profitability is up, customers get orders faster than ever and employees are more efficient because of online support and personalized attention from a core supplier.
Stewart, co-owner of Syracuse, NY-based Liverpool Litho, and Reiss, president of Cleveland-based Business Stationery Inc. (BSI), say Internet-based tools from xpedx enable them to check inventory and pricing in real time. That allows them to accurately and quickly bid for jobs, to do jobs in the most profitable and efficient manner possible—and provide the finished product to the customer under tight time constraints.
“Having detailed online support from our paper and graphic supplies provider is a significant competitive advantage today,” explains Stewart. “The first thing I do when I get to work is launch my customized estimating program on xpedx.com.”
Increasingly, U.S. commercial printers are realizing the powerful benefits of electronic ordering and real-time purchasing management offered by xpedx.com. The site features real-time pricing and inventory status for more than 100,000 SKUs, an extensive data catalog, powerful reporting tools, a specialized Knowledge Center, customized templates for frequently ordered products and chain-of-custody certification monitoring.
A staff of eBusiness specialists helps customers maximize the benefits of the site. xpedx.com’s eBusiness specialists work closely with customers at their locations and the company has a live help desk staffed by xpedx employees available every business day.
The xpedx eBusiness platform provides customers with important financial and operational tools that help their businesses run more smoothly and effectively. In 2008 it helped more than 26,000 customers place in excess of 6 million orders totaling $1.7 billion via xpedx.com or direct computer connections. That’s up 14% over 2007.
Order accuracy, e-invoices and other benefits
Liverpool Litho’s Stewart says he is on xpedx.com several times throughout the day with multiple “shopping carts” to organize his purchases, such as one cart for paper and another for graphics supplies. He builds the carts throughout the week until he’s ready to order.
