Ingram Micro 2000 Annual Report Download - page 14

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Since its introduction in the 1990s, e-commerce has reshaped the world’s economy in unprece-
dented ways. At the outset, some thought this new purchasing option would render distributors obso-
lete — but Ingram Micro knew better. Instead, we recognized e-commerce as an opportunity to enhance
and expand our customer relationships. Here’s how we’ve molded the technology to fit our business.
Web Of Success
As one of the world’s largest business-to-business (B2B) providers, we rely on electronic methods
to help our customers order quickly, easily and cost-effectively. In fact, our customers purchased
$8 billion in products and services electronically in 2000, representing more than 25 percent of our
global sales.And the number is growing — e-commerce sales increased 46 percent compared to 1999.
2000 was also a year in which we greatly enhanced and expanded our e-commerce offering around
the world.We rolled out new e-commerce sites in nine countries within Asia and Latin America and in
our Miami export division. Plus, we upgraded existing sites in Australia, Canada, Chile, Mexico, the
United States and 11 European nations, boosting performance and incorporating sophisticated transac-
tion capabilities.
Tools As Diverse As Customers’ Needs
With www.ingrammicro.com and other e-commerce systems, Ingram Micro enhances communica-
tion and improves supply-chain efficiencies for partners throughout the distribution channel. Smaller
companies enjoy the benefits of round-the-clock self-service purchasing. Large corporations and
Internet retailers plug their own order-management systems directly into ours to complete transactions
quickly and accurately. Solution providers of all sizes use our online communities, www.venturetech-
network.com and www.partnershipamerica.com, to capitalize on opportunities in the small to midsize
business and government/education markets.
Far from replacing Ingram Micro, e-commerce strengthens us by increasing the level of service we
offer. The further we integrate electronic tools into our business, the more we ensure our place in the
new economy — and the better we position ourselves for the future.
changing the face of e-commerce
.10 |INGRAM MICRO