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What is DistributorCentral? |
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DistributorCentral is an easy Internet-based business solution for the entire Promotional Products Industry. It is timesaving, paper eliminating and convenient. We offer the first centralized, industry-wide product data warehouse based on accurate, complete and Supplier-maintained information. Our interactive software brings together a specialized catalog with convenient order entry, tracking and status modules. It eliminates Web and data server maintenance for Supplier and Distributor participants.
Our easy-to-use website composer allows Suppliers and Distributors to build a functional, database-driven product catalog website. Its template base lets you customize colors and fonts and easily create webpages. You don't need a programming staff or extensive Web development knowledge. All you need is an Internet connection, then you have a complete business solution at your fingertips.
DistributorCentral's powerful catalog solution can be seen at such award-winning Supplier websites as toppersllc.com, tradenetonline.com and dartpromo.com. Development is currently underway on DistributorCentral's future product offerings that will include complete front-end and back-end business tools for Suppliers and Distributors.
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What is a PromoPass? How do I get one? |
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PromoPass is a login name and password you can use at DistributorCentral to access your account and free website. Distributors get PromoPass by e-mail when they sign up at DistributorCentral.com. Suppliers will receive their PromoPass after their first products are setup by DistributorCentral.
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How do I join DistributorCentral? |
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To get your FREE DistributorCentral account, go to either the Suppliers page or the Distributors page and sign up.
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What are you offering to me as a Supplier? |
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Control, Time and Money. We give you complete access to edit your products at any time. DistributorCentral provides a database of unprecedented detail and thoroughness for Supplier product information. When Suppliers maintain their own product information, changes will appear instantly on their own supplier website and on thousands of Distributor sites that are linked to the product database. This reduces mistakes and allows your customers to generate accurate purchase orders. You will see a marked reduction in the number of errors and missing information on purchase orders received at the plant, resulting in significant time and cost savings. Your products will be available to more Distributors than ever before. Furthermore, because your products are available to a much wider range of Distributors, you should see a boost in sales.
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How can I list my line? |
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Here's how to list your product line:
1) Send us two or three catalogs (our address is located above in the 'Contact Us' box).
2) Send a list of the products you wish to have entered.
3) Send your product images (preferably in .jpg format; 150dpi; 500px wide or high)
4) Name a contact person within your company who can answer any questions we may have concerning the setup of your products.
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Have you developed any tools to link your database to a Supplier's internal system and/or existing website data? |
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We are an ePSA-compliant solution, meaning our data is in line with industry standards and should be compatible with any compliant back-end systems. For a more detailed explanation of industry standards, please visit the ePSA website.
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How is DistributorCentral different from ESP or SAGE? |
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What sets DistributorCentral apart from other product sourcing tools in the industry is its comprehensive product detail. Accurate product information is maintained by the Supplier, including pricing, options and choices, shipping and freight. DistributorCentral is FREE to Distributors. You, as a Distributor, can even include the power of the DistributorCentral catalog and searching services inside your own website! Just sign up for your PromoPass to receive a personalized link for your website.
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What do you define as a product? |
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Any item in your catalog that has a unique style name or number and/or a unique base price.
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Will I have the ability to get online quotes with Fed Ex and UPS? |
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Yes. All Suppliers have the ability to provide freight quotes on all orders.
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Why do I get freight quotes on some products and not others? |
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Some Suppliers have not entered the information that allows you to get freight quotes. Contact the Supplier and encourage them to enter their freight information so it is available to you. Any feature you see available on one product is available on all products.
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If I want to use DistributorCentral's Web hosting services, how do I move from my current host? |
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We have support technicians who can help you manage the transition from your existing host to DistributorCentral's servers. Simply provide us with your contact information, and we will have a technician call you.
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Do you offer e-mail solutions? |
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Yes! DistributorCentral can host multiple mailboxes using your domain name.
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How do I control who orders from me (a Supplier) using DistributorCentral? Can anyone place an order? |
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Any promotional products Distributor can place an order using his PromoPass account. Whom you choose to accept orders from will be done in the traditional manner using your internal credit department and relationships with Distributors.
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How many Suppliers have signed up? |
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On August 1st, 2002, DistributorCentral started marketing SupplierCatalog to the Promotional Products Industry. Over 18,000 Distributors and Suppliers are being informed each week about SupplierCatalog. Over 1,000 Suppliers have already contacted DistributorCentral and are in the process of adding their products.
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Do I have to reconfigure my network in order to use your system? |
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No. If you already have access to the Internet, all you have to do is go to our website. DistributorCentral is completely browser-based and works on all PC and Mac browsers version 5 and up. There is nothing to download.
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How do I keep end users from using the site to get direct access to Suppliers on my DistributorCentral catalog? |
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Much like a printed catalog, your online catalog only shows retail prices. It has no line names or contact information about the manufacturer and is safe for Distributors to show their clients.
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