Locating profit on the Internet has evaded many entrepreneurs over the last few years. For two Pretoria-based engineers the tracking process have been a tough one, but one that is finally paying off.
Danie Blom and Dewald Scholtz started out almost six months ago selling electronic goods on the Internet as a hobby. They soon realised the potential of the Internet and together with Edge-1 Portals created a Web site whereby they sell Global Positioning System (GPS) tracking devices and other electronic goods directly to the public.
Linked to the PlanetPastel (www.planetpastel.co.za) online mall, the entrepreneurs set up their site to cater for serious trackers, hunters and general public interested in GPS tracking devices. Blom comments that they identified a need in the market for GPS devices and decided to use the Internet to deliver the product at a lower price. "At first we sold almost every electronic piece of equipment we could find, but later realised that the GPS devices were selling like hot cakes," adds Blom.
"PlanetPastel gave us the exposure we needed to get traffic to our site, while giving us the guidelines to make our site online-shopping friendly. Orders that are placed on the site get downloaded directly into our Pastel Accounting software. We don`t have to work with paper or sophisticated accounting or ordering tracking systems - all is done electronically, online and the instant the order is placed."
Edge-1 Portals created the integration whereby Xymech`s online ordering system links to the company`s Pastel Accounting software allowing for orders to be updated automatically in the company`s accounting system. Notification of sales orders are e-mailed to the administrator who then downloads the order details into Pastel Accounting. He then contacts the supplier, orders the goods and delivers it to the customer.
"The integration for Xymech is an example of how small and medium enterprises (SMEs) should be taking advantage of the Internet," comments Mike Bryer, Managing Director of Edge-1 Portals, a Softline Holdings company. "Xymech makes use of existing software, in this case their accounting software, to leverage the power of the Internet and grow their business. Orders downloaded from the Web directly into their accounting software frees management up from tedious administration task and give them more time to spend with clients and suppliers, focusing on the efficiency of the supply chain and planning the growth of their business.
"The Internet is not the only way to do business, but with correct planning and the effective use of current software and integrators like Edge-1, it is an important business tool for SMEs," adds Blom.
Edge-1 Portals is a recently formed Softline Holdings group company, which launched into the market to focus on providing e-commerce integration for the small, medium and large enterprise markets. Edge-1 aims to make integrated e-commerce solutions available to a much broader base of users. The technology and related services are focussed on integrating any Web-based e-commerce site with the clients` back-end accounting systems.
"Integrating a company`s Web presence with its existing operational systems is the next logical step toward making e-business really effective," continues Bryer. "Making our standard technology solutions affordable to small and medium-sized businesses makes it easier for our clients to achieve that goal."
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