TMCnet News
NetSuite claims e-commerce addition gives users quick returns(Microscope Via Thomson Dialog NewsEdge) NetSuite is hailing its decision to add e-commerce software to its hosted business software bundle, insisting users had seen quick returns and the channel had received a strong sales pitch. In November the vendor added e-commerce capabilities to its offering in response to demand from SMEs that wanted an on-line presence (see MicroScope, 21 November 2005). The addition of the functionality coincided with the vendor's increased commitment to sales through the reseller channel (see MicroScope, 14 November 2005). NetSuite is also providing a good case for partners to sell its e-commerce software following a bumper year for customers. The vendor claimed e-tailers using its e-commerce software raked in $140m (79.3m) in revenues from 58 million shoppers during the Christmas period, and it is claiming mid-market retailers can now compete with bigger rivals. Craig Sullivan, director of international product management at NetSuite, said SME retailers were turning to on-line sales as costs came down. "Customers are now able to take business on-line in a much more cost-effective and simple way." He said the integrated nature of NetSuite's business software ensured that front and back offices were linked. "The on-line activity will link in to their off-line activity through integrated software." He said resellers would benefit through much more than recurring revenue with the opportunity to "overlay their own products and services on top of the NetSuite platform". SME customers benefiting from e-commerce include Miglia Technology, a manufacturer of video and storage products. Simon Ellson, managing director at the Hertfordshire-based firm, said: "Our sales doubled over the past year and our Web site hits increased by more than 150 per cent." |