Hooked Up

This article discusses benefits incurred by buyers and suppliers over the Internet. The benefits of using the Internet to pull a wider range of clients are clear for both buyer and supplier. Manufacturers buying parts can choose from a greater number of quotes and compare fees and supplier capabilities much more readily. Suppliers get to plumb a deeper market for customers who may seek their specialization or may be outside the geographical market they normally serve. A sea change has begun for companies of Intellipack’s size that seek suppliers. The online business model works well for manufacturers who find new suppliers on the Internet. The online service MfgQuote lets suppliers that pay to use the service bid on requests for quotes that are submitted by potential buyers. QuickParts in Atlanta, using the company’s QuickQuote software, lets buyers upload three-dimensional computer-aided design (CAD) data to the site and include their project specifications. Company founders developed the QuickQuote software that allows them to accept 3-D CAD files, analyze them, and quickly make a customized quotation that addresses the quantity and type of parts the vendor specified.