e-Xact Online

It is used instead of a hard copy catalogue to find product information e.g. list prices, product codes, technical specifications and COSHH sheets. Standard Format data from e-Xact can be used to 'feed' a merchant's own product file - putting in the foundations for electronic trading. e-Xact is also used as an image or document library to provide content for websites and other product catalogues. 2. How does it work? Suppliers provide the product information, for example EAN codes, descriptions, supplier product codes, list prices, images and product guides. The data fields and format vary from supplier to supplier, so e-Xact converts the supplier data into a standard format and uses it to populate a database. Joining e-Xact means providing the information once, to a central source, for onward distribution to all of the supplier's customers. Suppliers provide updates whenever new products are launched or information changes and these are published to their merchant customers. 3. Why should I join / what are the benefits? Many suppliers join e-Xact because they want to provide merchant branch staff with product information. As e-Xact is available in over 3000 merchant branches, many of which do not have access to the internet, it is the ideal mechanism for disseminating information. e-Xact provides merchants and suppliers with an easy, cost effective, prompt and accurate way to update product information. Other benefits cited by suppliers include improved customer service, ease of trading, access to a greater customer base, the ability to add new product lines quickly and easily, fewer invoice queries, less telephone queries for specials etc. etc. Additional benefits for suppliers are the web-based press release service, editorial in monthly enewsletters, and e-mail marketing opportunities - all of which are free of charge to subscribers. 4. But I already have a website....