Busting the Net Pricing Quandary – a TED Mag Exclusive

No Silver Bullet for Net Pricing Issue

TED Magazine recently published part 1 of a 3-part series on solutions, challenges and the progress of automating net into stock pricing. Four distributors share their experience using IDEA standards and solutions to reduce manual intervention.

Leaders from Crescent Electric Supply, Furbay Electric, Van Meter Industrial and City Electric all share a common objective – they want to save time and money by automating more processes around the way they receive and use net into stock pricing. Each take slightly different approaches to reach that objective, but have experienced similar outcomes. According to these distributors, the benefits are undeniable and implementation is the #1 roadblock to increasing automation.

Read more about their experiences and share your own in the TED Magazine “Technology Today Blog”.

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IDEA E-Biz Forum 2010 Agenda Released

User groups and educational sessions to focus on “eOptimizing Performance and Profitability"

View our 2010 detailed agenda and start building a customized educational itinerary that fits your needs and interests. Three general sessions and 21 break-out sessions will be held within two days. The user groups and educational sessions will focus on the theme – “eOptimizing Performance and Profitability”. The agenda is designed to help attendees utilize the latest eBusiness strategies and technologies to optimize performance in all business sectors.

“The success of past E-Biz Forums can easily be measured in the power of the knowledge-sharing relationships that attendees walk away with,” said Bob Gaylord, president and CEO, IDEA. “This event convenes the most progressive, innovative and influential group of B2B leaders in the electrical supply chain and related verticals. The Forum is not about how to complete an individual task; it’s about sharing, developing and honing individual best practices and adopting them to achieve optimum results for the success of your business.”

2010 Educational Highlights:

• Leadership panel discussion featuring supply chain thought leaders
• Best practices and lessons learned from IDEA customers including: Erico, Graybar, Kendall Electric and Rockwell Automation
• User groups and training for all IDEA solutions including: IDW, IDX, IRD CERICOMX®, Web Enablement and Professional Services

Educational Topics:

• From Infancy to Maturity: Keys to Successful Catalog Content Management
• Increasing ROI with Advances in Global Data Synchronization
• Leveraging Metrics to Achieve Collaborative B2B eCommerce
• Driving Profitability with Quality Marketing Data and the Attribute Schema

Get more 2010 Forum agenda details.

The Forum also features the annual Tech Center, an event for technology companies to demonstrate products and interact with prospective and current clients. The Tech Fair and Welcome Reception kicks off the Forum.

“Unilog has returned as a Premiere Partner of the 2010 Forum because we value the synergy that results from our participation. Attendees are enthusiastic about improving their eBusiness processes and take advantage of the Tech Center to continue learning in between educational sessions,” said Suchit Bachalli, Vice President Sales, Unilog Content Solutions.

2010 sponsors are: Unilog (www.unilogcorp.com), Activant Solutions, DATAgility, Sterling Commerce, Pentair Technical Products, Eaton, Graybar, Lutron and Schneider Electric.

The early-bird countdown has begun – register by June 30th to get the discounts and share with your network! 

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Congratulations to Electrical Wholesaling on 90 Years

The independent voice of electrical distribution celebrates 90 years of publishing this month. IDEA is mentioned as one of the many influencers to change the electrical market since then. Read the “10 Trends” article by Jim Lucy, Chief Editor, to find out more.

Here are EW’s picks for the trends that have had the most impact on the electrical wholesaling industry:

1. The electrification of the U.S. creates demand for electrical products.
2. Acquisitions shape the industry.
3. Distributor policy: How Thomas & Betts and Allen-Bradley set the tone in the early years.
4. Electrical distributors learn from the masters and incorporate professional merchandising into their counter areas.
5. The industry really did exist before computerization.
6. Buying/marketing groups survive and thrive.
7. The rep revival.
8. The industry learns to blend clicks with bricks.
9. The flow of new products helps distributor’s customers work faster, safer and more profitability.
10. The power of the entrepreneur.

Read the complete article, “10 Trends that Changed the Electrical Market” by Jim Lucy.

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June Training Opportunities

This month IDEA continues to offer live training sessions for customers online in addition to on-demand eLearning modules.

UNSPSC Training and Assistance

The population of United Nations Standard Products and Services Codes (UNSPSC) is essential for the industry to begin utilizing and benefiting from the first Electrical Attribute Schema. Training will continually be offered to IDEA customers so that these codes can be appropriately maintained and utilized in the future. UNSPSC codes will be required at the commodity level in the IDW Data Synchronization Platform on July 1, 2010.

Download the UNSPSC Service Document to find out how IDEA can help you develop a custom assistance program for your company. Contact your to sign up for live training this month – trainings are held every Thursday at 3:00PM EST.

Need a refresher? You can access the Electrical Attribute Schema eLearning Module 24/7 on the Portal under Training>Standards.

Live IDW Training

IDEA offers one-on-one IDW training sessions online. The trainings are divided into two parts for manufacturers and distributors. Part one reviews the essential business elements of IDW and part two dives deeper into the application. Niche training (e.g. Utilities Workstation, Net Price, Inbound Mapping, etc.) is also available upon request.

Need a refresher? You can access the IDW eLearning Module 24/7 on the Portal under Training>IDW>Training Modules.

Customers interested in scheduling a live IDW training session should contact at .

Live IDX Tracker Training Schedule

• Tuesday, June 1: 1:30 – 2:30PM EST
• Tuesday, June 8: 1:30 – 2:30PM EST
• Tuesday, June 15: 1:30 – 2:30PM EST
• Tuesday, June 22: 1:30 – 2:30PM EST
• Tuesday, June 29: 1:30 – 2:30PM EST

Need a refresher? You can access the IDX Tracker eLearning Module 24/7 on the Portal under Training>IDX>Training Modules.

Customers interested in scheduling a live IDX Tracker training session should contact at .

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New B2B eCommerce and Synchronization Customers

IDEA welcomes two new IDX and 12 new IRD CERICOMX® customers. Read more about these companies and how you can begin trading with them electronically to expand your business.

New IDX Customers

Fromm Electric Supply Corporation of Reading, PA became an Industry Data Exchange (IDX) customer on May 26, 2010. Fromm Electric sells a complete line of electrical supplies, motors, drives and factory automation equipment in nine locations throughout Pennsylvania. They will be taking advantage of the cost savings and reliability of IDX to exchange B2B documents. Fromm Electric is a proud member of A-D. Find out more at www.frommelectric.com. Welcome aboard!

Virginia Department of Transportation (VDOT) of Richmond, VA became an Industry Data Exchange (IDX) customer on May 26, 2010. VDOT is responsible for building, maintaining and operating the state's roads, bridges and tunnels.They will be taking advantage of the cost savings and reliability of IDX to exchange B2B documents. Find out more at www.virginiadot.org. Welcome aboard!

New IRD CERICOMX® Customers

IDEA, a 1SYNC Data Pool On-Board Solution (OBS) partner, implements suppliers that subscribe to the 1SYNC data pool using IDEA's IRD CERICOMX® application. IDEA was recently assigned 12 suppliers:

• National Beef Packing Company
• J & D Down Home Enterprises 
• Moe Pritchett BBQ Sauce
• JCG Corp
• Justin’s Nut Butter
• Memphis Contract Packaging 
• Stridetool
• Clint’s Picante 
• Grassworx LLC
• Taste of Nature  
• Pep’s Pizzeria & Deli 
• Olive Branch Coffee, Inc 

These companies will be trained to use IRD CERICOMX®, an online catalog that suppliers use to register product data with the GS1 Registry® and GDSN via the 1SYNC Data Pool. Suppliers also use this solution to publish product data to demand partners including retailers like Lowe’s and Walmart.

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