Integration of the Target Connect Direct Communications Tool with eStore Online Ordering Continues Evolution of Budco Products and Services
Highland Park, Michigan. November 3, 2008 - Budco is launching a combined Target Connect/eStore application, another in an ongoing series of sophisticated e-commerce offerings. Now, customers access a single Web-based system to perform multiple functions: in addition to placing orders for products, merchandise and services, users can custom-design personalized communications, which are then printed and mailed at Budco.
"This is really all about convenience for our customers," said Budco president Terry Niles. "We've been in the e-ordering business for a decade and initiated our first Web-to-print tool more than five years ago. Historically, the two functions were separate - but no more. Our customers told us they wanted to simplify their business services; part of that was reducing the number of separate Web sites, log-ons and passwords they had to deal with. We responded by bringing these two activities together in a single product."
Using the integrated Target Connect/eStore application, customers can access the Target Connect portion of the portal for creation of customized, personalized communications and related documents to be printed on demand and mailed to recipients. Target Connect also allows users to design a complete direct mail campaign, including uploading a mailing list or purchasing one online, or put together advertising layouts for magazines, newspapers and outdoor billboards. Then, with a simple click, customers link seamlessly to the eStore to place orders for product literature, sales and marketing materials, training manuals and any number of other business-support items. Often, these directly relate to the personalized communications pieces created through Target Connect.
Vice President of Marketing and Product Development Jeff Sierra noted that everything can be accomplished in a single transaction. "In our faster-than-ever marketplace, customers want to handle all their marketing, advertising and support needs, from creating to ordering to printing and shipping or mailing, in one convenient, easy-to-use operation. That's exactly what we have here. And because we use pre-existing templates as the foundation architecture, we can brand the combined Target Connect/eStore application for each customer, and get it up and running in a relatively short period of time." Sierra added that the Budco product leverages market-leading technology and software, as well as strong partnerships with Oracle, Xerox and other technology giants. Further, APIs (application interface protocols) integrate directly with various customer ERP and CRM system"
"This is a true end-to-end solution," concluded Niles, "with Budco handling everything -- order processing, warehousing, fulfillment, print-on-demand, mailing, and customer support - on a single-source basis. That’s the kind of service and convenience our customers want."
Both Budco Gateway and the revamped Budco West area will be open for business in June.
About Budco
Budco is a leading fulfillment and direct marketing organization headquartered in Highland Park, Michigan. As The Dialogue Company, Budco helps clients build strong relationships with business and consumer audiences by facilitating ongoing, two-way communication. Founded in 1982, Budco applies a suite of in-house resources to develop and execute innovative, end-to-end business solutions, delivering results that drive client success. Primary industry segments include automotive/manufacturing, entertainment, pharmaceutical/health care, retail, travel and leisure, and transportation.
