Office Web

Citation

(2001), "Office Web", Work Study, Vol. 50 No. 5. https://doi.org/10.1108/ws.2001.07950eaf.001

Office Web

Office WebKeywords: Office furniture, Office equipment, Internet

A new approach to the purchasing of office furnishing has been introduced by leading industry personality David Stone who has set up a new B2B service – www.promptoffice.com – to bring together buyers and suppliers. The aim is to establish the requirement from buyer or commercial specifier and match it to the hundreds of suppliers whose systems and solutions are available.

Though there have been a number of high-profile failures in the B2B marketplace, David Stone believes that the Web can be the ideal base for initiating a search for the most effective solution. Most users accept that it is one of the best methods for collecting data and information on a variety of subjects; the "trick" for the B2B site is to convert such "research" into real trade.

The system takes input request information, using a series of simple prompts, and then matches the requirement against the abilities of suppliers to meet the request. This matching results in a minimum of three independent quotes free of charge. More complex enquiries can be routed to independent help and consultancy services. The entire service is free to users – facility managers, business directors and buyers – while suppliers pay a small commission.

The major feature of the site is the free competitive tendering process designed to match input criteria to best-choice products or services but it can handle other criteria such as best price, best design, best lead time and simply best service package.

The search can cover the location of office interior design and fit-out suppliers, and removal services, and can even help in locating potential office space. Finance is covered too, so that prospective buyers can examine funding choices.

promptoffice.com is not a dealer but makes an independent and confidential search of facility resources. See http://www.promptoffice.com