Auckland-based software development company The Great Elk is crediting its Web site with the addition of a New Jersey-based Fortune 50 company to its client list.
“This is in spite of mixed opinion regarding the profitability of doing business on the Internet,” says Great Elk general manager Tony Bullen.
Bullen says the benefits of the company’s Web site have exceeded even his initial expectations.
“While a large number of companies have used the Internet merely as a new medium for publishing brochures, for us the Internet has turned into a vital part of the way we do business.
“We have multiple implementations occurring around the world at any one time and therefore can’t afford to have the company closing down during New Zealand’s non-work hours. Our international customers need to be sure that at any time during the day they can access our Implementation Partner knowledge base.”
The Great Elk uses its site for product information, lead generation, software distribution, routing electronic file transfers, email, electronic order generation and the knowledge base.
The Implementation Partner knowledge base is a password protected area, which allows Implementation Partners from countries such as Canada, Belgium, Hong Kong, China, the US and Australia to gain technical information on implementation. The knowledge base has the ability to accept submissions from partners on particular configurations which, after analysis by the support team, are added to it.
The knowledge base, when used in conjunction with email, pagers and staggered support staff shift work, supports the delivery of the company’s 24 X 7 service.
Sales and marketing manager Warren Tobin says the Great Elk advertises its Web presence through international magazines such as Fortune and Marketing Magazine, and by subscribing to various search engines.
The Great Elk’s URL is http://www.greatelk.com. Free shareware database software can be downloaded at http://www.greatelk.com/sika.