Corporate Express Canada successfully completes Phase One in Partnership with Flow Systems
Tapping Flow Systems` Expertise in Marketing Solutions Software, Canada`s Leading Office Supply Company Reduces Production Cycle for Promotional Materials
Mississauga, Ontario. - June 2, 2003 --
Corporate Express Canada, Inc. announced today it has successfully implemented Flow Systems` product information and promotion solutions, marking the first phase in a two-part implementation program with Flow Systems, a Canadian-based marketing software-solutions company, division of Mediagrif Interactive Technologies Inc. (TSX: MDF).
Last September, Corporate Express Canada, a Buhrmann company (NYSE: BUH), the world`s largest business-to-business supplier of essential office and computer products and services, entered into a partnership with Flow Systems to develop solutions which streamline Corporate Express Canada`s product information management and promotion processes while improving customers` online buying experiences.
The first phase of the overall implementation, completed in April of 2003, enables the marketing department of Corporate Express Canada to leverage Flow Systems` solutions for the production of catalogues, promotional flyers and direct marketing tools.
"The results we have achieved to date are very impressive", said Maria Borges, Vice President, Marketing for Corporate Express Canada. "Flow Systems` solutions will enable us to significantly increase the number of flyers we can produce and generate increased return without considerable expense of additional resources."
Working closely with the Corporate Express IT Department, Flow Systems` professional service team was able to implement the solution on time and on budget, according to Luc Marotte, Vice President, IT at Corporate Express Canada. The new software streamlined the previous five systems used by Corporate Express to manage product content, consolidating them into one with Flow Systems` technology.
"Being able to manage all of our content, pictures and documents centrally enables everyone from Product Managers to Marketing Assistants to Graphic Designers to access all the content required to produce Corporate Express catalogues and flyers," Borges added. "The user-friendly interface enables our team to easily select products, as well as create, edit and approve content, dramatically reducing our production cycle time."
The second phase of Corporate Express Canada`s relationship with Flow Systems includes implementation of a suite of e-commerce solutions to assist Corporate Express in publishing its online catalogue. Relying heavily on Flow Systems` powerful product search technology, Corporate Express customers will be able to search its database of over 50,000 items with increased ease.
"We are proud to see how quickly Corporate Express has benefited from our solutions, and thrilled to have industry leader, Corporate Express, as our model for success," explained Martin Le Sauteur, Chief Executive Officer of Flow Systems. "This implementation demonstrates Flow Systems` expertise in product information management, as well as in print and electronic automated publishing. We anticipate continued exceptional results throughout the phase 2 implementation of our solutions."
About Corporate Express Canada
Corporate Express Canada, Inc. is a wholly owned subsidiary of Corporate Express, Inc., a Buhrmann company (NYSE:BUH and AEX: BUH), the world`s largest business-to-business supplier of office and computer products and services. Corporate Express Canada`s product offering includes office and computer supplies, imaging and computer graphics supplies, office furniture, document and print management, desktop software, promotional products, and other similar products. Corporate Express Canada has operations in 19 facilities, including 9 distribution centers located in Calgary, Alberta; Edmonton, Alberta; Halifax, Nova Scotia; Boucherville, Quebec; Saint John, New Brunswick; St. John`s, Newfoundland; Vancouver, British Columbia; Winnipeg, Manitoba and Mississauga, Ontario. Corporate Express Canada employs more than 1,000 people, approximately 350 sales and customer service representatives and owns approximately 70 delivery vehicles. The Company`s Web site address is: www.CorporateExpress.ca.
About Flow Systems
Flow Systems, a division of Mediagrif Interactive Technologies Inc. (TSX:MDF), is an innovator of end-to-end product information and promotion management solutions for retailers and distributors. Flow Systems` flagship product information management (PIM) solution - Content Factory - leads the industry as a centralized PIM repository that reduces systems and human resources, while making product information available to all users for effective marketing campaigns. Content Factory easily integrates with Flow Systems` marketing modules - Promo Connect, Business Connect, Print Connect and Web Connect. Customers include 3M, Boise Office Solutions, Corporate Express Canada, and Snap-On Tools. Flow Systems is located in Longueuil, Quebec, Canada. For more information, send an email to info@flowsystems.com or call 1-866-681-4548. Flow Systems` Web site address is: www.flowsystems.com.
About Mediagrif Interactive Technologies Inc.
Mediagrif Interactive Technologies Inc. (TSX: MDF) is a world-leading operator of e-business networks and provider of complete e-business solutions, including content management and e-tendering solutions. Mediagrif`s e-business networks allow buyers and sellers within specific industries to source, purchase or sell products and to exchange documents more efficiently using the Internet. Mediagrif operates 8 networks, including industry leaders The Broker Forum (www.brokerforum.com) Power Source On-Line (www.powersourceonline.com), Telecom Finders (www.telecomfinders.com) and Global Wine & Spirits (www.globalwinespirits.com). Through its networks, Mediagrif currently serves a membership base of more than 7,500 business located in 60 countries. The company also owns and operates the MERX e-tendering service (www.merx.com), the official distributor of tender documents for the federal government of Canada, which allows more than 23,800 Canadian businesses to access government contract opportunities. Headquartered in Montreal, Mediagrif through its subsidiaries has various offices in Canada and the United States. For more information on Mediagrif please visit us at www.mediagrif.com or call 1 (877) 677-9088.
For more information:
Corporate Express Canada
Van Hindes
Vice President, Communications
Tel : (303) 664-3989
van.hindes@cexp.com
Maria Borges
Vice President, Marketing
Tel : (905) 696-4259
maria.borges@cexp.com
Next Step Strategies
Marci Rodgers
President
Tel.: (925) 245-1111
marci@nextstepstrategies.biz
Mediagrif Interactive Technologies
Kathy Roberge
Director, Communications
Tel.: (450) 677-8797 ext. 3014
kroberge@mediagrif.com
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