FLOW SYSTEMS ANNOUNCES RESULTS FROM INDUSTRY’S FIRST PRODUCT INFORMATION AND PROMOTION MANAGEMENT SURVEY
Availability of Product Information and Promotion Management Solutions Deemed Critical for Marketing and IT Organizations
LONGUEUIL, Canada.—May 5, 2003—Flow Systems Corporation, an innovator of end-to-end product information and promotion management solutions for retailers and distributors and division of Mediagrif Interactive Technologies Inc. (TSX: MDF), today announced the availability of results from its industry leadership survey titled “Product Information and Promotion Management Challenges”.
The purpose of the survey is to explore issues for large organizations regarding the management of separate product information systems, as well as the effective execution of marketing campaigns that rely on the availability and accuracy of product information. Responses in two key areas – product information management (PIM) and promotion/marketing management – have shown that the use of centralized product information management solutions with automated promotion/marketing solutions are critical for improving an organization’s bottom line. To view full survey results request your copy at survey@flowsystems.com
Survey Results Sample
84% of respondents find that use of a centralized PIM solution is important in more effectively conducting their company’s marketing initiatives, and 82% said that use of a PIM system to consolidate all product information would be of high value to their companies. However, over 50% said that their companies still use a large number of systems, 6 or more, to manage product information today.
Respondents – comprised of over 300 marketing and IT experts - commented on the benefits of using a PIM system (multiple selections possible):
• 71%: Access to updated product information by all constituents (employees, partners, etc.)
• 64%: Elimination of duplicate information between systems
• 61%: Reduction of IT costs
GIGA Research Discusses PIM Trends
“Product information repositories have structured data at their core, can be used by people in various roles throughout an enterprise, represent a substantial improvement over current methods of managing product information, can enable new ways of merchandising products, and can be used for production of printed as well as Web catalogs,” said Erica Rugullies, Forrester analyst at Forrester Research Inc., in the IT Trends 2003: Product Information Management, October 2002.
Marketing Promotion Challenges
84% of respondents have multi-channel (print, web, flyers, promotions, etc.) marketing initiatives in their organizations today, with 64% naming the creation and publication of print flyers as the most frequent activity. Respondents selected the benefits of using an integrated multi-channel marketing strategy (multiple selections possible):
• 81%: Revenue growth
• 69%: Consistent brand awareness
• 50%: Operational efficiency
68% said it is their company’s highest marketing priority to streamline print promotion and publishing processes in order to publish more targeted promotions – with different products and pricing per market, zone, or group of customers - using existing human resources. In addition, 75% said it is important for their organizations to publish versioned promotions (multiple versions with different products and pricing). 80% stated that publishing versioned promotions can increase sales and profit margins significantly. Given current technology and processes, only 25% are able to publish more than 5 versions of the same promotion at a time.
“The answers to this industry survey allow Flow Systems and other PIM or promotion management solution providers to better address retailers and distributors with solutions that truly meet their needs,” said Martin Le Sauteur, Chief Executive Officer of Flow Systems. “Tight integration of a centralized PIM solution with a marketing/promotion solution, such as Flow Systems’ Content Factory with our marketing modules, enables customers to more rapidly and effectively create and publish marketing campaigns – allowing companies to increase revenues while reducing their costs.”
Flow Systems’ Content Factory is a powerful product information management solution designed to efficiently manage enterprise-wide product information from a single system, independent of how it will be used or in which media type. By centralizing the management of content, including rich multimedia and international content, Content Factory allows users involved in the production of print and electronic publications to use the same, up-to-date product information. Content Factory, accessible to users over the Internet, ensures that product information is consistent, no matter which marketing channel is used.
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 resources, while making product information available to all users for effective marketing campaigns. Content Factory easily integrates with Flow Systems’ marketing modules – 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.
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 7,300 business located in 60 countries. The company also owns and operates the MERX e-tendering service, the official distributor of tender documents for the federal government of Canada, which allows more than 23,000 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.
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