BroadVision: eBusiness for everyone

Epson America

Online Self-Service for Consumers and Resellers

Epson America, a leader in high-quality imaging products, is using BroadVision's enterprise self-service applications to power Epson Insider, a commerce site for direct and indirect resellers, and a commerce site for consumers.

Epson Insider provides thousands of direct and indirect resellers with information on Epson products and services, printer supplies, scanners, digital cameras, projectors and software. With BroadVision's enterprise self-service technologies, resellers are able to access up-to-date information on order status and shipments, collect and download detailed product information, and learn about current sales programs and policies. By providing resellers with a way to quickly and easily obtain the data they need, Epson America has significantly reduced operating costs.

Epson's consumer-oriented online store offers detailed information about the company's products to the general public. Epson reports that many of its imaging product customers first turn to the web to research product details before purchasing. After finding products on the site, customers can use the store's integrated dealer referral feature to locate a local dealer or they can purchase items directly through the site.

All registered users, both resellers and consumers, can take advantage of personalized features including a reorder list for keeping track of frequently ordered supplies as well as real-time order status checking. Integration with Epson's backend systems allows customers to see real-time inventory information for all Epson products.

With so many customers researching product details online, and because Epson introduces more than 250 new products each year, the ability to efficiently publish accurate product information on an almost daily basis is essential to Epson's success. The Epson staff uses BroadVision's integrated content management features to self-publish more than 80% of the information that appears on the site, including current product and pricing information.