SINGAPORE, Sep. 6, 2011 /PRNewswire-Asia/ --RS
Components (RS), the world's leading high service distributor of
electronics and maintenance products and the trading brand of
Electrocomponents plc (LSE:ECM), has unveiled a transformation of
its websites (www.rs-components.com) that significantly enhances
the online experience for its Asia Pacific customers.
Similar to the launch of its new China website in
August, RS Components' new Asia Pacific websites encompass new
intelligent product search feature and superior browsing
capability, giving customers faster and easier access to over
550,000 products. The new websites have now been
implemented across the region including Australia, Japan, Malaysia,
New Zealand, Philippines, Singapore, South Korea and Thailand.
The new websites (www.rs-components.com) represent the
latest step in a plan to put eCommerce firmly at the heart of the
company's business, ensuring that RS customers enjoy the best and
most relevant online experience, regardless of location or browsing
device. The launch follows extensive research by RS into its
customers' use of the website and takes the best examples offered
by consumer websites from around the world.
The new functionality enables customers to more easily
search the products that they want and to access an array of 3D CAD
models. The website's enhanced search algorithm delivers more
relevant content and allows customers to tailor their results in
their own way. Best practice layout and navigation is used
throughout the revamped website and customers are able to choose
from three different views:
List view - a large set of search results with limited
technical information (default view);
Gallery view - a large set of search results without
technical information to allow users to quickly scan available
products;
Compare view - a small set of search results with full
technical information.
All three viewing options allow customers to choose the
way they want to experience RS Components' website: the way they
want to review available products, technical information, pricing
and stock availability.
Additional major enhancements include clearer pricing,
instant stock availability and 'Compare View', which delivers a
more intuitive product comparison.
"The enhancements made to RS China's website have
greatly helped our buying processes. Searching for products online
is now faster and more efficient for both engineers and procurement
specialists, making the online buying experience more
comprehensive. We are very happy with the changes and fully support
RS Components' online initiatives," said Liu Jin Xia, Purchasing
Engineer, Skyray Instrument Inc.
RS Components has consistently invested in eCommerce
initiatives, both in Asia Pacific and globally. Some of these
initiatives include the introduction of a fully integrated and
seamless transactional website for China customers, offering
Alipay's advanced escrow-based system for online payments.
"I'm very impressed with the layout of the new RS
website as it's now much easier to find products, both using the
improved search facility and through the clearer page layouts. The
addition of the comparative viewing tool is especially helpful as I
can evaluate several products in one go which will be an invaluable
time saver for my business. The improved browsing capability means
that I am now more aware of all the services on offer. It's obvious
to me that RS has really understood what its customers require and
is committed to delivering a superior online experience," stated
Steve Hyman, Armourer, Armoury Services.
eCommerce is fundamental to the RS business. Alongside
its website, RS offers market-leading web-based procurement
solutions for small and large companies. In the financial year
ended March 2011, these channels delivered sales worth £575m having
grown by 37%. Over 53% of the Group's revenues are now being
generated via online channels and this is set to rise further as
the company delivers on its eCommerce strategy, building a £1Bn+
eCommerce business at its heart.
Marcelo Wesseler, Head of eCommerce, Asia Pacific said:
"Our customers told us that they wanted better search capabilities
with minimum fuss. We want to go beyond that requirement and
transform their entire online experience with us. The delivery of
this strategic milestone dramatically reduces the number of clicks
required for customers to find new products, and enhances the look
and feel of the site. We are pioneers and a global force in B2B
eCommerce, having developed our first website in 1998, and are
continuing in the same vein with this launch of the most advanced
transactional website in our industry sector. It represents a
cornerstone of our e-centric vision and an important step in
delivering our eCommerce strategy."
About RS Components
RS Components is the world's leading high service
distributor of electronics and maintenance products serving 1.6
million customers worldwide. Through operations in 32 countries and
17 warehouses, the Group distributes 550,000 products ranging from
semiconductors and optoelectronics to power tools and protective
clothing. The product and service portfolio supports the entire
product lifecycle from R&D through pre-production to
maintenance and repair, shipping more than 46,000 parcels on the
same day the orders are received.
RS Components and Allied Electronics are the trading
brands of Electrocomponents plc. The Group is listed on the London
Stock Exchange and in the last financial year to 31 March 2011 had
revenues of GBP1.18bn. For more information,
please visit the website at www.rs-components.com.
Editorial contact:
RS Components
Tan Soo Chun
Public Relations Manager - Asia Pacific
Tel: +65 6391 5745
Email: [email protected]
More information is available via these links:
Twitter: @RSElectronics
Tweet: New website delivers critical element of RS
Components
e-centric vision http://ow.ly/5EdLM
Hashtags: #ecommerce #b2b
RS Components on Linkedin
(http://www.linkedin.com/company/7099)
Relevant Links:
RS Components
(http://www.rs-components.com/index.html)
Electrocomponents PLC
(http://www.electrocomponents.com/)
SOURCE RS Components