Making online markets work for you: Tips for metals suppliers evaluating business-to-business online market opportunities

摘要

Metal service centers, OEMs, metal part fabricators and Metal service providers are increasingly encountering a variety of business opportunities through online marketplaces and exchanges. While many are quickly adopting these business-to-business e-commerce tools as a new channel to compete for and win new business, many others are still skeptical about the reliability of the technology, the integrity of the marketplace, the ability of suppliers to differentiate themselves online, and the ultimate effect these markets will have on their margins.Their hesitation is understandable. The number of online marketplaces and exchanges created in recent years has made it difficult to keep track of their offerings, and the technology and services behind these online companies are ever-evolving. So how can metals suppliers evaluate business-to-business online market opportunities to determine which are best for them?