While it took them longer than companies in other industries, manufacturers are now embracing e-business. According to a new report, they’re prioritizing Web initiatives and expecting e-biz budget hikes:

Manufacturers have typically trailed behind companies in other industries when it comes to adopting e-business initiatives. But that’s about to change, says a new report by SVM E-Business Solutions, which provides Web services to businesses. The report underlines a growing sense among manufacturers that e-business deserves more attention and dollars, according to a recent BtoB article.

Surveying over 80 executives at U.S. manufacturing companies, the E-Business Trends report found that a healthy majority (77%) believed that e-business (defined as Web sites, e-mail, online marketing, intranets and extranets) is “extremely important” or “very important” to their company’s goals. In fact, most (61%) strongly concurred with the statement, “E-business is essential to the long-term success of my company.” (Another 29% agreed.) Moreover, nearly three-quarters of respondents indicated that their company’s Web budget would likely go up over the next two years. Only 1% of those surveyed expected it to decrease while 24% predicted no change in the budget.

When asked to identify their key e-business objectives, respondents said: to give information about the company (88%), produce sales leads (70%), bolster brand awareness (66%) and complement customer service (55%). “Now, they want to take their Web site from a static brochure to one that will provide a more interactive experience for their customers,” David Smith, director of business development at New Jersey-based SVM, tells BtoBonline.com.

Source:

Manufacturers Gear Up for Web Business
Kate Maddox
BtoBonline.com, January 17, 2005
www.btobonline.com/article.cms?articleId=22991