With its Webg@te eCommerce platform, Rutronik Elektronische Bauelemente GmbH has offered stock around the clock over the past five years. Rutronik has now redesigned the Webg@te to be even more informative. As of now, users will be able to look up alternatives for most articles quickly and easily. This way, the customer can conveniently find replacements for discontinued articles, equivalent products with a shorter delivery time as well as possibly less expensive alternatives from other manufacturers. Technical support by Rutronik product specialists rounds off the online offer.

Behind Webg@te is a multifunctional online tool which, apart from the product catalogue, includes a product change notifications database and procurement. Once again, Rutronik has expanded the functions of the product catalogue.

Searching for alternatives:
As of now, the user is able to look up a suitable alternative for many articles quickly and easily, simply at the touch of a button. Based on the technical parameters, a search for an equivalent replacement is initiated. The search results will be sorted and displayed automatically according to the degree of conformity. Differences in the specifications will be displayed in colour.

This new function allows the Webg@te user to find quickly a suitable replacement for a discontinued article. Should a customer require a product at short notice, but which is currently not in stock, he is able to find an immediately available alternative by using the new function. Due to the alternative search, cost transparency increases at the same time. The customer can see at which price comparable products from other manufacturers are available.

Technical support:
In addition, it is now possible via an online form to ask questions about any product in the catalogue. The inquiry will be forwarded directly to the appropriate product manager, who will process it immediately and answer by e-mail. This way, Webg@te not only offers an online catalogue but also personal customer advice and support.

''Webg@te has proven itself as a useful addition to our service. This allows us to guarantee 24-hour availability of goods and information, while also significantly optimising the ordering process for smaller order sizes'', explains Tilo Rollwa, Sales Manager Europe at Rutronik. ''We would like to continue optimising our online service with the new alternative search. Of course, this does not replace our customer service – on the contrary: We are adding to it flexibly, depending on customer desire and requirement. Our price levels can compete with all other catalogue distributors, although, of course, we offer a personal service."

Details on Webg@te:
The online catalogue now provides the user with an overview of products, including prices, stock levels and more detailed data sheets:
- Search function using technical criteria: Where customers can precisely define the parameters they need, they can limit the product search so that a more relevant selection is returned. There is then no need to page through several thousand hits.
- Graphical user interface: Implementation of a current "look and feel", reflecting modern office applications, is a further time saving for users. Results are listed in a clear manner, which users can easily scan for the information they need.
- Product Consultant: The electronic Product Consultant "keeps watch" in the background. It provides the latest recommendations on particularly interesting or low-cost articles. This provides the users with the
expertise from product specialists, around the clock.
- Inquiry, order or sample order: Once the product has been selected, the customer can issue an inquiry, an order or a sample order.

The Product Change Notifications (PCNs) Database contains all product modifications, notifications and original reports from manufacturers.
- It works closely with the online catalogue, so that, for example, users are informed of existing PCNs when searching for articles.
- In this case, the "Product Consultant" provides a similar, fast service.
- The PCN database provides support in product planning, supplying information that is updated daily – particularly important in the context of the RoHS Directive.

In the Procurement section, customers can view their orders, contracts, articles and stock levels.
- All orders can be tracked online using the Tracking system.
- Order numbers and status, desired delivery date and delivery date are also visible. New delivery dates can be agreed online.
- The contracts overview provides a fast summary of the status of all agreements.
- Listing options for all articles that the customer has ordered in the past complete the Procurement module.

See more at www.rutronik.com