Acer tops $300M in online sales

Number three PC market player Acer Computer Australia has surpassed $300 million in online channel sales three years after launching its popular e-commerce initiative.

The company's online sales mechanism, Acer Partner e-Commerce (APeC) was developed in 2001 to deliver customisable PCs for Acer channel partners.

The company also took the concept to Acer's distribution channel in October 2003 through AcerLink, a multi-tier channel e-commerce trading hub which extends from its distribution channel to the end user customer.

Acer said that from launch in September 2001 until last month, the company had processed 61,000 orders through its various e-commerce initiatives with a combined value of $310 million.

"While topping $300 million in just three years is fantastic, it's the savings to both Acer and the customer that are the most impressive," said Acer's e-business director Des Paroz.

"We calculate that by providing our end users, channel partners and distributors with effective e-commerce tools, we are saving at least $50 per order. That adds up to a total saving of $3 million over three years," he said.

Between 70 and 75 percent of Acer's direct reseller business - Gold and Silver certified partners - is driven through the online sales mechanism while over 90 percent of sales through distribution are fulfilled through the site, Paroz said.

Over 200 direct resellers are purchasing through APeC and seven AcerLink distribution partners are servicing over 1000 resellers online, he said.

The online operation had increased the timeliness of order flow and cut down on the order mistake rate, he said.

In 2005, Acer would consolidate all its company information and make it available online, he said.

He added: "AcerLink has been one of our major e-commerce success stories for 2004. To have a 97 percent user rate within just 12 months of launch is a testament to the training, education and flexibility we have provided to customers," he said.