Indianapolis — April 10, 2003 — eSkye Solutions, a software solutions company serving the beverage, consumer-packaged-goods (CPG) and distribution industries, this week rolled out the latest version of its channel management suite, a .NET-based application for managing national accounts.
The provider said version 4.1 of its eChannel Management Suite (eCMS), built on Microsoft's .Net technology, offers a turnkey online solution that enables brand owners and distributors to conduct commerce with, and provide content to, their trading partners.
Key modules in the eCMS include applications for managing national accounts through a dispersed distribution system, handling inventory and logistics throughout the supply chain, conducting commerce and facilitating customer self-service online.
Keith McLeod, eSkye solutions president and CEO of eSkye Europe, said he has seen increasing interest among major brand owners and distributors in greater and more efficient collaboration with partners using online tools. "As former CIO for a large beverage supplier, I knew one day we would be taking our business online when the capability was available and the economics were right," McLeod said.
McLeod added that he believes that the functionality within the current eSkye solution can help build a compelling business case for greater e-solution adoption among those companies ready to move their capabilities forward.
Abel Aceves, general manager for Distribuciones Aceves, a major wholesaler near Madrid, agreed, saying: "This is the way we will do business with all suppliers. It's only a matter of time."
Over the past four years, eSkye said it has formed partnerships with consumer product companies, retailers, distributors and technology companies to develop the eCMS. Its development partners have included such consumer product companies as Interbrew, Anheuser Busch, Heineken, Allied Domecq and Larios Pernod Ricard, as well as retailers such as TGIF, Marriott Hotels, Hilton Hotels and Lettuce-Entertain-You.
