The fourth quarter of 2004 was a busy one for the Center for Advancing Technology. If you're not familiar with the Center, we'd like to give you a “primer” on just what it is we have to offer.

The Center for Advancing Technology was created in the late '90s by ASA to help our wholesaler and manufacturer members learn about technology and how it can help reduce costs and streamline transactions and processes throughout our channel.

We have since been responsible for helping to create e-commerce communication standards and for creating a variety of new tools. Here's a quick summary:

Catalog Builder

The catalog creation software available through CAT is called “Catalog Builder.” Since its introduction in 2003, 24 distributors have purchased this program to help them build their custom catalogs.

IDB Industry Database

Just in the last quarter of 2004, four new distributors joined the ranks of IDB subscribers. New names added to our roster include national giant Hughes Supply in Orlando, FL, National Wholesale Supply in Mesquite, TX, Robinson Supply in Fall River, MA, and Supply New England in Attleboro, MA. This brings to 12 the number of new wholesalers subscribing to the service in 2004.

More and more distributors are finding the value and potential of the IDB Database, and are using it to help with price updates and other applications. Those who implemented the IDB in 2004 will find January's manufacturer price updates much easier to handle! And it's not too late to get started; by calling the Center at 800-608-7308 you could receive the latest price updates now.

Translink/Ansinet EDI Services

Just in the 4th quarter, 18 new clients signed up for the web-based EDI services from CAT. Translink offers the simplicity and flexibility of using the internet to transmit important business documents like purchase orders and invoices. Here are the newest firms you could be trading with electronically:

Accumetric - Bowling Green, IL

Chicago Pneumatic - Rock Hill, SC

Chloride Systems - Burgaw, NC

Commercial Enameling - Huntington Park, CA

Drake Lawn Maintenance - Leeds, AL

Electri-Flex Company - Roselle, IL

Herrick Industrial Supply - Ogden, UT

Horizon Plumbing - Arlington, TX

Illco, Inc. - Countryside, IL

JCH Wire & Cable - Las Vegas, NV

Liberty Supply - Magnolia, AR

Norca Corp. - Great Neck, NY

Ohio Pipe & Supply Co. - Cleveland, OH

Paramount Supply Co. - Portland, OR

Riten Industries, Inc. - Washington Courthouse, OH

United Electric Supply - Chino, CA

Val-Fit, Inc. - Cudahy, CA

Voorhies Supply LLC - New Iberia, LA

For a complete list of Translink customers in your trading group, contact Kevin Price at CAT at kprice@asa.net, or call toll-free 1-800-608-7308. Also, visit the CAT website at www.asacat.net for a complete summary of the services available to you.