Page 13 - BOSS Today Issue 21

n the review of 2013 within
Specialist OP Ithe last issue of BOSS Today of taking full advantage of this random selection of OP dealers,
mainly in the South East.
trend."
market researcher (Issue 20), Advantia's Bob Geens But how 'well-equipped' is What was surprising about
commented that the 'losers' the UK OP dealer channel in the research was that it was
Martin Wilde in the UK OP industry in 2013 terms of e-commerce? clear that not all of the dealers
shares some were: During 2013 MWA was interviewed had an e-commerce
"Any reseller who stays commissioned by Multisys website: indeed less than half
insights from traditional in terms of what (www.multisys.co.uk), a major were currently operating one of
some recent they sell and how they sell it (ie systems house and developer of these. Although a small number
online and social media)." the Legerdemain back office and were planning to start operating
MWA research Indeed, in my synopsis of Liaison e-commerce systems, one in 2014, the balance had

on e-commerce MWA and OPI’s Mountain or to carry out research on UK OP no plans to launch a site in the
dealers' usage and perceptions
next 12 months.
Molehill? research study on the
systems... UK FM supplies market, (also of e-commerce systems. Jim While, unsurprisingly, those
featured in the same issue) I Keable, the Managing Director without an e-commerce
noted: of Multisys, has kindly given presence tended to be the
"Inevitably, one of the permission for some of the smaller dealers (and hence
predicted developments is a insights gained to be shared in presumably more likely to rely
further shift towards online this magazine. on a retail store), it is a little
purchasing. While this could concerning that what is widely
be good news for the OP Surprises regarded as an essential 'must
channels (which of course are These research studies involved have' for future survival in
comparatively well-equipped an initial series of 15 in-depth this industry is not only being
in this respect), it should not be telephone interviews with pre- neglected by more than half
forgotten that there are many selected OP dealers, followed of the dealers in this random
other competitors already in the by a further 110 telephone sample, it is also being ignored
market that are very capable interviews carried out with a for the future.

February/March 2014 | BOSS TODAY 13

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