Local Firm Unveils Web Page Software

A software package that will turn static Internet home pages into up-to-the-minute reflections of a company’s product offerings and availability was unveiled Wednesday.

WebQB, developed by Spokane Computer Inc., “turns your company’s business data into a ‘browsable,’ dynamic Web page” that allows customers to place orders, research product availability, schedule service or check order status, company officials said.

Daniel Olson, president of Spokane Computer, called the software package an important step in providing companies access to the electronic marketplace.

“One problem (with electronic commerce) is that it can become a very time consuming endeavor to keep information current on your home page,” Olson said.

If a company wants to display its inventory on the typical static home page, that display must be constantly updated, and even then, is not a “real-time” reflection of product and service availability.

He said WebQB allows the information on the Web site to change as those changes occur in the company’s manufacturing, shipping and accounting departments. That allows potential customers to see real-time availability of things like parts, costs and delivery times.

The software is constructed, he said, so customers can order from those lists, and order-entry is automatic, without requiring record handling by employees.

“We see tremendous opportunities for WebQB in real-estate related industries, the educational marketplace, financial institutions anyplace where the customer needs information in real time,” Olson said.

He said businesses that feel they have no need for electronic commerce because their customers don’t do business that way are making a mistake. Olson is convinced that very soon electronic commerce as a business tool will become “as common as the telephone.”

“The time we have available to us to establish new technology into our businesses plans is rapidly shortening,” he said.

, DataTimes