Polk Audio's Extranet Uses Internet to Speaks Volumes

Polk Audio, Inc. engineers, manufactures, and markets high-quality loudspeaker systems intended for use in home audio and video entertainment systems and in replacement automotive audio systems. With sales reaching $55 million last year, Polk found it difficult to keep up with the phone requests for information coming in from over 100 U.S. and 400 international dealers. Spending several minutes on each request, looking up current prices, checking order status, or looking for new product information, the field sales representatives were consuming valuable time. At the same time, however, retail salespeople were going directly to the company's external Web site for information.

Set up as an extranet using a public network, Polk's extranet has relieved the strain on its internal support systems by answering the most frequently asked sales support questions. Internally, at least one full time staffer has been freed up for other responsibilities now that the extranet handles a large share of the routine informational requests. Externally, the sales force can spend more time selling equipment rather than answering questions on order status.

The retail stores are starting to respond. With freely available content about speakers from Polk Audio, many stores are launching their own public Web sites featuring Polk products. Plans are in the works for using the company's extranet and its connection to the Internet for commercial sales, or e-commerce, in the near future. Polk sees the Internet as an opportunity to increase its response to dealer and customer requests, as a way of competing with industry giants such as Japan's Pioneer Electronic, and a way of further cutting the cost of doing business. 

For More Information . . .

Visit WebWeek Magazine for an article about Polk Audio's extranet. 
 

Why Businesses Connect Intranets to the Internet

Internet World’s Electronic Commerce Guide details the background and the future for electronic commerce. 
 

Role of Electronic Commerce

CNET's 20 Questions about Electronic Commerce is a collection of the 20 most frequently asked questions regarding electronic commerce. 

Shop.org’s report on Electronic Commerce Keys to Success includes information on providing value, and unique features.
 

Elements of Effective Electronic Commerce
 

Open Market Web site has all the information a business needs on how to implement Internet-based electronic commerce. 

Intranets Become Systems for Corporate Purchasing describes how companies are slowly beginning to use the Internet to purchase merchandise from other businesses. 
 

Requirements for Connecting to the Internet

US Web is a comprehensive Web site that provides practical information and white papers from over 15 representative corporate Web sites. 
 

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I-Net Tools is a comprehensive listing of nearly 100 tools commonly used on intranets including Web servers and Web maintenance tools. 
 

Physical Connection Options

The Curious Equation from Curiosity Communications Corporation, outlines how much Internet bandwidth is required to accommodate different numbers of users. 

Connecting to the Internet is as Easy as 1, 2, 3 describes how corporate intranets get connected to the Internet. 
 

Selecting an ISP

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Go to the Boardwatch Magazine Web site or The List Web site to obtain information regarding the services offered by ISP's and contact information. Boardwatch updates their ISP information every two months. 
 

 

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Additional Resources

• Visit the WebWeek Magazine Web site and read the article on General Motor's new car buying site.