Heidelberg says its online shop, which includes the Asia Pacific region, has more than 10,000 customers who use the service globally.
Since launching OLS in Europe, Heidelberg has instituted more than 20 country-specific OLS across its global network. Glenn Plummer, senior vice president consumables and pre press for Heidelberg Asia Pacific, says, “This year we’ve seen marked growth in the volume being purchased across the worldwide OLS network. In our region, Malaysia, where the OLS has been in operation for several years, is tracking at around 65 percent of total consumables sales being made online. This is above the global average of 45 percent. The uptake in Malaysia alone demonstrates the strength of the OLS proposition and the benefits to users.
“It is not surprising that more customers are turning to the OLS as it is extremely convenient and allows customers to shop at anytime of the day or night. And each OLS in the Heidelberg network has been tailored to meet the specific needs of each country and feature fully integrated and automated ordering processes in the local language.”
In Malaysia, E-Print Solution Sdn Bhd has used OLS since January 2010. Aspokesman for the company says, “The OLS saves us time, is hassle free and paperless. Having a customer shopping list is very convenient and the awards programs and OLS discounts are valuable.”
Plummer says that, in Thailand, where the OLS was launched at the end of 2011, the number of customers moving to the online platform is growing rapidly. He says, “We have a number of very large consumables customers who have found it valuable to move to the OLS. They find it a very convenient and easy way to ensure they have adequate consumables stock on hand.
“We’ve also seen a shift to the OLS with those customers located outside of the major commercial centres. Many have said that having a secure channel through which to order their consumables has given them confidence to join the OLS”.
A spokesperson from S Print, located in Southern Thailand, says, “The OLS is a trusted purchasing channel so we are confident that orders will not go missing and will arrive on time. We are very happy using the OLS and find it convenient and reliable.”
Plummer concludes, “There are so many benefits to shopping online. It is not just the convenience of being able to shop whenever it suits you, but to also be able to shop with a customised shopping list that is specific to the equipment you use. The OLS is more than just a shop, it is a way for customers to keep track of their purchases, know what they are spending as they shop, gauge their usage accurately and enjoy the benefits of hassle-free ordering. We anticipate the OLS will continue to grow and that we will see the vast majority of customers moving to the convenience of online shopping in the coming months.”
