July 21, 2003 -- httprint has confirmed that Polestar 4c has placed an order for its Internet-based e-Procurement and e-Catalogue systems. Taking its standard modules, httprint will develop and brand the systems for the company, the Group’s recently launched print solutions business. Polestar 4c has spent over three months evaluating eCommerce suppliers. A key factor in its decision to choose httprint’s systems was their total flexibility with regard to suppliers and the commission-free approach that differentiates them from other similar solutions. The systems are due to go live in August, with a contract between the companies of two years. httprint’s European Managing Director Rob North says: “We are delighted that we are the chosen eCommerce partner of Polestar 4c and look forward to working with them over the coming years to implement and develop this latest technology. Our systems are a perfect match to their flexible and independent service, ensuring that the company can offer its customers an unbiased, best fit solution.” A major part of the Polestar 4c proposition is the autonomy to reach the open market or call upon the skills of the Group’s manufacturing operations. James Mollard, managing director, says: “With the investment in httprint’s systems, we can ensure this process is made easier and more effective. They will also improve our overall accountability to our customers and we look forward to developing closer relationships as we both take advantage of the greater range and control of information available to us, at the press of a button.” The e-Procurement system will provide its customers with complete online visibility throughout the procurement and production process. Similarly, suppliers will have a more efficient means of dealing with the company as well. The e-Catalogue system gives Polestar 4c’s clients the opportunity to place and approve orders locally from of its own stocks such as stationery. It also allows for variable data items, such as marketing collateral, to be created, approved and ordered on demand, whilst expenditure and brand integrity is controlled centrally. Tim Smith, European Sales & Marketing Director comments: “The Internet has now been around long enough for the market to know and understand what it wants to achieve from it. Businesses are also beginning to understand who can deliver the solutions to meet their requirements – on their terms. Using our e-Procurement and e-Catalogue, customers gain greater control and visibility of their own or their clients’ print spend. Supply chain management is now a key focus, making our systems an attractive proposition.” The relationship between httprint and the Polestar Group spans three years, since the Group invested in its eCommerce solutions at Drupa 2000. The initial investment saw development of Polestar’s website and its bespoke customer transaction portal, an area that is now being enhanced in-house. MORE ABOUT POLESTAR 4c The Polestar Group has created a new autonomous business that will help companies to centralize and simplify the way they currently source, procure and manufacture all aspects of their print requirements. The company - which is named Polestar 4c to reflect its ability to create, consolidate, collaborate and communicate - will operate independently from the Polestar Group’s wider sales and manufacturing operations, working with individual companies to develop a more strategic approach to print buying and management Polestar 4c managing director James Mollard says: “The Polestar tradition has always been the delivery of innovation and efficiency through manufacturing. We now recognize that additional benefits can be created for customers within the processes and administration that surround the production of any job. The discussions we are having with companies are not looking at specific items of print but how efficiently and effectively the company communicates to all its stakeholders through printed media.”