HUNT VALLEY, MD - DemandBridge, LLC announced impressive beta-phase progress for Document Builder, a new tool that enables print distributors to increase revenue and help clients minimize the time and money spent on professionally printed and bound documents. Document Builder is a feature within DB Enterprise (DB/e), the print industry's leading e-commerce and marketing automation system for distributors.
 
Document Builder is the first truly integrated document publishing platform available in the distributor marketplace. It enables any distributor using DB/e to provide customers with a simple way to create, finish, publish, and ship business documents and presentations - all within the same feature-rich platform they currently use for e-commerce and marketing automation.
 
More Revenue for Distributors, More Savings for Their Clients
 
Currently, distributors' clients often wait in line at so-called "big box" stores (and pay retail price) to get sales presentations, training materials, proposals, brochures and other importantdocuments printed, or they use online systems that charge a premium, offer no visibility, and lack control over branding requirements and rogue spending. Document Builder gives those businesses a way to order and ship documents online, 24/7, in a way that's easier, less expensive and more empowering.
 
"The skills of a forward-thinking distributor have never been in greater demand, and we believe technology is the industry's most significant differentiator," says Brian Fritsche, president and CEO of DemandBridge. "We develop our software to help distributors become more valuable to their customers and trade partners, and Document Builder is an example of that effort. With one easy-to-use web-based application, distributors can give their clients the ability to build, proof, order and ship professionally bound documents without ever leaving their desks."
 
During Document Builder's beta phase, one manufacturing company with a national sales force of 300 people began to analyze how much time and money it spent annually on document printing. The company soon discovered that the printing of sales presentations alone at Kinko's (FedEx Office) was costing more than $1 million a year. In addition, salespeople were allowed to expense their mileage ($.50 per mile) to and from the stores.
 
Document Builder's simple user interface now enables the manufacturing firm's salespeople (and other employees approved by an administrator at the company) to upload print files, choose finishing options, view proofs instantly, and place orders that are delivered to multiple locations the next business morning. The company expects to save 20%-30% in material costs in addition to boosting productivity by 1.5 hours per week per sales rep.
 
"Distributors' clients can order documents today and have them delivered to their doorsteptomorrow - anywhere in the country," Fritsche says. "The distributor can be the hero that makes this happen, and can further the important mission of becoming a true business partner to clients."
 
How Document Builder Works
 
Document Builder essentially involves three simple steps. The first step is adding print files. A powerful web-based upload tool accepts dozens of file formats, including PDF, Word, PowerPoint, Excel and JPEG. The tool automatically converts these formats to PDF files and shrinks to fit to a standard output size when necessary. Multiple files, up to 500MB each, can be uploaded simultaneouslywith large files in the background, to allow users to continue with their projects.
 
The second step is choosing paper (white, colored, card stock), tab, binding,insert and punching options. Users can modify these options on the fly, viewing changes instantly in "what you see is what you get" fashion. Also, users can easily manage sections of their documents easily by reorganizing and updating tabs and inserts without leaving the screen. The third step is to add the document to the shopping cart and complete the checkout process utilizing established procurement rules (bill to cost center, charge to P-Card, enter a purchase order) and selecting a shipping method that ensures a timely delivery.  Document Builder orders placed by 1 p.m. can arrive the next business morning. Those orders can be printed and delivered by whomever and however distributors choose.
 
Document Builder's checkout process integrates with the existing workflow, approval and cost center rules of distributors currently on the DB/e platform. That platform, which is used by more than 400,000 enterprise print buyers, is the only scalable solution that integrates the industry's best front-end e-procurement platform with distributors' back-office accounting, inventory and operations software - and with their enterprise customers' existing business systems.
 
A feature in Document Builder called Document Library gives users the ability to organize documents and finished projects into catalogs and sub-catalogs. A powerful search feature helps users find products and reference tags within those catalogs. A user's library populates and expands with use, creating a web-based repository of electronic materials that can be accessed anytime from any computer. These files are hosted on DemandBridge's secure servers.
 
Empowering Distributors to Win Accounts
 
Distributors using Document Builder in the beta phase report the technology helps their clients improve their brand and spend control (approval levels can be established and changed), organization (users can manage all their documents, files and assets in one place) and reporting (they can track and analyze document spend).
 
"DemandBridge strives to bring market-leading capabilities to three primary constituents in our marketplace: enterprise users, distributors and suppliers," Fritsche says. "Document Builder embodies that strategy. End users get a powerful new tool that generates instant ROI. Distributors get an immediate way to enrich revenue and turn prospects into customers, and distributors can maintain consistent quality through a single production supply chain. DemandBridge-certified suppliers get new work because the feature will be supplier-agnostic."
 
Says Fritsche: "Our software can help you turn each customer's mission into a milestone. It can empower distributors to face new accounts with confidence, and to fine-tune their back-end business operations. It can help them become more customized and integrated - and therefore more valuable to customers and trade partners."