Our business puts us right in the middle of the supply chain for agricultural chemical parts -- things like sprayers, pumps, and meters. |
The software enables our dealers to place orders and to customize their own Web storefronts. It is all integrated into our database here in Ames. |
There are now Web sites that sell directly to the grower. This bypasses the distribution chain that makes up our core business. |
This gives the dealer a line of defense against Internet brokers. We launched the site in mid-January, and we now have 250 cash-and-carry stores signed up. |