[ST] RE: Parts Catalog On-Line

["Bill Findiesen" <billfindiesen@xxxxxxxx>]

"CD?  why not the web.  they should have a look at www.buykawasaki.com .
.......................................great stuff."

Paul - you are right on the money! Having worked at Douglas Aircraft for
many years prior to the merger with Boeing, we struggled many years with our
technical support data. After the merger we realized both companies had run
into the same problems generating electronic data. It cost money to put
together and we were hesitant to give it away. We came up with a standard
price catalog that facilitated sales of parts books, manuals, etc. However,
as we all know, the money comes in from spares sales. We provide our data as
part of purchase of new aircraft, but the data is immense and so the
recurring costs would make you scream so some attempt to cover the
production costs of data is charged to "second tier" airlines. We now offer
much of our data on line, although there are subscription fees.

In this case, I believe what Kawasaki has done by providing the data on-line
is to cut out the large expense of distribution of data (and it is a LARGE
expense). The added benefit is to have the revisions real time. Dealers
certainly could log on and use search features not available in hard copy.
Everybody wins. I get to have a part number and reference to walk in to a
dealer with and save some time (dealer could verify easier than locate the
number). Take it a step further, and you could . . .  well, this is where it
gets interesting. If you take out the middleman - your dealer - you risk not
having support when you need it. Ah, the problems of the information age!
There is a business model in there somewhere where the dealer gets a piece
of the action and parts availability goes up. Anyone working on it?
Bill



     *   *   *   *   *   *   *   *   *   *   *   *   *   *   *   *   *   *   *
      The ST/RS Mailing list is sponsored by Jack Lilley Ltd.
          http://www.TriumphNet.com/st/lilley for more info
   http://www.TriumphNet.com/st for ST, RS and Mailing List info

=-=-=-= Next Message =-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=