PRESS
RELEASES
NAGASA ANNOUNCES WORLD
WIDE WEB HOMEPAGE
Washington, DC, May 1996 - NAGASA, the North American Graphic Arts Suppliers Association, has announced the operation of its World Wide Web homepage at http://www.nagasa.org. In addition to creating the NAGASA homepage, the association has published an Internet Channel Directory which lists member company homepages and individual e-mail addresses. Announcing operation of the NAGASA homepage, NAGASA president and CEO David J. Steinhardt said: "Although the focus of graphic communications dealers in North America is toward the print medium, NAGASA recognizes the World Wide Web as an important source of information. As a leader in the industry, NAGASA will use its homepage to increase awareness of the dealer channel and to assist graphic communications dealers in serving their customers. In addition, the NAGASA homepage will serve to link dealers and manufacturers in new and positive ways."
A recent survey conducted by NAGASA indicated that some 20 percent of NAGASA members either currently have a web presence or are planning one, in the near future. The NAGASA homepage resulted from the efforts of a NAGASA committee cochaired by Gil Carrillo of Southwest Printing Ink Company and Kelly VandenBosch of X-Rite, Inc. Discussing the NAGASA homepage, Carrillo said: "The NAGASA homepage will permit direct links to individual graphic arts dealers' own homepages, as well as to manufacturers' web sites, thus permitting exploration of the supply channels to determine how best to obtain the latest in graphic arts materials. VandenBosch added: "X-Rite is only one of many manufacturers who will be linked directly to the NAGASA homepage. We regard the dealer channel as key to our long term success and are pleased to participate in the development of this leading edge technology."
In addition to showcasing the dealer channel, NAGASA has arranged for members to obtain a discount on their own World Wide Web homepage. Under the program developed by NAGASA, members wishing to realize a presence on the Internet may obtain their own domain site, or may develop a customized presence linked through the NAGASA site. In addition, NAGASA expects to develop a password-protected members-only area within its web site, containing extensive information about each member.
NAGASA-the North American Graphic Arts Suppliers Association-is the world's largest trade association representing graphic communications dealers, distributors, VARs and the manufacturers whose products they sell. Collectively, NAGASA members sell more than $2 billion of graphic communications equipment, supplies, systems, software and service each year. The association is an open, noncommercial, noncompetitive forum in which members can discuss issues critical to their individual businesses and the effectiveness of the marketing channel. With nearly 350 members, NAGASA produces programs which build stronger alliances and streamline costs and operations within the channel. Manufacturers are encouraged by the organization to sell products through the graphic communications distribution channel. In addition, the association produces technical and business performance information through standards, statistical, educational and publishing services.