The 2010 eCatalog Conference on the right track for success

TraceParts, a leading digital engineering content company, is organizing on March 3rd the eCatalog Conference in St. Wendel, Germany, together with its partners KiM, crossbase and Plan Software. Despite the economic crisis the event promises to be a major success since 85 electronic catalog experts were already registered by the end of January, exceeding the high levels of 2009.

The eCatalog Conference, which was first held in 2009, is a oneday event organized by TraceParts, KiM, Plan Software and crossbase. Its objective is to present innovative software solutions in the fields of parts catalogs, product and sales configurators, automated generation of print and PDF catalogs and use of CAD data for catalogs. The information event, which is free of charge, is aimed both at parts manufacturers and newcomers with an interest in the area of electronic catalogs. Attendees at the eCatalog Conference have the opportunity to benefit from the extensive experience of software vendors and industrial users, as well as finding out about the latest software solutions from TraceParts, KiM, crossbase and Plan Software.

This year again, the conference agenda includes a series of topname speakers. Alongside the organizers TraceParts, KiM, crossbase and Plan Software, representatives from leading companies will also be making presentations. Adobe Systems, item Industrietechnik, HAWE Hydraulik and Schaeffler (INA/FAG) have been working closely over several years with the organizers and will be presenting their user experiences and practical examples to the attendees.

Many of the companies taking part this year, such as Bosch Rexroth (the drive & control company), Häfele (furniture fittings), Siemens (industry automation) and WAREMA Renkhoff (sun protection systems), also attended last year eCatalog Conference. However, new TraceParts customers, including Seeger Orbis and maxon motor, will be involved in this year's conference for the first time. The TraceParts team will also be there to give customers and prospects the opportunity to talk directly to project managers and sales people.

The agenda of the eCatalog Conference is very varied and is designed to meet the multiple needs of users. TraceParts is giving an introduction to advanced searches of components on the TraceParts DVD and the web portal www.tracepartsonline.net together with a brief presentation on elecworks(TM) , the first and only SolidWorks Gold Partner software to design electrical and automation projects, using intelligent 3D electrical models. TraceParts' partners, KiM, crossbase and Plan Software will also be making presentations.

A major highlight of the event will once again be the user reports. Presentations by Adobe Systems, item Industrietechnik, HAWE Hydraulik and Schaeffler (INA/FAG) will explain how to use the products and solutions that are on show.

For example, Karlheinz Lindner from Schaeffler (INA/FAG) will present the system developed inhouse known as INA/FAG medias® 5.0. The program is a product finder and consultancy system for roller bearings, plain bearings and linear systems which makes the task of selecting the right bearing easier. It also provides technical data and seamlessly integrated native and neutral CAD data onthefly. In addition, users can send questions directly to Schaeffler (INA/FAG) via the system.

Christian Baumgärtner, Managing Director of TraceParts GmbH, believes that the event is already a must in some companies' event calendars. "The eCatalog Conference in St. Wendel is the perfect opportunity for all the participants to collect a huge amount of technical information in a short time and in a pleasant atmosphere. The presentations given by the organizers provide an overview of new and future developments. The handson sessions from item Industrietechnik, HAWE Hydraulik and Schaeffler (INA/FAG) will demonstrate to potential customers that the organizers' products really do provide the promised benefits in practice and in the long term. In the breaks between the lectures, customers have the opportunity to network with one another and with the companies organizing the event and to make new contacts and develop existing ones. Ensuring that our customers, users and employees can make personal contact with one another is very important for us and forms part of our corporate philosophy. Therefore, the majority of our employees will be attending the conference. In my opinion, the eCatalog Conference is highly successful concept and an event which should be in every diary!"

A survey was carried out among participants of the eCatalog Conference 2009 to find out how satisfied they were with the event. More than 96% were satisfied with the organization, the presentations and the format of the conference. Over 64% of the participants said on the day of the event that the information they had obtained would be used in their future decisionmaking. The positive results of the survey and the large number of attendees have set high expectations for the eCatalog Conference 2010. Preparations have been underway since mid 2009 and TraceParts and its fellow organizers are looking forward to this year's event.

For more information, visit the eCatalog Conference Web page: http://www.traceparts.com/...