2009 has brought almost 70% growth to ICEcat in terms of revenues. It is a signal that - despite the worldwide financial crisis - internet is continuing to grow as a channel. It is also a signal that ICEcat is accepted by more and more channel partners (close to 9000 now) and more and more brands, in more and more countries.
Looking back is nice, planning forward is better. So what are our ambitions -to serve users better- in 2010?
1) We increase our own editor capacity to 250,000 datasheets/yr. We expect to reach this level in February. Probably, we decide during the year to further increase the editor capacity. Further, we'll make it easier for 3rd party users to add product content.
2) Quality control. We are introducing a more rigid system of quality control in our expanding editor team. We expect it to be effective from February on.
3) Number of sponsoring brands. We expect it to grow to 300 (from 200 now) before the end of this year. It also means more automated xml connections to import localized data-sheet versions.
4) 750 million data-sheet downloads by 15000 channel partners. In 2009 the level was half a billion data-sheet downloads by an average of 6500 channel partners. We expect 50% growth in data-sheet usage in 2010.
5) Price comparison visibility. We prepare a standard offer for generating more visibility on our price comparison site. The site is now an Alexa top 25,000 (WW) site. We expect it to become a top 20,000 site in 2010, generating more leads for connected partners. If you want to make use of this, pls contact us via http://openicecat.com/en/menu/contacts/index.htm or by replying to this email.
6) Open source PIM (product information management system). Our development team works on launching a beta version of our ICEcat PIM, based on our own editor system. There is more and more interest, and we have performend a number of successful installations with older versions. It is time to professionalize.
7) We add support for five more languages, bringing the total of supported languages past 30.
Tuesday, January 26, 2010
Wednesday, January 6, 2010
Google challenges Apple, Microsoft and Garmin
Google is brave. It tries to break open the operating system monopolies of Microsoft on the pc, and Apple on the iPhone and other Apple devices.
The Google Nexus One is developed in co-operation with the Taiwanese manufacturer HTC, is intened to take the Apple iPhone head-on, and runs Google's open source Android operating system.
At the same time, Google is said to be working on a Netbook running Google Chrome OS, and a navigator.
Primarily, the devices are launched for the US market, and create pressure for Apple, Microsoft and Garmin respectively.
Not bad for the ambitious online search and advertizing giant that promised "To do no evil". Of course, its own core is as closed as can be. But, at least it is challenging the 'closed' software monopolies, and it is not afraid to open multiple fronts at the same time. Even if Google only partially succeeds with its hardware projects, it will already be able to stir the market, and show how committed it is to its open source OS philosophy. More hardware providers will be challenged to adopt Android, Chrome or just plain-old Linux with some adaptations.
The Google Nexus One is developed in co-operation with the Taiwanese manufacturer HTC, is intened to take the Apple iPhone head-on, and runs Google's open source Android operating system.
At the same time, Google is said to be working on a Netbook running Google Chrome OS, and a navigator.
Primarily, the devices are launched for the US market, and create pressure for Apple, Microsoft and Garmin respectively.
Not bad for the ambitious online search and advertizing giant that promised "To do no evil". Of course, its own core is as closed as can be. But, at least it is challenging the 'closed' software monopolies, and it is not afraid to open multiple fronts at the same time. Even if Google only partially succeeds with its hardware projects, it will already be able to stir the market, and show how committed it is to its open source OS philosophy. More hardware providers will be challenged to adopt Android, Chrome or just plain-old Linux with some adaptations.
Sunday, January 3, 2010
HP, Sony and Toshiba top 3 channel brands 2009. Fujitsu and DELL will enter top 15 in 2010.
HP, Sony and Toshiba strongest online brands 2009 according to ICEcat. 2010 will show comeback of Fujitsu and rise of DELL to top 15.
HP, Sony and Toshiba were the top three channel brands in 2009, based on the measurement of 502.1 million ICEcat data-sheet downloads in 2009 for 3000+ brands by more than 8000 ecommerce sites. 2010 is likely to show the comeback of Fujitsu as a top 10 brand, and the rise of DELL as a competitive channel brand as well. The growth of the online channel is expected to bounce back to the 50%+ range in 2010.
The usage growth of data-sheets by the online channel was annually 32% in 2009, especially thanks to a strong second year-half 2009, probably due to the recovery from recession of most Western economies. On brand level, most notable is the good channel performance of Sony, based on its broad mix of computer and consumer electronics products, which proofed to be relatively recession proof. Further, there are still no true contestants for the leading channel position of HP. Finally, Asus' development towards a top 10 brand shows that the Taiwanese manufacturer has successfully transformed itself from an outsider into an A-brand computer vendor, following the example of Acer and Lenovo a few years earlier.
Brand position 2009, based on 502.1 million data-sheet downloads by 8000+ worldwide ecommerce sites:
1. HP
2. Sony
3. Toshiba
4. Lenovo
5. Acer
6. Canon
7. Asus
8. IBM
9. Kingston
10. Belkin
11. Samsung
12. Philips
13. Cisco
14. Epson
15. Adobe
(See all top 3000 tech brands of 2009)
2010: comeback Fujitsu and online consumption, and DELL's claim for channel fame
Based on the results of the last quarter of 2009, ICEcat dares to state that Fujitsu will be the come back brand of the year 2010. In December, it positioned itself agressively between Lenovo and Acer in terms of popularity. So, it seems to be a good thing that Fujitsu has bought out Siemens last year, from the Fujitsu-Siemens joint-venture. It also stipulates that Fujitsu has put focus on reclaiming lost ground in the channel by investing in its channel stock and competively priced models.
Another brand to watch is DELL. In December it has expanded its channel business to a number 69 channel position, as one of the fastest movers into the ICEcat top 100. As DELL is gradually increasing its channel efforts, it is a matter of time - max two years -before the brand will reach the top 15 of tech brands as well.
Another major development is the accellerating growth of the online channel itself, measured in data-sheet downloads. In the first year half 2009, the annual usage growth was down to a meagre 12%, but it bounced back in the second year half to an average 52% annually. We think that it is a safe prediction that the the online channel - worldwide - will expand with at least 50% annually, during 2010 as most Western economies are out of recession already and economies are further recovering. Still, it is far below the 100% annual growth levels, ICEcat witnessed until in Q4 2008 the recession set in.
HP, Sony and Toshiba were the top three channel brands in 2009, based on the measurement of 502.1 million ICEcat data-sheet downloads in 2009 for 3000+ brands by more than 8000 ecommerce sites. 2010 is likely to show the comeback of Fujitsu as a top 10 brand, and the rise of DELL as a competitive channel brand as well. The growth of the online channel is expected to bounce back to the 50%+ range in 2010.
The usage growth of data-sheets by the online channel was annually 32% in 2009, especially thanks to a strong second year-half 2009, probably due to the recovery from recession of most Western economies. On brand level, most notable is the good channel performance of Sony, based on its broad mix of computer and consumer electronics products, which proofed to be relatively recession proof. Further, there are still no true contestants for the leading channel position of HP. Finally, Asus' development towards a top 10 brand shows that the Taiwanese manufacturer has successfully transformed itself from an outsider into an A-brand computer vendor, following the example of Acer and Lenovo a few years earlier.
Brand position 2009, based on 502.1 million data-sheet downloads by 8000+ worldwide ecommerce sites:
1. HP
2. Sony
3. Toshiba
4. Lenovo
5. Acer
6. Canon
7. Asus
8. IBM
9. Kingston
10. Belkin
11. Samsung
12. Philips
13. Cisco
14. Epson
15. Adobe
(See all top 3000 tech brands of 2009)
2010: comeback Fujitsu and online consumption, and DELL's claim for channel fame
Based on the results of the last quarter of 2009, ICEcat dares to state that Fujitsu will be the come back brand of the year 2010. In December, it positioned itself agressively between Lenovo and Acer in terms of popularity. So, it seems to be a good thing that Fujitsu has bought out Siemens last year, from the Fujitsu-Siemens joint-venture. It also stipulates that Fujitsu has put focus on reclaiming lost ground in the channel by investing in its channel stock and competively priced models.
Another brand to watch is DELL. In December it has expanded its channel business to a number 69 channel position, as one of the fastest movers into the ICEcat top 100. As DELL is gradually increasing its channel efforts, it is a matter of time - max two years -before the brand will reach the top 15 of tech brands as well.
Another major development is the accellerating growth of the online channel itself, measured in data-sheet downloads. In the first year half 2009, the annual usage growth was down to a meagre 12%, but it bounced back in the second year half to an average 52% annually. We think that it is a safe prediction that the the online channel - worldwide - will expand with at least 50% annually, during 2010 as most Western economies are out of recession already and economies are further recovering. Still, it is far below the 100% annual growth levels, ICEcat witnessed until in Q4 2008 the recession set in.
Thursday, December 17, 2009
Media Markt and Saturn integrate ICEcat in their Product Information System
Media Markt and Saturn integrate ICEcat in their Product Information System
Utrecht (NL) /Ingolstadt (DE), December 18, 2009: The Media-Saturn Group will integrate the product content of ICEcat, an independent worldwide publisher of product catalogs in its Product Information Management (PIM) system.
By connecting ICEcat to the PIM system the Media-Saturn Group will automatically have access to the 700,000 product data-sheets for their cross-medial communication, e.g. web-shops, of more than 4000 brands that are currently actively supported by ICEcat. Further, ICEcat will take care of the complete coverage of selected IT, Consumer Electronics and Telecom categories. ICEcat provides an open system for Media-Saturn’s suppliers to add their product. This creates opportunities for the suppliers in investing in the quality of their product content to provide the best possible information to Media Markt’s and Saturn’s customers.
ICEcat is today already sponsored by more than 200 major brands (see the list of Open ICEcat sponsors: http://www.openicecat.com/en/menu/partners/index.htm). Co-operating with ICEcat reduces the ecommerce costs for the channel, especially necessary in the current time of economical recovery, and enables the channel to better inform customers about products and compatible options. In a joint effort with the Media-Saturn Group, key manufacturers that are not yet involved in the quality process of Open ICEcat are approached to join. Martijn Hoogeveen, CEO of ICEcat adds: "Open ICEcat has become a channel standard, and most manufacturers understand quickly the benefits for their channel partners in improving content quality, reducing transaction costs, and increasing the online visibility of its products to generate more sales. For Media Markt and Saturn this means to strengthen their service orientation for their customers."
About Media Saturn Holding
With a net revenue of 19 billion euros and a headcount of more than 60.000 in 2008, Media Markt and Saturn are Germany and Europe’s Number One consumer electronics retailers. The success enjoyed by the two retail brands, which are housed under the roof of Media-Saturn-Holding GmbH, is based on a unique selection of lowpriced brand-name products, competent staff, excellent service, a distinctive advertising presence and a decentralized organizational structure. Each general manager is a shareholder in his own store and is thus responsible for the products offered, as well as for pricing, personnel and marketing. The Media Markt and Saturn brands are managed independently of one another and are competing retail brands.
The Media-Saturn Corporate Group, in which METRO AG has a majority shareholding, currently has over 800 stores in 16 European countries.
Utrecht (NL) /Ingolstadt (DE), December 18, 2009: The Media-Saturn Group will integrate the product content of ICEcat, an independent worldwide publisher of product catalogs in its Product Information Management (PIM) system.
By connecting ICEcat to the PIM system the Media-Saturn Group will automatically have access to the 700,000 product data-sheets for their cross-medial communication, e.g. web-shops, of more than 4000 brands that are currently actively supported by ICEcat. Further, ICEcat will take care of the complete coverage of selected IT, Consumer Electronics and Telecom categories. ICEcat provides an open system for Media-Saturn’s suppliers to add their product. This creates opportunities for the suppliers in investing in the quality of their product content to provide the best possible information to Media Markt’s and Saturn’s customers.
ICEcat is today already sponsored by more than 200 major brands (see the list of Open ICEcat sponsors: http://www.openicecat.com/en/menu/partners/index.htm). Co-operating with ICEcat reduces the ecommerce costs for the channel, especially necessary in the current time of economical recovery, and enables the channel to better inform customers about products and compatible options. In a joint effort with the Media-Saturn Group, key manufacturers that are not yet involved in the quality process of Open ICEcat are approached to join. Martijn Hoogeveen, CEO of ICEcat adds: "Open ICEcat has become a channel standard, and most manufacturers understand quickly the benefits for their channel partners in improving content quality, reducing transaction costs, and increasing the online visibility of its products to generate more sales. For Media Markt and Saturn this means to strengthen their service orientation for their customers."
About Media Saturn Holding
With a net revenue of 19 billion euros and a headcount of more than 60.000 in 2008, Media Markt and Saturn are Germany and Europe’s Number One consumer electronics retailers. The success enjoyed by the two retail brands, which are housed under the roof of Media-Saturn-Holding GmbH, is based on a unique selection of lowpriced brand-name products, competent staff, excellent service, a distinctive advertising presence and a decentralized organizational structure. Each general manager is a shareholder in his own store and is thus responsible for the products offered, as well as for pricing, personnel and marketing. The Media Markt and Saturn brands are managed independently of one another and are competing retail brands.
The Media-Saturn Corporate Group, in which METRO AG has a majority shareholding, currently has over 800 stores in 16 European countries.
Positive sentiment turns into old-fashioned end-of-year rally
Good news is that the AEX (NL stock market) reached its highest point of this year (328,61), yesterday. Finally, the financial heavy weight ING has recapitalized itself by a successful claim emission of 7.5 billion euro. Thanks to this, ING is able to repay 5 billion eur of its government bailout, earlier this year.
The positive sentiment is based on the market's impression that this is the last major step towards full recovery of the financial sector in NL, while similar steps are taken elsewhere in the world, and the general economy's accelerating recovery.
A perfect based for an old-fashioned end-of-year stock market rally.
The positive sentiment is based on the market's impression that this is the last major step towards full recovery of the financial sector in NL, while similar steps are taken elsewhere in the world, and the general economy's accelerating recovery.
A perfect based for an old-fashioned end-of-year stock market rally.
Monday, December 14, 2009
Open source PDM in the making
The ICEcat editor backoffice as a Product Data Management (PDM) system... that's a new challenge that we are pursuing. It is stress-tested by our own internal large-scale PDM activity in the worldwide IT, CE, Telecom and Stationary sectors. It can handle millions of product entries, and 10s of simultaneous editors. It is able to import data (xml) from multiple sources, and export in a standardized multilingual xml format.
We regularly get requests for help with setting up a PDM, and have finalized a few external projects. So, it is clear that there is demand.
As we are dedicated to the Open Source philosophy, we will publish our PDM under the GNU GPL open source license.
What are the steps to take?
1) Solving a few minor user interface (layout) issues
2) Copy the latest version of our PDM and cleanup the database
3) Zip it and publish it on sourceforge.com
We expect to be ready to publish in January 2010.
We regularly get requests for help with setting up a PDM, and have finalized a few external projects. So, it is clear that there is demand.
As we are dedicated to the Open Source philosophy, we will publish our PDM under the GNU GPL open source license.
What are the steps to take?
1) Solving a few minor user interface (layout) issues
2) Copy the latest version of our PDM and cleanup the database
3) Zip it and publish it on sourceforge.com
We expect to be ready to publish in January 2010.
Monday, November 23, 2009
Open ICEcat passes 200 sponsoring brands
Open ICEcat has passed the 200th sponsor for its free, open content catalog. Fujitsu, AOpen and memory specialist Dane-Elec are among the last new brands.
The momentum of the free open catalog is increasing every day. 90% of the users of ICEcat are satisfied with just the free catalog. The top 10% is willing to pay for coverage guarantees and company-specific production of data-sheets. Its mainly the big tech brands that decide to sponsor the free, open catalog. They like the idea. And experience how enormous the usage already is.
The momentum of the free open catalog is increasing every day. 90% of the users of ICEcat are satisfied with just the free catalog. The top 10% is willing to pay for coverage guarantees and company-specific production of data-sheets. Its mainly the big tech brands that decide to sponsor the free, open catalog. They like the idea. And experience how enormous the usage already is.
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