HVAC Industry Leader and Click Commerce, Inc., Release Online E-Marketplace to Channel Partners
12/11/2001

NORMAN, OK -- The Unitary Products Group(UPG) of York International Corporation has released the York Business Network, or York®Net, to its channel partners. Designed to improve efficiencies and enhance communication while saving time and money, this new communication channel allows 24-hour, real-time access to York UPG information and online services.

York UPG partnered with Click Commerce, Inc., a leading provider of channel management software and services, to design the new system. The collaboration between York UPG and Click Commerce created an enterprise system connecting York UPG with its distributors, branches, and dealers.

Distributors now have access to real-time information and services, such as order management, inventory availability, shipping status, warranty registration, account/invoice status, and a full product catalog. In January, a tool that helps distributors build brochures online will also be available.

YorkNet's success is based on its simplicity, according to York UPG President Tom Huntington. "YorkNet frees our channel partners by giving them easy, instant access to all our information. The time they save with YorkNet is better directed towards sales and service activities," he explained, "which will lead to improved customer satisfaction, a vital part of our success in the HVAC industry."

According to Kenny Henry, Director of UPG Information Technologies, YorkNet contributes to everyone's bottom line. "YorkNet will save our distributors money by producing quicker answers to their inquiries and their customers' questions. It will also decrease the amount of errors associated with common transactions, especially in the traditionally difficult areas like service and warranties."

"We're pleased to be able to offer this service to our constituents," added Matt Peterson, UPG Vice-President of Sales and Marketing. "Our independent distributors, factory owned branches, and their dealers are extremely important to York UPG's long-term goals. YorkNet streamlines processes so well, it's one more way we're supporting our business partners' independence -- and making it easier for our extended partners to do business with us."

Future plans for YorkNet include the ability for York UPG's channel partners to integrate their internal systems with the YorkNet platform to eliminate unnecessary transaction overhead by allowing a channel partner to enter an order one time and have ti transfer to YorkNet. Additional services are planned for implementation over the next three years.

UPG is a division of YORK International, Corp., the largest independent supplier of heating, ventilating, air conditioning, and refrigeration products in the U.S. and a leading international supplier. The company sells products in more than 100 countries, and YORK has approximately 25,000 employees worldwide. For more information about YORK, visit the company's Web site at www.yorkupg.com.