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Improved Access to Starret Product Information
 |  | | Volume 3, No. 3 | Summer, 2009 |
| | | | The Starrett Marketing Department is completing work on two web-site related projects. The first will effect how product information is viewed online. The other is the implementation of the second phase for our online Literature ordering area (see the Fall 2008 Last Word article introducing Phase 1).
Online Catalog Changes
Until recently, the online catalog within the Starrett website has worked through links to an older database program. For several reasons, we cannot continue to use that database and have disconnected all of these links.
Now, the "Precision Tools & Gages" and "Construction Tools" sections are linked to PDF versions of the appropriate print catalog pages. These PDF pages can be viewed, printed and/or saved for your future reference.
The two other major product sections, "Saws" and "Metrology Equipment" have been revised within the past year and are not affected by these recent changes.
|  | Search
The Search function, formerly a two level process, is now all linked from the Search button located in the upper right corner of the Home Page. As of this issue of Last Word, the process of linking all products to this search is not yet complete. However, it should be relatively easy to find any product though two menu levels:
(1) Product Group name -- same as the print catalog,
(2) Product name and Catalog number for each tool or series.
More Improvements to Come
The discontinued online catalog included a Distributor Search that was out-of-date and exploded view/parts lists for only some of our products.
New Distributor Search and Exploded View functions are still being developed. We expect that each of these will be finished soon. In both cases, the new will be far superior to the old. We will announce changes related to our progress in "Promotions & News" on our site, and in upcoming issues of "Last Word".
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| | We apologize for any short term inconvenience caused by these changes. We will complete all of the work soon. The result will be a better, more up-to-date presentation of this information with more intuitive access. | | | | Sales Literature Ordering 2.0
 About a year ago, we added a sales literature ordering system to our website, allowing consumers and distributors to order standard collateral materials on demand. Within the past week, we have implemented several improvements.
Log-In
The first version of the system forced users to re-enter contact information at each visit. Now, once you have created an account with your User Name and Password, the information will be retained and on subsequent visits, you will be able to proceed to the Shopping Cart much faster.
Notice: Because of the changeover, you must create a new account, even if you have ordered materials in the past. We apologize for any inconvenience.
Changes for Distributors
The earlier version combined literature ordering for distributors with the restricted login area for price file retrieval. Since this caused some confusion, we have separated the two.
Now, distributors will order literature by selecting the "Literature" button (and select "Distributor" when setting up their accounts). To obtain price information, go to the restricted "Distributor Login" located in the top left corner of our homepage.
PDF Access
 With the new site, most 1-4 page collaterals will be available as PDF files (note PDF icon beside the material name).
In addition to ordering literature, you now have several other options:
1) Select the PDF and view the material immediately
on screen
2) Instead of ordering a copy of the literature, you can
print out the page and/or Save the PDF to your own
system.
Getting Better
The changes detailed above represent another step in our continuous improvement efforts. There will more to come. We are committed to the process of providing more information that is easier to find. We are excited about the changes still to come and we think you will like them as well. | | | | |
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