Extranet driving channel success for motorcycle manufacturer

Dirt bike manufacturer KTM Motorcycles is automating its mainline business processes with a new extranet.

KTM wanted to make it easier for its dealers to find and order motorcycle parts. KTM also wanted to use its existing IBM AS/400 infrastructure.

With the help of application development provider Lansa and its partner Strategic Business Systems, KTM now has a password-protected Dealer Communication System (DCS) extranet.

Using DCS, dealers can place orders for motorcycle parts, search for part pricing information and determine inventory availability. The system is currently being rolled out to both KTM and Husaberg bicycle dealers.

Rod Bush, president of KTM, says his dealers are already saying this system is easier and more practical than other extranet systems they've seen.

"As usage increases, we expect that this rapid information access will help dealers serve their customers better," he said