Vendor: My company already publishes rich product information on our website. Why should we participate in the HSC Plus or Premium data service?
HSC: HSC data services are designed to augment, not compete with, your current web strategy. Since dealers usually design and sell systems that utilize products from multiple vendors, the ability to research all product information in a homogenized format from one centralized location represents a huge gain in efficiency. Stated plainly, by participating in one of the HSC data services you increase the chance that your dealers will get the pertinent selling and technical information they need when they need. Also, HSC makes product data available for use in 3rd party proposal/project design software.

Vendor: My Company already publishes rich product information in our printed literature. Why should we participate in the HSC Plus or Premium data service?
HSC: While there are benefits to professionally printed product literature, production costs are relatively high, distribution to dealers is generally inefficient and there is always a risk that the salesman/designer will not having a copy when it is most needed. By participating in one of the HSC data services you increase the chance that your dealers will get the pertinent selling and technical information they need when they need.

Vendor: I think that the HSC data service would benefit our business but I am concerned that we do not have the personnel resources to support this type of service. What is involved to participate?
HSC: Participating in the Plus Service does not require a great level of effort on the part of the vendor; simply include HSC in the normal channels used to inform sales reps and/or dealers. HSC will collate, enter and publish the data. The vendor's complete catalogue is entered at the beginning of the program period and then products are added or updated as new information becomes available.

Vendor: How can my dealers access the HSC library?
HSC: The HSC library can be accessed by anyone with Internet access. Home Systems Connection also makes product information available to 3rd party software applications through its Customized Data Delivery Service.

Vendor: We have strict Internet policies regarding our products.
HSC: HSC is an information resource only; we do nothing to support direct Internet sales. Use of the Internet by professionals to research goods and services used in their business continues to increase. Because of this fact we encourage vendors to keep and open mind to the positive impact that responsible use of the Internet can have on their business.

Vendor: We already support another data service. Should we switch to your service?
HSC: Congratulations, you already see the value of supporting IT initiative to support your business. Although HSC offers a wide range of data services backed by extensive technical resources, we do not believe that data services needs to be supported on an exclusive basis. In fact we have structured our programs to make it easy and affordable for vendors to participate.

Dealer: How can the HSC data services benefit my business?
HSC: The ability to research all product information in a homogenized format from one centralized location represents a huge gain in efficiency. Dealers will get the pertinent selling and technical information they need when they need.

Dealer: How current and complete is the information in the HSC library?
HSC: We gather and enter data daily. HSC offers a wide range of data services backed by extensive technical resources. Products are added or updated as new information becomes available. We encourage vendors to participate in either the HSC Plus or Premium Data Service to ensure that their product lines are current and complete. HSC guarantees a two-week turnaround for publishing information received form Plus and Premium service vendors.

Dealer: We are a small independent firm with minimum personnel resources. How does this affect our ability to use your service?
HSC: A great level of effort on the part of the Dealer is not required. The HSC library can be accessed by anyone with Internet access. If you are using the product data in 3rd party proposal/project design software HSC makes product information available through its Customized Data Delivery Service.

Dealer: Not all of my vendors’ products are listed in the HSC Library. What do I need to do to have them Listed?
HSC: We recommend that you contact your vendors and express the importance of their participation in the HSC Data Service. Contact HSC with your vendors contact name, phone number and email address (if available). We will contact your vendors and address any questions they may have regarding the Data Service and assist them in getting set up in the product Library.