The Women’s Business Enterprise National Council (WBENC) announced today that it has contracted with two vendors to redesign its website, www.wbenc.org, and its internet database, WBENCLink. Both web products will be redesigned and reengineered for greater functionality, providing more user information, and are expected to launch in by mid-2007.
WBENC’s new proposed internet site, www.wbenc.org, will be constructed by Designed Solutions Group (WBE), of Centerville, Ohio. Designed Solutions Group previously assisted WBENC with its re-branding effort in 2005. Designed Solutions’ understanding of WBENC’s products and services, as well as its impressive cache of WBENC corporate clients, has earned Designed Solutions the role of the selected vendor for the large project. The new site will have greater capacity and capabilities to accommodate future needs and keep pace with WBENC’s annual 20% growth rate of certified WBEs (women’s businesses enterprises). With WBENC’s role as the leading third party certifier of WBEs and its position as a key supporter to the supplier diversity programs, the site will become a comprehensive informational resource for a variety of users.
"In 2007, we mark the launch of our second decade. The redesigned website will reflect WBENC’s new strategies, including our global certification initiatives,” said Linda Denny, WBENC’s interim president. “As a WBENC-certified WBE, Designed Solutions Group was selected for its ability to bring its award-winning approach to website design, start to finish.”
The new www.wbenc.org site will feature personalized, stored log in information, RSS feeds, a message board, customizable calendars with event reminders, archived training sessions and podcasts along with information on our programs, events, global initiatives and more. The layout and design aspects of the new site, including graphic elements, will continue to highlight the “Stars”, who are WBEs chosen to represent WBENC’s 14 regional councils, but will also have a new look and feel to take WBENC into it’s second decade as a premier resource to WBE suppliers and corporate buyers alike.
One of WBENC’s newest corporate members, CVM Solutions, will be redesigning WBENC’s proprietary internet database, WBENClink. Based in Oakbrook Terrace, Illinois, CVM is also the preferred online procurement services provider for many of WBENC’s corporate member companies. Launching on April 1, 2007, the new WBENClink will offer far more than in the past. A B2B –sourcing tool, WBENClink will deliver advanced database searches, downloadable certificates and more. Other enhancements will include faster and more comprehensive reports and opportunities to “scrub” an outside database against the information. With many automated features, new and recertifying WBEs will have a streamlined certification process. Heightened security measures will also be appreciated by every user.
“We believe that WBENC’s members – both WBE and corporate – will find the enhanced functions and scope of services provided through the new WBENClink site valuable—it will become an indispensable tool for supplier diversity and procurement professionals ,” said Denny. “The technology provided by CVM, married with our content, will yield better results for all of our constituents.”
"While we continue to focus on providing our members with face-to-face matchmaking and networking opportunities such as the annual Women In Business Conference, we also recognize the increasing demand among women business owners and corporations for more high-tech products and services," said Kate Chrisman, WBENC’s spokesperson. "Our philosophy in our second decade is to deliver the high-tech, while promoting the high-touch aspects of WBENC."
About the Women’s Business Enterprise National Council (WBENC) www.wbenc.org
- Founded in 1997, the Women’s Business Enterprise National Council (WBENC) is the nation’s leading third-party certifier of businesses owned and operated by women, and the leading advocate of women’s business enterprises (WBEs) as suppliers to corporate America.
- The average WBENC certified company has revenues of $7.5M, 49 employees and 14 years of experience.
- More than 60 WBE firms have revenues in excess of $100M, and seven certified WBE companies have revenues in excess of $1 billion.
- 238 US corporations are active members of WBENC and representatives of 36 corporations sit on the WBENC Board of Directors, along with nine representatives of its partner organizations and nine Women’s Business Enterprises.
- WBENC certification is accepted by more than 700 corporations, representing America’s most prestigious brands, as well as government entities at the state, local and Federal levels.
- WBENCLink is an internet database, accessed by WBENC corporate members and certified women’s business enterprises, which contains information on certified WBEs for purchasing managers nationwide.
- WBENC also has developed several highly regarded initiatives for recognizing excellence in corporate supplier diversity targeting WBEs ( America’s Top Corporations for Women’s Business Enterprises, The WBENC Applause Awards) and women’s business enterprises (WBENC’s Woman-Owned Business Stars).
- WEBuy@wbenc.org is an online marketplace where corporations and government agencies, as well as WBEs, post RFPs, sources sought, and RFIs.
- WBENC is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization that seeks and accepts donations form corporations, foundations and individuals that support its mission and priorities.
About Designed Solutions Group
Designed Solutions Group is an award-winning brand consultancy across a multitude of applications from brand development to brand implementation for corporations in identity creation, corporate communications, marketing and collateral materials; package design; event branding; direct mail and point of sale. This comprehensive understanding of branding and marketing, design excellence and programming for interactive and websites has contributed to DSG’s 13 years of continued success. For more information, please visit DSG’s website at www.designed-solutions.com.
About CVM Solutions
Headquartered in Chicago, IL and founded in 2002, CVM Solutions Inc has emerged as the fastest growing provider of Supplier, Spend & Contract Management solutions to the leading supply chains of the world- currently serving an impressive client roster containing over 250 of the Fortune 500. Leveraging their most extensive and accurate Supplier Database consisting of critical supplier intelligence, a best-in-class technology platform and Supplier Risk & Financial Qualification Services, CVM currently helps its clients Understand their Suppliers & Spend, Reduce Spend, Increase/Protect Revenue and Manage Risk in their supply chains. Our solutions include: Supplier Data Classification & Enrichment, Supplier Registration & Data Management Portal, Supplier Qualification, Supplier Scorecarding, Spend Reporting, Second Tier Diversity Reporting, and Contract Management - available in both an On-Demand (ASP) model and in a traditional licensed model. For more information, or a no risk analysis, please visit the company's web site at http://www.cvmsolutions.com.
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For press inquiries, please contact WBENC's Director of Marketing and Communications at www.wbenc.org.