Channel Intelligence launches new ecommerce tool in beta

If you’d like a better way of communicating ideas and information about the products in your online store, check out the new offering from Channel Intelligence. CI Exchange, also called CiEx, is a new tool which allows etailers to exchange information with other users in the system quickly and easily.

by Kristina Knight

"Today, most eCommerce data exchange occurs via FTP and data feeds. The method of exchange is slow, unreliable and prone to mistakes," said Robert Sefick, chief technology officer, Channel Intelligence. "CiEx solves these issues by implementing a service oriented architecture for exchanging strongly typed items in near real time."

The platform works by giving users with similar data and business information the ability to share product information with one another. The product information is clustered together and users can even form groups to exchange their ideas and information. This is similar to how consumers are creating profiles and exchanging information within social networks. Users can join as many groups as they would like, giving them nearly unlimited access to helpful products or to consumers who could use their products.

Currently the platform is being tested in beta so that Channel Intelligence can test just how depp the communications can be and how users will be able to best use the interface. The platform should open to all ecommerce users later this year.