The ASCII Group, a computer dealer association, said it will set up an electronic ordering system for hardware and software on its Web site later this year.
"The site will be rolled out in three stages, with the final stage being online commerce," said ASCII Group vice president of sales and marketing, Jill Kerr, who added that the first stage will be completed within the next two months, and the final stage within three to six months.
The site will list prices, dealer locations, product specs, and FAQs. The service will then link buyers with local computer dealers who will deliver the products.
Currently, the ASCII Web site is accessible to member computer resellers only. The new site will be accessible to everyone. "The current site for resellers will still exist in some form, but it has very little relation to what the new site will be like," said Kerr.