By Annette Shailer
The Australian Hotels Association has upped the stakes in the online shopping war with the launch of the AHA (NSW) Business Portal in Sydney yesterday (Feb 8).
AHA members simply go to the AHA (NSW) website, scroll down to the ‘Members Area’ and click on either the Accommodation Business Portal or the General Business Portal.
Upon entering their AHA User ID, members are then able to request a quote, register for a tender or search the 30,000 item catalogue and purchase online.
AHA (NSW) CEO, Sally Fielke, said the website was a first of its kind for members and offered an initial 30,000 item catalogue to users from key industry suppliers.
“This business portal is literally the shopping mall of the future for our members,” Fielke said.
“It provides customers with a single point of access to purchase their core business needs all at the one spot. This portal is a secure environment for members to reach literally tens of thousands of industry-specific suppliers.
“They will be able to order, request a quote or register for one of a variety of tenders just as they would in the real world – the difference being it’s all at the one location online at ‘Buyers Central’.
“As we have seen in the media in recent weeks, more and more people are turning to the internet for their business needs and AHA (NSW) is determined to be in the forefront of this cutting-edge technology.”
The Business Portal was launched in front of the AHA (NSW) Council and invited business and community leaders.
“Today’s launch is just the beginning,” Fielke said. “The goal is to provide the most up to date business technology to our members – we will be constantly looking at ways to improve the site through the feedback of members.”
The portal – developed over several months in conjunction with EMSquared Australia, a member of the Employers Mutual Group – is now operational.
It features ‘Buyers Central’, news and testimonials, online support and a special loyalty program allowing points to be redeemed against items from more than 1000 suppliers.