A ground-breaking web monitoring tool has helped computer hardware security specialists Tekdata Distribution smash their sales records.

The Stoke-on-Trent firm has recorded unprecedented growth since demerging from their parent company Tekdata Limited in 2004, and has attributed much of their success to the WhosOn program.

WhosOn enables companies to monitor who's using their website in real time – unlike other web monitoring programs which only give historical data – and also interact with them via a live chat facility.

This facility means companies can direct users to certain pages, answer any questions, and mention special offers not already listed on the site.

It has allowed Tekdata's sales team to deal with enquiries and incoming orders online, at the same time as making outbound calls to potential new customers.

Tekdata Marketing Manager James Aberley said: “Sales have increased 15% year on year since 2004, and turnover is up to £6.5million.

“The WhosOn software has played a big role in this – we have been able to increase productivity, which has had a knock-on effect on our sales, because the team can make more outbound calls.”

The program was the brainchild of Stephen Parker, MD of Parker Software, who felt existing monitoring software was ill-equipped to show the effectiveness of corporate websites.

He said: “Companies can spend huge amounts of money on websites without really knowing if they're getting a return on the investment.

“Other programs can only give historical data, so although people have visited the website, they may never return – so the website could be seen as effective without generating any more business.

“Live information presents a real opportunity to convert visitors into customers, because companies can interact with users while they're on the site, as Tekdata have found.”

WhosOn is available in three versions: one aimed at Web designers & ISPs, who can offer the service to their customers; an Installable version, which a company can use to monitor its organisational domains; and a Hosted version, which is available direct from Parker Software's premises in Stoke-on-Trent .

Details can be found on the company website: www.whoson.co.uk .

For more information, contact Richard Swancott at MarketCare PR on 01782 416371/07880 733138, or via email at richardswancott@marketcare.net .

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Note to editors

1. Tekdata Distribution specialise in a wide variety of computer hardware products, ranging from peripherals like keyboards and mice, to network security devices like SonicWall firewalls. Details can be found on the company website: www.tekdata.co.uk .
2. Parker Software are based in Tunstall, Stoke-on-Trent .