Decorize.com to launch site in January

Internet security is a primary concern for Springfield companies like Decorize.com.

The Internet start-up company, co-founded by Jon Baker and Dave Orwick, plans to become one of the first source-to-retailer businesses on the World Wide Web.

The Web site, which is scheduled to launch in January 2001, will sell uniquely designed home accent items from the Far East directly to small retailers, independents and regional chains so they can get their goods faster and at a lower cost.

According to Orwick, who serves as the company's chief operating officer, cutting out the middleman will enable retailers to save an average of 30 percent off wholesale prices without compromising quality.

After a retailer places an order online, the merchandise goes through a seven-step inspection process.

Once the inspection is complete, the order is shipped to the retailer, who receives the merchandise in the standard 45-day delivery time.

Initially, 500 products will be offered through the site. According to Orwick, this number will increase rapidly, and by 2003 the site will offer more than 15,000 products.

Still, the "build it and they will come" philosophy doesn't always ensure success, as evidenced by the number of recent dot-com business failures. Baker and Orwick said they realized if their business was going to succeed, they would need to develop an easy-to-use, quick and secure business-to-business transaction system.

"A consumer can log on the Web and order an item in a matter of minutes using their credit card," Orwick said.

"Online business-to-business transactions typically don't work that way. Most business-to-business Web sites aren't very user friendly, and it takes a long time to get credit approval before you can even use the site," Orwick added.

To provide retailers with fast, convenient service, Decorize.com uses an online credit service.

The service, which is provided by a company named Experian, allows retailers to fill out a simple application and receive credit approval in a matter of seconds.

A second company, named Thawte, provides online security for Decorize.com. All transactions are encrypted and secured using Secure Sockets Layer, the industry standard.

SSL makes it virtually impossible to "grab" and process encrypted information as it travels across the Internet. Once these transactions reach Decorize.com, they remain encrypted until they are processed.

To instill retailers' confidence, Decorize.com posts a security and privacy statement on its Web site. This lets retailers know that Decorize.com guarantees the security and confidentiality of all transactions. Currently, Decorize.com's direct sales force is touting the Web site's benefits to retailers.

When the Web site launches, retailers who place their orders online will receive a discount. The company also plans to promote its Web site at upcoming trade shows that will be held in Chicago and Dallas.