NEWTON, MASS. —Small and mid-sized distributors looking for answers to technology problems have a new resource in the Industrial Distribution Center for Excellence, a Web site sponsored by Microsoft and MaxQ Technologies.

The site, located at www.industrialdistributionsolutions.com, is a technology resource center designed to help distributors solve supply chain management problems. It includes general information on SCM, industry news, a resource center with free downloads of industry white papers, and a help center where distributors can e-mail technology and SCM questions to Microsoft and MaxQ experts.

The site was launched in November, in conjunction with the Industrial Distribution Assn.'s Annual Distributor & Manufacturer Business Expo in Chicago.

"We view this site as a public resource, where multiple publications, resources, etc., can contribute knowledge and content in the industrial distribution space," says Tom McHale, industry marketing manager, distribution solutions, for Microsoft. "The underlying message is that solutions to problems, especially in the small- and mid-market, don't have to be complex."

Although the site includes information on Microsoft/MaxQ products, McHale says it's designed as a neutral source, providing wide-ranging solutions to technology problems.

"One of the things we're looking forward to, over time, is putting case studies on the site. And these case studies may or may not include Microsoft solutions," said McHale. "I consider this as an extension of our general philosophy in the marketplace. In addition to providing technology solutions, we want to provide education."

Together, Microsoft and MaxQ Technologies offer a supply chain management suite of products for mid-market industrial distributors—those with annual sales between $5 million and $150 million. The suite covers every major SCM process, from demand management and inventory management to purchase order management, and links to Microsoft business applications, including financials, CRM and human resources.

Microsoft and MaxQ Technologies joined forces last year and are working to communicate their message to the distribution marketplace.

"We're committed to this industry," says McHale. "The core problem in distribution has always been inventory and management of inventory. There is approximately $300 billion worth of inventory in warehouses across the United States. That's really what we're focused on. If we can help customers better manage that $300 billion, it's a great win for us, our customers, and our business partners."