So Supply House Times e-mailed randomly chosen members of the PHCP industry and asked them which Web sites they like best for both business and nonbusiness use, and why. Check out the responses. You may find some new useful or fun bookmarks for your own browser.
Bill Arenberg
Chairman of the board, Columbia Pipe & Supply, Chicago
Favorite business Web site: www.supplyforce.com
And here's why: "Our portal of the future."
Favorite nonbusiness Web site: www.PaineWebberEdge.com
And here's why: "My broker."
Colin Barnett
Director/marketing & purchasing, Crane Supply, Toronto
Favorite business Web site: www.ciph.com
And here's why: "It updates me to the activities in the Canadian market."
Inge Calderon
Executive director, American Supply Association, Chicago
Favorite business Web sites: www.asa.net and www.nextradeshow.com
And here's why: "These are selfish choices, but I hope people will visit these new and improved sites. The best thing of all is that people visiting the sites can register for our convention and/or trade show online."
Carla Cooper
Vice president/industrial PVF, Affiliated Distributors, Houston
Favorite business Web site: www.supplyht.com
And here's why: "Great industry news and links to industry Web sites."
Favorite nonbusiness Web site: www.fastcompany.com
And here's why: "Articles on how new and old economy businesses are adapting to accelerating changes in their environment. This site has active networking cells in major cities that meet on a regular basis."
Al Jones
Corporate manager/information systems, Apex Supply Co., Atlanta
Favorite business Web site: www.apexsupply.com
And here's why: "Well ..."
Favorite nonbusiness Web site: www.thetrip.com
And here's why: "Great for finding out if a flight is on time. Shows data in text or (really cool) graphic form with the plane moving over a map of the U.S. Go to the section titled 'FlightTRACKER'."
David Mirliss
Chief executive officer, Pacific Pipe Co., Oakland, Calif.
Favorite business Web site: www.expedia.com
And here's why: "This Web site not only provides schedules of all major airlines, hotels, etc., but does a great job in assisting in finding the most economical means of travel."
Favorite nonbusiness Web site: www.espn.go.com
And here's why: "I can catch up on all national sports issues and headlines."
Russ Watson, Andy Lewis
"Marketing guys," Puget Sound Pipe, Kent, Wash.
Favorite business Web site: www.pugetpipe.com
And here's why: "This site's navigator is foolproof. Product descriptions are clearly understandable. Point and click; very little data entry. You'll know what you're purchasing, what it costs, how and when it will be delivered in a heartbeat. Also like the links to code agencies for engineering information."
Favorite nonbusiness Web site: www.mustangworld.com
And here's why: "Great graphics and tech articles, and outstanding links."
Brad Shoen
President, Kelly's Pipe & Supply Co., Las Vegas
Favorite business Web site: www.bigcharts.com
And here's why: "Quick, easy and highly visual financial site. Keeps a pulse on the markets directly affecting construction. Some other favorites are the state contractors board site to see whose licenses have been suspended; the county assessor's office to see who is buying a house and not paying their bills; and the local legal site that lists bankruptcies."
Favorite nonbusiness Web site: www.amazon.com
And here's why: "I'm too lazy to shop for presents sometimes, and Amazon has bailed me out."
Gregg Marshall
Chief technology officer, Marshall Rodeno Associated, Denver
Favorite business Web site: www.travelocity.com
And here's why: "I've saved 50% using travelocity to shop for airfares instead of just taking a travel agent's word."
Favorite nonbusiness Web site: www.google.com
And here's why: "Google is a search engine. I haven't found a topic that google hasn't produced the best results. With 2 billion Web pages today, it is getting impossible to find the information you really need."
