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Singapore,
Oakland, CA, London, 18 Sep, 2003 – Global container carrier APL’s Web site has been
recognized among the world’s best for the fourth year running.
APL was the only ocean carrier to make BtoB magazine’s list of the top 100 business to
business (B2B) Web sites for 2003, which includes many of the world’s best-known companies.
Overall, APL earned a score of 94 out of 100, while hi-tech giant Hewlett Packard topped
the list with a score of 98. Reflecting its commitment to best in class rather than best
in industry, APL equalled the scores of Sun Microsystems, and was ahead of Cisco Systems
and Intel.
Every year, BtoB reviews around 800 company Web sites in 14 industry categories. Marks
are given for user-friendliness, interactivity, product information, brand interaction,
resources and e-commerce capabilities.
In 1995, APL became the first container shipping company to launch a Web site – www.apl.com
- and in 1999 it introduced HomePort, the industry’s first customizable portal.
BtoB praised apl.com for being “packed with interactive features, including online shipment
tracking, a payment centre and online customer support. Visitors can customise HomePort
[and there is] also a live chat option”.
APL Chief Information Officer (CIO), Cindy Stoddard, said: “Our aim is to make our Web
presence a vital and fast-evolving customer interface and transaction platform, which never
stops working for our customers. We see the Internet as a great equaliser. It allows us
to equip all our customers with powerful IT tools, which unlock the vast potential of e-commerce
and its related cost and efficiency benefits.”
APL’s Vice President for Sales, Marketing & E-commerce, Ted Fordney, said: “The continued
success of our Internet offerings indicates that we are delivering real value to our customers
through our e-commerce channels."
Today, APL handles more than 450,000 Internet transactions every month. Almost half of
APL’s active global customers use its suite of Internet based, non-browser and email tools
and services.
Philip Chin, APL’s Vice President, E-Commerce Products, said: “While we are proud to be
in such good company on the BtoB list, our driver is creating innovative e-commerce solutions
that help our customers better achieve their business objectives.”
In 2002, APL was named top IT innovator at the inaugural Asia Logistics Awards, and alongside
sister company, APL Logistics, it was named in the top 100 of InformationWeek’s Top 500
IT innovators.
To view APL’s Web site and HomePort portal, go to www.apl.com
About APL
APL provides customers around the world with container transportation services through
a network combining high-quality intermodal operations with state-of-the-art information
technology. APL’s sister company APL
Logistics offers end-to-end supply chain management services enabled by leading information
technology. Both companies are subsidiaries of Singapore-based Neptune
Orient Lines (NOL), a global transportation and logistics company engaged in shipping
and related businesses. Its IT function is managed in Oakland, California.
Media
Inquiries
Americas:
Scott Dailey, tel: +1 510-272-8208 or scott_dailey@apl.com
Asia/Middle East:
Paul Barrett, tel: +65-6371-5541 or paul_barrett@apl.com
Europe:
Michael Haig, tel: +44-1737-248-300 or michael@isiscomms.com
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