www.ipfonline.com, the portal of , is not just an archive of the print edition but an effective online platform that brings together manufacturers of industrial products and buyers. One of the unique functions of this platform is generating enquiries for the thousands of products hosted online at the click of the mouse from anywhere, at any time, that being the nature of the world wide web.

A daily count of enquiries logged on the portal during the first three weeks of May 2011 (May 01-22) shows a total of 1351 enquiries made online, several of these from locations outside India. This translates to over 60 enquiries per day.

These enquiries are mostly requests for technical assistance for on-going or upcoming projects, requests for information about specific tools and their functions, and even requests for dealerships.

They range from requests for contact details so that a contractor can contact a manufacturer for detailed specifications, or to place orders.

An interesting query was about a company's requirement for flame- proof telephones for use in a chemical plant.

The request for information on fire-retardant telephones, manufactured by Tele-Net Engineers, an SME, comes from Dr Reddys Laboratories Limited. Tele-Net Engineers advertises regularly in the IPF Annual.

Though in certain industries flame-retardant telephone is mandatory, many people are unaware of such a product being available in the Indian market. It is interesting to note that companies requesting details range from well-known multinationals and large-scale firms to individuals and households. Equally remarkable is the fact that most of the products for which details have been sought are made by small and medium enterprises (SMEs).

Thus, advertisers in IPF and visitors to ipfonline.com can be assured of tremendous value addition, apart from the portal acting as a vital link in the manufacturing process. For instance, one entrepreneur, seeking to bid for two ONGC contracts, has asked for more product details from a particular firm, making Ian invaluable link to both producers and users. Another fascinating aspect is that both the Railways and the Defence Services, or contractors hired by them, have come to the IPF portal searching for products, specifications, contact details and so on.

Considering that both are massive users of manufactured products such as bearings, to name but one, and that they are repeat users, their enquiries will benefit manufacturers of such products.

At this juncture, we would like to emphasise the fact that the above-mentioned enquiries are purely related to our website and the only ones we can track. We are not referring to the countless enquiries generated by the more popular print edition.

The IPF Portal is an excellent platform for manufacturers and users to interact

And it's not just manufacturers who request information. A college has asked a company for details and specifications regarding testing machines as it plans on setting up a laboratory for the mechanics of solids.

Tektronix, Inc., the world's leading manufacturer of oscilloscopes, recently unveiled its TDS1000C-EDU Digital Oscilloscope Series designed for first-time oscilloscope users and students, one that includes an Education Resource CD to help students master the use of an oscilloscope (refer IPF May 2011 issue, Page 260).

Now with the TDS1000C-EDU, educators can afford to train their students on the oscilloscope - a very important tool - using scopes that match what the students will likely use when they start work. Not only are oscilloscopes the top hardware tool used by embedded designers per the 2010 EE Times Group Embedded Market Study, but eight out of 10 electronics engineers currently use Tektronix oscilloscopes.

The range of products that evinced prospective buyers' interest is remarkable as well - from wires and steel rods to packaging machines for herbal products to bigger items such as a 150-tonne power press for the manufacture of slotted angles and an automatic feeder for the machine.

Some companies are highly specific with their requirements and information desired, while others are more generalised in their queries.

While one prospective buyer writes as follows: "We are interested in all types of solar power generators", there are also companies that mention exact details such as dimensions, thickness and hardness. That particular visitor also asks for a proper data sheet, a sample MTC, as well as inspection from a reputed third party, cost involved as well as the details of volumes in packing and about the delivery at the nearest FOB port.

It is also worth noting that with increasing globalisation and collapse of trade barriers, both manufacturers and end users, especially those who are export oriented, must be aware of the Qualitative Restrictions.

Standardisation of quality is a necessary fact of life among manufacturers who wish to sell in EU countries or the US.

Examples abound where companies with the perfect product conforming to all relevant standards have lost the order because their workers were not provided with safety glasses or protective hand gloves while working on the shop floor. Non tariff barriers also come in the form of dirty toilets and unhygienic canteens. Not surprisingly, products to take care of all such requirements are now manufactured and widely available, but perhaps, cost cutting puts paid to the desire to implement corrective measures needed to tackle this problem.

Auto components manufacturers, for instance, must be compliant with the high levels of emission standards in Europe, where the Euro 5 standard is mandatory for LCVs. By 2014 there will be a new standard, Euro 6.

These standards came into force after the Kyoto Protocol and though the USA is not a signatory to this pact, emission levels there too are changing rapidly. Interestingly, Australia, one of India's biggest prospective markets, was the first to initiate such a move towards "greener" vehicles.

The flow of information is thus manifold: from the magazine to the website, then to prospective users and finally on to manufacturers. and ipfonline.com are perfect examples of how crucial every link is in the production chain.

With the average number of enquiries increasing with every passing week, the online platform of Iwill add more value to the print edition from where it derives its strength. But with the growing reach and easy accessibility of the Internet, it is just matter of time that the portal of will become as popular as the print edition is at present. n

A Representative A to Z List of Companies That Trust ipfonline.com to Find What They Need

ABB Limited, India
Bharat Forge Limited
Crompton Greaves Limited
Daewoo India Autoparts Pvt Ltd
Escorts Tractors
FIAT India Automobiles Ltd
GlaxoSmithKline Pharmaceuticals Ltd
Hero Honda Motors Limited
IFFCO, Kalol
JK Group of Industries
Kerala State Electricity Board
Lanco Power (P) Limited, Vijayawada
Mahindra and Mahindra
National Fertilizers Limted,
Vijaipur (Guna), MP
NTPC Limited
ONGC, Ankleshwar
Paharpur Cooling Towers Ltd
QK Healthcare
Raigarh Coal Benification Pvt Ltd
Suzlon Energy Ltd
Tata Steel Ltd
UB Engineering Ltd
Volkswagen India Pvt Ltd
Wipro Limited
X-Cel Rollers
Yam Enterprises Surgical
Zenith Birla India Ltd