PISCATAWAY, New Jersey - Siemens Hearing Solutions created Online@SHI™, the industry's first and only e-business Web site to offer custom hearing instrument ordering with its unique E-form. The password-protected site grants registered Online@SHI members convenient access to the Siemens Ordering Center 24 hours a day, seven days a week. One of the key elements of the site is the effortless procedure for ordering custom hearing instruments. The site also simplifies managing account information including checking the status of orders and repairs; viewing financial information such as payment and invoices; and accessing warranty information. Launched in July of 2001, the site has been enhanced with a new educational feature called Tip of the Week. Registered members receive weekly "tips" about fitting, programming, patient counseling, troubleshooting, and marketing ideas.
Utilizing the power of the Internet to strengthen communication between Siemens and their customers, the site is divided into five areas.
- E-form - allows customers to order custom hearing instruments quickly. Orders placed with E-form are automatically validated for accuracy, ensuring that the selections made for the particular hearing instrument are correct prior to sending in the order, which also reduces turn-around time.
- Hearing Mall - enables customers to easily and quickly order stock items such as BTEs, batteries, and ALDs. The Hearing Mall utilizes a shopping cart concept similar to most online shopping sites, so ordering remains easy. In the Hearing mall, customers can also assign a patient name and select warranty information, if applicable.
- My Account - customers can view and manage accounts including financial information relative to their buying behavior and payment status. Pertinent account transaction information such as invoice/payment date, credits, account balance, patient name, check number, order date and purchase order number are all displayed on one screen for convenience. Customers can determine who among their staff has access to the financial information. Information is updated daily and can be sorted by any type of account transaction information to help members analyze their business activities with Siemens. Month-end statements are available online and reference back three months from the current month. E-pay provides information when paying by credit card, wire transfer, check remittance and Western Union payments.
- Order Information - contains summary and detailed order information. Customers can track the status of their orders and review warranty information. Order Information also allows customers to search, view, and print custom, stock, and repair orders.
- Marketing Services - enables registered SBP (Siemens Business Partners) and BDP (Business Development Program) members access to detailed information regarding the value-added services provided by the Siemens Marketing Services Department at no charge.
Other benefits for members of Online@SHI include exclusive offers and discounts; up-to-the minute news updates and product information from Siemens. There is no cost involved. Registration is free. For more information about Online@SHI, please contact a Siemens Sales Representative.
About Siemens Hearing Solutions
Siemens Medical Solutions (Med) of Siemens AG (NYSE: SI) with headquarters in Iselin, NJ, and Erlangen, Germany, is one of the largest suppliers of healthcare equipment in the world. Med is renowned for its innovative products, services and complete solutions, ranging from imaging systems for diagnosis and therapy equipment for treatment, to electromedicine and hearing instruments to IT solutions that optimize workflow and increase efficiency in hospitals, clinics and doctors' offices. Siemens also offers a variety of data management solutions for customers and is currently the premiere Application Service Provider. Employing approximately 30,000 people worldwide, in fiscal 2001 (September, 30), Med reported sales of 7.2 billion EUR, orders of 8.4 billion EUR and EBITA of 808 million EUR. More information can be obtained through the company's website www.siemens-medical.com.
Headquartered in Piscataway, NJ, Siemens Hearing Solutions (Siemens Hearing Instruments, Inc.), a subsidiary of Siemens Medical Solutions, designs, engineers and manufactures advanced digital, digital, digitally programmable and advanced conventional hearing instruments in all custom (ITC, ITE, and CIC) and behind-the-ear (BTE) models. The Company also offers audiological software along with a wide variety of equipment for Hearing Health Care Professionals, hearing aid batteries and a wide array of assistive listening devices (ALDs), such as amplified phones, which help improve the quality of life of the hearing impaired. Visit www.siemens-hearing.com for more information.
