I-COM creates industry-first online B2B networking scheme for Magnus

Working with market leading office provider Magnus, full-service online marketing firm I-COM has helped to conceive, design and develop a unique, web-based business networking scheme, in what could be an important milestone for the office space provision industry.

The Manchester-based company created the innovative platform - called Magnus X-Change and found at http://www.magnusuk.com/x-change/ - for Magnus, after realising  there was little interaction between the clients working within its buildings, as well as no real means of facilitating communication between buildings.

Magnus has a large customer base spread across a number of multi-let office buildings in the North West and saw that it would be mutually beneficial for its clients to be able to network and subsequently market their services to each other. Magnus realised that this could be done virtually but lacked the skills or knowledge to make it happen. A brief was therefore produced and developed with I-COM, which was then asked to bring the concept to life.

However, the Magnus X-Change helps Magnus customers to go one step further than simply sell their products to those in the same office building.

As it is based online, the network is available to any firm using the company's offices across the UK, and allows them to post news stories, promote introductory offers to fellow users of the website and build up a directory of contacts.

In addition, there are special areas of the website where Magnus keeps its clients updated with important health and safety and environmental information, as well as details of maintenance being undertaken in its buildings.

What's more, the 'in-touch' section provides useful links, a supplier directory and the chance to find out more about fundraising activities being carried out by Magnus or its customers.

Managing director of I-COM Tim Roberts explains the online community is an industry first, and brings with it a whole host of benefits.

He says: "This business to business networking scheme has the potential to significantly increase revenue for both Magnus and its clients. If its customers are winning more business thanks to the information being shared in the hub, this growth is likely to lead to more office space being required by the firms, allowing Magnus too to boost its income.

"Furthermore, the service is easy to use, simple for Magnus to administer and is a fantastic unique selling point that is sure to help Magnus attract new clients in the future."

Steve Widdowson from Magnus comments: "We are always seeking ways of staying ahead of our competitors and I-COM has been working with us very successfully for some time in achieving that through the redevelopment of our original website. The results from that have really opened our eyes to its potential and X- Change is a natural progression. We pride ourselves on our customer service levels .Keeping customers is key and we are simply providing more good reasons for our occupiers to stay within our buildings. I- Com have been the ideal partners for us in achieving this."

I-COM recently unveiled a new-look website - which can be found at http://www.i-com.net - and has reacted to its considerable recent business growth by adding three new members of staff to its team: SEO consultant Ian Collins and project manager Gareth Lloyd.