Onlinetradesmen.ie, the Irish online marketplace of qualified trade professionals, has introduced what it claims is a world-first cloud-based solution called MemberTender.com.
The service will create global online marketplaces, enabling consumers to receive competitive online quotes for every conceivable service.
Ted Laverty set up Onlinetradesmen.ie in 2005 with a view to removing the stress and uncertainty from Irish property owners in sourcing qualified trade professionals and to provide business support services to qualified trade professionals.
To date, it has processed more than 400,000 home improvement projects with a combined value in excess of €2.8bn.
Marketplaces on existing sites
The MemberTender.com service is to be sold to trade associations and membership bodies via the cloud. Using it, membership bodies can create unique marketplaces on their existing websites which allow consumers to submit sales queries directly to their members.
Consumers receive online replies back from interested members, along with their pricing estimates and detailed background information. Such marketplaces ensure consumers can always hire the best service providers for their projects at the best price.
“The MemberTender.com service has grown out of the success of our Onlinetradesmen.ie service,” said Laverty.
“We have seen at first hand how consumers are using the internet to simplify their lives, in our case simplifying the way in which they hire tradesmen and builders. Now, with MemberTender.com, we have created a platform which allows membership bodies across every sector to create similar marketplaces.
“The result will be that consumers can shop online in confidence for any service, in any country. Membership bodies will be able to provide tangible work to their members and a valuable service to consumers.”
The MemberTender.com service has been earmarked as a high potential service by Enterprise Ireland. It uses the Microsoft Azure cloud platform to deliver its services.
Photo: Ted Laverty