And while they're certainly not all relevant to the machine tool industry, enough of them are to make the job of staying on top of the latest and greatest online resources a daunting challenge indeed. From new electronic marketplaces for buying and selling machine tools to corporate and association sites that define new best practices for the industry, the Web is more and more becoming fertile ground for effective business ideas. Shop floor demands leave die and mold makers little time to keep up with the latest products and industry trends. But burgeoning Web resources provide manufacturers and tool shops alike with an efficient way to keep up with industry developments and, in some cases, an entirely new strategy for doing business. We've sifted through many of the latest and greatest online resources.
End users can buy machines with the click of a mouse.
Distributors can list machines with unprecedented efficiency. Anyone can access information about upcoming auctions, purchase tooling and find the latest news affecting our industry, including listings of future trade shows, meetings and events. The site features a product directory, publications listing and access to U.S. Machine Tool Consumption Reports. It's an IMTS year and this comprehensive site provides visitors with everything they need to know about the event, including presentation schedules and exhibitor and product information. The site also features myIMTS Planner, an online tool to help visitors identify points of interest and schedule their trade show itineraries.