DOTmed's new Certified Parts Vendor (CPV) Program officially goes live today, October 1.

DOTmed, which hosts more than 151,000 listings for spare parts and more than 57,300 "spare parts wanted" requests each year, was asked by parts buyers and sellers to help make it easier for them to deal directly with each other.

In response, DOTmed created the Certified Parts Vendor (CPV) Program. It enables top-tier parts vendors and parts end-users to do business with each other directly online.
It's a new way for Biomedical Engineers to buy parts direct from stocking parts vendors.

Anyone who is a registered DOTmed user can buy parts from CPVs right now.

DOTmed Certified Parts Vendors:
- Stock Parts
- Have Posted a Written Warranty, Return Policy, and Acceptance Policy on DOTmed
- Have Signed DOTmed's Code of Ethics
- Have their DOTmed Star Rating Displayed

Companies have to qualify to become a CPV. The primary requirements are that they have a physical warehouse and derive a significant percentage of their income from parts.

There are more than 70 Certified Parts Vendors already. You can see the full list here: Certified Parts Vendor Directory

Requesting parts is easy - online or by phone

The basic functionality for the CPV Program is built on DOTmed's Parts Hunter (SM) Program, an online parts request system that has been expanding for more than two years. In addition, DOTmed has opened an inbound Phone Order Service enabling Biomed Techs to call in a parts request. The toll-free number is 866-DOTmed (3836) Ext 253, 9 am - 6 pm EST.

Certified Parts Vendors get priority

DOTmed's Certified Parts Vendor Program automatically seeks matches between each part's request and each CPV's inventory. When there's a match, the CPV is notified and they can make an offer. The CPV's have exclusive rights to sell to that buyer for 48 hours. If no CPV makes an offer during that time, the buyer can open the request up to all parts sellers. This is likely to happen when the part needed is unusual, or the machine is no longer supported by the OEM.

Buyers can be anonymous

Many Biomedical Engineers prefer to keep a low profile when buying parts to prevent a stream of sales calls when they're busy doing other things. So the CPV Program lets the buyer make requests anonymously, until they identify themselves to the seller with whom they want to do business.

The Buyer can strike a deal at any time

The buyer retains complete control and can buy from the seller who offers the best deal at any time. Buyers also control how they receive offers from sellers. The default method is the Parts Hunter Offer Page created when a buyer makes a request. But they can also opt to be contacted by phone and/or email.

Buyers get "Rewards-For-Ratings" with every transaction

To encourage Biomed Techs to be loyal CPV parts buyers, DOTmed is introducing a "frequent buyer" program to the CPV Program called "Rewards-For-Ratings."

Once a Biomed has enrolled in the rewards program -- it's free and easy -- they will receive 250 Rewards-For-Ratings Points for every parts request they make (whether they buy a part or not), and can also earn big bonus Rewards-For-Ratings points when they rate the seller after the transaction is complete.

Reward points accrue to the health care facility the Biomedical Tech works for, and are redeemable for discounts on future DOTmed parts purchases, education and classes or lunches for your department. The more you buy, the more points you earn.

For more information on the Certified Parts Vendor Program and Rewards-For-Ratings Program, go here: Welcome to the CPV Program

Watch for an industry sector report on medical equipment parts in the October 2009 issue of DOTmed Business News.

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