Fort Wayne, Ind.—Do it Best Corp. recently was recognized for its use of leading-edge technology with a place on the 2007 Information Week 500. The 19th annual Information Week 500, selected by the magazine's editors, includes the nation’s most innovative IT organizations among companies with at least $500 million in annual revenue. Do it Best Corp. ranked 228th, up from 248th in 2006.

This year, Do it Best Corp. implemented a new Product Information Management (PIM) system to improve product descriptions on warehouse-stocked products and to allow faster publication of the new product information. Coupled with a new taxonomy, the description content will improve catalog searches and provide more detailed information for both consumers and Do it Best Corp. members. In addition, the co-op has been developing a new vendor portal, which will provide vendors with expanded online capabilities for managing their product information, submitting promotional items and tracking sales data. It will also provide enhanced supply chain visibility.

Do it Best Corp. also brought expanded technology access to its recent member market. Members and vendors alike were able to stay connected while they were away from their offices attending the co-op’s biannual buying markets with complimentary wireless internet coverage, which was expanded to include the entire exhibition floor, meeting rooms, and hallways.

Kay Williams, Do it Best Corp. vice president of information technology, said that the organization is proud to be named to the prestigious Information Week 500 list. “Unique among corporate rankings, the Information Week 500 spotlights the power of innovation in information technology, rather than simply identifying the biggest IT spenders,” she said. “At Do it Best Corp., our goal is to help members grow, and every upgrade we make, every new technology we implement, is aimed at that goal. While industry recognition is nice, it is the appreciation from our members that makes us most proud.”

About Do it Best Corp.

Based in Fort Wayne, Ind., Do it Best Corp. is the only U.S.-based, member-owned hardware, lumber and building materials buying cooperative in the home improvement industry.  With annual sales of $2.81 billion, Do it Best Corp. is the second largest co-op in the industry, serving 4,100 member-owned locations in the United States and in 47 countries.