Is there still a need for paper catalogues?

Even though our website offers countless benefits over the traditional catalogue, the Scorpio catalogue is still used every day in the Sales Team office.

The website allows us to search pretty much however we need to; by keyword or category.  Sorted by relevance, price or alphabetically.  We can save favorites so we don't need to search for them at all.  Then, once we find the right item, we just click to add it to the order without having to copy codes onto an email or read them out over the phone.  We use it as our first port of call now to find items.

However, there is something about flicking through a catalogue that just can't be replaced by technology.  You're much more likely to spot those gems you didn't know the name for or didn't even know they existed, but they are exactly what you need!  There are things in there that you had no idea you could order from your stationery supplier but now you know, its a lot easier than having to put through a specific procurement request to use a one off suppler.

So here's a few bits and bobs that you might not have spotted if you only deal with the website:

Velos Eyeletter 950 20220049 Parallel action mechanism for punching and eyeleting, ideal for binding documents, presentation folders and D.I.Y. applications. First, punch the hole then place and clinch the eyelet. Extra eyelets available all 4.7mm diameter.	Pentel Chalk Marker Chisel Tip Pack of 7 Assorted SMW26/7  Pentel Chalk Markers have a liquid chalk formula which imitates real chalk, but has a far superior performance and is ideal for use on blackboards, whiteboards, glass, ceramic, metal and non-porous surfaces. Assorted Colours.
Chartwell Watershed Book 6x4 inches Ruled Red 2291  Chartwell Watershed Waterproof Ruled Book. Specially designed books for the most demanding environments. Features synthetic, tear resistant, waterproof paper, wirebound with a tough plastic cover which is impervious to water and chemicals. 101x156mm.	Leitz Rapid Sure Ring Reinforcer 25100411 Rapid Hole Reinforcer. Provides extra strength to papers kept in binders. Simply press the stamp over your punched hole for instant reinforcement. Automatic hole alignment. for perfect placement. Easy refill, just press the side button to reload.
HP Iron-On Transfer A4 Pack of 12 170gsm C6050A HP Iron-on Transfers. Iron-on, cool peel transfers make it easy for you to design your own T-Shirts, caps, bags - just about anything you can iron! C6050A A4 to fit Deskjet 600/700/800 series 170gsm. Pack 10.	Motorola Talker T60 Two Way Radio MR446 radios - license free. Up to 8km range (subject to terrain and conditions). Free Calls. Rechargeable NiMH batteries (supplied). 8 channels + 121 codes. Scan/Monitor. 5 Call Tones. Room monitor. Single Pin Headset Connector. LCD display with backlight.
Wallace Cameron Alcosense Breathalyser 5001113 Alcosense Breathalyser, Twin Pack 5001113. Can be used to test multiple times or several people accurately in a short period of time. Accurate. Quick results. Easy to use. Compact and sleek design. Low cost and reusable. Easy cleaning and maintenance.	Defibtech Lifeline AED Defibrillator Semi-automatic Portable Ref 5001112 Lifeline AED defibrillator, simple to use for non-medical personnel and is now becoming standard equipment for schools, offices, shops, shopping centres, sports centres and public places.

If you would like a copy of the old fashioned paper catalogue, give us a ring on 01924 233 770 or email info@scorpio-uk.com.

World Cup Fever Hits Scorpio Offices

 The England flag is flying in the window of the Scorpio offices..

715.1 million people were estimated to have been watching the 2010 World Cup.  I’ll be honest I wasn’t one of them.  Football really isn’t my thing.  I am, however, very excited about the World Cup this year.  We’re running a sweepstake in the office and I’m feeling lucky!  I’ve drawn Mexico and Italy.  Watch this space for a surprise World Cup winner this year!

Lucky Diane in the Warehouse Dispatch Team drew England so she’ll not have any problems finding people to cheer with her.  I can’t help feeling a bit sorry for James from the Sales Team who was incredibly excited about the sweepstake.  He’s looking a little disappointed with his draw of USA and Honduras.. Like I say, I’m not an expert on football but I googled the odds and Honduras is 4,000/1.  I can see why he’s looking a little bit glum!

Generacide

A proprietary eponym, or to use its more ordinary name, generic trademark, is a brand name or trade-mark which has fallen into common use.  The world of office supplies is full of them.

We have all sorts difficulties here at Scorpio with a customer asking for the cheapest version of Blue-Tac, Jiffy Bags or Sellotape, to name a few.  When you have a very strong trade name, you tend to find companies have to be quite diverse in finding ways to describe similar products, knowing that their customers are just going to call them by their major competitor’s brand names regardless.  Search on our system for Post-It and you will only get 3M Branded Post-It notes.  If we want to find an alternative brand, we have to search for repositionable, sticky, self adhesive, removable, or quick notes.

And if you want to find cheaper, non branded alternatives to some of the generic trademarks, here are some suggestions to try in the search box:

Sellotape	Sticky tape, clear tape, transparent tape, adhesive tape, Polypropylene tape
Bubblewrap	Bubble film, bubble roll, bubble pack, bubble wrap
Post-it	Repositionable notes, sticky notes, self adhesive notes, removable notes, quick notes
Tipp-ex	Correction pen, correction roller, correction tape, correction fluid, cover-u-p, cover up, corrector
Biro	Ballpoint, ballpen, ball pen
Jiffy bag	Padded bag, padded envelope, padded mail sack, bubble envelope, postal bag, protective mailer, bubble bag, protective envelope
Blue-Tac	Reusable adhesive, re-usable tack, sticky tac, repositionable tack, adhesive putty