RALSTON USING NEW SOFTWARE TO SHARE DATA

JOHN KAROLEFSKI

ST. LOUIS -- Ralston Foods here has selected Marketing Management Inc., Fort Worth, Texas, as the first broker to receive marketing information using a new software program. Ralston, a subsidiary of Ralcorp Holdings, began sharing information with MMI this month. The program, called Lotus Notes, provides data on products, markets and case sales. Ralston has been using the system for two years. Lotus Notes is an information processing software package that can be used for storing and sharing information along vast computer networks, and providing an electronic mail system as well. "We see an opportunity here to be able to streamline communications, and to open up new worlds as far as communications and information flow to Ralston Foods, its brokers and, ultimately, our customers in the process," said Bill Antoskiewicz, director of sales and operations in customer development for Ralston. The program allows every employee at MMI to have immediate access to information on companies, suppliers and customers, according to MMI's personal computer manager, Richard Hill. "It's something that proves invaluable to any company in need of distributing or sharing information. And now that we will have access to even more information through Ralston Foods, the possibilities are endless," he said. Ralston and MMI executives are pleased with the information sharing program and its potential to improve business. "I think it's crucial," said Antoskiewicz, "from the standpoint of trying to continue to develop our partnership and working toward our ultimate goal -- serving our customers."

Frank Familiari, MMI vice president of information technology, said, "MMI's willingness to invest in this kind of technology only goes to show that this company is planning for the future, and looking out for the very people MMI was set up to serve -- its clients."