The software enables our dealers to place orders and to customize their own Web storefronts. It is all integrated into our database here in Ames.

There are now Web sites that sell directly to the grower. This bypasses the distribution chain that makes up our core business.

Our business puts us right in the middle of the supply chain for agricultural chemical parts -- things like sprayers, pumps, and meters.

This gives the dealer a line of defense against Internet brokers. We launched the site in mid-January, and we now have 250 cash-and-carry stores signed up.

Sun is ill equipped to be the low-cost hardware provider. It's the right move to move towards software.

The software business is increasingly important for Sun. I do anticipate they'll continue to make acquisitions there. That needs to be part of the strategy.