Virginia Beach, VA - Channel Blade Technologies, formerly BoatVentures, has announced the adoption of its new name to better describe the scope of the company's business after a management buy-out from The Reynolds and Reynolds Company, which operated it since 2002. Financial terms were not disclosed.

Channel Blade, named for the company's sharp focus on the entire distribution channel of its clients, provides dealers and OEMs with the technology, tools, and training to drive customers visiting their web site to the showroom and to the sale. The company connects customers directly to manufacturers and dealers through branded-flow web site development and customer relationship management (CRM) tools. Last year Channel Blade Technologies generated close to 1 billion hits and over 200,000 unique customer leads for its clients. The company also provides turnkey database design, applications development, and hosting services, but is best known for its development of Branded Flow Technology¿ and the Footsteps¿ lead management program.

"We're expanding the OEM's and dealer's client base while improving profitability, efficiency, and customer satisfaction online," says Chuck Lewis, executive vice president of sales and marketing. "Plus, real-time reporting tools enable our clients to see what a dramatic impact our web-based platforms and CRM tools are having on their bottom line."

Channel Blade Technologies currently serves the Marine, Powersports, and RV industries, but plans to significantly expand its e-business scope in the future. The management team of Channel Blade Technologies consists of former partners of BoatVentures, who continued to manage the company after it was purchased in 2002 by Reynolds and Reynolds.

"Throughout the history of our company - from BoatVentures, to Reynolds and Reynolds, and now to Channel Blade Technologies - we've remained the same people with the same passion for driving our clients' profitability," said Mike Adams, executive vice president of operations. "They can count on us to provide the same reliable service while taking their businesses to the next level."

Major Channel Blade clients include industry giants such as Sea Ray Boats, Bayliner Boats, Trophy Sportfishing Boats, Maxum Boats, Meridian Yachts, Tracker Marine Group brands, Baja Marine, MasterCraft Boat Company, Tracker Marine Boat Centers, Honda Motorcycle dealers, Penske Corporation, MarineMax, Olympic Boat Centers, Link Rec, Surfside 3 Marina, Skipper Marine, Colony Marine, Rick Case Honda, Cope & McPhetres Marine, and Daytona Harley Davidson.