Rentmaker (www.rentmaker.com) matches people looking to rent equipment with rental companies. To use the service, log onto the site and click "Submit a Request." Then fill out a form telling what type of equipment you need, the start and end dates for the rental, when you need the quotes, where you're located, and how far afield you're willing to look. The make and model can also be specified.

The system returns a list of stores near you that rent the equipment. You have the option to exclude certain stores from the bidding before you send the bid request. It's then up to the stores to respond to your quote. Once you receive quotes, you contact the winning bidder directly.

At press time, the service was free to both renters and rental stores. However, the company does note that it is looking at ways to make the site self-sustaining, probably by charging a fee to service providers.

Winco Identification Corp. is now offering its catalog of automatic identification and labeling systems at www.WincoID.com. According to Winco, products from all major bar code manufacturers, including Symbol Technologies, Datamax, Zebra, and Intermec are available there, as are Winco's own labeling, scanning, and software products. Users can locate products by manufacturer name, product type, product name, or product number.

Winco notes that many items include product descriptions, specifications, and pictures. According to company president Dave McCullough, "Businesses today don't have time to jump from one Web site to another to research or order products. We give our customers the opportunity to do it all in one place, thus saving valuable time."

Repeat customers can further save time when reordering via the company's Loyal Customer section. And McCullough notes that Winco offers discounts. Second-day air delivery is provided free of charge for all hardware.

The company's eCommerce Coordinator, Sharon Bisson, will assist with customer purchases and online set up if needed. Purchases can be made by credit card; pre-approved customers may use traditional invoicing methods.