31 replies to this topic

[Chris Miller]

Any suggestions? We run a very fast paced online distributorship and we deal with 100+ orders a month, and at least the same amount of quotes. We need something that 4+ people can be in and out of all day, that will run on a mac, and help us stay on top of all aspects of the business. We've looked at the online solution, OrderMotion, but the cost is $500+ per month and I could do a custom solution for less than that. DC has been ok, but it's too clunky to allow 4 employees to be as productive as we need to be.

Essentially this thing needs to be accounting + order management + customer relationship management. I'm willing to spend the money, but we have to own it. Does anyone know what suppliers are using? We need something like that because we operate more like a supplier than a distributor.

I looked at essent... windows only.

I remember an online thing called "zebra" years ago but cannot find it.

I am waiting on a friend to get back to me about a filemaker solution. This sounds like a good bet but I want to consider all options.

Thanks in advance!

[idelements]

From what I remember in my recent research on an order management system, many suppliers use ProfitMaker by ASI Computer Systems (no connection with ASI). I was very impressed with the program. I looked at Essent also, but it was way over the top for our needs.

[Chris Miller]

Yea I don't doubt ASI has a great program, but being mac based we are limited.

I refuse to use emulator programs to run windows for such a key part of our business.

[bigimpression]

Chris I think it is Xebra - See below for link...

[bigimpression]

http://www.xebra.com/promo.htm

[Chris Miller]

Thanks, Ryan. That is it!

[bigimpression]

As an alternative you may want to look into software like Mail Order Manager or Stone Edge.

[Chris Miller]

I did look into MoM.... about the same as OrderMotion in terms of price. I think like a capitalist and would rather own the system than rent it. Similar systems could be built for what it would cost after 1 year of using one of the prebuilt systems.

Hadn't heard of Stone Edge.. will look into it.

Thanks again.

[bigimpression]

I agree. I'd rather own that pay monthly. Good luck with your search!

[epicemb]

I looked at a large number of options a couple of years back - all of the options that I looked at were more geared towards apparel, but after looking at about 20 different packages I decided to rethink things and be a little less ambitious - currently we run everything using Quickbooks Premiere with 2 workstations. It does about 75% of what I wanted, but I found with all of the other solutions I was going to have to do things very differently.

If you look to build your own solution I'd recommend looking at Filemaker as a platform - over the years I have worked a couple of places that have used it for different custom apps and I have always been amazed at how well it works.

[LogoSteve]

http://www.shopworx....onsiteindex.htm

I have heard good things about this software...

Steve Gaither
LogoSteve.com

[LogoSteve]

I have copied and pasted some "overview" info...
OnSite is a completely integrated business management tool designed specifically for screen printers, embroiderers, promotional product distributors, award manufacturers and digital printers. We designed OnSite after owning our own shop for 10 years. This knowledge and experience with the industry has gone into all of the ShopWorks products.

OnSite manages every aspect of your business …not just accounting. All the functions and departments of your company are integrated into a single product. OnSite is a multi-user database that runs over your existing network. Because it is a client-server application, it is fast and allows multiple users to use your system simultaneously. All information is real-time…changes made by one employee are immediately seen by others.What does OnSite do?
OnSite is designed to be a turnkey solution for running your business. Specific functions include:

Sales Functions

1. Prospect Management2. Customer Management3. Quotes4. Sales Orders5. Order Status

Production Functions

6. Purchasing and Inventory7. Production Scheduling8. Design Management9. Receiving10. Production Management11. Shipping

Accounting Functions

12. Invoicing13. Receivables Management14. Vendor Invoices15. Payables Management16. General Ledger17. Financial Statements Why use OnSite instead of QuickBooks?
QuickBooks is an accounting program. OnSite, is a complete business solution that combines accounting power with tools that help you proactively manage your business.
QuickBooks is designed to be used by all businesses. The philosophy is that all businesses need only a single, generic software solution. OnSite is designed specifically for this industry. The philosophy is that tools designed specifically for this industry are going to do a better job in helping you manage your business.
How much of your day do you really spend doing "accounting"...20-30%? In this industry, most of your time is spent on managing work in progress. Entering sales orders, doing quotes and checking on job status.

OnSite is designed from the ground up to address these parts of your day, AS WELL AS the accounting! QuickBooks or other accounting packages are never going to do a good job of managing the jobs you are working on right now.

OnSite vs QuickBooks Whitepaper A comparison between OnSite and the worlds best-selling software package. See what OnSite can do for your business that an accounting package will never be able to do.

How easy is it to use?
OnSite is designed BY our industry FOR our industry. We owned a shop for 10 years before designing OnSite, so we understand what you go through on a daily basis. The program has been designed to be easy to use and easy to train employees on. It is true Windows software, and the interface is very intuitive.
What kind of computers do I need?
OnSite runs on both the Windows and Macintosh platforms. If you have more than 2 users (it runs over your network so people can be using it at the same time), than you will also need a Windows NT server for storing the data.
Click here for more information on hardware and software requirements.

Is training available?
Yes. You have the option of using our CD based tutorial training, or having a trainer come to your place of business for as much training is necessary. Most of our customers elect for 2 days of on-site training. The choice is yours. One to two times per year, we also have a ShopWorks University somewhere around the country. This is an opportunity for you and your staff to get additional training on specific functions, and to meet other ShopWorks users.

How much does OnSite cost?
OnSite runs over your computer network. Overall price depends on the number of users that you license. Click here for complete pricing information.
How can I find out more?
There are a few different ways you can find out more about ShopWorks OnSite:
1. Use this web site to view the OnSite Desktop2. Request a demo that will show you how to use OnSite 3. See us at a trade show or contact us to have a personal demonstration.

[HeyBrakes]

We've used Lakeshore Group for over 15 years. I'm not sure if they are also MAC-capable, but the system is enormously robust (they have both distributor and supplier versions) and cost-effective.

More than that, they are REALLY nice folks. Call Betty or Bob Klenke and tell them Phil referred you. (224) 292-7422

[HeyBrakes]

Hey Allan,

I'm not sure I can give you an "apples to apples" answer on the the current ASI versus Lakeshore systems. I decided to use Lakeshore about 15 years ago following lots of research into other systems, including ASI's, but haven't revisited any the contenders since then.

The reason I chose Lakeshore back then was that it worked! At the time, ASI's system was elementary at best, and subject to frequent crashes. I also questioned the dollar value back then...the ASI system was just another category they could market, and based on what they charged for other "services", I suspected there was a ton of fat in its system cost. Business systems software/hardware is all that Lakeshore sold. It was their specialty.

Besides Lakeshore easily accomodating any system needs we have, I have always been blown away by their cooperation and willingness to quickly find an answer to any wrinkle we throw at them.

We asked for a separate company we started to be added to the system, and we came up with a HUGE (at that time) need for points redemption/tracking/reporting for a sports organization customer, and Lakeshore ended up understanding what we needed better than either the client or ourselves, and wrote a program that made life easy for us all.

They also have lent me (overnighted to me) a server when ours was being upgraded.

8K is a lot of money, but if I was making the decision, I'd go with Lakeshore even if it was a 10K difference. I don't EVER have to worry about being out of business, for any reason, with those guys.

And the fact that I can tease Bob Klenke about his perfect suit and immaculate haircut is worth big bucks to me.......

[admaven5050]

I use OrderMaster on a PC. I'm not sure if they have a MAC version. They can be rached at 800-588-9220. They'll be happy to send you an evaluation copy of their software.
They have excellent support. The help menus pop up for every function and best of all the price to buy and own the system is very reasonable. They also exhibit at the PPAI show in Vegas.

[gil levitch]

idelements said:

From what I remember in my recent research on an order management system, many suppliers use ProfitMaker by ASI Computer Systems (no connection with ASI). I was very impressed with the program. I looked at Essent also, but it was way over the top for our needs.

ASI Computer Systems is owned lock stock and barrel by ASI in Philadelphia.

[agreenspan]

Hi,

I used to do a lot of work for my family's promotional products business (a distributor, not a supplier), and I ended up writing a system of my own with their needs in mind. It's called Exponent, and since it's entirely web-based it runs on PC and Mac with no problem. You can find out more here:

http://www.thinkcomp...enterprise.html

Feel free to let me know if you have any questions.

Aaron

[VickieD]

For Aaron: why is your keenepromotions.com website just like Chris' dynamicpromotions.com website except for the color scheme? Just curious.

Also, has anyone looked at BizWizard for order management?