ETD: 887 Salesman Software Applications; Need software
solution; High Court Bars State Limits On Direct Shipment of Wines
E-Tailer's Digest
etd_post at gapent.com
Tue May 17 01:32:00 GMT 2005
E-Tailer's Digest --- Everything for the Retailer
Issue #0887 May 17, 2005
George Matyjewicz, Moderator mailto:georgem at gapent.com
Published by: GAP Enterprises, Ltd. http://www.etailersdigest.com
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CONTENTS
[1] Greetings
[2] Salesman Software Applications
[3] Need software solution
[4] High Court Bars State Limits On Direct Shipment of Wines
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[1] Greetings.
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Hi All:
Thanks to our list members who gave us some input on software applications
from our last issue. Interesting stuff.
Speaking of software, how to you record orders at trade shows? Are you
handling them manually, or do you have a software application? I have some
thoughts and would like some feedback.
The U.S. Supreme Court has banned state limits on direct shipment of
wines. Which means wine can now cross state boundaries. This could be a
new market for you.
Tell us about your business, which will remain for posterity at
our "Members: Who Are You?" site. This is a courtesy to our members who
contribute to our forum, and not merely a way to advertise for
free. Anything to do with the retail world, i.e., supplier, retailer,
consulting, etc. http://etailersdigest.com/resources/members/index.htm And
we have a form there for you to tell us about you. As I said when I first
proposed this idea, we have "known" each other for a long time, yet we
often don't know anything about each other. So, tell us who you are and
what you do.
Now, let's get to everything for the retailer.
Sincerely
George Matyjewicz, PhD
Chief Global Strategist, GAP Enterprises, Ltd.
mailto:georgem at gapent.com
http://www.etailersdigest.com
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[2] Salesman Software Applications
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I was working with a client today and we got to discussing trade shows,
market week and how sales people take orders at these shows. The typical
way is the write the orders on a multi-part form, give a copy to the buyer,
and take the other copies back to the office where they are entered into
the computer.
I suggested they use a PDA or a tablet notebook. With the former, then can
also scan the products on display, and print a small order (like what you
receive when you rent a car). With tablet, the application can duplicate
what they have now, and, when attached to a printer can print a full-sized
order. I suggested they setup a wireless network which should be able to
access the Internet, whereby they can transmit orders back to the office.
The amount of time savings using this concept is quite high, not to mention
the efficiencies with the order process and the professionalism with the
customers.
Does anybody use such an application? If so, who wrote it and how do you
like it?
George
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[3] Need software solution
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George wrote...
>We have begun a major project with a client, part of which includes new
IT. We will
>be reorganizing their processes and procedures in all areas of the
business (they are
>an apparel company) - order processing, inventory, sales, administration,
accounting,
>operations, warehouse distribution, EDI and manufacturing. Then we will
be issuing an
>RFP for a new IT solution, which we will also implement at the client,
since it will be
>with new processes and procedures.
It is outside of what we do but I appreciate you showing it to me.
I have been meaning to talk to you at some point on a different subject. We
have made great strides with our totally integrated Internet web store
product called "i.STAR". We are 6 years into it now and over half the new
system orders we get from retailers are being sold because they want i.STAR
and a totally integrated solution. Orders for i.STAR have really picked
up. Today we signed Coors Brewing company for their retail operation and
new webstore. We are working on bringing our price point down to something
that will have mass appeal and giving away the back office software as we
do now for the smallest retailers. We want to let them build a site and
publish it (non-live) for free, taking all the risk out of it. They
wouldn't pay until they went live. What makes us unique is that we are one
company that offers everything a web retailer needs in a totally integrated
solution without pushing them to any 3rd parties. (web store software,
back office software, accounting software, POS software, graphic design,
credit card processing, leasing, consulting... have I left anything
out?). We design the back office and the webstore software together. We
control all the pieces. The key is no 3rd parties.
We are well positioned with $19M in the bank, no debt and a huge customer
base. When we started i.STAR in 1999 broadband wasn't where it needed to
be and more importantly our customers really were not ready to go to the
web, much less succeed at it. But we stayed with it, realizing the day
would come when our technology challenged customers (or at least some)
would eventually begin to figure it out and see the need. We are there (or
close) and we have an awesome product that we are in the process of scaling
both up and down. I am wondering if there might be a time when I could
talk to you about this. You have been doing this a long time and I would
love to get your insights on the market and where you see the opportunity
as well as who is failing and who is making it in the market we are looking
at (on the vendor side).
Best regards,
Geoff Knapp
CAM Commerce Solutions
http://www.camcommerce.com/
+++ [Moderator's Comments] +++
Sounds very good Geoff. You guys have come a long way over the
years. I'll be glad to talk to you this week. I'd like to learn more
about iStar.
George
+++ [Next Post] +++
I had contact, a million years ago, with an excellent Montreal-based
company that sold a softgoods manufacturing system that was excellent. The
software is called Momentis and the company is Oasis (I think). Anyhow, a
little bit of research will get you to their website. The principals are
Ketty Munk and Jeff Payne. The system was impressive in its ability to
monitor all facets of domestic and foreign softgoods manufacturing as well
as subsidiary sub-contracting and related component supply issues. They
were good people, give them a call. By the way, they were linked at one
time with our POS friends at STS. In my consulting days, I saw a million
manufacturing packages but few softgoods ones that were comprehensive.
In my quick research I located an interesting website that seems to have
most of the players in one spot.
http://www.180systems.com/manufacturing-software.php
Hope this helps,
joe dweck
+++ [Moderator's Comments] +++
Thanks Joe. I remember Momentis - they are our of Montreal. Oasis is one
of their clients. The company is Momentis.
http://www.momentis.com/
And thanks for the other excellent resource.
George
+++ [Next Post] +++
I would recommend that you speak with Uri Estrin at Estrin Technologies
about this apparel industry project. I am very impressed with Estrin's
cutting-edge apparel solutions and Uri Estrin's in-depth knowledge of the
technical needs of the apparel industry.
<Marty gave his telephone # (NYC#) and e-address>
Best regards,
Marty Brill
President
Sweetwater Consulting Inc.
201-459-9115
+++ [Moderator's Comments] +++
Thanks Marty. The problem is they are located in Johannesburg, South
Africa. Uri is the COO.
http://www.estrin.co.za/contact.htm
I understand they are opening a NYC office.
George
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[4] High Court Bars State Limits On Direct Shipment of Wines
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Wine lovers may buy directly from out-of-state vineyards, the Supreme Court
ruled Monday, striking down laws banning a practice that has flourished
because of the Internet and growing popularity of winery tours.
The 5-4 decision overturns laws in New York and Michigan that make it a
crime to buy wine directly from vineyards in another state. In all, 24
states have laws that bar interstate shipments.
The state bans are discriminatory and anticompetitive, the court said.
"States have broad power to regulate liquor," Justice Anthony Kennedy wrote
for the majority. "This power, however, does not allow states to ban, or
severely limit, the direct shipment of out-of-state wine while
simultaneously authorizing direct shipment by in-state producers."
The upshot of Monday's ruling is that 24 state legislatures must now change
their wine shipping laws so that they are not discriminating against
wineries on the basis of their location. The process can take time -- even
a few years -- as the various players in the wine industry lobby for bills
that reflect their own interests. As of today, the ruling doesn't change
any actual laws, and no consumers are yet drinking wine that they could get
before.
Still, vintners were hopeful the ruling would uncork new markets.
"It will definitely expand sales opportunities and, just as importantly,
expand the reputation of New York wines because now people around the
country will finally be able to get them,'' said Jim Trezise, president of
the New York Wine & Grape Foundation.
The wine industry is booming, with an estimated $21.6 billion in sales and
tourists flocking to wineries for tastings and tours. Monday's decision was
expected to resonate throughout California's wine country, especially for
vintners too small to elbow their way on to supermarket shelves.
Details at...
http://online.wsj.com/article/0,,SB111625232721734572,00.html
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