MANAGEMENT SOFTWARE REVIEW: Wendell August on Terno Velocity

Wendell August purchased the Terno Velocity product from Boardman, OH-based Terno & Associates in January 1999, with the majority of its installations occurring in August 1999. The Grove City, OH-based cataloger uses an Intel/Unix platform to run the program.

Wendell August paid approximately $250,000 for the entire system, which includes hardware, installation, and training. The base catalog management system, however, runs about $35,000 with an initial license for eight users. Wendell August has 70 users.

Strengths: “The major strength of Terno Velocity is its adaptability to meet our multiple marketing needs. Our business is unique and specialized, with a high demand for customization. [The cataloger uses the centuries-old techniques of European metalsmiths to make hand-hammered metal giftware, such as plaques, awards, and corporate gifts.] For instance, Terno Velocity has a robust forecasting system that helps with our manufacturing for the catalog business. The system helps us determine when the orders will start coming in once the catalog drops. Terno Velocity also has the capability for each department head to check on each area within the business at a glance. And the system has year-to-date comparisons for the business.”

Weaknesses: “Terno & Associates is slow billing us on occasion, if you can count that as a weakness.”

Problems/limitations: “We haven’t experienced any problems or limitations beyond the normal debugging process.”

Training: “Training is somewhat complicated because of the complexity of this software, especially for our employees learning a new system. But the training provided by Terno & Associates was timely and expert. On a scale of one to 10, I would rate the training a seven.”

Vendor support: “We have required very little vendor support since installing the system. With rare exception, customer service calls are answered promptly and courteously, and the technical person can typically answer the question without a call back.”

Software flexibility: “The system is fast and accurate. We have been able to interface successfully with other systems, such as package carrier United Parcel Service’s system. In the future, we will examine how well Terno Velocity works with an e-commerce provider. We haven’t yet been able to test the system beyond its capability.”

Overall rank: “I would rate the Terno Velocity product a nine.”