Just as direct-to-customer software has become a mature product, the recession is causing slower sales, fewer installations, and layoffs and reorganizations at a number of companies.
Recessions do make prices more negotiable, allowing catalog companies that are well financed or choose to lease to make opportunistic buys. While stand-alone forecasting and inventory management systems may cost $100,000 or more, improvements in sales, better inventory turnover, and reduced costs for backorders, can provide a 12- to 24-month payback.
More vendors now offer PC-based systems, and vendors that have historically served large catalogs are now attempting to sell to smaller businesses. Leading WMS providers have interfaced to DTC systems for a number of years; now WMS vendors are developing software on smaller, PC-based platforms.
Curt Barry is president of F. Curtis Barry & Company, a consultancy specializing in direct-to-customer software selection and implementation; fulfillment strategies; design of distribution centers; and benchmarking. Contact him at (804) 740-8743, or by e-mail at [email protected]. www.fcbco.com.
PC Server Systems
Cole Systems
7280 W. Palmetto Park Road, Suite 302
Boca Raton, FL 33433
2002 enhancements: ColePOS is tied seamlessly to the catalog system and offers a fully integrated solution to multichannel companies
Users: Blissworld Llc., LaSenza International Inc., SpeedFC.com, Giorgio Armani
Contact: Tod Fox, Executive V.P., Sales & Marketing
Phone: (877) 477-COLE Fax: (561) 620-8653
E-mail: [email protected]
Internet: www.colesystems.com
CoLinear Systems Inc.
4343 Shallowford Road, Suite H-7
Marietta, GA 30062
2002 enhancements: Support for multiple warehouses; interfaces to most major Windows-based accounting packages; CTI; fractional inventory
Users: National Allergy Supply, Wine of the Month Club, Crafts Americana Group, J. Marco Galleries
Contact: Alicia Den Beste
Phone: (800) 265-4632 Fax: (800) 800-6988
E-mail: [email protected]
Internet: www.colinear.com
Dydacomp Development Corp.
11-D Commerce Way
Totowa, NJ 07512
2002 enhancements: Advanced address management for standard mail; USPS third-party shipping integration; customization to SiteLink (e-commerce module); advanced inventory, receiving, and purchasing features
Users: Fairytale Brownies, R.C. Bigelow Tea Inc., Yankee Candle Co., New York Mets
Contact: Robert Coon, V.P., Sales & Marketing
Phone: (800) 858-3666 Fax: (973) 237-9043
E-mail: [email protected]
Internet: www.dydacomp.com
Morgan CustomSoft Inc.
P.O. Box 441162
Kennesaw, GA 30160
2002 enhancements: WYSIWYG forms; rate shopping; LIFO/FIFO inventory; TAPI interface
Users: ICM Corporation, Renton Western Wear, Pegasus Auto Racing, Postal Products, ABDI International
Contact: Mark Morgan, President
Phone: (770) 422-1300 Fax: (773) 377-5049
E-mail: [email protected]
Internet: www.mcsiworld.com
Morse Data Corporation
559 Central Avenue, 2nd Floor
Dover, NH 03820
2002 enhancements: Real-time rate shopping; Internet credit card authorization; additional accounting modules
Users: National Park Service, Hickory Farms, New Readers Press, International Bible Society, Spirituality.com
Contact: Drew LeFleur, Marketing Representative
Phone: (603) 742-2500 Fax: (603) 742-8178
E-mail: [email protected]
Internet: www.morsedata.com
Rigden Inc.
3090 Sterling Circle, Suite 200
Boulder, CO 80301
2002 enhancements: Full integration to Vendere (e-commerce module); inventory forecasting; enhanced database marketing features
Users: Metropolitan Opera Guild, Alaskan Harvest, Cobra Electronics, Serrv International
Contact: James Jobson
Phone: (303) 442-8190, X108 Fax: (303) 442-8686
E-mail: [email protected]
Internet: www.rigden.com
Tamalpais Technologies
99 Mariners Circle, #200
Tiburon, CA 94920
2002 enhancements: Interface with Great Plains and MAS90 accounting systems
Users: As We Change, Hadley Fruit Orchards, Dancing Dragons Design
Contact: Michael Meinberg
Phone: (415) 927-0333 Fax: (415) 927-4619
E-mail: [email protected]
Internet: www.ordermatepro.com
Terno & Associates Inc.
755 Boardman-Canfield Road, Suite N2
Boardman, OH 44512
2002 enhancements: Enhanced Web and automated e-mail functions; improved automatic PO generation. Call or go online for latest developments.
Users: Faith Mountain Company, Cuddledown of Maine, Venus Swimwear, Wendell August Forge, Chinaberry
Contact: Jeff Moliterno, President
Phone: (330) 629-7004 Fax: (330) 629-7585
E-mail: [email protected]
Internet: www.terno.com
UNIX Systems
Avexxis
30 Avon Meadow Lane
Avon, CT 06001
2002 enhancements: A choice of character front end throughout the application; enhanced Web interface; rapid data conversion process; call center interface
Users: Recovery Sales Corporation, Geerlings and Wade, Vermont Teddy Bear, Federated Department Stores
Contact: Craig Radocy, Director of Operations
Phone: (860) 676-9006, X805 Fax: (860) 677-2176
E-mail: [email protected]
Internet: www.avexxis.com
Data Management Associates Inc.
4000 Executive Park Drive, Suite 101
Cincinnati, OH 45241
2002 enhancements: Enhanced GUI; telephony integration; foreign currency; data mining interface; expanded BOM/MRP module
Users: Sportsmans’ Market, Ralph Malby’s Golfworks, Lady Grace Stores, Creative Irish Gifts, Revival Animal Health
Contact: Larry Maher, V.P., Sales and Marketing
Phone: (513) 563-7300 Fax: (513) 563-7301
E-mail: [email protected]
Internet: www.dmasales.com
Datamann Inc.
1994 Hatford Avenue
Wilder, VT 05088
2002 enhancements: Expanded single base with continued client-driven enhancements; open warehouse in addition to zone/location multi-warehouse structure; expanded B-to-B interaction with accounting functionality
Users: Call for users list.
Contact: Andrew Warner; John Mann
Phone: (800) 451-4263 Fax: (802) 296-3623
E-mail: [email protected]
Internet: www.datamann.com
Page Digital Inc.
6450 S. Revere Parkway
Englewood, CO 80111
2002 enhancements: Java tool-set for user-defined user interface; new applications
Users: IBM, Lands’ End Corporate Sales, FAO Schwarz, Michaels Stores, Hershey
Contact: Renee Bluechel, Corporate Communications
Phone: (800) 569-1122 Fax: (303) 754-4995
E-mail: [email protected]
Internet: www.pagedigital.com
Retek Inc.
950 Nicollet Mall
Minneapolis, MN 55403
2002 enhancements: Enterprise integration through EAI (Retek integration bus); multi-brand customer database; multi-enterprise workflow (supplier/participant collaboration); cross-channel promotion and pricing
Users: Williams-Sonoma, NEXCOM (Navy Exchange), Jungle OnLine, CBS.Sportsline.com, Shop at Home
Contact: Brian Dean
Phone: (612) 587-5000 Fax: (612) 587-5100
E-mail: [email protected]
Internet: www.retek.com
Sigma Micro
6720 Parkdale Place
Indianapolis, IN 46254
2002 enhancements: Please call or go online for latest developments.
Users: Sears Roebuck & Co., Foot Locker, Johnston & Murphy, Lands’ End International, Woodcraft Supply
Contact: Jeff Long, Sales Manager
Phone: (800) 227-4462 Fax: (317) 631-6585
E-mail: [email protected]
Internet: www.sigma-micro.com
Proprietary Software Systems
Applied Systems Technologies Inc. (ASTi)
809 Garrison Avenue, P.O. Box 6317
Fort Smith, AK 72906-6317
2002 enhancements: Browser-based system
Users: Cassette Productions Unlimited, The Good Catalog Company, Bachrach, Crown City Hardware
Contact: Larry Graves
Phone: (479) 783-9612 Fax: (479) 783-9192
E-mail: [email protected]
Internet: www.asti-solutions.com
Cayenta
57 West 200 South, Suite 500
Salt Lake City, UT 84101
2002 enhancements: Gift list functionality; retail store locator; flexible/variable kits for configurable items
Users: Dean & Deluca, Franklin Covey, Kenneth Cole, 800.com, Icon Health & Fitness
Contact: Tony Knowlton, Inside Sales Manager
Phone: (800) 732-0136 Fax: (801) 355-7720
E-mail: [email protected]
Internet: www.cayenta.com
CommercialWare
24 Prime Park Way, Cochituate Place
Natick, MA 01760
2002 enhancements: Collaborate.dot.commerce w/enhanced store fulfillment; role-based security; buy-side POs; retail.dot.commerce w/e-mail management; enhanced forecasting and B-to-B features; extended analytics.dot.commerce datamart w/all enterprise data in single structure
Users: Target Direct, Disney, J. Jill, Abercrombie & Fitch, Starbucks, The U.S. Mint
Contact: Wynn Grubbs, V.P., Sales & Marketing
Phone: (508) 655-7500 Fax: (508) 647-9495
E-mail: [email protected]
Internet: www.commercialware.com
Computer Solutions
6187 NW 167th Street, Suite H-33
Miami Lakes, FL 33317
2002 enhancements: Integrated POS; comprehensive RF material movement for the ORDER POWER! warehouse module; work orders; enhanced desktop integration
Users: REI, U.S. Navy, Toastmaster, Gannett Direct Marketing, Kable News
Contact: Ernie Smith, Vice President
Phone: (305) 558-7000 Fax: (305) 557-0003
E-mail: [email protected]
Internet: www.orderpower.com
Ecometry Corporation
1615 South Congress Avenue
Delray Beach, FL 33445-6368
2002 enhancements: Voice integration; standard XML interfaces for warehouse management systems; financial and retail systems — new POS system
Users: Coldwater Creek, Nordstrom.com, Hickory Farms, Time-Life, Hammacher Schlemmer
Contact: Les Johnson, Director of Sales Operations
Phone: (561) 265-2700 Fax: (561) 454-4800
E-mail: [email protected]
Internet: www.ecometry.com
SVI Retail
19800 MacArthur Boulevard, 12th Floor
Irvine, CA 92612
2002 enhancements: Improved Web site integration using MQ Series and XML; multichannel CRM integration
Users: Smith & Hawken, Signet, Academy Sports and Outdoors
Contact: Carrie Sorrento
Phone: (949) 476-2212 Fax: (949) 476-0177
E-mail: [email protected]
Internet: www.svisolutions.com
| Company System Name |
Date Started | Total Installations |
Computer Platform |
Operating Software |
Programming Language |
Database Software |
Total Staff | Price for 15 Users |
Price for 50 Users |
Price for 100 Users |
Annual Maintenance Fee |
Warehouse Management System Interfaces |
Integrated E-Commerce Module |
Compatible Web Tools Used |
Manifesting System Interfaces |
Integrated Accounting Interfaces |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| ASTi Direct Marketing Management System (DMMS) |
1993 | 13 | AS/400 | OS/400 | RPG/400, Java | DB2/400 | 19 | $65,000 | $150,000 | $260,000 | 5×8: 15% 7×24: 18% |
Yes, integrated and interfaced to PkMS | Yes | Yes, Lotus Domino and custom tools | Pfastship, Clippership, Tandata, UPS, FedEx, Pitney Bowes | Own module, Interfaced to major vendors |
| Avexxis Corp. CatMan |
1995 | 24 | Unix, Windows 2000, NT |
UNIX | Informix | Informix RDBMS and other major RDBMS | 14 | $64,000 | $140,000 | $220,000 | Client-selectable | No | Open APIs included | Open APIs included | Clippership, Aristo, UPS, Pitney Bowes | Own AR, AP & GL included |
| Cayenta e.System |
1987 | 55 | AS/400 | OS/400 | RPG400, Java | DB2/400 | 290 | Call for pricing | 15% of list price | Not at this time | Yes | Cayenta Webstore, Net. Commerce, open APIs | Varsity Logistics, Clippership | Own module, open APIs | ||
| Cole Systems ColeMine |
1998 | 4 | Windows-based servers, AS/400, IBM & HP Unix | Windows 95, 98, NT, 2000 | Lansa VL generating C, C++, RPG, Java | Open platform, Oracle, SQL, Sybase | 23 | $150,000 | $250,000 | Call for pricing | 18% of license | JDE, PkMS | Yes | Lansa for Web | Kewill, Pitney Bowes | Own G/L, can be interfaced |
| Colinear Systems Response for Windows |
1984 | 500+ | Intel, Windows, and compatible | Windows | Visual Dataflex | MS SQL Oracle, | 10 | <$20,000 | <$35,000 | <$60,000 | Basic $500/year or Standard -18% of license | Majure Data Systems | Provide Middleware | NA | UPS WorldShip, FedEx, Pitney Bowes, Kewill/APSS, StarShip, Clippership, Tandata | Great Plains |
| CommercialWare Retail. Dot. Commerce |
1975 | 55 | iSeries AS/400, Data Mart runs on NT | OS/400 Data Mart runs on NT |
RPG400, Java | DB2/400, Data Mart runs on SQL | 100 | Call for pricing | 18% of license fee | PkMS, EXE, LogPro, Catalyst, JDA, SVI, Manugistics, Dove Tree, Man Man | Yes | WebSphere, Site Server, Blue Martini, Broadvision, Commerce Server 2000, Interworld, ATG Dynamo | Tracer, Tandata, Pfastship, Aristo, Maxiship | Own AR/AP, Lawson, PeopleSoft, Oracle & Great Plains | ||
| Computer Solutions Order Power! |
1979 | 95 | iSeries AS/400 | OS/400 | RPG-ILE, Net.Data, Visual Basic, C | DB2/400 | 30 | $70,000 | $130,000 | $240,000 | 18% of base price | Yes, have interfaces | Yes | Net. Data, IBM HTTP server | LogisticsPro, Evcor, Tandata, Pitney Bowes, Aristo, Powership, Kewill, Clippership | Own module |
| Data Management Associates MACH 2K |
1979 | 35 | PC servers and RS/6000 | Windows NT 4.0 and 2000, UNIX and AIX | Compiled Data Basic | Universe RDBMS | 9 | $75,000 | $160,000 | $280,000 | 15% of license fee | No interfaces | Yes | Net Fusion | UPS Worldship, Fed Ex Powership, Kewill, Aristo, NeoPost | Own modules |
| Datamann Mail Order Software Plus (MOSP) |
1975 | 50+ | RS6000, mainframe | AIX, MVS, VSE | Acu-Cobol | Vision | 23 | $55,000 | $150,000 | $225,000 | 18% of license fee | Yes, have interfaces | Yes | IIS, Apache, iPlanet | All major carriers | ABS |
| Dydacomp Mail Order Manager |
1983 | 5,000+ | PC, PC networks | Windows 98, Me, NT, 2000, XP | Visual FoxPro | NA | 45 | $14,525 | $33,850 | $58,600 | $399 + $139 per station |
Not at this time | Yes | NA | USPS, UPS, & others using Universal Shipping Interface | Own AR&AP, QuickBooks, Peachtree, MAS90, Business Works, Soloman, Great Plains |
| Ecometry Corporation (formerly Smith-Gardner) Ecometry Retail Enterprise |
1988 | 335 | HP3000, HP9000, Unix, NT | MPE/IX, HP UX, NT | Java, C++, Visual Basic, COBOL | Image, OMNIDEX, SQL, Oracle | 300 | $80,000 | $150,000 | $350,000 | 18% of license fee | PkMS, IRMS, OPTUM | Yes | Yes, custom tools, API can use any Web tool | FedEx, Airborne, UPS, RPS, USPS, R.R. Donnelley Logistics | GTS, Multiview, PeopleSoft, Oracle, Great Plains |
| Morgan CustomSoft Solution |
1983 | 18 | Windows-compliant servers | Windows 98, NT, 2000, XP | Visual DataFlex | MS SQL, Oracle, DB2, Pervasive, SQL, DataFlex | 7 | $40,000 | $55,000 | $140,000 | 15% of license fee | Not at this time | Yes | DataFlex WebApp Server | Pitney Bowes, Harvey, Starship, UPS Worldship, FedEx | Own AR, AP, GL |
| Morse Data Corp. In Order |
1975 | 87 | Terminal servers, client/server networks | Windows 2000 server, Windows XP/Me/98 |
Power Builder, XML | SQL Server | 17 | $56,000 | $150,000 | $260,000 | 18% of license fee | Not at this time | Yes | Visual InterDev | FedEx Powership, UPS Worldwide, Clippership | Great Plains |
| Page Digital synaro Advantage |
1980 | 82 | RS/6000, HP9000 | AIX | Java, Basic, XML | Metropolis, Oracle (optional) | 75 | $60,000 | $185,000 | $325,000 | Tiered pricing | IRMS, IBM | Yes | BEA Weblogic | Clippership, USPS, FedEx, UPS, Kewill | Own module, PeopleSoft, Oracle, Lawson |
| Retek (formerly HighTouch) Customer Order Management |
1986 | 20 | Unix, NT | Unix/Windows NT | Oracle SQL/PLSQL/JAVA |
Oracle, DB2 | 650 | Call for pricing | 18% of license fee | Retek Dist. Mgmnt. and standard WMS APIs | Yes | Oracle Application Server and APIs can use any Web tool | UPS, Fedex, USPS | Oracle Financials, PeopleSoft | ||
| Rigden Advanced Catalog Technology (ACT I) |
1987 1988 |
58 | Intel or RISC | Unix, NT, Linux | Basic | D3 | 12 | $51,000 | $99,250 | $170,000 | 15% of license fee | No | Yes | Vendere | Tandata, PSS | Own module |
| Sigma Micro Controller +/eController |
1982 | 146 | RS6000, HP9000 | Unix | Cobol, Visual Basic, C, | Oracle (optional) | 90 | $95,000 | $150,000 | $250,000 | Tiered pricing | IRMS, Retek | Yes | MS Site Server | UPS, FedEx, Kewill, Neopost, Mastech, Pitney Bowes | ABS |
| SVI Retail (formerly MarketPlace) SVI Direct |
1978 | 14 | AS/400, PC | OS/400, NT | LANSA 4GL case tool | DB2/400 | 200 | Call for pricing | 11% of license fee | No | Yes | IBM WebSphere, Commerce Suite | Pfastship | Own module | ||
| Tamalpais Technologies Order Mate Pro |
1992 | 36 | PC servers | Windows 98, NT, 2000, XP | Visual Fox Pro 6.0 | NA | 6 | $37,000 | $90,000 | NA | 18% of license fee | STS Systems | Open APIs | NA | UPS Worldship, FedEx, Starship, Harvey Software | Great Plains, QuickBooks |
| Terno & Associates Terno Velocity |
1992 | 85 | Unix, HP, IBM | Unix, Linux, Windows NT & 2000 | Universe Basic, Visual Basic | Informix, Universe RDBMS | 18 | $40K-$65K | $85K-$130K | $150K-$240K | 12% of license fee or hourly | Yes | Yes | APIs, Redback, MS Site Server | UPS, FedEx, Airborne, USPS, Aristo, Malvern, Clippership, | Own module |
| Key: Installations may reflect total number of users on lifetime sales. Pricing includes hardware, software, peripherals, and third-party hardware and software, but not file conversion costs. Interfaces to other vendors reflect connectivity to other commercially available systems. NR = no response |
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