Direct-to-customer catalog management software saw a number of changes during the past year. Computer Solutions and Best Software collaborated on extending Order Power! to small to medium-sized direct marketers with the introduction of Direct 500 as a module option to Best Software’s MAS 500 business management software. CommercialWare has acquired OrderMotion and can now offer ASP services to small to medium-sized companies without requiring them to purchase hardware and software licensing. Page Digital was acquired by Island Pacific. Morgan CustomSoft is looking for a buyer and is now only in user support mode.
What will happen in the remainder of 2004 is uncertain, but some of the larger vendors are seeing a resurgence of business. Most users of Ecometry’s HP 3000 version have yet to move to either their Unix or Open Systems, evidently preferring a wait-and-see approach following HP’s announcement a couple of years ago that it would discontinue support of the HP 3000 at the end of 2006.
Enterprise-wide software companies such as PeopleSoft, JDA, and others continue to make enticing proposals to larger catalogs. The problem is that they still lack many of the marketing, merchandising, profitability reporting, forecasting, and inventory management features and functions that are specific to direct marketing. The price to modify these systems is fairly high.
Pages 45-50 provide a comprehensive guide to the direct marketing systems that specialize in the order fulfillment business.
The information in this review was supplied by Curt Barry, president of F. Curtis Barry & Company, a consultancy specializing in e-commerce and direct marketing operations and systems. He can be reached at 1897 Billingsgate Circle, Suite 102, Richmond, VA 23233; phone: 804-740-8743; e-mail: [email protected]; Web site: www.fcbco.com.
PC Server Systems
CoLinear Systems Inc.
4343 Shallowford Road, Suite H-7
Marietta, GA 30062
Contact: Matt Merriam, VP Sales
Tel.: (800) 265-4632; Fax: (800) 800-6988
E-mail: [email protected]
Internet: www.colinear.com
2004 enhancements: Amazon.com and authorize.net integration; databased marketing module; simplified API for external real-time shopping carts; inventory, purchasing, and WMS enhancements; system-wide “best practices” initiative
CoLinear users: National Allergy Supply, Wine of the Month Club, Crafts Americana Group, J. Marco Galleries, Gooseberry Patch
Dydacomp Development Corp.
11 D Commerce Way
Totowa, NJ 07512
Contact: Robert Coon, VP Sales & Marketing
Tel.: (800) 858-3666; Fax: (973)237-9043
E-mail: [email protected]
Internet: www.dydacomp.com
2004 enhancements: Large-scale SQL edition, .NET e-commerce, additional shipping interface options for major carriers and third-party expediters, expanded features for international, new payment processing gateway options
Dydacomp users: Fairytale Brownies, RC Bigelow Tea Inc., Sportswave, Sportamerica, Scooterworks
Morse Data Corporation
10F Second Street
Dover, NH 03820
Contact: Dan Cannon, VP Sales
Tel.: (603) 742-2500; Fax: (603) 742-8178
E-mail: [email protected]
Internet: www.morsedata.com
2004 enhancements: Enhancements to order entry, POS, job cost, accounts payable, purchasing, integrated Web shopping, gift certificates, Internet credit card verification, remote desktop connectivity, statistical forecasting, real-time address corrections, and duplicate checks
Morse Data users: Janns Netcraft, BCI Eclipse, Spirituality.com, Proliteracy Worldwide, University of California, International Bible Society, Southland Logistics
NewHaven Software
9511 Willows Road, P. O. Box 345,
Redmond, WA 98073-3456
Contact: Tom Danner, President
Tel.: (425) 861-7120; Fax: (425) 861-7460
E-mail: [email protected]
Internet: www.newhavensoftware.com
2004 enhancements: Ver. 2.0 to be released 6/04, includes enhanced user interface, complete purchasing system, increased options for Web order importing and management, eCMS integrated e-commerce and Web site management tool, enhanced continuity and “club” management, multiple warehouse management, expanded reporting options, accounting interface options and more.
NewHaven users: Available upon request
Rigden Inc.
3090 Sterling Circle, Suite 200
Boulder, CO 80301
Contact: James Jobson
Tel.: (303) 442-8190, ext:108
Fax: (303) 442-8686
E-mail: [email protected]
Internet: www.rigden.com
2004 enhancements: Rigden Advanced Catalog Technology (Act I) 2004 Development. Act I now contains a complete GUI Windows interface; automatic interface with Crystal Reports has been added; new import and export utilities; specific inquiries recorded by customer; inbound call screen records each phone call; inventory forecasting for multiple channels; product sales configurator; new database marking tools include enhancements to lifetime value, repeat buyer curves, cell segmentation, and product affinity.
Rigden Users: Call for user list.
Unix Systems
MACH2K by Data Management Associates Inc.
4000 Executive Park Drive, Suite 101
Cincinnati, OH 45241
Contact: Larry Maher, VP Sales and Marketing
Tel.: (800) 660-12750; Fax (513) 563-7301
E-mail: [email protected]
Internet: www.mach2k.com
2004 enhancements: Web-enabled executive Inquiry tools; browser-based system; enhanced marketing data analysis; forecasting and sales curve analysis; additional WMS interface; upgrade multi-location retail POS; enhanced Web integration and marketing; personalized gift message; flexible kit configuration; Amazon.com integration; greater ROI. Go online for latest developments.
Data Management users: Sporty’s Pilot Shop, Lady Grace Stores, Creative Irish Gifts, Gardens Alive!, Sacramento Vintage Ford
Datamann Inc.
1994 Hartford Avenue
Wilder, VT 05088
Contact: Andrew G. Warner, John E. Mann
Tel. (800) 451-4263; Fax: (802) 296-3623
E-mail: [email protected]
Internet: www.datamann.com
2004 enhancements: Containerized landing calculations; auto inventory cycle count utility based on “xxx” days and last count date; expanded LTV processing; packing materials tracing; report archive to CD storage; user-defined cancel reasons; corporate buyers/and ship-to linked with sales information; expanded special offer and customer address file to include catalog/vacation/ school/work/seasonal; order/department/class/group upsell; exploded master/component, drop-ship components and drop ship on-the-fly; PO template/return to vendor/ clone/normal/blanket; expanded FDs for abacus, Z24, Prefer, and others, gift certificate module.
Datamann users: Available upon request
Island Pacific Inc., Synaro Office (fka Page Digital Inc.)
6450 S. Revere Parkway
Englewood, CO 80111
Contact: Bonnie Hendry, Marketing Manager
Tel.: (800) 569-1122; Fax: (303) 754-4995
E-mail: [email protected]
Internet: www.synaro.com
2004 enhancements: Linux Version now available under Red Hat Linux; more enhancements to the Java-based payment processing engine, now supporting electronic checks and gift cards. Significantly enhanced Synaro Integrator component now supports more functionality for XML connectivity to disparate applications and functionality. New version (4.0) of Synaro WebStore supporting new functionality including B-to-B capabilities. Oracle database now replaces proprietary database; MS SQL 2003 and DB2 available Q4 2004; fully integrated POS application for multichannel shopping; Integration with Island Pacific Merchandising and ERP systems.
Island Pacific users: IBM, Lands’ End Corporate Sales, Turner Broadcasting, Michaels Stores, Hershey, Retail Variations (UK), Signet (UK), Coldwater Creek, Brookstone, Academy Sports, Frederick’s of Hollywood, PacSun
Sigma Micro
6720 Parkdale Place
Indianapolis, IN 46254
Contact: Jim Mangan, Vice President, Sales and Marketing
Tel.: (800) 227-4462; Fax: (317) 631-6585
E-mail: [email protected]
Internet: www.sigma-micro.com
2004 enhancements: Browser-based call center application; Web services extension of Controller+; relational database; enhanced fraud management; enhanced data import and maintenance; third-party accounting/financial interface; enhanced warehouse functionality; EDI interface; best-of-breed POS interface
Sigma Micro users: Footlocker.com; Sears, Roebuck & Co; L’Oreal; Johnston & Murphy; Lands’ End International; Woodcraft Supply
Terno & Associates Inc.
755 Boardman-Canfield Road, Suite N2
Boardman, OH 44512
Contact: Jeff Moliterno, President
Tel.: (330) 629-7004; Fax: (330) 629-7585
E-mail: [email protected]
Internet: www.terno.com
2004 enhancements: Enhanced real-time Web and XML/SOAP connectivity; Terno Security Plus System (TSPS) failsafe data and Web backup service; improved warehouse replenishment and restocking functions; wireless warehouse module improvements; enhanced user-definable promotions; file-level triggers for cross-database updates and audit trail enhancement; more flexible user-defined e-mail confirmations with HTML tags; improved inventory and returns analysis reporting; improved GUI screens. Call or go online for latest developments.
Terno users: BUDK Catalog, Chinaberry, Cuddledown of Maine, Into The Wind, Venus Swimwear, Wendell August Forge
Proprietary Software Systems / Open Platforms
Assist Cornerstone
57 West 200 South, Fifth Floor
Salt Lake City, UT 84101
Contact: Marty Wescott, Director of Client Accounts
Tel.: (800) 732-0136; Fax: (801) 355-7720
E-mail: [email protected]
Internet: www.assistcornerstone.com
2004 enhancements: Assist Version 9: enhanced analytics and forecasting; reverse logistics; CRM portal; Assist Webstore (configurator, duplicate checking, multistore, and more); database enhancements; reporting; radio frequency; e-mail notifications and marketing
Assist Cornerstone users: Alta Resources, Atkins Nutritionals, Icon Health & Fitness, Mid America Motorworks, Oreck
Avexxis
30 Avon Meadow Lane
Avon, CT 06001
Contact: Larry Rocheleau, Manager of Business Development
Tel.: (888) AVEXXIS; Fax: (860) 677-2176
E-mail: [email protected]
Internet: www.avexxis.com
2004 enhancements: Enhanced user interface; support for SQL Server; expanded warehouse functionality; payment processing enhancements. Call for an up-to-date list.
Avexxis users: Vermont Teddy Bear, Federated Department Stores, The Wisconsin Cheeseman, C. C. Filson, Mindware
CommercialWare
24 Prime Park Way, Cochituate Place
Natick, MA 01760
Contact: John Coskie, VP, Marketing and Sales
Tel.: (508) 655-7500; Fax: (508) 647-9495
E-mail: [email protected]
Internet: www.commercialware.com
2004 enhancements: Acquisition of OrderMotion, an ASP, low-cost-of-entry, cross-channel order management/fulfillment solution that serves small to medium businesses; cross-channel retail integration APIs to facilitate a single view of customer purchase history; inventory availability, and store pick-up; GA release of CWLocate product, which allows retailers to locate inventory across all sales channels in real time to significantly reduce lost sales and improve brand loyalty; Amazon integration for order processing; QAS integration for address hygiene; Newgistics integration for advanced returns management; Formtastic integration for advanced form creation; stored value card and International switch card integration with Paymentech
CommercialWare Users: Target Direct, Disney Direct, J. Jill, Abercrombie & Fitch, The U.S. Mint, Ritz Camera
Computer Solutions Inc.
6187 NW 167th Street, Suite H-33
Miami Lakes, FL 33317
Contact: Ernie Smith, Vice President
Tel.: (305) 558-7000; Fax (305) 557-0003
E-mail: [email protected]
Internet: www.direct500.com
2004 enhancements: Continue to enhance Direct 500, the module that provides B2B and B2C functionality to Best Software’s MAS 500.
Computer Solutions users: REI, Bombay Company, The U.S. Navy, Royal Canadian Mint, Kable News, Costco, Wolferman’s, PacSun.com
Ecometry Corporation
1615 South Congress Avenue, Suite 200
Delray Beach, FL 33445-6368
Contact: Charlene Smith, Supervisor, Inside Sales
Tel.: (561) 265-2700; Fax: (561) 454-4803
E-mail: [email protected]
Internet: www.ecometry.com
2004 enhancements: Expanded Web functionality; standard XML interfaces; QAS integration; Newgistics integration; Targus integration; N-tier architecture running on Unix and Windows utilizing Oracle and SQL2000. Additional functionality in wireless warehouse and inventory forecasting; new client interfaces; advanced warehouse automation; predictive upselling and delivery of new POS system and datamart. Ecometry features a fully integrated customer and inventory system.
Ecometry users: Coldwater Creek, Nordstrom.com, Hickory Farms, Time-Life, Hammacher Schlemmer, Levenger, Ross Simons, Miles Kimball, Smithsonian
Natural Solutions
8003 Castleway Drive, Suite 200
Indianapolis, IN 46250
Contact: Tyce McIntosh, VP of Marketing
Tel.: (317) 596-1215; Fax: (317) 596-1225
E-mail: [email protected]
Internet: www.naturalsol.com
2004 enhancements: Light manufacturing module, expanded functionality within fulfillment, enterprise data query module
Natural Solutions users: Barton Cotton, Medibadge, Corporate Services
OrderMotion, a CommercialWare Company
251 West 30th Street, Suite 12E
New York, New York 10001
Contact: Buddy Jedd, Sales Director
Tel.: (212) 279-6500; Fax: (212) 202-4444
E-mail: [email protected]
Internet: www.ordermotion.com
2004 enhancements: GA release of the Universal Data Interface or UDI, a universal plug-‘n-play interface that allows third-party systems to communicate with OrderMotion. GA release of SmartLabels, a standardized information panel with information about customers, orders, items, key codes, promotions, suppliers; AddressDoctor database with worldwide postal organization support; multilevel kitting; unlimited items/order, with multipage invoice support
Order Motion users: Ronco, Safety Glasses USA, Nutrazone, Warrior Custom Golf, Popcorn Indiana
Yantra Corporation
One Park West
Tewksbury, MA 01876
Contact: Joseph Vukson, Manager, Corporate Communications
Tel.: (978) 513-6180; Fax: (978) 513-6006
E-mail: [email protected]
Internet: www.yantra.com
2004 enhancements: Yantra will continue to advance its product suite in line with its vision for synchronized fulfillment and consistent with the evolving needs of its customers and target markets: retail, wholesale distribution, and logistics. Such enhancements include delivery and service scheduling capabilities, in-store inventory management, and inventory costing. Yantra will continue to develop and deliver the most technologically advanced architecture and integration capabilities.
Yantra users: SYSCO Corporation, Best Buy, Target, Motorola, School Specialty Inc.
| 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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Assist Cornerstone Assist Commerce Suite |
1987 | 57 | IBM iSeries | OS/400, Linux | RPG400, Java | DB2/400 | 18 | Call for pricing | Call for pricing | Call for pricing | 15%-18% of license | Yes, have interfaces | Yes | Assist Webstore, Webshpere, Commerce Server 2000 Open APIs | Varsity, Clippership, FedEx, Powership | Integrated module, open API |
| Avexxis Corp. Avexxis |
1985 | 28 | Intel or Unix servers | Windows servers, HPUX | IBM U2 DataBASIC and Delphi | IBM U2 | 16 | $30,000 | $90,000 | $180,000 | Variable, client-defined | Majure Data Systems | Web connectivity kit | IBM Websphere, Commerce Suite | Clippership, Seacap SPSS, UPS Worldship | Own module |
| CoLinear Systems Response |
1984 | 500+ | PCs | Windows NT, 2000, XP | VDF, VB, ASP, SQL, C | MS SQL, Oracle | 8 | <$17,000 | <$50,000 | Call for pricing | Basic $500/year; standard – 18% of license | PkMS, EXE, Catalyst, JDA, Island Pacific, Manugistics, Dove Tree | Yes | APIs for generic integration | UPS Worldship, Pitney Bowes, Kewill, Harvey/CPS, StarShip, Clippership, plus any ODBC | Own module (A/R, P/O) |
| CommercialWare CWDirect, CWStore, CWLocate, CSIntegrate, CWData, CWAnalytics, CWCollaborate |
1975 | 248 | Wintel, IBM iSeries | Windows 2000/XP, OS/400 | ASP.NET, C+, Java, JSP, Powerbuilder, RPG, XML | SQL server, DB2/400 | 90 | Call for pricing | Variable, Standard, Gold, Platinum levels | Integrated WMS, and have interfaces | Yes | WebSphere, Commerce Server 2000, Blue Martini, BroadVision, Interworld, ATG Dynamo | Tracer, Scancode, Varsity | Own AR/AP, Lawson, PeopleSoft, Oracle, Great Plains, JDE | ||
| Computer Solutions, Inc. Order Power! |
1979 | 95+ | IBM iSeries | OS/400 | RPG-ILE, Net.Data, Visual Basic, C | DB2/400 | 30 | $65,000 | $150,000 | $275,000 | 18% of base price | Integrated WMS | Yes | Net.Data, IBM HTTP server | LogisticsPro, Evcor, Tan Data, Pitney Bowes, Aristo, Powership, Kewill, Clippership | Own module |
| Computer Solutions, Inc. Direct 5000 (& MAS 500) | 1981 | 5,000+ for MAS 500 | Windows | Windows 2000, XP | Visual Basic, Visual C++. Visual Studio.Net, Crystal Reports | SQL 2000 | 30 for CSI | $50,000 | $95,000 | $165,000 | Various plans | PCC Lightning Pick System | Yes | IIS, API’s, ASP | Integrated StarShip | Own module |
| Data Management Associates MACH 2K |
1979 | 42 | PC Servers and RS/6000 | Windows 2000, Unix and AIX | IBM U2 Database Basic | IBM U2 RDBMS | 15 | $55,000 | $140,000 | $240,000 | 15% of license fee | Included in base | Yes | NetFusion | Malvern MC, Worldship, Powership, Kewill, Aristo, NeoPost | Own module |
| Datamann Mail Order Software Plus (MOSP) |
1975 | 50+ | UNIX, RS/6000 | AIX | Acu-Cobol | NA | 25 | $50,000 | $125,000 | $180,000 | 18% of license fee | Optional | Yes | IIS, Apache, iPlanet | FedEx, Airborne, UPS, USPS, Starship, Melvern | ABS |
| Dydacomp Mail Order Manager MOM V4.3 |
1983 | 5,000+ | PC, PC Networks | Windows 98, Me, NT, 2000, XP | Visual FoxPro | NA | 45 | $14,525 | $33,850 | $58,600 | $499 base + $179 per station | PkMS, IRMS, OPTUM, any XML open systems interface | Yes | IIS, Visual Interev | USPS, UPS, & others using Universal Shipping Interface | Own AR & AP, Quickbooks, Peachtree, MAS90, Business Works, Soloman, Great Plains |
| Ecometry Corporation Ecometry Commerce Suite |
1988 | 367 | UNIX and Windows | HP-UX, Windows 2000/2003 | Java, C++, Visual Basic, COBOL | SQL 2000, Oracle 9i | 200 | $50,000 | $130,000 | $250,000 | 18% of license fee | PkMS, IRMS, OPTUM, any XML open systems interface | Yes | CGI, COM, XML interfaces and 3rd-party Web systems | FedEx, Airborne, UPS, RPS, USPS, CTC, Neopost | Great Plains, Oracle, PeopleSoft, Multiview, GTS, Lawson, Peachtree |
| Island Pacific (f.k.a. Page Digital) IP Synaro Advantage |
1980 | 200 | RS/6000, HP 9000, Windows NT, 2000 Server, Linux | AIX, HP-UX, Linux, Windows, NT, 2003 Server | Java, C, Basic | Synaro Cache and/or Oracle 9i | 200 | Call for pricing | Tiered Pricing | IRMS, IBM, LE Proprietary systems | Yes | IBM WebSphere, BEA Weblogic, Apache Toncat | UPS Online, FedEx Server, Kewill | Own module, PeopleSoft, Oracle, Lawson | ||
| Morse Data Corp. In Order |
1975 | 57 | Terminal servers, client/server networks | Windows 2003 Server, Windows XP/2003 Client | Power Builder, XML | SQL Server | 15 | $35,500 | $94,000 | $175,000 | 18% of license fee | InOrder has an integrated WMS | Yes | Visual InterDev, AO/ASP, .NET | FedEx, Powership, UPS Worldwide, Clippership | Integrated IC, AR, PO, AP+ Great Plains, Oracle Financials |
| Natural Solutions Natural Order |
1992 | 21 | Open platform | Microsoft NT | Sybase Powerbuilder | MS-SQL | 20 | $60,000 | $120,000 | $190,000 | 20% of license fee | No | N/A | IIS, Com | UPS Maxi-ship, UPS Online Pro, Aristo, Neopost | Own module |
| NewHaven Software** Commerce Management System Mail Order Wizard |
1986 | 160+ 2400+ |
PC Client -Server Windows 2000, 2003 and XP PC | Windows 2000, 2003, XP MS-DOS |
Delphi, SQL Anywhere Studio Assembley, Clarion |
Sybase iAnywhere SQL Proprietary |
12 12 |
$20,000 $199 |
$55,000 $!99 |
Call for pricing $199 |
20% of license fee N/A | Integrated, no external or third party at this time N/A | Yes — eCMS | eCMS, XML, Web Services, Miva, Yahoo!, etc. N/A | UPS, FedEx, Harveysoft, other 3rd-pary applications UPS, FedEx, Airborne | G/L, A/R, Employees, etc. None (reports only) |
| OrderMotion, a CommercialWare company OrderMotion |
1996 | 150 | Intel Servers | Windows Enterprise | ASP.NET, C+, DHTML, Java, XML, XSLT | SQL Server | 20 | Call for pricing | Variable, Pro, Premium, Enterprise levels | XML API, OneWorld, PCA | Yes | Smartpage (propietary), Yahoo, Monster commerce, Modualar Merchant, BeanTree, XML API IIS, Com | UPS, FedEx, USPS, Indicia | Built-in AP, AR, GL, Budgeting, etc. | ||
| Rigden Inc. | 1987 | 60+ | Intel and RISC | Any UNIX (AIX, Linux, etc.) NT, Windows 2000, XP-PORT | Visual Basic, Data Basic, D3/Access, Symbion-GUI | D3 Post Relational, Multi-Dimensional | 10 | Call for pricing | 15% of license fee | Interface with corporate systems Own module or interface to WMS | Yes | Middleware module interfaces with any web based application | FedEx, UPS, Airborne, Aristo, Tan Data | Own AR, Quickbooks | ||
| Sigma Micro Controller+/eController |
1982 | 150 | IBM pSeries, Intel, HP9000 | AIX, HP-UX, Linux, Windows 2000 | Cobol, J2EE, Visual Basic, C/ASP | ODBC, SQL | 85 | $100,000 | $150,000 | $225,000 | 20% of license fee | Yes | Yes | Web Services, J2EE compatible applications serers, APIs, VB, etc. | Kewill, Clippership, Aristo, UPS Worldship, FedEx, Pitney Bowes, Neopost | MAS90/200 PeopleSoft, ABS |
| Terno & Associates TernoVelocity |
1992 | 85 | Unix, HP, IBM | UNIX, Linux, Windows NT, 2000, 2003 & XP | Universe Basic Visual Basic | IBM Universe RDBMS | 18 | $40,000 | $110,000 | $195,000 | 12% of license fee or hourly | Yes | Yes | IBM Redback, APIs, XML/SOAP | Clippership, Aristo, UPS, FedEx, Airborne, USPS, Malvern | Own module, or APIs |
| Yantra Yantra 5x-Distributed Order Management |
1995 | 35+ | SUN, HP, IBM, Windows 2000 | UNIX, Solaris, HP-UX, IBM-AIX, Windows 2000 | Java (J2EE Standards) | Oracle, MS-SQL, IBM DB2 | 200 | Call for pricing | 18% of license fee | Yantra, Manhattan, EXE, Optum | Yes | IBM, BEA, BroadVision, Blue Martini, ATG | FedEx Airborne, DHL, UPS | No, APIs | ||
| Key: Installations may reflect total number of users on lifetime sales. Prices include hardware, software, peripherals, and third-party hardware and software, but not file conversion. “Interfaces to other vendors” reflect connectivity to other commercially available systems. | ||||||||||||||||
| Note: Companies listed here are limited to those that provide a wide range of integrated functions across the categories of call center, warehousing, inventory management, merchandising, marketing, and the Internet. | ||||||||||||||||
| **Haven Corporation was started in 1986. NHS purchased Haven in 2000 and continued development and support for the Mail Order Wizard program while developing Commerce Management System. | ||||||||||||||||