Technology - November
Kimdesigns.com offers products from 50 artists, designers
HomePortfolio.com to sponsor Architectural Digest show
New software helps create Open-to-Buy Plans through inventory management
RouteView map-based software plots efficient delivery services
Kimdesigns.com offers products from 50 artists, designers
A portal fostering the work of 50 artists and designers from around the world has recently been introduced at www.kimdesigns.com.
This unique service-driven concept was developed by Kim W. Craig.
Craig's goal is to feature new patterns for a variety of markets, including fine art, rug, textile and stationery designs. "We may be a new marketing concept but not new to the market," said Craig. The team at Kim Designs is both accomplished and experienced. They have had success working with both the upscale and big-box retailers as well as product development for many manufacturers.
Craig believes that even though many companies have an in-house design staff, there are many reasons why Kim Designs is a viable option. " We can do as much or as little needed to assist your design team with its goals and deadlines. With this in mind, Kim Designs' offers assistance for special requirements at variable price points. We can complement your design staff or serve as one. The Internet is where so many products are being shopped today, so why not patterns for new introductions? A vendor can go on-line any time of the day, any day of the year and shop for patterns." said Craig.
Here's how it works: A vendor logs on to www.kimdesigns.com and applies for an account to become one of the company's select customers. The gallery is only open to clients that agree to protect the exclusivity of the designs viewed. In order to protect the artist and the potential buyer, Kim Designs will not open the gallery to a company that is not considered legitimate and credible.
Searching the site is easy and comes with many options. Upon approval, the buyer receives a user name and password. Once signed on, you are eligible to view Kim Designs' 3,000 patterns. Vendors can shop by color, number of colors in a pattern, specific designer or style. The artists set their own prices, which range from $300 to $1,500 based on complexity. Vendors buy exclusive rights to each pattern, which is immediately removed from the site upon purchase. Craig is currently setting up designs for licensing.
While each Kim Designs' artist has their own look and feel, Craig has brought on a color and trend expert who will actively guide the design staff to keep up with market trends. "If we work with a client and they like the design and not the coloration, we will tweak to their individual palette. We can always assist a customer, as we stress flexibility and customization,” said Craig.
HomePortfolio.com to sponsor Architectural Digest show
Design Web site HomePortfolio.com will be the online sponsor of the fifth annual Architectural Digest Home Design Show (ADHDS) taking place at New York City's Pier 94 (located at 12th Avenue and 55th Street) March 9-12. The show is sponsored by Architectural Digest magazine and The New York Times, and features nearly 300 luxury home furnishings manufacturers and retailers and offers the best in new products, educational seminars, cutting edge design trends, special events and more.
"The Architectural Digest Home Design Show brings together the best of interior design services as well as manufacturers and retailers of luxury furnishings in one place at one time," said John H. Brennen III, executive vice president, Design Center Division, Merchandise Mart Properties Inc. "We are thrilled to unify our efforts with HomePortfolio to provide even more resources."
Not only will HomePortfolio.com bring its home design expertise to the Show, but it will also enhance the show experience by allowing consumers to receive up-to-date information about the show. In addition, HomePortfolio will sponsor the highly successful Design Consultation program where consumers can receive complimentary one-on-one consultations with design professionals. HomePortfolio's on-site kiosks will also provide attendees with information about exhibitors, new product offerings and participating design trade professionals. This online home design resource will promote the event to its database of more than 350,000 designers, architects and consumers.
New software helps create Open-to-Buy Plans through inventory management
Now, retailers can manage and control inventory with an inventory buying ("Open-to-Buy") plan driven by their planned sales and targeted turnover. The Retail Strata:G® I-MERCHANDISER is now integrated with POS systems.
At the push of a button, Inventory On-Hand, Inventory On-Order, plus trailing 12 months Sales and Margins are entered into the I-MERCHANDISER from your POS database.
Just add in your planned sales and turns, and immediately see a monthly buying plan.
Don't like what you see in that plan? Then use the I-MERCHANDISER to play "what if...?"
Go back to the Input Screen, make some changes to planned sales, or markdowns, or turns, and... immediately see those results. Keep adjusting until you get the plan that works best for your business.
The I-MERCHANDISER ($199) is now available for Microsoft® Retail Management System and Microsoft® Point of Sale.
RouteView map-based software plots efficient delivery services
RouteView is a map-based software system that turns hours of route planning into minutes, ensures correct addresses and efficient routes, helps to balance workloads, calculates mileage and sets a productive pace to help drivers.
Results can be dramatic – cutting route planning time by as much as 75%. One RouteView customer, a wholesale distributor in Lancaster, Pa., for example, saved 348 miles per day (x an average of 260 work days per year), cutting 90,480 miles and 2,600 labor hours off of his delivery routes. RouteView's advanced routing capabilities integrate with a company's enterprise system to ensure a closed-loop process from order to delivery.
In addition to route planning, RouteView also includes two other major benefits: GPS and a Call Center system.
The RouteView Wireless/GPS service tracks, in real-time, the day against the plan. It automatically alerts users to arrivals, completed deliveries, late deliveries, refusals and more on the map, in the database and by e-mail directly to supervisors. Users can alert drivers to important information. Supervisors and other key personnel can receive automated email alerts regarding important field and delivery situations as they occur.
Using the newest telephony and interactive text-to-speech technologies, the RouteView Call Center helps build a stronger customer service program. It automatically calls customers in advance to verify correct addresses and confirm delivery times. This ensures that drivers have the correct locations, and that customers are prepared for a driver's arrival and are more satisfied with the level of service.
For more information, demonstrations or references call 800-793-7630 and visit www.routeview.com