POS Software

Mogulite

Grumbler
Joined
Jul 26, 2006
Posts
32
Loc
Reno, NV
I'm in the process of buying an existing store with very respectable sales. The owners are older, not computer literate and are retiring.

They purchased Frame Ready a couple of years ago, and have purchased the upgrades, but have never installed or used it. The store definitely needs a POS system. I have experimented with the Specialty Soft Demo and really like it.

Can anyone give me opinions on the differences of the two, or is there something all together better? I want something that I can download moulding and mat price increases directly to my system. I'm tempted to buy Specialty Soft, but if Frame Ready is a good program and I am purchasing it along with the store, why waste the money. The point is, I only want to do this once! I don't want to experiment. I spoke to one owner that tried two other systems before settling on Specialty Soft-he loves it!

Welcoming everyone with good and bad experiences.

Thanks, Steve
 
Hi Steve,

First of all, welcome to the Grumble!

Generally, we (grumblers) tend to be very proud of what we have invested in. I would give a glowing review of the one we chose, but haven't tried any of the recent demos of the other solutions lately in order to form a neutral opinion. This is a topic that comes up often, if you scan some recent threads in this forum.

Rather than potentially choosing based on a few opinions, I suggest trying the demos to form your own. All three of these top systems have very different workflows, and all of them are very capable. Procedurally, the steps to complete an order are drastically different. All of the programs will provide automatic pricing updates through the internet.

The top 3 in popularity are:
LifeSaver
FrameReady
SpecialtySoft

I prepared a comparison list, if interested, to make your search easier. It lives at http://www.getthepictureframing.com/gfaq/ Each year, we poll grumblers as to their POS configurations. We have collected 3 years of history so far, and it lives at http://www.custompictureframing.com/poll_results.htm (scroll down to November for the POS area)

There's a large trade show coming up, and all three of these vendors (and many others) will be present. (Atlanta Sept 8-10)

After researching and discussing it with your staff, you may very well end up back where you started (or maybe not) - but you'll gain a better understanding of the order taking process and programs.

Jim Miller did a great article on this subject in a recent Picture Framing Magazine. "POSitive Benefits", on page 62 of the February 2006 issue. If you can't find it, let me know. I downloaded the PDF file they were offering on the website.

Good luck with the new endeavor and happy POS hunting!

Mike Labbe
Get The Picture
Lincoln, RI
 
Try a couple of more demo's and decide which one meets "YOUR" needs and go with it.

I found that the pricing modules were the stickiest parts of the softwares that I tried; make sure you are comfortable with how the pricing modules work.

Can't go wrong with what works best for YOU!!

my 2 cents!
 
Welcome Mogulite,

Checkout Lifesaver's FREE offer:
Lifesaver

Software is free ($1500 value), Tru-Vue pays first year subscription ($395). You agree to pay subscription for years 2 & 3 and use Tru-Vue glass.

I just opened my shop last month. Install was easy. Pricing downloads very fast and easy. It's truely a Lifesaver.
 
It is paid for (the POS system) !!!!

Run it and use it.

They all are good. And they all have their own querks. It is the same as "do you prefer a Ford or Chevy" thing.


The key is getting used to the system and leting it do the work for you.
 
Hey Steve, glad it panned out for you!
When you get your POS installed and figured out, you can come down and teach me how to do mine, I'm still teetering!

I had the pleasure of Steve's company in my shop for a few days, before he made his framing decision. I'm glad I didn't scare him away from framing! I know he'll do well in his "new" shop. A fun guy, lots of enthusiasm and willingness, and a great sense of humor. He'll fit right in to Grumbledom!

Attaboy, Steve!
thumbsup.gif
 
If you already have frameready (what I use also) I would say run with it.

I would say the same for any of the other programs as well.

They all work well and if it ain't broke.....

Burt and company stand firmly behind their product and the only problem I had with it was caused by my hardware. The tech support had me up and running within minutes of calling for help.

Updates are fast and easy.

Trust me, I have been where you are (about opening a shop) save the cash where you can, there will be ample oportunities later where you will need it.

Lifesaver is about 400.00 for their subscription, frameready is less than half of that at 175.00.

Good luck and welcome with whatever you decide.
 
I'll throw in my hat for using what you already have. Setup is easy, updates are a snap, and Bert will probably let you use the "members" portion of their website to get your most recent updates installed and running. If you already have the latest upgrade of FrameReady you are entitled to a year's free use of the website anyway.

I have used FR since 2000 and the very few problems I had with the program in those years were related to my ignorance of some portion of computer usage and not the program itself. I was also a beta tester for a few years and I know firsthand that Bert and his staff do everything but move mountains to ensure that the finished product is as bug free as possible. If you have WinZip on your computer and can click your mouse twice, you can download a pricing update, it's about that simple.

For your reference and to get set up with the transfer of the new program to your name, here is FrameReady's website. Give them a call and they'll be glad to help you get started. If you don't like what you see, check out any of the other POS programs until you find what you want.

Good luck and congratulations on your new frame shop!
thumbsup.gif


Framerguy
 
Originally posted by JbNormandog:

Lifesaver is about 400.00 for their subscription, frameready is less than half of that at 175.00.
I think this needs clarification, so he's comparing apples to apples.

Some vendors are selling a bundled support package which includes vendor price updates, access to toll free phone and email support, and quarterly program/software upgrades. FrameReady and Ferensoft have all these things too, but price them individually. To stay current and fairly compare, you have to add up the components.

This is my understanding, after visiting the websites: (correct me if im wrong please)

FrameReady: $225/year (support/price updates), + varying software fee. ($149 in 2004, $299 in 2005, ? in 2006)
-Approx 5 yr total cost: $2700 (or $1500, since you already own it)

Specialtysoft: $295/year (all inclusive)
-Approx 5 yr total cost: $2675

LifeSaver: $395/year (all inclusive)
-Approx 5 yr total cost: $1580

FullCalc: $500/year (all inclusive)
-Approx 5 yr total cost: $3595

Spinnsoft: $350/year (all inclusive)
-Approx 5 yr total cost: $2650

Ferensoft: $279/year (support/price updates), + varying software fee (unknown amount)
-Approx 5 yr cost $2711+unknown software fees

Artteck: $180/year (all inclusive)
-Approx 5 yr total cost: $3900

I hope this removes some confusion.

Best regards,
Mike
 
Hi MIke,
I think that it is difficult to produce a comparison when you are trying to compare apples to oranges. Some software programs charge the maintenance fee/annual subscription/etc. for each computer and some for the store location. A five year projection assumes that no one will raise their prices or change their pricing structure. What happens if you don't pay the fee? There are so many things to take into consideration. Although this is a useful projection, I wouldn't suggest that people use it as the deciding factor in making a software purchase. Like you and others have said, get the program that fits your needs best. As with anything in life, purchasing the cheapest product based on price alone only gets you the cheapest WalMart frame. ;)
You've got a great listing of software on your site, where people can figure out what they need, get info (and a demo) from each company and figure out what it will cost them to get what they want for their business.
Cheers,
 
Hi Carol,

You're entirely right. I never considered that some vendors may charge more than the base yearly amount per extra workstation. It's difficult comparing in this way, and its an experimental project that doesn't have a column of its own yet for that reason.

I'll take that under consideration to either sharpen up the definition (ie: estimated price for ONE station at TODAYS posted prices, etc) or consider removing it entirely.

One thing is for sure: This industry has some great choices available, and they're ALL reasonably priced. In most other industries there are fewer choices, and you would expect to pay a minimum of 15k for the initial investment, plus upwards of 500 per year. I feel that comparing and trying the demos is very important, because everyone has their own style and way of doing things. The programs all approach the common task in a different and unique way.

See you in Atlanta

Mike

PS: Are we wearing green again to match?
 
:D Green sounds fine to me, Mike. I like to wear 'Grumbler Green'. That is a new matboard colour right?

What I like about your site is that it shows all the POS programs available with standard information about each in an easy to read chart. Putting too much information in, sometimes makes it harder to navigate through the, "If.... then.... unless..." clarifications.

You're absolutely right about the high price of other industry specific software. We have spoken with people who spent 30K to have had a program designed specifically for them which does not include upgrades or vendor pricing updates.

See you in Atlanta!
 
Hi Mike,
Your list also overlooked ezFramer Picture Framing Software which comes in 3 versions including a free version. The Free Express version offers an optional monthly support plan with no contracts or annual fees. I agree with Carol, your site is very useful and sometimes it's best to just point people to that. It may be best to just send your handy link of comparisons instead of trying to summarize quickly for people. The list of us POS vendors is growing quickly and not as simple as in the past.

Thanks and keep up the good work!

Liz T.
www.ezFramer.com
nuTech, LLC
 
Back
Top