Welcome to the Grumble. Agree with above advice -- check out posts on programs for the past couple of weeks and or even years. Each business has it's own needs & desires.
I seem to be the Artisan FramePlus (by Cer-Tek) Spokesperson here, so I'll give it a shot. I've been using the program about 14 months. I have no idea how it compares to the one you are using now.
Product Cost--9 (under 900)
Cost of Licensing--7 (100 for updates, 300 for unlimited support & upgrades. As program is still evolving & improving, the higher price seemed like a good option on renewal though I very RARELY need support)
Tech Service--9
Vendor Updates--7 (quarterly via disk at this time)
Integration with CMCs & Accounting Programs--? supposed to be there for Wizard & QB but I don't use.
Ease of Installation--9
Training Support--9 One of the developers is ex framer and that helps, especially at the beginning when setting up. Really good E Mail support as well as via phone. Also, developers eager for input from us framers and quite interested in making the program better.
Daily use easy to teach to others---a few key stroke commands to learn for best use of program.
What does it take to get product up and running--8--just depends on you---could be instant if use as is with LJ pricing charts & formulas. Lots of variables on pricing solutions--can price per vendor and/or product type.... It was easy for me to customize order writing screen menu choices to my terms & pre-existing pricing structures for MOST areas. Needed to develop printing of order form & receipts to my liking. Thought on that is that this program might not have some of the slick (and very cool) pre set templates of some of the others, but being able to make up my own forms actually turned into a plus, not a minus.
Reports (Inventory, Orders, Progress, Financial, Sales.... you name them) 6 -- There is a lot there I don't use in my small shop, so hesitant to give rave on this, but I also feel the custom framing inventory area needs work & may be missing some things you are used to. Other items sold (art, for example) are handled well....incuding consignments, gift certificates and more.
Some have said this is a Retail POS register first with a custom framing order writing screen add on. The reports on sales and income would make an accountant very happy.
Ease to directly work from while designing--9.9
Only difficulty is can't collect money from the register area mid a design order. Easy to have several design orders pending for different clients, when needed. Room for lots of mats, several frame stacks, fillets, etc.
Ability to set pricing--9
How does it handle discounts, returns, changes-8
Its a 10 on discounts & on the fly pricing and changes. Returns just take a little practice to learn. Difficult to change an order once a deposit received, though it now can be done. (That is actually good financial security feature, tho annoying sometimes!)
Mailing lists (and in general managing accounts) 9
Navigates well at design counter and if don't like their way for reports can export to Excel or other spreadsheet programs. Good monthly statement feature for billed accounts.
Ease of changing something on the run--9.9
Feel free to E Mail me with any questions.