Sigma Micro
SigmaCommerce
www.sigma-micro.com
Software Introduction: 2005
Software Version: 4.1
Contact: 1-800-383-4421
Email: sigma-micro@sigma-micro.com
Operating System(s) Supported: Windows
Database(s) Supported: SQL
Integrated E-Commerce Module: Yes
Accounting Modules Supported: MAS500
Manifesting Modules Supported: Kewill Clippership
Current Customer Information:
Mindware – toys
Baker Shoes – footwear
Campus Classics – custom apparel
61 current clients also on legacy product – many are in the process of moving to SigmaCommerce.
Case Study:
IMPROVING MINDWARE’S RELATIONSHIP WITH ITS CUSTOMERS
The Idea
MindWare’s goal is to create a positive relationship with its customers. This includes a guarantee to deliver orders on time, with the correct products, and exceed customer
expectations but also to provide customers with knowledgeable and friendly customer service assistance to help them make the best selections.
Business Challenge
With a focus to provide these kinds of guarantees to both catalog and online customers, MindWare knew it needed to have a fully integrated solution. Outgrowing the support it could get from its current system, MindWare was looking not just for a vendor but for an experienced partner that would provide the software solution that would grow as its business needs changed.
The Client:
Started in 1991, MindWare is an award-winning creator and distributor of brainy toys, games and activities for kids of all ages. MindWare’s catalog has earned the Parent’s Choice Award three years in a row.
MindWare Study:
MindWare recognized the following needs:
• More functionality in the warehouse management system
• Ability to batch print orders based on specified criteria
• Tighter inventory control
• More robust and reliable payment processing system
• Increased web integration to backend transaction system
• Call center application that could run at remote call centers
• Platform that was not restrictive for data access and reporting
• Almost real time disaster recovery model + failover capabilities
• Solution built on current technologies that would be easy to maintain and support
SigmaCommerce Solution:
Leveraging 25 years of experience providing quality solutions and service to the multi-channel direct marketing industry, the SigmaCommerce team created a true partnering experience for MindWare to ensure that SigmaCommerce would continue to be the right solution. Working together the two companies initiated a plan to understand the MindWare needs and demonstrate how the fully integrated SigmaCommerce solution could be leveraged to meet its long term needs and goals.
From a technology standpoint, MindWare has been able to realize its goal of having the web store and catalog call center share the same database, with SigmaCommerce built on the.Net 3.0 platform using a single relational SQL database. This architecture has also allowed for MindWare to easily set up redundancy in the system to ensure continuity of order taking
no matter what happens to the core system. Plus, the single database provides a very scalable system where data can be accessed for reporting purposes.
Results & Benefits:
The SigmaCommerce solution, combined with the strong level of support and partnership that MindWare has experienced through two holiday seasons, has provided some great results.
MindWare recognized value by utilizing SigmaCommerce:
• Saved $75,000 in expedited shipping upgrades by being able to print waves based on zip ranges
• Enabled operational efficiencies by allowing process improvements including:
• Reduced labor cost by 18%
• Decreased ship turn by 3 days during peak
• Increased distribution center capacity by 29%
• Dashboard reporting, allowing management to see and predict distribution center status
• Web based call center allowing MindWare to create a partnership with its 3rd party call center
• Reduced call center representative training time due to intuitive order entry
• Decreased volume of call center status calls by offering online order status and modification for real time orders
• Real time inventory allocation, eliminating any “sell out” problems
• Capability to use a much more robust accounting package, giving Finance more flexibility to report and reconcile financial data
Future Direction:
Moving forward, MindWare plans to do more marketing analysis using the power of the Marketing Relationship module of SigmaCommerce. The company is confident SigmaCommerce will continue to provide a reliable, multi-channel commerce solution that will allow MindWare to prosper and grow well into the future.
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“As a leader in the educational toy industry, we needed a fully integrated solution designed around the specific needs of our business. SigmaCommerce has the potential to revolutionize
the way we conduct our business– allowing us to better manage and track our marketing campaigns.” - Jeanne Voight, President, MindWare
Current System Application Features and Functions:
eCommerce platform with full templates and SEO capabilities
- Tightly integrated to call center and back end functionality
Marketing and Analytics
- Campaign and Promotion Creation
- Customer Data and Marketing Analysis
- Offer Creation
- Merchandise Planning
- Automatic Square Inch Calculations and Analysis
- OLAP
Call center
- Order management/case management
Warehouse
- Warehouse Design and Management
- Inbound Manager - Receiving / Stocking
- Inventory Manager
- Fulfillment Manager
Product management
- Pricing/Purchasing
Financials (A/R, A/P, GL) via the Sage MAS 500 software
POS
