News
What’s New for SignTrak™ in 2008
January 4, 2008
SignTrak and PermaTrak are forms of software as a service (SaaS) for beer distributors who want to deploy technology to the process of
ordering, tracking and managing their temporary and permanent POS signage. Both are single subscription software applications spread across
multiple customers, each with its own secure instance. This form of software delivery keeps development costs down and customer fees low,
but the most noticeable and valuable advantage for users may be the free version upgrades.
Because beer distributors are independent businesses, preferences for how data is collected and analyzed can vary. For example, some may want to base POS costs on square footage, another on paper, ink and labor. So the issue for Information Alternatives (InfoAlt), the on-demand provider, is to write and deploy code that will quickly respond to user needs, and make that code available to all users. Upgrade versions are the natural outgrowth of the many innovative ideas and suggestions from actual SignTrak and PermaTrak customers and are included in the subscription.
In 2007, InfoAlt focused on two productivity upgrades. SignTrak Offline Services (STOLS) enables full functionality in the trade even when the Internet is not available. For distributors who choose to order POS from the trade, STOLS can save tens of thousands of dollars a year in WAN charges. The Universal Report Writer provides managers quick and easy access to the data points, filters and sorting needed to create virtually unlimited reports, exportable to Excel, with greater detail and granularity.
Feature upgrades for 2008 will be focused more on ease of use (improved interface), productivity (processing orders faster), and even greater detail (knowing more about POS effectiveness and exporting budget and forecast data to back office systems). 2008 upgrades include:
Interface
- Place Another Order button automatically duplicates the last order, sharply reducing the time it takes to place several orders within a given account
- Orders automatically retrieve native graphic files/templates for sign making software, reducing the time it takes the designer to actually make the sign
Productivity/Accountability
- Create POS budgets by sales rep, team or route
- Split cost by brand, package and price (up to 30 brands) per POS order, replacing the need to order POS by brand family
- Send attachment with order, used to attach a digital photo depicting where a piece of custom POS will be placed, or to incorporate a custom image in the finished sign
- New edit button to allow sign shop to change a previously placed order
- Create receipt for customizations
- Assign certain POS to specific designer on manager approval
- Option to require manager approval before release to sign shop or assignment to a designer
- POS Order Copy, allows a previous sign order to be replicated as a new order and edited, thereby reducing the time required for order creation
More POS Attributes
- Special – yes or no fields
- Theme – drop down field
- Circular diameter dimensions for table top signs
PermaTrak Upgrades
- More extensive reporting capabilities
- Bar coding / scanning for semi-permanent and permanent signage
Customers are notified of the version updates prior to launch, but no action is required on their part; upgrades are automatic. The next time a user logs on to their instance of SignTrak, the new features can be utilized or ignored, depending on business needs. Upgrades are free and there are no annual maintenance fees for the lifetime of the contract –an advantage rarely if ever found with traditional software providers. This alone adds value.
In addition, in 2008, InfoAlt will continue to offer continually updated and expanded online training, best-practices guidelines, articles and user forums and offer on-demand custom modifications at fees that you would expect to pay IT consulting firms 3x for virtually the same thing. Roll-out plans and implementation support are services regularly provided. For more information on SignTrak™ or PermaTrak™ or to request a demonstration call your Account Executive or the product information line at 800-513-9194, extension 205.
