ERP solutions by Apparel Data Systems

Will I have to spend a lot of money to customize the software to meet our needs?

Absolutely not. Apparel Data Systems has literally thousands of end users on the same standard package. We do this through "parameter" files or settings built into the system as well as literally thousands of user-defined fields. A parameter is essentially a switch that you can turn on and off depending on your needs. For example, if you make tailored men's clothing you would turn on the parameter switch to use dimension sizing. User defined fields allow you to add text, tables or date driven criteria to the package as you see fit. Tracking pre-production stages such as lab dips, fit approval, and buyer approval could be added to the system through these fields. System 9001 also has a comprehensive report writer that will allow you to build and modify reports on your own. Apparel Data Systems strives to make our clients independent in order to keep their Total Cost of Ownership low.

Every month more retailers are on EDI. Will I have to pay for every new EDI trading partner or form set in the future?

No, absolutely not! Each year Apparel Data Systems spends over $500,000 on research and development to keep our software current. A large part of that is spent on retooling our system to meet the retailer's EDI needs. Every client on our annual maintenance program is entitled to all new mappings whether you use them today or not. That is why our customers have taken a proactive position in signing up new EDI partners. In the long run, increasing EDI partners directly impacts the overhead of your company by decreasing the need for data processing personnel and reducing chargebacks.

I know the cost of purchasing your software today. What hidden or additional costs will I incur over the next few years to maintain the system?

Annual maintenance for all hardware and software purchases is highly recommended. Other than that, the answer will depend on your business requirements. Your future growth may dictate the addition of a new module. For instance, if you currently import and later decide to manufacture your product, you may need to add the production module. Possibly you ship from a public warehouse today but decide to move into your own facility at a later date. Our warehouse lot locator module might help to reduce cost and increase efficiency. Add-on modules are priced modestly and at fixed price, not by number of users. Many of our competitors price add-on modules by user license, which is not an accurate reflection of your company's usage. You may have twenty people in the company but only one or two will need to use the add-on.

Occasionally we do custom programming for clients although typically it is not necessary as the "standard" package is extremely feature rich. When custom programs are added, Apparel Data Systems will contract at a "fixed" price based on the initial specifications agreed upon by our companies. Even if our original estimate falls short of the actual work order, we do not charge you the difference. You will have to pay a small charge to bring this program forward with each new release. Typically the Total Cost of Ownership takes into consideration such things as software purchases and upgrades including EDI, service, support, IT and DP salaries, hardware, premise wiring, data communications, training, travel and installation. Unless your business grows or changes, everything is included in your purchase and annual maintenance costs at Apparel Data Systems.

Our typical implementation schedule is 6-8 weeks from the receipt of your hardware. This means that you will be fully trained and "live" on most of the new system within that time. We take pride in our ability to train you in our classroom setting without distraction utilizing a building blocks approach. We have trained thousands of people and know that our method works. Classes are held 2 or 3 times weekly in our training facility for 4 hours per class to avoid "information overload". After a period of instruction by our apparel industry trained expert, you are asked to complete those tasks on the system with the assistance of your customer service representative. And remember, there is no limit to your support phone calls so if you get home and do not remember something; we are only a phone call away.

I have a lot of information in my current software system. Will I have to re-enter all of the customers, styles and financial into our new system?

In most cases the answer is no. We can transfer critical data from your old system to the System 9001 on the "go live date" so there is no need to run concurrently. Apparel Data Systems does not charge extra for the data conversion provided you supply us with the properly formatted ASCII file for our standard "uploads". We have performed this service for all of our new customers. There is no need to run 2 systems concurrently with Apparel Data Systems.

I own several PC's now and use some Windows programs currently. Will I be able to use my PC's and Windows software with a LINUX system?

Absolutely! In fact, most of the computers in our corporate headquarters are PC's networked to our Linux server. One of the advantages of owning a Dell server with the Linux operating system is that it will connect seamlessly with any platform including Windows and Mac. Apparel Data Systems 9001 is Open Data Base Compliant (ODBC). You can access information from our database using software packages such as Microsoft Office and Crystal Reports. Many of our customers create their own reports and import data into Microsoft Office or virtually any of the hundreds of ODBC software products at their disposal.

What happens if your software company closes? Will I have to purchase new software from another company?

No. Once again, this is a major difference between the competition and us. Apparel Data Systems provides every customer with the source code at no additional cost. Additionally, every new release comes with source code. This insures that your investment is secure today and into the future. You’re being supported by ADS not because you have to, but because you want to be.

Every company is different when it comes to customer service, software maintenance and upgrades. Exactly what is covered on your annual maintenance?

Simple. Everything concerning your Apparel Data Systems software purchase is protected. It is like "bumper to bumper" coverage as long as you continue the program. For one price Apparel Data Systems provides:

Unlimited customer service calls. Unlike many of our competitors, we do not charge by the hour to assist you. Call as often as you like for as long as you need. It is in our best interest to make sure your employees get the most from the software. We hold your hand from beginnin
Unlimited technical support calls. We like to say it but the truth is you will rarely need it. We can count on one hand the number of clients who have been "down" more than a few hours!
Virtually all of our enhancements are included. Typically, we provide significant upgrades to the package once or twice a year. Occasionally, our enhancements are extensive requiring data conversion. There may be a low fee for these upgrades. It rarely happens but it may.

Only our largest clients have an in house computer person. In fact, most of our customers consider us their Information Systems Department. With all Apparel Data Systems purchases you learn 3 simple commands to startup, shutdown and backup your system. Our client references will tell you that the system is "rock solid" and easy to use. With the "hand holding" by your Apparel Data Systems Customer Service Representative the decision to have an in house person is entirely up to you.

The apparel industry is constantly changing. How can I be certain that my software investment will keep up with these changes? As my company grows will you be prepared to handle my business requirements?

Our clients range from single user systems to 128 users, start-up companies to those doing hundreds of millions of dollars annually. One of the many things that set us apart from the competition is our pricing policy. Whether you have 3 users or 300, you pay the same price per user license. Just because your business grows, we do not believe you should pay more

Additionally, Apparel Data Systems enhances the software package at least once annually at no or low cost to our clients. Despite the exhaustive efforts of our research and development department, typically, we have found our customers to be the best source of information for new features. We encourage them to send comments to us by email, fax or phone to our NY headquarters. Each company is unique and the sharing of ideas enables us to gain insight into the workings of your system as well as changes in the industry.

Apparel Data Systems maintains strategic alliances with industry leaders in related areas to supplement our package. We believe that our focus should be on the core business systems, what we do best. Apparel Data Systems business alliances allow you to integrate the "Best of Breed" in areas such as remote sales tools, product development and design as well as Internet Service Providers.