Just as direct-to-customer software has become a mature product, the recession is causing slower sales, fewer installations, and layoffs and reorganizations at a number of companies.

Recessions do make prices more negotiable, allowing catalog companies that are well financed or choose to lease to make opportunistic buys. While stand-alone forecasting and inventory management systems may cost $100,000 or more, improvements in sales, better inventory turnover, and reduced costs for backorders, can provide a 12- to 24-month payback.

More vendors now offer PC-based systems, and vendors that have historically served large catalogs are now attempting to sell to smaller businesses. Leading WMS providers have interfaced to DTC systems for a number of years; now WMS vendors are developing software on smaller, PC-based platforms.

Curt Barry is president of F. Curtis Barry & Company, a consultancy specializing in direct-to-customer software selection and implementation; fulfillment strategies; design of distribution centers; and benchmarking. Contact him at (804) 740-8743, or by e-mail at cbarry@fcbco.com. www.fcbco.com.

PC Server Systems Cole Systems

7280 W. Palmetto Park Road, Suite 302
Boca Raton, FL 33433
2002 enhancements: ColePOS is tied seamlessly to the catalog system and offers a fully integrated solution to multichannel companies
Users: Blissworld Llc., LaSenza International Inc., SpeedFC.com, Giorgio Armani
Contact: Tod Fox, Executive V.P., Sales & Marketing
Phone: (877) 477-COLE Fax: (561) 620-8653
E-mail: info@colesystems.com
Internet: www.colesystems.com

CoLinear Systems Inc.

4343 Shallowford Road, Suite H-7
Marietta, GA 30062
2002 enhancements: Support for multiple warehouses; interfaces to most major Windows-based accounting packages; CTI; fractional inventory
Users: National Allergy Supply, Wine of the Month Club, Crafts Americana Group, J. Marco Galleries
Contact: Alicia Den Beste
Phone: (800) 265-4632 Fax: (800) 800-6988
E-mail: info@colinear.com
Internet: www.colinear.com

Dydacomp Development Corp.

11-D Commerce Way
Totowa, NJ 07512
2002 enhancements: Advanced address management for standard mail; USPS third-party shipping integration; customization to SiteLink (e-commerce module); advanced inventory, receiving, and purchasing features
Users: Fairytale Brownies, R.C. Bigelow Tea Inc., Yankee Candle Co., New York Mets
Contact: Robert Coon, V.P., Sales & Marketing
Phone: (800) 858-3666 Fax: (973) 237-9043
E-mail: sales@dydacomp.com
Internet: www.dydacomp.com

Morgan CustomSoft Inc.

P.O. Box 441162
Kennesaw, GA 30160
2002 enhancements: WYSIWYG forms; rate shopping; LIFO/FIFO inventory; TAPI interface
Users: ICM Corporation, Renton Western Wear, Pegasus Auto Racing, Postal Products, ABDI International
Contact: Mark Morgan, President
Phone: (770) 422-1300 Fax: (773) 377-5049
E-mail: markm@mcsiworld.com
Internet: www.mcsiworld.com

Morse Data Corporation

559 Central Avenue, 2nd Floor
Dover, NH 03820
2002 enhancements: Real-time rate shopping; Internet credit card authorization; additional accounting modules
Users: National Park Service, Hickory Farms, New Readers Press, International Bible Society, Spirituality.com
Contact: Drew LeFleur, Marketing Representative
Phone: (603) 742-2500 Fax: (603) 742-8178
E-mail: sales@morsedata.com
Internet: www.morsedata.com

Rigden Inc.

3090 Sterling Circle, Suite 200
Boulder, CO 80301
2002 enhancements: Full integration to Vendere (e-commerce module); inventory forecasting; enhanced database marketing features
Users: Metropolitan Opera Guild, Alaskan Harvest, Cobra Electronics, Serrv International
Contact: James Jobson
Phone: (303) 442-8190, X108 Fax: (303) 442-8686
E-mail: rigden@rigden.com
Internet: www.rigden.com

Tamalpais Technologies

99 Mariners Circle, #200
Tiburon, CA 94920
2002 enhancements: Interface with Great Plains and MAS90 accounting systems
Users: As We Change, Hadley Fruit Orchards, Dancing Dragons Design
Contact: Michael Meinberg
Phone: (415) 927-0333 Fax: (415) 927-4619
E-mail: sales@tamtech.net
Internet: www.ordermatepro.com

Terno & Associates Inc.

755 Boardman-Canfield Road, Suite N2
Boardman, OH 44512
2002 enhancements: Enhanced Web and automated e-mail functions; improved automatic PO generation. Call or go online for latest developments.
Users: Faith Mountain Company, Cuddledown of Maine, Venus Swimwear, Wendell August Forge, Chinaberry
Contact: Jeff Moliterno, President
Phone: (330) 629-7004 Fax: (330) 629-7585
E-mail: info@terno.com
Internet: www.terno.com

UNIX Systems Avexxis

30 Avon Meadow Lane
Avon, CT 06001
2002 enhancements: A choice of character front end throughout the application; enhanced Web interface; rapid data conversion process; call center interface
Users: Recovery Sales Corporation, Geerlings and Wade, Vermont Teddy Bear, Federated Department Stores
Contact: Craig Radocy, Director of Operations
Phone: (860) 676-9006, X805 Fax: (860) 677-2176
E-mail: cradocy@avexxis.com
Internet: www.avexxis.com

Data Management Associates Inc.

4000 Executive Park Drive, Suite 101
Cincinnati, OH 45241
2002 enhancements: Enhanced GUI; telephony integration; foreign currency; data mining interface; expanded BOM/MRP module
Users: Sportsmans' Market, Ralph Malby's Golfworks, Lady Grace Stores, Creative Irish Gifts, Revival Animal Health
Contact: Larry Maher, V.P., Sales and Marketing
Phone: (513) 563-7300 Fax: (513) 563-7301
E-mail: info@dmasales.com
Internet: www.dmasales.com

Datamann Inc.

1994 Hatford Avenue
Wilder, VT 05088
2002 enhancements: Expanded single base with continued client-driven enhancements; open warehouse in addition to zone/location multi-warehouse structure; expanded B-to-B interaction with accounting functionality
Users: Call for users list.
Contact: Andrew Warner; John Mann
Phone: (800) 451-4263 Fax: (802) 296-3623
E-mail: info@datamann.com
Internet: www.datamann.com

Page Digital Inc.

6450 S. Revere Parkway
Englewood, CO 80111
2002 enhancements: Java tool-set for user-defined user interface; new applications
Users: IBM, Lands' End Corporate Sales, FAO Schwarz, Michaels Stores, Hershey
Contact: Renee Bluechel, Corporate Communications
Phone: (800) 569-1122 Fax: (303) 754-4995
E-mail: websales@pagedigital.com
Internet: www.pagedigital.com

Retek Inc.

950 Nicollet Mall
Minneapolis, MN 55403
2002 enhancements: Enterprise integration through EAI (Retek integration bus); multi-brand customer database; multi-enterprise workflow (supplier/participant collaboration); cross-channel promotion and pricing
Users: Williams-Sonoma, NEXCOM (Navy Exchange), Jungle OnLine, CBS.Sportsline.com, Shop at Home
Contact: Brian Dean
Phone: (612) 587-5000 Fax: (612) 587-5100
E-mail: brian.dean@retek.com
Internet: www.retek.com

Sigma Micro

6720 Parkdale Place
Indianapolis, IN 46254
2002 enhancements: Please call or go online for latest developments.
Users: Sears Roebuck & Co., Foot Locker, Johnston & Murphy, Lands' End International, Woodcraft Supply
Contact: Jeff Long, Sales Manager
Phone: (800) 227-4462 Fax: (317) 631-6585
E-mail: jtlong@sigma-micro.com
Internet: www.sigma-micro.com

Proprietary Software Systems Applied Systems Technologies Inc. (ASTi)

809 Garrison Avenue, P.O. Box 6317
Fort Smith, AK 72906-6317
2002 enhancements: Browser-based system
Users: Cassette Productions Unlimited, The Good Catalog Company, Bachrach, Crown City Hardware
Contact: Larry Graves
Phone: (479) 783-9612 Fax: (479) 783-9192
E-mail: sales@asti-solutions.com
Internet: www.asti-solutions.com

Cayenta

57 West 200 South, Suite 500
Salt Lake City, UT 84101
2002 enhancements: Gift list functionality; retail store locator; flexible/variable kits for configurable items
Users: Dean & Deluca, Franklin Covey, Kenneth Cole, 800.com, Icon Health & Fitness
Contact: Tony Knowlton, Inside Sales Manager
Phone: (800) 732-0136 Fax: (801) 355-7720
E-mail: salesinfo@cayenta.com
Internet: www.cayenta.com

CommercialWare

24 Prime Park Way, Cochituate Place
Natick, MA 01760
2002 enhancements: Collaborate.dot.commerce w/enhanced store fulfillment; role-based security; buy-side POs; retail.dot.commerce w/e-mail management; enhanced forecasting and B-to-B features; extended analytics.dot.commerce datamart w/all enterprise data in single structure
Users: Target Direct, Disney, J. Jill, Abercrombie & Fitch, Starbucks, The U.S. Mint
Contact: Wynn Grubbs, V.P., Sales & Marketing
Phone: (508) 655-7500 Fax: (508) 647-9495
E-mail: info@commercialware.com
Internet: www.commercialware.com

Computer Solutions

6187 NW 167th Street, Suite H-33
Miami Lakes, FL 33317
2002 enhancements: Integrated POS; comprehensive RF material movement for the ORDER POWER! warehouse module; work orders; enhanced desktop integration
Users: REI, U.S. Navy, Toastmaster, Gannett Direct Marketing, Kable News
Contact: Ernie Smith, Vice President
Phone: (305) 558-7000 Fax: (305) 557-0003
E-mail: ernie_smith@orderpower.com
Internet: www.orderpower.com

Ecometry Corporation

1615 South Congress Avenue
Delray Beach, FL 33445-6368
2002 enhancements: Voice integration; standard XML interfaces for warehouse management systems; financial and retail systems — new POS system
Users: Coldwater Creek, Nordstrom.com, Hickory Farms, Time-Life, Hammacher Schlemmer
Contact: Les Johnson, Director of Sales Operations
Phone: (561) 265-2700 Fax: (561) 454-4800
E-mail: sales@ecometry.com
Internet: www.ecometry.com

SVI Retail

19800 MacArthur Boulevard, 12th Floor
Irvine, CA 92612
2002 enhancements: Improved Web site integration using MQ Series and XML; multichannel CRM integration
Users: Smith & Hawken, Signet, Academy Sports and Outdoors
Contact: Carrie Sorrento
Phone: (949) 476-2212 Fax: (949) 476-0177
E-mail: info@svisolutions.com
Internet: www.svisolutions.com

Company System Name	Date Started	Total Installations	Computer Platform	Operating Software	Programming Language	Database Software	Total Staff	Price for 15 Users	Price for 50 Users	Price for 100 Users	Annual Maintenance Fee	Warehouse Management System Interfaces	Integrated E-Commerce Module	Compatible Web Tools Used	Manifesting System Interfaces	Integrated Accounting Interfaces
ASTi Direct Marketing Management System (DMMS)	1993	13	AS/400	OS/400	RPG/400, Java	DB2/400	19	$65,000	$150,000	$260,000	5×8: 15% 7×24: 18%	Yes, integrated and interfaced to PkMS	Yes	Yes, Lotus Domino and custom tools	Pfastship, Clippership, Tandata, UPS, FedEx, Pitney Bowes	Own module, Interfaced to major vendors
Avexxis Corp. CatMan	1995	24	Unix, Windows 2000, NT	UNIX	Informix	Informix RDBMS and other major RDBMS	14	$64,000	$140,000	$220,000	Client-selectable	No	Open APIs included	Open APIs included	Clippership, Aristo, UPS, Pitney Bowes	Own AR, AP & GL included
Cayenta e.System	1987	55	AS/400	OS/400	RPG400, Java	DB2/400	290	Call for pricing			15% of list price	Not at this time	Yes	Cayenta Webstore, Net. Commerce, open APIs	Varsity Logistics, Clippership	Own module, open APIs
Cole Systems ColeMine	1998	4	Windows-based servers, AS/400, IBM & HP Unix	Windows 95, 98, NT, 2000	Lansa VL generating C, C++, RPG, Java	Open platform, Oracle, SQL, Sybase	23	$150,000	$250,000	Call for pricing	18% of license	JDE, PkMS	Yes	Lansa for Web	Kewill, Pitney Bowes	Own G/L, can be interfaced
Colinear Systems Response for Windows	1984	500+	Intel, Windows, and compatible	Windows	Visual Dataflex	MS SQL Oracle,	10	<$20,000	<$35,000	<$60,000	Basic $500/year or Standard -18% of license	Majure Data Systems	Provide Middleware	NA	UPS WorldShip, FedEx, Pitney Bowes, Kewill/APSS, StarShip, Clippership, Tandata	Great Plains
CommercialWare Retail. Dot. Commerce	1975	55	iSeries AS/400, Data Mart runs on NT	OS/400 Data Mart runs on NT	RPG400, Java	DB2/400, Data Mart runs on SQL	100	Call for pricing			18% of license fee	PkMS, EXE, LogPro, Catalyst, JDA, SVI, Manugistics, Dove Tree, Man Man	Yes	WebSphere, Site Server, Blue Martini, Broadvision, Commerce Server 2000, Interworld, ATG Dynamo	Tracer, Tandata, Pfastship, Aristo, Maxiship	Own AR/AP, Lawson, PeopleSoft, Oracle & Great Plains
Computer Solutions Order Power!	1979	95	iSeries AS/400	OS/400	RPG-ILE, Net.Data, Visual Basic, C	DB2/400	30	$70,000	$130,000	$240,000	18% of base price	Yes, have interfaces	Yes	Net. Data, IBM HTTP server	LogisticsPro, Evcor, Tandata, Pitney Bowes, Aristo, Powership, Kewill, Clippership	Own module
Data Management Associates MACH 2K	1979	35	PC servers and RS/6000	Windows NT 4.0 and 2000, UNIX and AIX	Compiled Data Basic	Universe RDBMS	9	$75,000	$160,000	$280,000	15% of license fee	No interfaces	Yes	Net Fusion	UPS Worldship, Fed Ex Powership, Kewill, Aristo, NeoPost	Own modules
Datamann Mail Order Software Plus (MOSP)	1975	50+	RS6000, mainframe	AIX, MVS, VSE	Acu-Cobol	Vision	23	$55,000	$150,000	$225,000	18% of license fee	Yes, have interfaces	Yes	IIS, Apache, iPlanet	All major carriers	ABS
Dydacomp Mail Order Manager	1983	5,000+	PC, PC networks	Windows 98, Me, NT, 2000, XP	Visual FoxPro	NA	45	$14,525	$33,850	$58,600	$399 + $139 per station	Not at this time	Yes	NA	USPS, UPS, & others using Universal Shipping Interface	Own AR&AP, QuickBooks, Peachtree, MAS90, Business Works, Soloman, Great Plains
Ecometry Corporation (formerly Smith-Gardner) Ecometry Retail Enterprise	1988	335	HP3000, HP9000, Unix, NT	MPE/IX, HP UX, NT	Java, C++, Visual Basic, COBOL	Image, OMNIDEX, SQL, Oracle	300	$80,000	$150,000	$350,000	18% of license fee	PkMS, IRMS, OPTUM	Yes	Yes, custom tools, API can use any Web tool	FedEx, Airborne, UPS, RPS, USPS, R.R. Donnelley Logistics	GTS, Multiview, PeopleSoft, Oracle, Great Plains
Morgan CustomSoft Solution	1983	18	Windows-compliant servers	Windows 98, NT, 2000, XP	Visual DataFlex	MS SQL, Oracle, DB2, Pervasive, SQL, DataFlex	7	$40,000	$55,000	$140,000	15% of license fee	Not at this time	Yes	DataFlex WebApp Server	Pitney Bowes, Harvey, Starship, UPS Worldship, FedEx	Own AR, AP, GL
Morse Data Corp. In Order	1975	87	Terminal servers, client/server networks	Windows 2000 server, Windows XP/Me/98	Power Builder, XML	SQL Server	17	$56,000	$150,000	$260,000	18% of license fee	Not at this time	Yes	Visual InterDev	FedEx Powership, UPS Worldwide, Clippership	Great Plains
Page Digital synaro Advantage	1980	82	RS/6000, HP9000	AIX	Java, Basic, XML	Metropolis, Oracle (optional)	75	$60,000	$185,000	$325,000	Tiered pricing	IRMS, IBM	Yes	BEA Weblogic	Clippership, USPS, FedEx, UPS, Kewill	Own module, PeopleSoft, Oracle, Lawson
Retek (formerly HighTouch) Customer Order Management	1986	20	Unix, NT	Unix/Windows NT	Oracle SQL/PLSQL/JAVA	Oracle, DB2	650	Call for pricing			18% of license fee	Retek Dist. Mgmnt. and standard WMS APIs	Yes	Oracle Application Server and APIs can use any Web tool	UPS, Fedex, USPS	Oracle Financials, PeopleSoft
Rigden Advanced Catalog Technology (ACT I)	1987 1988	58	Intel or RISC	Unix, NT, Linux	Basic	D3	12	$51,000	$99,250	$170,000	15% of license fee	No	Yes	Vendere	Tandata, PSS	Own module
Sigma Micro Controller +/eController	1982	146	RS6000, HP9000	Unix	Cobol, Visual Basic, C,	Oracle (optional)	90	$95,000	$150,000	$250,000	Tiered pricing	IRMS, Retek	Yes	MS Site Server	UPS, FedEx, Kewill, Neopost, Mastech, Pitney Bowes	ABS
SVI Retail (formerly MarketPlace) SVI Direct	1978	14	AS/400, PC	OS/400, NT	LANSA 4GL case tool	DB2/400	200	Call for pricing			11% of license fee	No	Yes	IBM WebSphere, Commerce Suite	Pfastship	Own module
Tamalpais Technologies Order Mate Pro	1992	36	PC servers	Windows 98, NT, 2000, XP	Visual Fox Pro 6.0	NA	6	$37,000	$90,000	NA	18% of license fee	STS Systems	Open APIs	NA	UPS Worldship, FedEx, Starship, Harvey Software	Great Plains, QuickBooks
Terno & Associates Terno Velocity	1992	85	Unix, HP, IBM	Unix, Linux, Windows NT & 2000	Universe Basic, Visual Basic	Informix, Universe RDBMS	18	$40K-$65K	$85K-$130K	$150K-$240K	12% of license fee or hourly	Yes	Yes	APIs, Redback, MS Site Server	UPS, FedEx, Airborne, USPS, Aristo, Malvern, Clippership,	Own module
Key: Installations may reflect total number of users on lifetime sales. Pricing includes hardware, software, peripherals, and third-party hardware and software, but not file conversion costs. Interfaces to other vendors reflect connectivity to other commercially available systems. NR = no response