The scene: Microsoft Corp.’s roving 42-foot RV, outfitted with its latest software products, rolled into The New Mart parking lot to highlight products aimed to make life easier for apparel companies. The event was hosted by Microsoft Certified Gold partners Focal Technology and partner AIMS as well as Fashion Business Inc. Technicians gave demos of AIMS/Focal products. Plenty of pizza and refreshments circulated with a music backdrop provided by AIMS’ Randy Baxter, who was doing double duty as software technician and deejay.

AIMS/Focal provides software and products to help companies manage their sales and orders. Sharooze Kohan of Focal showed how companies can use remote scanners to place orders at trade shows to eliminate a paper environment. AIMS’ Scott Chaban further demonstrated how the orders can be linked to the AIMS system to be processed and on its way through an automated system.

Among those visiting the truck tour were Los Angeles designer Randi Randolph. “I wanted to see how the different plug-ins could help me link to the Web for e-commerce and integrate into AIMS as well for my orders,” Randolph said.

Microsoft’s Dan Morgan said the turnout was strong. “It was usually standing-room only,” he said, adding that many were interested in Microsoft’s small-business server.  —Robert McAllister

Photography by Volker Corell