AIMS Expands With Web Tools, Services
Los Angeles–based software provider AIMS Technology Solutions Inc. is taking a step backward.
Small- to mid-size apparel companies usually come to AIMS to handle sales and order processing. Now the company has expanded its product line to enable its clients to conduct transactions before the orders reach the accounting department. Having formed a partnership with Beverly Hills–based Focal Technology Inc., AIMS now offers transactional tools such as electronic shopping carts as well as Web development services at costs well below those of other third-party vendors.
The tools allow AIMS customers and others to conduct transactions through an e-commerce site or a B2B online showroom-type environment, allowing them to export data into the AIMS system. AIMS handles the rest of the processes, including processing ASN (advanced shipping notifications) and EDI transactions, bills of material, letters of credit, ticket cutting, factor assignment and inventory tracking.
The new applications are a missing piece of a puzzle AIMS has been working on. By providing a transactional platform, users can go paperless and even place orders at a trade show, provided there’s a wireless environment.
The partnership also allows AIMS/Focal to help companies build their e-commerce and B2B Web presence from the ground up if needed.
In addition, Focal is a Microsoft gold-certified partner, which is a title awarded only to the software giant’s top customers. This allows Focal/AIMS to participate in beta testing as well as receive expedited customer support. It also has allowed AIMS to stage events such as Microsoft’s “Truck Across America” demo in June, when a 42-foot mobile studio was brought to the Los Angeles Fashion District to promote AIMS’ and Focal’s products.
The shopping-cart technology gives users full administrative capabilities as well as a secure environment through SSL encryption and a Hack Resistant seal of approval, which is akin to anti-virus software.
“They can bring their Web or e-commerce environments into their shopping carts the same way you would change the background of your Windows environment. It’s easy,” explained Focal’s Shahin Kohan. The system also allows users to zoom in on product shots as well as incorporate features such as celebrity blogs, generate gift certificates and discounts, and employ marketing tools such as Google product searches.
AIMS can integrate with the popular accounting program QuickBooks so users can view invoices, purchase orders, payments and account histories without re-keying data or switching to a different program.
“We’re allowing the smaller companies to act like the giant companies, using the same type of system at a fraction of the cost. You can spend $25,000 for a shopping cart or get one from us for $175 a month,” said Kohan.
AIMS Chief Executive Officer Scott Chaban agreed. “We provide as much functionality as six-figure software. The behind- the-scenes technical experience that comes with this is phenomenal. Not to diminish our customer, but they’re getting much better product than they even understand.”
The alliance with Focal Technology is one of several AIMS has made over the past couple years to augment its service offerings. It recently partnered with Continental Business Credit for factoring and Groupe BDM for remote order-entry services. For more information, visit www.aimstsi.com.
Levi’s to Install RFID in Mexican Stores
Levi Strauss & Co. is bringing RFID (radio-frequency identification) technology into its retail base in Mexico, deploying the controversial technology in 40 stores, said the company’s RFID supplier, Cambridge, Mass.–based TagSys.
TagSys’ partner in Mexico, Grupo Hasar, will install the system, placing scanners at checkout and, thus, allowing store clerks to scan multiple items at a time to expedite checkout for customers.
RFID’s wireless technology uses microchips placed in tags, which are read by radio-based scanning systems. Most of the deployments in the United States have involved incoming shipments into warehouses.
The technology has been a source of controversy at the retail level because of privacy concerns and identity theft. In Levi’s case, the retailer is using it only during peak periods, and the tracking does not go beyond the checkout stand.
The TagSys reader combines leading UHF-reader technology with a unique embedded-antenna design that reliably inventories multiple stacked garments while not erroneously reading nearby items.
“We appreciate the innovation behind each of TagSys’ solutions, which inevitably will help to enhance the effectiveness of our RFID implementation,” said Abel Garcia, director of information technology in Mexico for Levi Strauss.
