CenterStone Technologies, Inc. has added Fidra as a client of its Escape software application for business-to-business (B2B) ordering for Fidra's sales reps. Escape integrates seamlessly with a clients back office ERP system to completely automate order entry and tracking functions. By streamlining the order entry process for sales reps, Escape eliminates errors, increases customer satisfaction, and ultimately saves money through decreased order processing costs and reduced inventory.
Escape is a natural fit in the golf industry
“We wanted to be able to offer our sales reps online ordering and online tracking of orders for their retail accounts while providing updated order status and product availability around the clock, 24/7. We are always looking for new ways to streamline our business, satisfy our customers and increase sales. CenterStones Escape solution helps us do all three. Escapes installed base in the golf industry and experience with custom logo apparel, was a natural fit for use within this market. Empowering our sales reps with Escape will allow them to work more efficiently and more closely with our customers in meeting their needs,” stated Greg Hemphill, director of operations for Fidra Golf.
“We are excited that Fidra has selected CenterStone Technologies to handle their B2B commerce needs for their sales reps through our Escape application. With more than 1,200 sales reps currently using our Escape solution, we are confident that Fidra sales reps, will quickly adopt it, and that it will help them serve their accounts more effectively and grow sales. “Fidras selection of Escape is further confirmation of our decision, made one-year ago, to purchase Escape from Indra Technologies and to continue to develop and refine the product. In the golf industry and the custom, decorated apparel business, Escape continues to prove itself as a world-class solution for sales reps,” said Tom Detmer, CenterStone Technologies chief executive officer.
Reduced paperwork means increased sales and service
“Escapes impact on my life has been huge!” exclaims Rich Corvalan, a veteran golf sales representative based in New Jersey. Rich works for Cleveland Golf, one of the most respected names in golf club manufacturing. Cleveland Golf also owns the Fidra apparel brand, which Rich also represents “I save so much time using Escape! Before Escape, we used to have 8 to 10 different order forms, and the paperwork was overwhelming. Since implementing Escape my time spent on orders has been cut by one-third. I dont have to go home and do paperwork at the end of the day anymore. With Escape on my laptop and wireless internet, I can go into my accounts, write and submit orders and then print out a copy of the order for the customer on the spot the paperwork ends there.” Rich also noted how the time saved results in increased sales, “I dont have to stay up until 2 a.m. doing paperwork anymore. Since Escape provides me order status updates and I can run reports, I am better prepared prior to visiting my accounts and can provide better service to my customers. And further, since I spend so much less time on administrative tasks, I have the time to see more customers and book more sales!”
“Escape is so effective in streamlining the sales order management process for sales reps that our customers typically see a return on their investment in less than six months. We currently have more than 1,200 sales reps that use the Escape solution across more than two dozen well-know brands, and we are excited that Fidra will be making our best-of-breed solution available for their reps too. Senior management at Fidra recognizes the importance of sharing availability, and customer logo information, and making ordering easier and more convenient for sales reps, which will ultimately help increase sales. Escape gives sales reps full access to all their transactions and information they need to maintain good relationships with their specialty retail accounts. Its just the way business is getting done these days,” stated Jim Beavers, vice president of sales in CenterStones San Diego office.
Brands currently making the CenterStone Technologies solutions available to their retail customers and sales reps include: The North Face, JanSport, Vans and VF Imagewear, part of VF Corporation (NYSE: VFC); Pearl Izumi, a division of Nautilus, Inc. (NYSE: NLS); Marmot Mountain, Ex Officio, Marker Apparel, Adio Footwear and Planet Earth, part of K2 Corporation (NYSE: KTO); Helly Hansen; Perry Ellis Intl. (NASDAQ: PERY); Geneva Watch Group; Cleveland Golf, part of Quiksilver (NYSE: ZQK); Fairway and Greene; Tehama, Bag Boy: Axis Menswear; Bette & Court, Imperial Headwear; RipCurl; Billabong; Sport Obermeyer; Smith Optics; Garmont; KHS Bicycles; Dale of Norway, Malone Auto Racks, ONeill Clothing, Hot Chillys, Walk-EZ International and others.
