AUTOMATION
A N D T H E F U T U R E O F
Framing
est shops across America?
POS Software
The most important piece of tech-
nology one can add to their frame
shop or gallery today is a comput-
er. For years we have heard about
the efficiency provided through
databases, primarily as it pertains
to the maintenance of customers
and inventory.
Most of us accept that we
should use computers, but often-
times find ourselves justifying the
“quality” of our paper system. It
This is the first in a series of articles
by David Quattlebaum on automa- may be true that the paper flow of
tion in the frame shop. the shop is efficient in its own
right, but not without the sacrifice
of hours of filing and maintenance
T
echnology is changing
the face of our industry of documents.
more quickly than we The difficulty comes in discov-
could have ever imag- ering the correct tools to do the
ined. The arrival of the home com- job. Begin by looking at your sys-
puting age has begun to familiarize tem of paperwork and production.
all generations with the basics of What is the natural flow of infor-
computing. With the universal mation within your system? Once
acceptance of this breed of technol- this information is determined,
ogy comes solutions to tasks which look to the tools available. Will an
were dreams of science fiction 20 off-the-shelf accounting package fit
by David Quattlebaum, CPF
years ago. Who would have imag- your methods? Do you need an
ined that computerized mat cutters industry specific point of sale sys-
or automated underpinners would tem, or will you need a custom
be commonplace in even the small- designed system for your shop?
In most instances, an industry
114 PFM i September 2000
specific software is the answer. The computerized mat cutter. Several cally online, receive our invoices
price of these systems is small com- years ago I swore that I would never online, pay them without writing a
pared to prices in other industries, cut a mat, if not by hand. Quality check, find out instantly what items
and with some research, one can find and value were far too important to are back ordered, receive suggestions
software perfect for their needs. the standards of our shop. However, on replacement products, alternative
If you decide to go with a cus- over time I have come to realize how shipping locations... more interactive
tom designed software, there are a ridiculous it was for me to see cutting enhanced feature buying than ever
few considerations before diving in. mats with an in-line mat cutter as “by before.
First, how will you update your sys- hand.” These things are already hap-
tem? Most industry software auto- I recalled a conversation with pening with other industries, and are
matically updates pricing from the Paul Frederick a number of years already in place to happen in ours.
moulding and mat suppliers, some ago, when he told me of cutting We live in an exciting and quickly
as frequently as weekly on their web- every mat with a ruler and mat evolving way of doing business;
sites. knife... now that was cutting mats those who do not keep up will not
Also, what happens if your by hand. The truth is we all have survive.
developer decides to no longer sup- our connections with the old way of Begin by taking small steps in
port the product? The question then doing business, even those of us who the right direction. Visit other frame
becomes, do you receive more bene- are of the newest generation in cus- shops in your area that are already
fits from a pre-designed package that tom picture framing. automated. Ask the owners what the
may require a little change from The reality is that anyone can transition was like and what steps
than designing one to fit your exact “tune” an automated piece of equip- they took first. If you don’t have a
way of doing business without the ment to provide quality on the level home computer and an Internet
advantages of automated updates of our standards. It used to take our connection, get one. Home comput-
and support? shop a day to cut eighty triple mats. ers can be purchased in most places
Most of us can change our sys- now we do so in an hour and a half, for under $500! (That’s less expen-
tem a little and see the increased spending the balance of the day sive than an in-line mat cutter.)
efficiency of doing so. How long embellishing the mats with specialty Look at each shop’s integration of
does your shop currently spend on designs. systems. Many shops now have their
changing prices on the back of When making the decision to point of sale software connected
moulding samples? Furthermore, move toward automation, consider directly to their computerized mat
how long do you put off the price the equipment as an employee. In cutter: no more data entry at the
update for the vendor because you most cases the computerized mat mat cutter!
either can’t face pulling those sam- cutter or the point of sale software All of these advances are able to
ples down, or are simply too busy? will be a near equivalent and will help you make more money; take
Take a few moments to factor in allow for business growth that you advantage of them. Take time to go
the costs of doing business that can would not consider without it. to the trade shows or your local
be improved by automated point of chapter meetings for the PPFA.
sale, and you will find that acquiring The Future Learn how automation can change
software just makes good sense— Finally, let us consider the near your shop and more importantly
long before you look at the benefits future of automation. Looking to how it can help keep you from living
of direct advertising enabled through other industries we find automation at the frame shop! ■
a valuable database of customer taking a leap toward the Internet.
information. Hosted applications, business to David Quattlebaum, CPF, is an educator and
consultant for the art and framing industry spe-
business marketplaces, vertical inte-
cializing in technology, management, and frame
Mat Cutters gration—this is the lingo of the next building techniques. He owns two award-win-
As we look beyond the first stage of step in automation. Very soon, we ning art galleries and serves as a consultant and
automation, we should consider the will be able to place orders automati- national sales manager for LifeSaver Software.
116 PFM i September 2000