Sigma Micro announced today the availability of SigmaCommerce 4.1, which includes a tool for building and managing dynamic Web stores coupling full eCommerce integration and back-office functionality.
Effective with this release, Sigma Micro also adds on-demand availability plus Website hosting services to its SigmaCommerce solutions platform for multi-channel direct retailers.
The architecture of SigmaCommerce 4.1 reinforces Sigma Micro's strategic commitment to mid-market direct retailers. The 26-year-old company launched SigmaCommerce in 2007 as the flagship product to deliver a comprehensive solution that centrally manages the complexities of the direct-to-consumer business.
"Direct retailers have to balance channel growth with profitability, and eCommerce represents a real business opportunity for multi-channel merchants who have yet to integrate this disparate channel into their core business." said Matt Konkle, President of Sigma Micro. "SigmaCommerce 4.1 brings an unprecedented solution that unites full back-office functionality with advanced eCommerce, call center and marketing capabilities."
The eStore Manager module enables users to build and manage dynamic Web stores within the SigmaCommerce application. The new release provides a set of site authoring tools for eCommerce management while keeping product and content management simple.
Features of the eStore Manager include:
• Real-time integration with product information and customer data in a single database
• Drag-and-drop capabilities for building, maintaining and optimizing Websites
• Dynamic control over Website content and offerings
• Ease-of-use with over 70 ecommerce controls and a preeminent CSS (Cascading Style Sheets) Editor
• 50 built-in page templates or user-created templates
• Search Engine Optimization and advanced analytics
SigmaCommerce is built entirely on the Microsoft® .Net Framework 3.0 and is available as a Web-based application. Along with its Software as a Service (SaaS) delivery model, Sigma Micro provides full hosting for Web stores built within the application.
Tuesday, February 26, 2008
Monday, February 25, 2008
Microsoft to Test New Web Ad Measure
Microsoft said Monday it would test a new way to measure the effectiveness of Internet advertising in a beta program that is due to begin on March 1.
Microsoft's "Engagement Mapping" departs from an industry standard that ties sales, leads and traffic to the last ad that a user clicked on online. Instead, it attempts to take into account all the Internet interactions that lead a consumer to buy a product. This is presumably based at least in part on Microsoft's purchase last year of aQuantive.
Microsoft advertising clients and partner agencies such as Citi Cards and Initiative Media have signed on for the program.
In related news, fresh numbers from the Interactive Advertising Bureau, which is holding its annual meeting this week: The U.S. online ad market hit a record $21.1 billion last year, a 25% increase over 2006.
But that year-on-year growth is a decline from 2005-2006, when Internet ads jumped 35%. 2007 Q4 results show a similar pattern: They're up 24% y/y from 2006, to $5.9 billion. But that's a slower increase than the previous year, when they grew 33% y/y.
Microsoft's "Engagement Mapping" departs from an industry standard that ties sales, leads and traffic to the last ad that a user clicked on online. Instead, it attempts to take into account all the Internet interactions that lead a consumer to buy a product. This is presumably based at least in part on Microsoft's purchase last year of aQuantive.
Microsoft advertising clients and partner agencies such as Citi Cards and Initiative Media have signed on for the program.
In related news, fresh numbers from the Interactive Advertising Bureau, which is holding its annual meeting this week: The U.S. online ad market hit a record $21.1 billion last year, a 25% increase over 2006.
But that year-on-year growth is a decline from 2005-2006, when Internet ads jumped 35%. 2007 Q4 results show a similar pattern: They're up 24% y/y from 2006, to $5.9 billion. But that's a slower increase than the previous year, when they grew 33% y/y.
Sunday, February 24, 2008
Sigma Micro, Stark Bros. Offer Complete Business Solution for Direct Retailers
Sigma Micro and Stark Bro's Fulfillment Services® have announced an expanded relationship under the ownership of Sigma Holdings, Inc.
Al Langsenkamp, CEO of Sigma Holdings, Inc. added Stark Bro's to the Sigma Holdings group of companies for its strategic focus on the direct retail segment. Langsenkamp previously held a limited financial interest in the business.
"For over 16 years, we've relied on Sigma Micro's order management solution to run our business, and it has enabled us to provide completely outsourced fulfillment and call center services to our customers," remarked Jack Alexander, President of Stark Bro's. "Under this business arrangement, we will continue to make significant investments in our facilities, processes and people."
Stark Bro's customers will benefit from the investments that Sigma Micro has made in the last few years in SigmaCommerce, its next-generation software, noted Alexander. "Their order management solution means we can deliver even better service, enhanced web marketing, and improved access to management information. Ultimately, our customers will be equipped to make fast decisions based on timely information."
Under Sigma Holdings, Stark Bro's has already begun significant enhancements to several areas of the business which will enable the company to continue its double-digit growth. This includes the purchase of a second distribution facility of 315,000 sq ft to its capacity. The new facility is located adjacent to its headquarters in Louisiana, Mo. Stark Bro's has also implemented enhancements to business processes, services offerings, and growth in personnel.
Al Langsenkamp, CEO of Sigma Holdings, Inc. added Stark Bro's to the Sigma Holdings group of companies for its strategic focus on the direct retail segment. Langsenkamp previously held a limited financial interest in the business.
"For over 16 years, we've relied on Sigma Micro's order management solution to run our business, and it has enabled us to provide completely outsourced fulfillment and call center services to our customers," remarked Jack Alexander, President of Stark Bro's. "Under this business arrangement, we will continue to make significant investments in our facilities, processes and people."
Stark Bro's customers will benefit from the investments that Sigma Micro has made in the last few years in SigmaCommerce, its next-generation software, noted Alexander. "Their order management solution means we can deliver even better service, enhanced web marketing, and improved access to management information. Ultimately, our customers will be equipped to make fast decisions based on timely information."
Under Sigma Holdings, Stark Bro's has already begun significant enhancements to several areas of the business which will enable the company to continue its double-digit growth. This includes the purchase of a second distribution facility of 315,000 sq ft to its capacity. The new facility is located adjacent to its headquarters in Louisiana, Mo. Stark Bro's has also implemented enhancements to business processes, services offerings, and growth in personnel.
Thursday, February 21, 2008
My Sessions at NCOF
I will be doing three sessions at the 2008 National Conference on Operations & Fulfillment (NCOF) in Orlando, April 7 - 10, at the Gaylord Palms Resort & Convention Center.
The first is a Preconference session on Strategic Systems Management and Selection, on Monday, April 7, from 9:00 AM to 12:15 PM.
On Tuesday afternoon, April 8, 1:45 - 3:00 PM, I will be speaking on Multichannel Systems Integration Strategies.
And on Wed., April 9, I host an open Roundtable on Systems Selection and Implementation from 7;30 to 8:30 AM.
The Direct Marketing Association (DMA) and Penton Media’s Multichannel Merchant® magazine are the co-sponsors of the event. Click here for further information.
The first is a Preconference session on Strategic Systems Management and Selection, on Monday, April 7, from 9:00 AM to 12:15 PM.
On Tuesday afternoon, April 8, 1:45 - 3:00 PM, I will be speaking on Multichannel Systems Integration Strategies.
And on Wed., April 9, I host an open Roundtable on Systems Selection and Implementation from 7;30 to 8:30 AM.
The Direct Marketing Association (DMA) and Penton Media’s Multichannel Merchant® magazine are the co-sponsors of the event. Click here for further information.
Sharper Image, Lillian Vernon File for Bankruptcy
As noted, we don't normally cover the status of merchant companies, but since we did a piece on Lillian Vernon the other day, this follow-up is in order.
Sharper Image Corp. and Lillian Vernon Corp. both filed for bankruptcy protection as they struggled with declining sales.
Sharper Image will shed 90 of its 184 stores as it deals with a "severe liquidity crisis," Chief Financial Officer Rebecca Roedell said in bankruptcy papers filed yesterday. Closely held Lillian Vernon said it plans to sell assets after revenue trailed its forecasts and costs rose.
Sharper Image blamed its plummeting stock price on a judge's rejection of a $22 million settlement over its Ionic purifiers last year. As analysts began to speculate how much the company might owe plaintiffs, its support from trade vendors and suppliers weakened.
Lillian Vernon, based in Virginia Beach, Virginia, said it hired Gruppo Levey to look into a sale. The company is seeking bankruptcy protection because of lower-than-expected revenue, increased costs and a lack of funding.
The catalog retailer listed assets and debt of $1 million to $100 million in documents filed today in U.S. Bankruptcy Court in Wilmington. The company said it has 5,001 to 10,000 creditors.
Lillian Vernon's parent, Sun Capital Partners, is a private investment firm that specializes in leveraged buyouts. It didn't file for bankruptcy.
Sharper Image Corp. and Lillian Vernon Corp. both filed for bankruptcy protection as they struggled with declining sales.
Sharper Image will shed 90 of its 184 stores as it deals with a "severe liquidity crisis," Chief Financial Officer Rebecca Roedell said in bankruptcy papers filed yesterday. Closely held Lillian Vernon said it plans to sell assets after revenue trailed its forecasts and costs rose.
Sharper Image blamed its plummeting stock price on a judge's rejection of a $22 million settlement over its Ionic purifiers last year. As analysts began to speculate how much the company might owe plaintiffs, its support from trade vendors and suppliers weakened.
Lillian Vernon, based in Virginia Beach, Virginia, said it hired Gruppo Levey to look into a sale. The company is seeking bankruptcy protection because of lower-than-expected revenue, increased costs and a lack of funding.
The catalog retailer listed assets and debt of $1 million to $100 million in documents filed today in U.S. Bankruptcy Court in Wilmington. The company said it has 5,001 to 10,000 creditors.
Lillian Vernon's parent, Sun Capital Partners, is a private investment firm that specializes in leveraged buyouts. It didn't file for bankruptcy.
Wednesday, February 20, 2008
David Shepard Assocs. To Rep Alterian
Database firm Alterian has inked a deal with David Shepard Associates (DSA), a direct marketing and database consulting firm for DSA to offer Alterian's analysis, campaign planning, multi-channel execution, reporting and marketing operations capabilities for on-premises installation into marketers' offices.
DSA consultants will assist in the construction of the database at the end-user's site, and will provide on-going technical support, as well providing marketing program and marketing analytics support, as needed.
This platform gives the marketer an integrated set of applications built on top of a single data architecture and accessed through a single user interface or marketing portal. (Every application of the Alterian Marketing Services Platform shares data, business rules and assets across applications.)
The Alterian Marketing Services Platform consists of the following applications:
* Marketing Data Infrastructure & Management
* Data Mining: Visualization, Analysis & Modeling
* Campaign Planning and Design
* Campaign Optimization
* Multi Channel Execution
* Reporting and Accountability
* Marketing Operations
DSA consultants will assist in the construction of the database at the end-user's site, and will provide on-going technical support, as well providing marketing program and marketing analytics support, as needed.
This platform gives the marketer an integrated set of applications built on top of a single data architecture and accessed through a single user interface or marketing portal. (Every application of the Alterian Marketing Services Platform shares data, business rules and assets across applications.)
The Alterian Marketing Services Platform consists of the following applications:
* Marketing Data Infrastructure & Management
* Data Mining: Visualization, Analysis & Modeling
* Campaign Planning and Design
* Campaign Optimization
* Multi Channel Execution
* Reporting and Accountability
* Marketing Operations
Monday, February 18, 2008
Amazon Web Services Outage Causes Concern
As reported in the New York Times:
A few days after the BlackBerry e-mail system’s latest downtime, Amazon is giving companies another reason to worry about outsourcing company-critical functions.
Amazon’s S3 service, which offers cheap, accessible Web storage for hundreds of thousands of companies, went down this morning at around 7:30 a.m. Eastern time and is only now slowly creeping back up, delivering high error rates, according to various bloggers and posters on Web forums.
S3, one of Amazon’s stable of Web services, lets businesses store their data “in the cloud,” avoiding the need to operate their own servers. It is part of the same online infrastructure that Amazon uses to run its own business. Over 330,000 developers have registered to use Amazon Web Services, up more than 30,000 from last quarter, according to Amazon’s recent quarterly earnings announcement.
An Amazon spokesman said: “We’ve resolved this issue and performance is returning to normal levels for all Amazon Web Services that were impacted. We understand the critical importance of our services to our customers, which is why operational excellence is our highest priority.”
The technical problems affected a host of startups that use S3, such as the messaging service Twitter. The New York Times also uses S3 to store and deliver articles from its historical archives, parts of which were unavailable this morning.
On Amazon’s Web developer forum, the natives are restless. “My business is effectively closed right now because Amazon did something wrong. I’ll have to reconsider using the service now,” wrote one poster at around 9 a.m. Eastern time this morning.
Will all of this hurt Amazon? This is the first significant problem for S3, so if they fix the problem quickly and communicate clearly to customers, probably not. But if it proves to be a continuing problem — like the now biannual BlackBerry blackouts — expect nervous tech folks to at the very least begin considering backup systems.
UPDATE: Here’s another statement from an Amazon spokeman:
“For one of our services, the Amazon Simple Storage Service, one of our three geographic locations was unreachable for approximately two hours and was back to operating at over 99% of normal performance before 7 a.m. pacific standard time. We’ve been operating this service for two years and we’re proud of our uptime track record. Any amount of downtime is unacceptable and we won’t be satisfied until it’s perfect. We’ve been communicating with our customers all morning via our support forums and will be providing additional information as soon as we have it.”
A few days after the BlackBerry e-mail system’s latest downtime, Amazon is giving companies another reason to worry about outsourcing company-critical functions.
Amazon’s S3 service, which offers cheap, accessible Web storage for hundreds of thousands of companies, went down this morning at around 7:30 a.m. Eastern time and is only now slowly creeping back up, delivering high error rates, according to various bloggers and posters on Web forums.
S3, one of Amazon’s stable of Web services, lets businesses store their data “in the cloud,” avoiding the need to operate their own servers. It is part of the same online infrastructure that Amazon uses to run its own business. Over 330,000 developers have registered to use Amazon Web Services, up more than 30,000 from last quarter, according to Amazon’s recent quarterly earnings announcement.
An Amazon spokesman said: “We’ve resolved this issue and performance is returning to normal levels for all Amazon Web Services that were impacted. We understand the critical importance of our services to our customers, which is why operational excellence is our highest priority.”
The technical problems affected a host of startups that use S3, such as the messaging service Twitter. The New York Times also uses S3 to store and deliver articles from its historical archives, parts of which were unavailable this morning.
On Amazon’s Web developer forum, the natives are restless. “My business is effectively closed right now because Amazon did something wrong. I’ll have to reconsider using the service now,” wrote one poster at around 9 a.m. Eastern time this morning.
Will all of this hurt Amazon? This is the first significant problem for S3, so if they fix the problem quickly and communicate clearly to customers, probably not. But if it proves to be a continuing problem — like the now biannual BlackBerry blackouts — expect nervous tech folks to at the very least begin considering backup systems.
UPDATE: Here’s another statement from an Amazon spokeman:
“For one of our services, the Amazon Simple Storage Service, one of our three geographic locations was unreachable for approximately two hours and was back to operating at over 99% of normal performance before 7 a.m. pacific standard time. We’ve been operating this service for two years and we’re proud of our uptime track record. Any amount of downtime is unacceptable and we won’t be satisfied until it’s perfect. We’ve been communicating with our customers all morning via our support forums and will be providing additional information as soon as we have it.”
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