Genesis Software Systems Unveils WebLink

Furniture World Magazine

Genesis Software Systems unveiled WebLink during the Spring 2001 Market in High Point. WebLink connects retailers using Genesis For Windows to their customers and suppliers through the internet. WebLink is also the foundation upon which Genesis Software Systems will implement XML technologies that we believe will become the standard method for communicating between retailers and manufacturers in the furniture industry. WebLink allows furniture retailers to transmit purchase orders to manufacturers, or manufacturer’s representatives, via e-mail. This eliminates the time and expense associated with faxing, mailing, or phoning in, purchase orders. WebLink also furnishes retailers with unprecedented capabilities for automatically managing the ordering process. This is accomplished with Order Status e-letters. Three types of e-letters are available: • Missing Acknowledgment e-letters are automatically transmitted to manufacturers for purchase orders that are not acknowledged in a timely fashion. This provides retailers with a simple, but effective, way to make sure orders "don’t fall between the cracks". • Past Due e-letters are also automatically transmitted to manufacturers for orders that are past due, or nearing past due status. This gives the retailer an effective, economical, and hands-off way to maximize the efficiency of the ordering process and obtain optimal customer satisfaction. • Customer Acknowledgment e-letters are sent to customers to keep them informed about the status of their orders. These e-letters can be transmitted automatically upon receipt of an acknowledgment from the manufacturer, or whenever the shipping status of a customer’s order changes. Retailers using WebLink can replace conventional direct mail campaigns with inexpensive, flexible, and effective e-mail campaigns. Anything from simple invitational letters to full color advertisements can be designed and e-mailed to customers at any time. WebLink users can also target e-mail campaigns by types and dates of previous purchases, amounts of previous purchases, future purchasing plans, or geographic regions. WebLink provides Genesis For Windows users with the ability to e-mail a "Thank You" letter to a customer after a purchase. These letters serve as an inexpensive way to help build positive long term customer relations. WebLink is also the foundation upon which Genesis will incorporate the new XML technology standards currently being reviewed by FIDX. Genesis For Windows clients will eventually be able implement XML technology over the internet for efficient management of the product procurement process. Questions and Answers What is Genesis For Windows? Genesis For Windows is the furniture industry’s first Windows based furniture software system. The program was first released in 1997. Genesis For Windows is operated in over 400 furniture stores across North America. These stores have an aggregate annual sales of more than $800,000,000. Is WebLink a separate program? WebLink is not a separate program. WebLink is a set of features integrated into the existing Genesis For Windows product. It is completely self-contained within Genesis For Windows. What is involved in activating WebLink? A user must have an established e-mail account with an internet provider. What kind of internet connection does WebLink require? Any type of internet connection can be used including dial-up, ISDN, DSL, and cable-modem. Can WebLink be used to send conventional e-mail messages? Yes. A user can pop-up an Instant-Mail window from anywhere in Genesis to send e-mail messages to any recipient, at any time.