STORIS Management Systems, a leading supplier of Retail Solutions and Services for Big Ticket retailers, reported that their 2008 User’s Conference, ‘Innovation. Collaboration. Success.’ held at the Hyatt Regency on the Hudson in Jersey City, New Jersey on Thursday, August 21st through Saturday, August 23, 2008, was a tremendous success.
This year's event kicked off with a thought-provoking "Welcome Address," by Doug Culmone, Chief Operating Officer at STORIS. Mr. Culmone spoke about the remarkable achievements at STORIS in recent years and built anticipation for the newest VisionR8 release 8.6 due in October of 2008. He also detailed the many successful conversions to Vision R8 which include several Top 100 retailers and also spoke about the outstanding growth and success of STORIS’ SaaS subscription offering. Culmone continued with an impressive update on employee retention and tenure at STORIS, reinforcing that the company’s greatest asset is its people. The Opening concluded with a fun and humorous film starring STORIS employees that was a spoof of Donald Trump’s television hit “The Apprentice.”
The event proceeded with two full days of over 35 educational seminars to choose from, in addition to a Thursday night ’Welcome Cocktail Reception’ overlooking the NYC skyline, a Friday evening ‘Gala Manhattan Cruise’, and numerous networking opportunities. In addition, a Product Pavilion showcased STORIS’ robust Companion Products and third-party partners. Adding to the ‘fun factor,’ attendees chose from four Saturday night excursions including: NYC Broadway Shows ‘Wicked’ and ‘Jersey Boys’, a Helicopter Ride around the Big Apple, and a visit to Chelsea Piers Sports & Entertainment Complex.
The focal point of the conference revolved around education, encompassed by the STORIS product and its functionalities seminars, feedback sessions, and various general business related classes. The “General Session” of the Conference, Dynamic Features of Vision R8.6, presented by Director of Product Management, David Berger, covered enhancements and new features included in release 8.6. Enhancement topics included the newly redesigned Accounts Payable and General Ledger features, the updates to Merchandising, Point of Sale and Delivery Logistics modules, and the introduction of the new drag and drop Quick Launch menu, as well as a .NET user navigational tool, Menu Builder, and much more.
Additional seminars included In Touch – Maximizing your Customer Relations Management, offering insights into the benefits of Vision R8’s CRM product; Utilizing Dynamic Bar Code Devices, a jam-packed session presenting the benefits of using bar code scanning technology via WiFi or Radio Frequency connection; Envision the New Executive Vision, a hands-on demonstration with insider tips for using the graphically dynamic Executive Vision, our intelligent business reporting tool; Experience the Power of Data Warehouse, a demonstration of the powerful capabilities of quickly and easily accessing large amounts of data via our Data Warehouse integration with SQL server technology; Embracing Your System Tools, enabling you to gain the tools and features to process basic tasks faster; Dynamics of Change Management, focusing on the key factors of implementing change in your business environment; and a Trainers’ Corner, an open forum session to provide feedback to our experienced training and client services specialists.
Overall, STORIS clients had an enjoyable weekend full of Innovation, Collaboration, and Success and were pleased with the experience of the conference. Longtime STORIS client and conference attendee, Eric Jansen of Stoney Creek Furniture expressed, “I’m certain many long-time STORIS users will agree with me that the conference was easily the best ever!” Another valued STORIS client, John Troller, CFO of Toms-Price Company concludes, “Once again you amazed us with some of the new and improved products that you keep turning out. It's also nice to get a chance to network with other users. The setting was spectacular and the events were a lot of fun.”
STORIS Management Systems, an IBM Business Partner, provides leading Retail Solutions and World-Class Services to Big Ticket retailers. Over 350 retailers, small and large, have installed STORIS Solutions worldwide to integrate operations, streamline processes and outperform the competition
Left to Right: Stu Greene, STORIS, Eric Jansen, Stoney Creek Furniture, Tim O’Neill, STORIS, Donald J. Surdoval, President and CEO, STORIS
Doug Culmone, COO, STORIS, presents a thought provoking Welcome Address
Attendees listen intently at the Welcome Address
Rob Sobers, from STORIS, interacts with client, Markor, of China
STORIS Marketing Staff Left to Right: Brooke Wewers, Carolina Van Winkle, Michelle Beres pose for a photo with Mike Bacon of Ethan Allen