Northeastern Fine Jewelry Success Story

Chris Sorell, inventory control manager for Northeastern Fine Jewelry, has a little ritual before attending the annual ASCUS convention. He polls his staff and creates a ‘laundry list’ of questions and issues with ASC software. That list is not to drop at the feet of ASC management but to seek out the counsel and support of fellow ASCUS members.

“If one of us is struggling with an aspect of the software, chances are three or four ASCUS members are, too,” said Sorell. “By networking with fellow members at the convention or the online forum, you can almost always find somebody who can assist you with any difficulties you might be having on using the system to its fullest.”

Initially formed in 1988, ASCUS consists of more than 100 retail jewelers who actively use ASC products. The annual three-day ASCUS convention, held in St. Petersburg , Florida , offers members the opportunity to take part in:

• Expert panel discussions
• Product reviews and demonstrations
• User seminars
• ASC training classes
• Open support time with ASC technical staff

Beyond the yearly convention, an ASCUS membership also features inclusion to an online Web community for members to not only share knowledge concerning ASC software, but the latest industry and technology trends.

In addition to being a source of mutual support, the membership includes the ASCUS software module, which contains all software developed by ASCUS to date.

"Initially, our thought behind joining ASCUS was to learn more about ASC," said Sorell. "Yet when you consider the support you receive from the online forum, the programs that become available upon joining, and the invaluable information you receive at the convention to get more out of the modules we regularly use, like Stock Info Center , Customer  Info Center , Vendor  Analysis Reports, and the Reorder System, the membership pays for itself 10 times over."

An ASCUS membership costs $700 per year, with a $300 start-up fee for new members. The membership dues go toward the development projects based on suggestions from ASCUS members. Those modules, in turn, are only available to ASCUS members. To a three-store operation like Northeastern Fine Jewelry, a perk like that means ideas to improve operations for their stores have a chance to go beyond the drawing board if other ASCUS members find it useful for their stores as well.

“Joining ASCUS helped us really learn ASC’s Craftsman system so we could maximize the return on our investment,” continued Sorell. “That knowledge, along with the ASCUS modules, helped us make improvements that would have been completely impossible using our previous system.”

Those improvements include:

• The configuration of one server with a wide area network to link three store locations in Albany and Schenectady ,  New York and the newest venue in Manchester , Vermont .
• The development of an e-commerce Web site with the capability of interfacing with Northeastern Fine Jewelry’s customer database in ASC Craftsman
• Detailed, electronic reporting capabilities for all three locations; previously, that involved printing out a hard copy for each store.
• Real-time reordering capabilities

“I can’t see anybody making the commitment to ASC system and not joining ASCUS,” said Sorell. “You not only get the software and a built-in support staff to help you use them, but the opportunity to network with people in the retail jewelry business that you’re just not going to find anywhere else.”

For more information about ASC or the ASCUS User Group please visit www.ascsoft.com or contact Barry Kraft at 800-253-9272 x 113.