Case Studies

Managing Inventory Through ASC System a Key Element in Hyde Park’s Success

When Hyde Park Jewelers was first looking to install inventory management software, the company scouted out a number of options before selecting Applications Systems Corporation as the best possible solution. That was more than 28 years ago and ASC is still an integral part of the Colorado-based chain’s operations.

“We look at ASC as a strategic partner,” says Michael Pollak, owner of Hyde Park. “We work with them on three different levels: as a regular customer, as a member of their ASCUS Users Group [a network of more than 120 ASC jewelers who share knowledge, ideas and best practices] and in developing custom and collaborative programs for us and other jewelers.”

Although Hyde Park uses the full suite of ASC’s software solutions, the retailer’s primary focus is on ASC’s inventory and merchandising programs. “Managing inventory is the most important aspect of a jeweler’s business,” Pollak believes. “With ASC, you know what’s selling and what needs to be replenished, so you don’t miss any new revenue opportunities.”

Pollak is particularly pleased with a one-of-a-kind Platinum Rewards frequent buyer program, which has increased store traffic, average price point and offers many marketing opportunities to a loyal customer base.

The jeweler also is excited about a new marketing program ASC is developing that will offer jewelers an expanded demographic profile of their customers. Pollak predicts that the program will become a “major analytical tool” for ASC jewelers to gain a deeper understanding of their customers and more closely evaluate their purchasing habits.

One of the keys to ASC’s success, according to Pollak, is the firm’s versatility, responsiveness and focus on customized solutions. For instance, Pollak stresses that if a retail partner isn’t getting the kind of results it expects from ASC’s software, ASC will “tweak” the model until the system yields the information that the customer needs.

Another plus: ASC seeks opportunities to borrow concepts from programs developed for one client to bring to another. “This kind of collaboration means that you don’t always have to start on the ground floor,” Pollak noted. “It’s a lot more efficient.”

DeScenza Boosts Inventory Management Capabilities Through ASC

Partnering with Applications Systems Corporation may have been one of the best moves that DeScenza Diamonds has ever made.

The Massachusetts-based retailer first hooked up with ASC in 1984 and was one of the firm’s original customers. Since then, DeScenza has grown to four locations and manages its inventory with a level of speed, precision and efficiency it couldn’t even imagine 20 years ago.

“When we first considered using ASC, we had one location and were ready to start opening new locations, but just didn’t have an internal inventory system in place,” recalled Peter Cuozzo, director of IT for DeScenza. “Our system’s capabilities are now far beyond anything we could’ve done before. ASC has been pretty instrumental in helping us grow.”

Cuozzo also credits the ASC inventory system with helping his company manage the many ups and downs of the jewelry business, including the millennium-fueled boom of the late 1990s and the sharp drop-off following 9-11. “Having a system in place really helped us control inventory and easily target opportunities and problem areas in both cycles,” he said.

DeScenza uses just about every software model that ASC offers, including POS, sales reporting, purchase orders, Monarch data mining, appraisals and other programs. Next year, the retailer expects to integrate ASC’s credit verification system into its operations as well.

The jewelry chain also is part of the Executive Committee for ASCUS, the ASC User Group, a network of more than 100 ASC jewelers who share ideas and information about how to use ASC software. ASCUS members help fund and develop many of ASC’s software enhancements and reports.

“We use our annual membership dues as much as possible to fund software development,” Cuozzo explained. “The software is fantastic. But we consider it a bonus. I would still want to be an ASCUS member just to talk to industry colleagues that are also using the ASC system. That type of dialogue has been invaluable to us.”

While ASC’s outstanding software is the magnet that draws in new customers, the firm’s superior service is what keeps them within the ASC family. “ASC understands the industry as well as we do, and they’ve dealt with many different companies and situations,” Cuozzo says. “If you’ve got a critical problem, they are on it immediately. They are very accessible and responsive.”

Minnesota Chain Improves Inventory Control Through ASC System

Since implementing Application Systems Corporation’s innovative inventory management system in 1994, Wedding Day Diamonds has experienced a quantum leap in its growth and productivity.

According to Umit Nasifoglu, one of the principals and founders of the five-store Minnesota-based jewelry chain, ASC’s unique system has helped Wedding Day quickly and efficiently identify fast-moving items vs. slow items and jump on emerging sales trends. Meanwhile, the system’s automatic reorder program ensures that the retailer always has its best sellers in stock and allows the company to easily move – and keep track of – merchandise between stores.

“It used to take me at least a day to reorder a week’s worth of merchandise and transfers,” Nasifoglu noted. “Now, using the ASC system, it takes me just an hour. They offer a great inventory control system.”

Other important benefits that Wedding Day has enjoyed in its partnership with ASC include fantastic technical support and a highly trained support staff. “ASC is very knowledgeable about the jewelry industry, and they write inventory management programs exclusively for jewelers,” Nasifoglu said. “They are very responsive and never forget their clients. And they have always been a step ahead of our specific needs.”

As a member of ASCUS, the ASC User Group of more than 100 jewelers who share their industry knowledge, ideas and solutions, Wedding Day has had the opportunity to learn from some of the sharpest retail minds in the business. In return, Nasifoglu has enjoyed answering questions from new ASCUS members about ASC’s programs and how to best use them.

“ASC is exactly what a company of my size needs to grow and keep track of its inventory,” Nasifoglu emphasized. “To this day, I have not run into any other program that I feel keeps up with the jeweler’s needs as well as ASC’s does.”

New ASC System Delivers Big Benefits to Georgia Jeweler

Levy Jewelers credits Applications Systems Corporation with helping it move into the new millennium.

In September 2003, the three-store, Savannah, Ga.-based upscale retailer completed its conversion from a seven-year-old retail management system implemented by ASC to a brand new Windows-based system.

Since then, Levy’s ability to manage its business has improved dramatically. The new system is considerably faster and more versatile. Associates can now integrate photo images of the company’s extensive inventory with SKU information. And the new system offers a much more powerful, intuitive search function – a feature, which had been sorely lacking in the older version. These improvements have really expanded the retailer’s capabilities and improved its efficiency.

“We had been using the old Alpha 300 system since 1995,” explained Stacey Stafford, inventory and equipment manager for Levy Jewelers. “We used it for accounts payable, general ledger, payroll, inventory, accounts receivable and point-of-sale. It was the only system we had ever used.”

Calling the older system “a workhorse” that was supporting twice as many users as it was designed to handle, Stafford said the company knew it would eventually have to modernize its retail management system. But the turning point for Levy Jewelers came when the system crashed during the critical Christmas season in 2002.

“We wanted to wait a few years, but after that, we knew right then and there we had to upgrade,” Stafford recalled. “We had outgrown Alpha and needed a faster, better system.”

Although adjusting to a new system is always a challenge, Stafford said that, other than a few minor issues early on, the entire conversion process went smoothly. She also lauded ASC for their responsiveness and support during the transitional period.

“We’ve always gotten really good service from ASC, and I would definitely recommend them and their products to other jewelers,” she added.