Valentine's Day Retail Forecast

MS Dynamics Retail Management Systems Ver 2.0 Coming Soon

It's Time to Revisit ARMSYS.com

Microsoft Windows Vista

Tech Tips

We Want Your Feedback

Meet Our Staff

Referral Program

Valentine's Day Retail Forecast
From Melody Vargas

The average consumer will spend $100.89 on Valentine's Day, up from $97.27 last year, according to the National Retail Federation's 2006 Valentine's Day Consumer Intentions and Actions Survey, conducted by BIGresearch. Almost 61 percent of consumers plan to celebrate the holiday, and the NRF is forcasting total 2006 Valentine's Day retail sales to reach $13.70 billion, up from $13.19 billion last year.

• The average male plans to spend $135.67.
• The average female plans to spend $68.64.
• Combined male and female consumer spending is expected to average $100.89, $3.62 more than last year.
• Consumers aged 45-54 plan to spend more than any other age group, at $128.78 each, up from $118.11 last year and $88.96 two years ago.
• Consumers aged 18-24 plan to spend $81.89 this year, a decrease from $83.50 last year and a dramatic drop from $154.65 two years ago.

For the remainder of the article, please press here.

Microsoft Dynamics Retail Management Systems Version 2.0 Coming Soon

Microsoft Dynamics Retail Management Systems (RMS) Version 2.0 will available for existing RMS customers, with a current Maintenance Agreement, starting February 15^th 2007.  Upgrades to RMS 2.0 will be scheduled by appointment and will require Client Services hours for the update.  If you are using a software customization with RMS, your customization may require minor modifications to be compatible with this new update.  If you are a multi store customer using HQ, we strongly recommend updating to take advantage of the new features, however, you will be able to continue purchasing lanes for Version 1.3 until January 15, 2008.   If you are interested in updating to Version 2.0 please contact Andrea Ellerbrock at (303) 738-1800 Ext 324 or E-mail her at andrea.ellerbrock@armsys.com.

RMS Version 2.0 offers new capabilities that enable retailers to adapt quickly to complex retail requirements. 

Enhanced Inventory Management

·          Work with an easy-to-use form to create and modify multi-dimensional matrix items, as well as add or remove dimensions from existing items.

·          Locate items quickly by searching on the supplier reorder number.

·          Upload item costs to headquarters when cost information changes at the store level, helping ensure accurate, chain-wide item cost reports based on weighted average.

Improved purchasing control

·          Add items to Purchase Orders on-the-fly using a new dialogue window.

·          For specialized purchasing requirements, export Purchase Order’s to MS Office Word and MS Excel.

·          View Purchase Orders in matrix format.

New Pricing Capabilities

·          Use quantity-on-hand filters to change prices only for items in stock within a given department.

·          Set percentage or pricing discounts for “Buy X get Y” and Mix/Match quantity discount scenarios.

·          Set up and select “by price” or “by percentage” options.

 Address Verification Support (AVS)

·          Help ensure optimal credit card discount rates when cards need to be entered by hand.

Simplified Product Activation

·          Product activation using product keys instead of using a software dongle for easy upgrades and software additions.

Tech Tips

Tip: Faster List View Displays

In large data files, List View will display fastest when record number is used as the sort column (Item # in inventory, document number in document areas, etc.). This is because the records are stored in that order in the data files. When sorting by other columns, the program must scan the entire file and reorder the records accordingly. It is recommended you normally sort by record number, switching to another column only when needed to search for a specific record.

We Want Your Feedback

At Advanced Retail Management Systems we are committed to offering the best products and services in the industry.  Your feedback is very important to us in helping us deliver this promise.  Please E-mail us at customerservice@armsys.com with your comments and suggestions.  Your feedback will remain confidential.  Thank you in advance for your input.

Meet Our Staff

Kristina Gallagher, Web Developer

Meet Krissy Gallagher, Advanced Retail Management Systems new Web Developer.  Krissy joined ARMS in early December of 2006 as a part of the Development Services Department.  In the few short weeks she has been here, she has made a big impact by updating our Web Site and is working on many more exciting projects.

This New Hampshire transplant and her newly wedded husband, Bill, came to Denver in April of 2006 after a two-year stay in Pittsburgh. Krissy has a Bachelor’s of Fine Arts in Graphic Design from Colby-Sawyer College in New London, New Hampshire.  While in Pittsburgh she worked as a Digital Media Manager for a large travel agency. Her talents have already won her the respect of her peers here at ARMS.  Krissy is an equestrian with many years of experience showing her horse “Budlite,” who made the move to Colorado as well. She competes in Jumping, Hunt Seat, and Western Riding.

Keep your eyes open for continuing changes in the ARMS web site and other media activities.  Welcome aboard Krissy.

Referral Program

Receive $250 credit on account or 2 Client Service hours every time you refer a new customer that purchases Microsoft Retail Management System*. Microsoft Retail Management System has grown to be the premier Inventory Control/POS software for small to mid-tier retailers.

Whether you know a single store or a 20-store chain, Microsoft Retail Management System provides the technology for retailers to excel.

Call your sales person today at 800-305-0461 or complete the form below to refer another retailer and start earning valuable rewards!

Call your sales person today or click on the link below to refer another retailer and start earning valuable rewards!  http://rms.armsys.com/reqreferral.htm

*Minimum purchase of $10,000 required .