1. Why should we invest in FrameReady Lite pricing software? What better way to accurately and efficiently price a custom frame job. FrameReady Lite is an indispensable tool to help you deliver your product or service. Without this tool your gallery/shop will not be as efficient as it could be. It is an extension of your staff at a fraction of the cost.

2. What benefits will we get from using this product? The biggest benefit is being able to confidently, accurately, and quickly price your custom framing. Spend more time with your customers. The data FrameReady Lite generates is the key to business success. Save money with fewer time pressure errors, inaccurate out-of-date pricing charts, and less calculation errors, particularly from your employees. Up-to-date pricing from each of your vendors means your profits are based on your most current costs. Easily manage your discontinued samples at a fraction of the time. From this one program you will be able to: create proposals, estimates, work orders, create & track direct mail programs, email, create address labels, envelopes, referral lists, reports, vendor orders, back room scheduling, cut lists, and materials lists.

3. Is there a trial period or demo disk? Yes. You may download a free 30-day trial version for Windows or Macintosh. Or if you prefer, you may request a demo CD. Our policy is try-before-you-buy.

4. Do you have a manual? The program comes with its own internet knowledgebase which is keyword searchable.

5. Is there a sample database with which to practice? Yes. The trial version comes loaded with moulding and matboard items from a number of leading suppliers. Included is a sample customer database with which to play. You may also type in your own data.

6. Can we get tech support before purchasing? Yes. Our Help Desk is available to those who are testing the software. Tech support is provided from Monday to Friday from 9AM-6PM Eastern Time. Unlimited toll-free tech support for the first year is included as part of the purchase package.

7. Can data from an old POS program be transferred into FrameReady Lite? Yes. Customer databases from other programs and spreadsheets can normally be transferred for a nominal fee. Data from FrameReady Lite may be transferred into FrameReady if you would like to upgrade to a more highly featured program.

8. Are there add-ons? Barcoding software is included in FrameReady Lite. At any time you may upgrade to FrameReady or FrameReady Multi Site and/or purchase bar code scanners and additional terminal licenses. These are optional beneficial enhancements which you may or may not require.

9. Is there a limit to the amount of information we can enter into FrameReady Lite? Generally, no. However, file size is usually limited to available space on your hard drive.

10. Can we customize the program to meet our needs? Yes. All work order pull-down menus and value lists may be customized. There is no limit to the number of items which may be added. Your business logo can be incorporated to make printed documentation professional. Set defaults for mat sizes, mounting, discounts and pricing.

 

1. What are the System Requirements? Click here!

2. May I enter my own pricing formulas and mark ups? Yes. Although FrameReady Lite has default markups and formulas for people just starting out, we recommend you customize any of the many flexible pricing structures available in the software to meet your business needs and demographics.

3. Can FrameReady Lite run on the MAC platform? Yes. It is native to the MAC platform and does not require any Windows emulation software in order for it to run.

4. Can FrameReady Lite be run on a network? Yes. It comes bundled with FileMaker Pro. Each additional terminal requires FileMaker Pro. We highly recommend FileMaker Server when exceeding three computers. Hundreds of computers can be networked using the Server.

5. Can I set up my own passwords to protect unauthorized access to the program? Yes. It comes with four levels of access. Each level is password protected and ranges from basic daily functions to programming access. You may also apply a security password to restrict access to selected areas of the program. You may also change the program passwords assigned by SoftTouch Solutions.

6. Is there an annual maintenance plan? Yes. There is an annual membership/ subscription (which is included for the first year) entitling you to toll-free tech support and vendor pricing updates. A software maintenance plan can also be purchased which keeps you current with FileMaker Pro and FrameReady Lite upgrades.

7. Can I use a bar code reader with the program? Yes. Any bar code reader with a USB port may be used with FrameReady Lite. Quickly and accurately read the bar codes from the backs of your corner samples directly into the work order. The program comes with the bar coding software already installed. Bar codes are generated within the program to locate and track orders in production. See more information here!

8. Does the program create labels? Yes. FrameReady Lite produces Art Identification tags for job tracking. A full label program is included in FrameReady and FrameReady Multi Site.

9. Does FrameReady Lite interface with Computerized Mat Cutters? Yes. The Wizard CMC is supported through MatDesigner software.

10. Will the program accommodate stacked frames? Yes. Up to five frames, or a combination of liners, extenders and fillets may be priced. You can also specify into which layer the glass needs to be fitted.

11. Can I put in my own frames with specified finishes or guilding? Yes. FrameReady Lite will allow you to price your own moulding and finishes.

12. Will I be able to duplicate an order? Yes. Many times one customer likes the way you framed something for another customer or they ask for an order to be repeated. This is easily accomplished by duplicating an existing work order and updating it to current pricing.

13. Can I process more than one order at a time? Yes. If you are in the middle of taking an order and get interrupted or need to process another order, simply move to the necessary screen. Come back to the first one when you are ready. All information is saved automatically.

 

1. What do I need to get started? One computer and the best quality printer you can afford. Basically, that’s all. We highly recommend that you have high-speed broadband internet access on this computer in order to receive your vendor pricing service.

2. What should we expect during the transition? We suggest allowing a cross-over period where you do both methods. While the customer is in the store, write up the order the way you normally would, by hand or with your old software. When the customer is gone enter the order into FrameReady Lite. No one is looking over your shoulder; so you don't feel pressured to do everything 'right' while learning something new. Then, when you get to the point where you are writing up an order with a customer and you think, 'this would be so much faster/easier in FrameReady Lite, that's when it's time to stop the old method. And set a “go live” date that everyone works toward to be ready to switch over to the new system. The key to good implementation is commitment.

3. What is critical to set up in the system first? Most people want to get their pricing set up first. Your software will arrive preloaded with your vendor items and wholesale cost. You will need to determine whether the default formulas meet your needs. Start entering work orders right away. This will tell you whether you need to tweak the markups. Systematically go through your pricing items: moulding, matboard, mounting, glass, etc. Make sure all procedures which you offer are entered into the Price Codes file. Inventory can be set up later. Customer names can be entered as they come in to place their orders (if they were not pre-installed from an existing customer database).

4. How easy is it to learn the program? FrameReady Lite’s graphical user interface (computer “geek-speak” for how user-friendly it feels), navigates you through the program intuitively. Colour-coded screens help the learning curve, allowing you to quickly remember the files. We have tried to make learning accessible and fun by posting informative videos on our knowledgebase. Your staff can watch these on their home computers. After purchasing, we provide over-the-phone support, helping you implement the program and make the most of your investment.

5. How long from installation till “we’re up and running”? While some people have made the transition in 2-3 days, others allow a month. It really depends on your level of comfort with technology and the time you commit to this business investment.

 

1. Can I sell footage of moulding and sheets of matboard as retail items? No. Only FrameReady (full version) allows for separate pricing schedules for retail pricing and work order pricing.

2. Does FrameReady Lite handle images? Yes. FrameReady Lite allows you to import pre, during, and post production images of the framing, and images of moulding profiles. This is especially helpful for mobile framers and galleries. Images can be imported from any digital file or catalog.

3. Does FrameReady Lite handle retail inventory? No. Purchase FrameReady or FrameReady Multi Site if you need this feature.

4. Does FrameReady Lite handle ready-made and closed corner frames? Yes. You may use a join price formula. If a customer chooses an in stock ready-made, you may enter it and the price onto a work order.

5. Can I create a supplier order in the program? Yes, FrameReady Lite produces a simple matboard and moulding order list.

6. Will FrameReady Lite track discontinued moulding and matboard? Yes. When you update your vendor pricing, you will be alerted to discontinued products. At that time you may decide whether or not to delete these items from your database.

7. Can I price my glass and mirrors by the square inch or a fixed price? Yes.

8. Can I round up my formulas for moulding to the nearest dollar? Yes.

9. Can I enter all the different sizes of glazing which we stock? Yes.

1. Can I email directly from FrameReady Lite? Yes. Click a button and the program will automatically address an email to your customer with a defaulted message telling them their order is ready to be picked up. No need to type anything. Just click Send. Identify group emailing and notify customers of upcoming events.

2. Is there a mailing list function? You may create any number of specific mailing lists using the Keywords. When compiling mailings you may be as specific or as general as needed, using the powerful Find feature, click here for a video demonstration. Filter your list by any parameter and omit groups you don’t want to send to. Use this function to create lists for invitations, announcements, thank you referrals, ad campaigns for direct mail and any other correspondence.

3. Can we export a mailing list to a third party? Yes. You may find, sort and export your contact list. See our online video for a demonstration.

4. Does the program track what particular interests a customer may have? Yes. It automatically tracks the name of any artist they have framed. You may track which types of art they collect and which hobbies may pertain to your marketing plans. You define the categories that you wish to track.

5. Can I track customer’s birthdays? Yes. And lots of other pertinent information, such as spouse’s name, pets, etc., which you will be able to use to set yourself apart from your competition.

6. Can it track tax exemptions? Yes. Two separate retail tax exemption fields are provided.

1. How does the program handle discounts? You may apply discounts directly to all components of the work order or to the total either as a percentage or a dollar value. Or you may directly link a set (yet over-ride-able) discount to a particular customer. Discounts may be applied to price code items.

2. Does FrameReady Lite do invoicing? No, But FrameReady Lite produces the necessary customer documentation you require to fulfill a transaction with your existing POS system or cash register. Purchase FrameReady or FrameReady Multi Site if you require invoicing and financial reports.

1. Can we create reports in FrameReady Lite? Yes. You can print sales performance reports by employee and designer, moulding and matboard usage reports and referrals report.

2. Can we export my reports and statements? Yes. All printouts can be exported to Excel or sent as a PDF file.

3. Can FrameReady Lite tell me which of my employees my best sellers are? Yes.

4. Will FrameReady Lite create work flow schedules? Yes. A number of back room tools are available in the program to help with work flow, such as cut lists, scheduling, incomplete lists, materials lists, etc. It will let you tell a customer immediately what status their order is.

5. Can I produce a Cost of Goods report? Yes. A report provides a breakdown of the wholesale cost of all items in a custom order for either one order or a group.