I'm going to be designing a new software for this industry. What would everyone like to see in a database/invoicing software? Any opinions would be appreciated. I want to make sure that it's designed FOR us BY us, not some generic excel template.
So share any options/features you guys would like to see!
Great idea, Drew! I'd love to see a program that has easier capabilities to monitor webstore inventories and keep books at the same time. Something along the lines of a Quickbooks/PayPal/ZenCart merger that anyone could learn. As a wise man once said, "keep it simple, stupid."
I'm considering a possible sync between popular cart software and paypal with it. More ideas guys! I want to make this for everyone to make their lives easier. It should be really cool and helpful to the industry, as not many companies have made good software for us specifically.
I know how it is these days with software gouging (sign industry software is in the thousands!) so it's going to be EXTREMELY affordable to the average joe and/or jane (politically correctness for the ladies here). I still need input as to features you guys would like to see!
Actually, there is one available. It doesn't say tee-shirts, but it will do all you've mentioned.
It was designed as a Point-of-Sale program for retailers. And it's still sold that way. But it will also tie into a website, keeping a common inventory between the web and the store. It also exports daily totals to QuickBooks for accounting.
It comes with a "matrix" module for size / color / style breakdowns and once you set up the matrix template it will auto assign an item number to each size/color item you have for individual invnetory tracking.
I sole it as a P-O-S package through the 90's. I was a Value Added Reseller, putting together complete systems and training retailers how to use them.
The term "matrix" or "grid" comes from the way most softgoods vendors lay out their oder forms, with styles / colors one way on the page and sizes the other. Same with linens - bath towels, hand towels, etc. And shoes for that matter.
Anyhow, they have had this matrix module for over a decade, it's not betaware or ozoneware. Keeps accounts receivable if you have any, tracks consignments, you name it. And the inventory & POS will bring up an image, which it alos posts to the web.
You can have all sorts of discounts and the inventory is great, giving sales by the month for the last 13 months, etc.
I don't make anything on it. They are great people to work with, really good folks. They'll give you the base POS module free. Great if you have a store, or just for inventory tracking.
The software that I am designing will be designed for the t-shirt industry specifically and will not include some of the things that most POS software does; because we don't use it. Thanks for the links, I'll be checking that out shortly. As far as this project goes, though; I'll still be creating it regardless of what else is out there. My experience has not been good with non-specific software and my goal is to make something that interfaces easily and attractively without being bland and confusing. Hopefully you guys will enjoy the new software!
Also, I still need some more ideas of what to include! Really, guys, don't be afraid to share
I'm an old believer in "whay re-invent the wheel?"
Just to satisfy myself I downloaded and installed the free, single-user version of the software. It does have the matrix included, in fact there is a Mario t-shirt with 2 each S, M. L, X and XX in 3 styles in stock.
I'm not trying to convince you to give up your project, but with 20,000 plus members here I'd say this will work great for 80% of them and it's free. And if they want to upgrade to integrating with an online store, they can.
It does export to QB and will print barcode labels, scan bar coeds and can run a cash drawer and receipt printer for those with a shop.
I was selling this same program for $ 895, now it's free.
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I appreciate your opinion, Pete; but this topic wasn't posted to find out alternative software, lots of it exists. I posted it in hopes of getting feedback from forum members to find out what they want in a t-shirt industry invoicing software. The point that I make about the software you brought up is that it is much more than the average business owner here needs, and it's not customized entirely for anything specific. The matrix feature is useful, it's virtually the same thing as excel.
Having owned a 4 store cahin with about 20,000 sku's I understand inventory management and I've seen few programs do as well as this one. Actually a far cry for Excel. A full fledged catabase you can sort in many different ways and even auto-calculate stock levels. I'd never do it, I've got to do it myself, but a far cry from a spreadsheet.
I'll say no more. I wish you well with your project and hope it's well received by the folks on the forum.
Having the attitude of here's something that we all need and I'm going to do something about it is a good thing. If you need someone to do some beta type nit-picking, let me know. I've been using industry specific inventory software since the 70's.
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Don't mean to further off-topic this thread but I feel I need to thank Pete.
I work for POSitive Software Company. Thanks for the plug Pete.
I'm sure if someone needs it to say "T-Shirt Software" we can make that happen. Pete didn't mention that it also integrates with our eCommerce solution and makes running a web-store SO SO SUPER easy from posting items to bring in orders and taking payment.
As for airraidapparel.
If you need any help buddy (questions on cash drawers, pole displays) feel free to ask buddy. You might take the time to check out http://www.pointofsale.com. This is a new and upcoming community run site for the point-of-sale industry. There are helpful articles and news links. Heck there's also a forum. It's a little small now but new stuff is added every day and if you have something you'd like to add just contact the website's mod. He's a real nice guy and I'm sure he'd like the help with content.
John, please don't re-hijack my thread. This is NOT about your software, it is about what I am creating for the community. I have not been disrespectful towards you or your software, so please don't be to mine.
I want you to know I had nothing to do with John's appearance. I was not trying to sell anything and I'm sincere in my offer to beta your stuff when you're ready.
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I think as long as it is easily capable and compatable with every checkout online. something for ebay, craigslist, ..so it has some spec's, but it's pretty much been done.
New t-shirt business invoice software 
Re: New t-shirt business invoice software 
