Submerce Q3/09





Submerce News | Q3 2009

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September 13, 2009
Submerce Set to Release Next Generation Reservation System

For over 6 years, Submerce has been providing an enterprise-level platform for the wine industry that includes tools that have not only streamlined the sales cycle for small to mega wineries, but has also introduced over 30 expansion modules to expand the core platform's capability. From referral management modules to membership management systems, Submerce continues to set the industry benchmark when it comes to delivering robust and reliable web-based applications.

Originally released in 2006, the Tour and Event Management module has been one of those modules that continues to gain popularity with our clients due to the increased demand on their customers demanding a tool that will allow them to book and manage their own tours and tastings without having to make a phone call. With wineries looking for opportunities to cut costs and streamline their hospitality processes, we saw this as an opportunity to take the existing engine to the next level and make it a standalone service available to a much larger audience by eliminating the need to use the core Submerce application.

Introducing CellarPass™, the Next Generation Reservation Tool

In order to determine all the requirements for the next generation reservation system, we first started with our own client base- both those who are using the existing reservation system and those that are not. This process included small to large wineries, as well as companies that are not in the wine industry so that we can could determine how the application could be used elsewhere. While documenting these requirements, there was a theme that kept being repeated and really was the fact that consumers wanted to be able to select the type of tour and make special requests via an online form, but have instant confirmation from the availability of the tour. In the past when we originally created the tools, wineries wanted to create an immediate connection with the consumer by accepting requests, but would follow up via phone call -- something that is labor intensive and sometimes wineries failed to keep up with the demand.

So over the course of the past 6 months, Submerce has been focused on developing the next generation of reservation tools that not only answer these requests, but take it to a whole new level by providing more tools to instantly communicate with consumers, but also add tools such as automated post-visit follow-up emails, so that wineries can gain feedback on their tours, tastings and overall experience. These moderated reviews, will then serve future visitors with the ability to make their selection with help of their fellow winery fans with what tour or tasting might fit their personality or expectation. Again, the idea is to create a closer bond with the consumer from the very first visit and make each subsequent visit even better and easier.

More Than Reservations, it's a Traffic Generator

Back in February 2009, Submerce released a very cool expansion module which allows organizations to better manage their members while not only allowing their administrators keep data current, but open it up to their constituents to manage their own data as well. This turned out to be a very large success for a particular Submerce client and really got the creative juices flowing how this tool could easily adapted to other uses. So we huddled with our development teams to determine how easy would it to be to add some additional features that could essentially become an online destination that would list all the wineries not only in the United States, but in the world. Wow that's a lot of data, but if we comb the internet and reach out to wineries to have them manage their own winery landing page, how hard could it be?

Well this turned out to be not an overwhelming task for the Mendocino Winegrape and Wine Commission (MWWC). Not only did this become the core of how they manage their memberships internally, it quickly became a tool in which wineries could create and manage their own landing page and announce upcoming events. In just a matter of a couple of weeks, MWWC had hundreds of their wineries and grapegrowers' data in the system and traffic on the website was growing very quickly. Addicted to making the service better and better, Submerce continues to add more functionality to the system which now includes the ability for their members to post classified ads, information about available tours including hours, maps and directions contact information and much more.

The Perfect Hospitality Management Tool

So by combining all the functionality of the membership management tools which will allow consumers to search wineries from all over the world to visit along with the reservations system which will allow consumers to then book reservations in just seconds. Submerce brings to market CellarPass; a reservation management solution for the wine industry, made easy.

CellarPass will be available as a web-based application that has two major components. Of course it will include a powerful reservation tool that will be placed on a winery's website, but that's not enough to set us apart from other standardized reservation tools already available. We believe by building an online destination for the wine industry by the wine industry is the missing piece- not one of our own biased interpretation or a listing that you have to pay to be included.

Each winery profile will include details such as varietals produced, appellation, region, types of tours, hours of operation, detailed maps and directions and more will all be available online for web visitors to view. We have already collected detailed data on over 3000 wineries that will be self-managed by the wineries themselves- not critics'. More will be added weekly as we continue to scour the internet to complete our comprehensive database.

What will also set us apart is the fact that we will also open up to commentary to the visitors themselves with follow-up emails that will ask for honest feedback about their winery experience. Those commentaries will be posted on the winery's public profile that we believe will help provide additional insight for other visitors to use as part of their travel plans.

The CellarPass™ website will include a very powerful search engine that allows visitors to search against that criteria to design their wine country tour. Within seconds, online visitors will have results and book reservations in less than a minute. Once a reservation has been requested, both the visitor and the winery are instantly notified and the reservation is immediately confirmed based on real-time availability. No more waiting and no more wondering.

Sign Up Now

Are you a winery in need of a robust and easy-to-use reservations system CellarPass is currently under beta development and will soon be accepting appointments for product demonstrations. In early September, we will be accepting signups with a scheduled launch of both the tool and the CellarPass Portal by late September. Want to stay informed Signup for mailing list and be one of the first to be notified.
 
July 28, 2009
 Submerce & Napa Valley POS Announce Launch of LinkIT™ Integrating Microsoft Dynamics RMS with Submerce for Unprecedented Real-Time Connectivity
  
 

NEWS RELEASE

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Contact:

Sarah Elliman

Director of Sales and Marketing

Toll Free: (888) 963-3006

Email: sarah@submerce.com

 

SUBMERCE & NAPA VALLEY POS ANNOUNCE PARTNERSHIP TO OFFER UNPRECEDENTED REAL-TIME CONNECTIVITY TO MICROSOFT DYNAMICS® RETAIL MANAGEMENT SYSTEM POINT OF SALE

 Breakthrough LinkIT™ System Integrates Management of Multiple Sales Channels and Locations for Wineries: eCommerce, Club Shipments, Phone Sales, Retail and More

 (Napa, CA, July 28, 2009)—Submerce continues to raise the wine industry standard in integrated retail management solutions by announcing a strategic partnership with Napa Valley POS. The company’s have teamed to create LinkIT™, a breakthrough system that offers real-time connectivity to Microsoft's Dynamics® Retail Management System (RMS) Point of Sale. Wineries can now centralize order and fulfillment management, configurable club processing, and multi-location inventory management at unmatched pricing during LinkIT’s July 2009 launch.

“We’re putting wineries back in control of their business by offering a centralized ‘hub’ for managing multiple channels sales,” said Sarah Elliman, co-founder and director of marketing and sales for Submerce. “Developing LinkIT was not only a good example of how we can look outside our own company for answers to common wine industry problems, but also shows the power of Submerce and 3rd party systems integration”

“We researched virtually every company providing eCommerce solutions to wineries and Submerce was the only company with the robust and integrated system ready to fast track the LinkIT project,” said Martin Olsen, president and CEO of Napa Valley POS. “ROI on the investment into LinkIT is clear because it simplifies the entire workflow and provides consistent data, which means lower operating costs and reduced opportunity for human error.”

Submerce and Napa Valley POS also invite wine industry professionals to participate in a live demonstration by attending the upcoming Submerce-Napa Valley POS the LinkIT Open House which will be held on August 12, 2009 from 12pm to 1:30pm at the Submerce offices located in Napa. For those that cannot participate in person, you may also attend the event virtually by signing up for the webinar simulcast at www.submerce.com/reservation.aspx .

Built by leading wine industry experts, no other solution provides LinkIT’s level of connectivity, scalability and above all, reliability. To learn more about the power of LinkIT and introductory pricing, wineries are encouraged to contact Sarah Elliman at (888) 963-3006 or email sarah@submerce.com.

About Submerce

For over 13 years, Submerce has been a pioneer and industry leader in eCommerce and Order Management Systems by exceeding the commitment to deliver award-winning and innovative solutions and software for every customer. In that time, the Submerce product suite has become an industry-recognized cross channel commerce solution known for delivering true customer value with an unmatched level of standard product features and a host of managed support options.

Today, Submerce maintains their commitment to providing a powerful enterprise solution with more standard features than any other eCommerce solution, while allowing for application personalization, which is unique to the market. Complete cross channel commerce, combined with the more than twenty Submerce expansion modules, customers can customize their solution by adding new client-specific features to the Submerce software at a very affordable price without adding complexity.

www.submerce.com I (707) 255-4393

www.submerce.com/linkit

Napa Valley POS

Napa Valley POS brings years of experience to the "Point Of Sale" industry.  We specialize in POS Systems for the Retail Industry with an emphasis on Winery Tasting Rooms. Martin Olsen, President, has been working in the POS / IT industry since 1993, and started Napa Valley POS "To really focus on customer service".  As Microsoft certified partner, Microsoft Dynamics Retail Management Systems® (RMS), became our core foundation product.  We then enhance RMS by developing add-on solutions to custom fit the solution for any retailer.  Creating integrations to other wine industry software solutions gives us a leg up on our competition, and gives you Best-of-Breed software.  We provide Software / Hardware / Support Services to help you do business your way, at a price you can afford.

"It's All About Customer Service"

WWW.NAPAVALLEYPOS.COM | (707) 320-2478

July 18, 2009		  
  Submerce-Napa Valley POS Partnership Becomes Buzz at WITS 2009
  
  After months of development that was under tight wraps, Submerce and Napa Valley POS announced the strategic partnership regarding their real-time integration of their two solutions at the WITS 2009 event held in Napa, California. The announcement quickly became the talk of the event and winery owners, CFOs, CEOs and IT folk swarmed the booth to learn more.

"We've been so secretive about this partnership for some time as we wanted to make sure that the system was not only robust, but it was extremely reliable", says Jonathan Elliman, CTO for Submerce. "We thought this was going to be a great event, but it turned out to be huge- we had nearly 30 people huddled around our monitors at almost every break during the event", says Elliman. "Our unprecendented offer was also a huge hit. We know the economy has hit everyone and should not be a reason to get in the way of having an ideal solution that will save you time and money."

Submerce will be holding additional demonstrations of the Submerce platform and the RMS integration piece over the next couple of weeks. If you would like more information, please call (707) 255-4393.
  
     

 July 12, 2009

Submerce Releases Additonal Information Regarding Next Major Release

Submerce continues to push the technology envelope while maintaining close contact with customers by readying the next major release to their eBusiness platform scheduled to be unveiled at the WITS 2009 conference July 16th-17th. Committed to listening to their customers, both large and small, Submerce has added no less than 200 new features to all areas of the platform, not to mention that they have released 5 new Submerce Expansion Modules that include real-time Microsoft RMS integration along with a brand new QuickBooks interface.

"The focus on the development this quarter has been spread throughout the system, whereas in the past, we've focused on certain areas of the system", says Tim Holtermann, Lead Programmer at Submerce. "We've got a large development team to keep busy, so we've spent a great deal of time meeting and talking with our clients and granting just about all of their wishes", continues Holtermann. "We just released a brand new online wine club signup form that uses the latest web technologies to make the process quick and easy."

Submerce made has major progress in other areas of their shopping cart by adding Pack FOB, Unit FOB and Case Price capability which can be done both manually and dynamically, setting a new bar for online functionality. Submerce has also completed nearly 5 months of development with Chase Paymentech in which the solution has received certification for their sophisticated payment gateway. This new partnership not only allows clients to take advantage of the Paymentech platform, it also boosts order processing speeds by handling the entire transaction on the same server instead of having to use an externally-hosted gateway.

"We've made tremendous strides in making vendor management extremely easy with automation", says Jonathan Elliman, founder and cto for Submerce. "We've released the second generation of the Vendor Manager Expansion Module that takes a very complicated and overwhelming process and simplifies it", continues Elliman. "But stopping there would be pointless, so we added a new interface that allows the vendor to manage their own products and change their pricing 24/7."

Submerce will continue to communicate more details about the next release which is slated for July 16, 2009. If you are interested in learning more, please visit our website or call one of our Submerce Specialists at (707) 255-4393.




July 7, 2009

Foster's Gives Green Light to Move Additional Brands to Submerce

Submerce started July off with a bang with news that Foster's Wine Estates is ready to switch more brands to the Submerce eBusiness platform. After 8 months of rigorous testing with Beringer Vineyards, which is ny far one of Foster's largest brand, Submerce is pleased to hear that "all systems are a go."

"We're excited to get the remaining brands moved to our platform as quickly as possible so that their direct-to-consumer team can use all the tools that Submerce has to offer along with experience unparalleled reliability and data integrity", says Jonathan Elliman, founder and cto of Submerce. "We recognized from the very beginning that this was not going to be a small, typical winery project. We knew that there was going to be exhaustive testing, multiple rounds of feedback and requests for additional customization and it appears that we are "rounding the bend" to project completion", continues Elliman. "We beleive at this time, we're just weeks away from setting the schedule for the remaining sites and our team is ready for more."

Submerce offers the industry-leading eBusiness solution tailored for wineries that work equally well for both small and large-scale businesses. If you are serious about growing your brand, offering the best customer service and reducing your operating costs, then it's time you take a look at Submerce by visiting www.submerce.com or giving one of our Submerce Specialists a call at (707) 255-4393.