IO Metro

Bentonville, Arkansas-based I.O. Metro chose STORIS as its first major Software Solution for its seven lifestyle furniture stores. Listening to various reputable retailer testimonials regarding the innovative features and benefits of Vision R8, President Jay Howard decided STORIS' dynamic SaaS offering was the right fit for the I.O. Metro stores.

Vision R8 is STORIS' retail software solution that handles Point of Sale aspects such as stock, special orders, and drop ships - plus it offers Inventory Control, Analytics, Merchandising, Accounts Receivables, and Finance Receivables. Additional applications are available, such as Data Warehouse functions, Online Credit Application, Advanced Warehouse Management, Radio Frequency Bar Code, and much more.

With Vision R8, Howard states that I.O. Metro now has its Information Technology Department. Yet, what appeals to him most is: "With SaaS, we love the idea of STORIS hosting the software on their servers, as opposed to us housing our own servers. This gives us the freedom to focus on operating our company. It also enables us to have access to a complete software system, while integrating our website to our retail stores through eSTORIS."

In 1999, STORIS advanced in the home furnishings industry by being the first to offer a full suite of Internet Products, enabling retailers to integrate their online and offline retail operations. Howard adds, "We chose eSTORIS not only for the integration capability, but also to offer our customers excellent customer service and real-time pricing and stock availability from our main warehouse."

eSTORIS gives retailers the ability to accurately display products and generate business through the web. Customers can research prior to shopping, or even better, purchase your merchandise from the convenience of their own homes. Real-time pricing and stock availability is accessible from the STORIS business system, thus eliminating the need to maintain two databases. Customer Service allows customers to retrieve sales and service information online via a company's secured website.

Currently, I.O. Metro has implemented many of STORIS' applications. In addition, the stores will be benefiting from STORIS' sleek Mobile Vision via a PDA, providing sales personnel with instant access to product descriptions, pricing, real-time inventory availability, and customer information.

"I love the fact the software is simplified as much as possible," says Howard. "I can walk into any one of the stores and easily use the system. All of the new employees are cross-trained on it so that they know how to use the system, whether they are in the warehouse or in the stores."

He adds, "It's also primarily our central accounting system, so I can pull data at any time from any one of our locations and compile it into a cohesive report. Management and Accounting reports are right there at our fingertips."

Howard sums it up by stating, "We have experienced increased efficiency and productivity in virtually every area of our operations. STORIS has been terrific for our business."