Is ‘your’ content online? New government ruling that affects everyone.Plus, check out our InterSell gallery on pages 9 & 10

Social situations...Aspin unwinds, pages 7 & 8

Interested in eCommerce & iPad order capture? Learn more about Aspin products via themedium of film at aspin.co.uk/videos

‘Test Drive’ PixSell for FreeScan the QR code to download or call 01794 500 200 for more information

Issue 23aspin.co.ukSoftware for distributors

01Issue 23

Welcome to Issue 23

Didn’t we have a ‘Great’ time...

Aspin would like to use Login issue 23 to say the warmest hello to all clients and prospects.

Our Interactive team report with gusto at their busy workloads, and consistently high calibre of client that show great enthusiasm for our eCommerce solution InterSell - reinforcing its value as a corporate tool. We are showcasing a number of InterSell projects on page 10.

For those of you who are acquainted with us through PixSell, we are pleased to report over 3000 downloads of PixSell worldwide to date, with many new clients at implementation stage. Be sure to check our app store reviews regularly for direct comments from clients using PixSell – more on page 4. 2013 has seen the appointment of Brad Green in our Brisbane

office. You can read more about Brad and the Brisbane office on page 14.

Additional developments in 2013 have included the emergence of the Aspin social club which can so far boast a 10k fun run, a lunchtime barbecue and an upcoming Friday curry club. More about these on page 8.

On page 12, Fallen Fruits look at the merits of using the OPN2002 scanner with PixSell, and discuss how both Aspin and Varlink’s products and services have improved their business processes.

Thank you for your continued support and interest in Aspin’s services as we prepare for our 30th year in 2014 providing sales order focused applications to the wholesale and distribution market.

Aspin have proudly sponsored The Greats for two years consecutively and are pleased to announce Peppertrees in Northampton as the winner of Best Retail Display 2013.

Aspin welcomes Richard Tapley and Julian Stone on board to oversee project implementations. Richard will be working with the clients to deliver PixSell projects - tailoring implementations to meet clients’ needs. Julian will be working with the Aspin Interactive team in a project management role helping to

deliver InterSell projects, whilst supporting new initiatives and requirements for existing clients. Both share an interest in racing as Richard is currently working on a BMW race car for use in competitive motorsport events and Julian has a love of Japanese race motorcycles - though he strongly maintains that his racing days are over!

02aspin.co.uk

Didn’t we have a ‘Great’ time...The Greats, in its 11th year, recognises both retail and trade categories in the Giftware industry in the shape of an awards ceremony, lunch and entertainment. The event was held at The Savoy, London and attendees were treated to a three course lunch, 1940s themed entertainment and

comedian Hal Cruttenden. Nathan, Doug and Lizzi attended the ceremony with special guest Sophie Chantler from Talking Tables joining them. Talking Tables have been customers of Aspin since 2011 and use PixSell to capture their orders in the field.

Don’t forget to follow us on Twitter, LinkedIn and Facebook for the latest information on Aspin’s services and products.

www.linkedin.com/company/aspin-management- systems-limited

www.twitter.com/AspinTweets

www.facebook.com/aspinltd

PixSell is proving to be an amazing sales aid to our representatives. We have recommended Aspin and feel very confident to do so.– Fallen Fruits

Issue 23

How has PixSell benefited your business?

Our clients are our biggest supporters, we hear how PixSell has performed for some of them

The quoting facility is very useful as it negates data having to be re-keyed into our back office, instead quotes are sent via EDI directly into our ERP system. – Nisbets

PixSell has rich features enabling reps not only to sell into their accounts, but manage them comprehensively too. I would be lynched if I tried to withdraw it! – Historic Originals

We have not looked back. This app makes the selling process easier for our sales team and more importantly, our customers. It is easy to use and intuitive. – Lesser and Pavey

This app has helped focus our sales team’s efforts and has really put the life back into each sales call. It is very easy to use meaning more time selling, and less time taking orders. Great product.– Rosewood Pet Products

The app gives our sales reps more tools to work with – maximising sales opportunities. The interface is intuitive and the system is slick, this is one serious weapon for the sales team arsenal. – Ty Uk

aspin.co.uk

Scan the QR code on this page or visit

aspin.co.uk/pixsell for more information.

04How has PixSell benefited your business?

Our clients are our biggest supporters, we hear how PixSell has performed for some of them

We have found PixSell extremely useful in improving efficiency in both placing and processing orders. – Talking Tables

Our reps have found PixSell extremely easy to use and a very good tool to help them secure business. Well recommended! – Weston Beamor

PixSell is a professional product that we believe, enhances our company image. We look forward to a long standing partnership with Aspin. – Gerrard International

What are the Aspin development team saying about iOS 7?“The iOS 7 user interface has been completely redesigned and feels like a new chapter for the Apple mobile operating system. Throughout, users will find a sharpened focus on functionality, translucency, refined visual touches, and consequently added depth and vitality to the user experience.”

MiniPick benefits prove to be not so minicompatibility of MiniPick with their existing ERP system and warehouse staff. Fab ‘n’ Fix sell items associated with window and door fabrication, such as panels, fittings, signs, numbers and handles.

“We chose MiniPick as a cost-effective WMS extension to our existing ERP system (Lakeview) that has limited warehouse functionality. It has proved to be a user-friendly system that staff have quickly become familiar with.

MiniPick has allowed us to automate our goods out, goods in and stock taking procedures by using handheld scanners, removing unnecessary manual steps and improving the speed at which we can process outbound despatches.

For almost ten years Aspin have been helping a diverse range of distribution companies streamline their warehouse operations. For the majority, this has meant switching from error-prone paper based systems to an automated solution that integrated with their host ERP software.

We have decided to take stock of the long term benefits such automation has had for these companies, and are pleased to report that MiniPick is highly regarded and has since become an integral part of business process for our clients.

Thomas Freeman, Marketing Director at Fab ‘n’ Fix spoke to us about the

Issue 23

Scan the QR code on this page or visit aspin.co.uk/minipick

for more information.

MiniPick Warehouse Management software running

on the Janam XG100 and the Janam XM66.

MiniPick benefits prove to be not so miniAdditionally, we have better visibility across the business on the status of orders and we are closer to having real-time information on stock.

The team at Aspin did a very good job of exploring our initial requirements and delivering on schedule. Aspin have been proactive with minor upgrades and tweaks since we went live, making sure we get the most out of the software.”

Torton Bodies provide display and exhibition units and trailers and credit MiniPick as the antidote to product traceability. Operations Director Claire Andrews explains,

“MiniPick is an integral function of our warehouse management enabling us to have a real-time view of our stock

levels and costing. By bar coding and booking stock through MiniPick, we can validate it at point of receipt which for our manufacturing operation is critical. This means we have full traceability of an item from receipt to use and a full build list of the vehicle/trailer as it drives out of the factory. Using MiniPick ensures the item is scanned and validated as it is removed from the warehouse. The margin for error would be far greater by inputting these transactions via a PC and has been eradicated.”

Business and IT manager for the Carford Group Steve Donohoe maintains that Aspin’s customer service and expertise are key to a successful implementation.

“Aspin’s skill, expertise and customer service are excellent. They integrated with the existing system well - not a easy task! MiniPick has enabled us to track stock movements, in and out, with accuracy and greater accountability. Aspin have continued to offer a professional and friendly service, long after the project was completed.”

For more information on MiniPick, please contact Aspin on 01794 500 200 or sales@aspin.co.uk

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07Issue 23

Like many companies, we hold a Christmas party, and an annual summer family day. However, the wish to bring employees together more often than twice yearly has seen the emergence of the Aspin Social Club. After much

head-scratching of how to drag people kicking and screaming to social events, we came up with the following idea:

Each month, one person at Aspin can choose an event to take place before or after work, at lunchtime or at the weekend

in a hope that over the course of the next couple of years we will see different ideas and interests come together to make something for everyone.

The ‘social ideas box’ in the kitchen was the precursor for the first event, and one sunny day in mid April we had

Aspin Social Club The runners, post 10k

08aspin.co.uk

a lunchtime barbecue. Mike T and Lizzi did the shopping and set up, Doug stepped in as head chef and within 30 minutes, the car park hosted a plethora of delicious smells!

The Aspin Social Club Committee was pleased to report almost full attendance

which served as a positive response to the first event. Second was the Lymington 10k fun run attended by John, Nathan, Adam and Doug and several friends and family members. All entrants finished with impressive times and Sunday lunch in a nearby pub

was a welcome retreat from the tracks.

Next on the cards is a curry lunch in Romsey and possibly entering another run, and we hope for an equally good turnout.

Tucking inMD John Aspin and his wife Judy

The runners, post 10k

Nathan Aspin approaching the finish line

09Issue 23

InterSell provides distributors with a sophisticated e-commerce and website content management platform. Aspin’s website solutions are unrivalled in their ability to present your customers with an intuitive interface enabling them to order at agreed pricing and discounting.

This functionality is based on the concept of a price matrix - also used by our mobile order capture applications PixSell

and MiniSell. InterSell provides an easy to use content solution designed to keep your customer engaged and informed.

Our clients’ websites have a high quality online presence and process millions of pounds worth of orders each year, and rely on our services to ensure accurate and reliable order capture.

Here are some examples:wickedcostumes.co.uk - Leading distributor for adult fancy dress costumes.

charterhealthcare.co.uk -Ostomy and continence manufacturer and distributor supplying UK patients.carlkammerling.com - Carl Kammerling are a tools manufacturer and distributor supplying UK and Europe.culinaryconceptsliving.com -Distributor of design lead kitchenware, tableware and interior decoration across UK and Europe.ck-magma.com - Carl Kammerling’s Magma Brand - website powered by sister website.

... and now it’s time for the gallery

10aspin.co.uk

thoritedirect.co.uk - Direct online sales of pneumatic products.cathtatecards.com - Publisher of humorous greeting cards and gifts, distributors across the UK and overseas as well as retailers online. trade.gibsonsgames.co.uk - HB Gibson manufactures and distributes board games and puzzles throughout the UK and Europe.

ck-tools.com - Carl Kammerling’s CK Brand - website powered by sister website.thorite.co.uk -Leading British manufacturer and distributor of pneumatic solutions for industry.

When you post material online, you may think your images and text are copyright protected by default. They’re not. The UK government has passed legislation within a bill called the Enterprise and Regulatory Reform Bill, to permit the mass use of copyright protected material without the owners’ permission. This applies to any copyright digital work; text, movies, sounds and images, anything where the identifying information is missing.

This takes the control of your IP (Intellectual Property)out of your hands and into those of anyone who can prove the work does not have any copyright notice. This scenario is known as ‘orphaned works’ and means that images and any other digital files will need metadata or clear notices of copyright on them before uploaded to the internet.

David Bailey has written a very succinct letter to UK Chancellor George Osborne, in outrage to this change. You can find it online here: thebppa.files.wordpress.com/2013/04/130415-bailey_copyright.jpg

Additionally, the legislation also means you must opt-out if you want to retain your rights - don’t rely on technology or applications to ensure your copyright. For example, many social network services strip out metadata on images and create their own ‘copy’ of your image. Therefore, you must ensure that your copyright notice is in the actual image before using services such as Facebook, Pinterest, LinkedIn and Twitter.

Further reading:www.theregister.co.uk/2013/05/03/ instagram_act_explained/

www.ipo.gov.uk

www.wipo.int/treaties/en/ip/berne/trtdocs_wo001.html

thebppa.wordpress.com/2013/04/16 /the-copyright-fight-david-bailey-weighs-in/

www.theregister.co.uk/2012/11/12 /uk_theft_firestorm_photographers_artists/

... and now it’s time for the gallery

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Varlink work closely with Aspin, creating a partnership based on the compatibility of Aspin software and Varlink hardware. In this instance, Aspin’s client Fallen Fruits have chosen the Opticon OPN2002 to enable barcode scanning whilst using PixSell – Aspin’s iPad app for presentation and order capture.

Customer: Fallen Fruits sell a wide range of garden giftware to trade customers within the garden industry. Trade shows play an important role in displaying the product portfolio, providing the opportunity to meet with current customers and attract new clients.

Problem: Prior to the iPad and OPN2002, Fallen Fruits used a PDA with an integrated barcode scanner as a field

sales solution. The purpose of the upgrade was to speed up mobile order processing at trade shows on a device sympathetic to the requirement for a larger screen size for order creation and display.

On implementation of Aspin’s PixSell iPad app, a device was required to integrate with the Apple iPad to enable scanning of product barcodes for instant order capture at trade events. Fallen Fruits needed a simple and reliable, user friendly data capture device that would enable quick data input at peak times throughout trade shows.

Solution: The OPN2002 Bluetooth pocket-sized barcode scanner was chosen based on its ability to integrate with the iPad. Device installation was straight forward and required minimal training. Weighing less than 30g, the OPN2002 is a discreet scanning solution, offering quick and efficient

data capture capabilities for a seamless and instant ordering process enhancing customer experience and user efficiency. Additionally, the Bluetooth enabled device facilitated more freedom when scanning and creating orders allowing the user to move around the trade show/retail environment and capture orders.

Advantages/Benefits:Since deployment of the OPN2002 and PixSell as part of the field sales solution, Fallen Fruits have found that sales rep productivity has increased - credited to the scanner’s ease of use and scanning reliability, alongside Aspin’s PixSell iPad App for order capture.

For more information on the OPN2002, contact: sales@aspin.co.uk or call 01794 500 200

Case StudyFallen Fruits using OPN2002barcode scanner with PixSell

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Aspin Software ‘Down Under’As many of you may know, we have had an office in Australia since 1997. Aspin’s Rhys Miller moved over to Australia in 2007 after nine years in the UK office to head up Aspin Software Pty.

Having now lived and worked in Brisbane for six years, Rhys says he loves the big open space and the huge clear sky the city has to offer. The appointment of Business Development Manager Doug Mendes at the UK office in 2008 facilitated the start of Aspin exhibiting at Reed Gift Fairs and this

enabled Doug to spend some time with the Australian team and generate new business. From this cooperation, came a requirement for a permanent sales person in the Brisbane office to handle PixSell pre-sales. As a result, Aspin Software welcomed Brad Green to the company in January 2013

aspin.co.uk

14

Aspin Software ‘Down Under’

to help grow new business by driving the sales department and meeting with potential clients to demonstrate PixSell. An avid attendee of Reed Gift Fairs, Brad and the team are available to discuss order capture requirements and support existing accounts at the shows.

Rhys suggests that since Brad’s arrival, there is more energetic business activity and grilled steak available to support Brad’s four-dinners-per-day habit.

Brad comes from a corporate sales background. He describes himself to have ‘amazing determination and a zest for

life like no other’. An avid “Crossfitter” residing on the Gold Coast of Queensland, he trains six mornings a week and surfs at every given opportunity.

Brad Green Sydney Gift Fair 2012

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aspin.co.uk

1620 things you might not know about Aspin• Dave Morley’s kite flying team are the

two times and reigning World Champions• Mike Tendler is a keen photographer• We have an office in Brisbane• We have a dedicated interactive team

that develop eCommerce• We have been developing software for 29 years• We remotely support customers all over the world• Lee Lawrence has been employed for the longest

time here at Aspin – 26 years• We have our own creative design team

in the UK office• From May through to October Colin Setterfield

wears shorts to work• In 2012, we doubled our office space and

now own 3 & 4 Horse Fair Mews• Doug Mendes speaks fluent Portuguese

• Aspin are very good at demolishing birthday cakes

• Lizzi Benger used to be a Civil Servant• Nathan Aspin is part of a village cricket team

that is 135 years old this year• The Aspin Offices are frequented by Zeus Aspin

the Yorkiepoo• Brisbane’s Brad Green is a dedicated Crossfit

trainer• Elaine English is a dancer in her spare time.

Her repertoire includes Rock ‘n’ Roll, Modern Jive, and Disco.

• Marcus is a fantastic cook, very handy at Spring Fair when we rent a cottage!

• Our systems process over £2bn worth of orders in the last year

• Aspin is based in Romsey, a market town with a population of 18,000.

Marcus Pullen – Business DirectorAfter 11 years at Aspin, we say goodbye to Marcus Pullen, our Business Director. Marcus has been with us since 2002 and will be very much missed. Here’s a quick insight into how he has driven InterSell during his time with us:

Briefly describe your role

I look after our B2B and B2C e-commerce business and platform called InterSell. I work with the sales team to generate new business, oversee

the management of projects with the development team, co-ordinate our customer services and work on marketing with the creative and sales team. I also hand the biscuits round when they are needed.

What did you do yesterday at work? I wrote a specification document, read many emails, made many phone calls, reviewed a customer’s ERP data export, and spent a lot of time in Basecamp which we use for project management. We’re running 10 projects at the moment. It keeps us busy!

What do you enjoy to do in your spare time?

Writing and illustrating. I’m a comic book and concept artist and I do a lot of art for fans of Sci Fi and Horror. I’ve written a few books and was a games journalist for many years so still get asked to write articles and review movies and games. Oh – and I’ve got two teenage girls doing their GCSEs, so they keep me on my toes too!

May we take this opportunity to thank Marcus for all his hard work and wish him luck on his way!

Farewell Marcus!

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It’s a common scenario at home: “My computer died, and I lost all my documents and photos”.

Often people don’t think about backing up their data - until it’s too late. Computers are fallible, and backing up your data is extremely important.

At work, this is more important than ever. Your emails, documents, spreadsheets, databases, configuration files and so forth are all business critical. Statistics show that 6% of all PCs will suffer data loss in any given year, and 60% of companies that lose their data will shut down within six months of the event1.

Most companies will have disaster recovery solutions in place for at least their major servers - file servers and mail servers, etc. Additionally, users should have an area on these

main servers for storing their files so that they know they are backed up. There are however, a number of companies that do not have such contingency plans.

Consequently, we would like to reach out to companies that do not perform backups of regular workstation machines. If we look at Aspin software – especially MiniPick and Visual Planner these use SQL databases which may be local SQLExpress instances, rather than server based databases. The configuration files also, are all stored locally (in the case of

MiniPick Hints & Tips - The importance of backups

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Visual Planner, these are stored in the Windows registry) and require back up. AMSolve users that have AMSPrint installed locally should also take note.

MiniPick tends to be installed on a local PC in the warehouse, and not on a server. By their own nature, warehouses tend to be dusty environments, and it is easy for a PC to suck in some of that dust and dirt, coating the insides of the PC with layers of grime. Such misfortune would be rarer in an office environment. So there we have it – dirty warehouses

pose an increased risk of hardware failure. Unless you actively include these PCs in your backup strategy, you run the risk of losing your software installation and configuration. Sending a hard disk away for data recovery can run into hundreds of pounds. Add to this the inconvenience and cost of down-time, whilst temporarily reverting back to the archaic paper-based system of goods despatch, receipts, stock counts or transfers, and you can see the costs start to mount up.

Therefore, we ask you not to forget your MiniPick, Visual Planner, and any other business critical workstation PCs in your backup, disaster recovery, and continuity plans in order to avoid disasters for the company.

1www.bostoncomputing.net/consultation/databackup/statistics/

MiniPick Hints & Tips - The importance of backups

Scan the QR code on this page or visit aspin.co.uk/minipick

for more information.

I’m sure everyone knows that in AMSolve, you can put message lines on orders. Message lines get carried through onto your invoice as you confirm despatch. Did you know that you have the ability to select which message lines on an order get transferred to your invoices? When you are posed the question “Confirm whole order without any amendments?” in Confirmation of Despatch, answer “N” and then you will be able to amend the line details. An asterisk appears alongside any message

line that you select. When you END and say “Y” to create an invoice, those marked message lines are not put onto the invoice. I know that there are a few sites that have paid to have this logic reversed, so when you are eagerly testing this out in your Practice Company please don’t worry if it turns out you are one of those few!

The asterisk is also used to control delivery addresses. The delivery address system allows you to enter / maintain delivery addresses for your

Sales Ledger customer base. Alternate delivery addresses are useful if you want to have an account that isn’t a fully fledged sub account but still need the flexibility to send goods to a regular address other than a head office. You also have the opportunity to set up different salesman codes for your alternate delivery addresses. Once the addresses are set up, all you need to do to use them is type an asterisk and the delivery address number you want to use when you are in the “Delivery Address”

box during order or invoice entry / maintenance. Then you just get out of the box in the usual manner and the delivery address you selected will appear! Note that if a different salesman is associated with the chosen delivery address, that salesman will be used on your order / invoice instead of the one stored on the Maintain Customer Master screen. Aspin Support01794 500 205

Need more information?

Call: 01794 500 200 Email: info@aspin.co.ukWeb: aspin.co.uk

twitter: @aspintweets facebook.com/aspinltd

Aspin, 3 Horsefair MewsRomsey, HampshireSO51 8JG© 2013 Copyright Aspin Management Systems Limited.All Rights Reserved. MiniSell, InterSell, MiniPick, PixSell and AMSolve are registered trademarks of Aspin Management Systems Limited. All other logos are the property of their respective owners.

Issue 23

Aspin welcomes more great names

Amsolve - Hints & Tips