Founded in 1998, Bizfinity is an Application Service Provider (ASP) offering an interesting lineup of back-office computing capabilities that are integrated with specific business functions and delivered over a single synchronized platform. BizfinityPro, its flagship service, is a Web-based application built on Oracle's 8i database and powered by Sun Microsystem's Enterprise servers.
Rather than a one-size-fits-all approach to delivering business solutions, BizfinityPro is modular — options include e-commerce and customer relationship management (CRM) systems, order and inventory management, distribution and warehouse management, as well as assembly and accounting functions. Various mixes of the modules combine to form wholly integrated suites of services for vertical industries.
This week the company announced the immediate availability of BizfinityPro 7.0. The latest version of BizfinityPro introduces two new suites: the Distribution Suite and the Manufacturing Suite. The Distribution Suite is designed for retailers, wholesalers, distributors and manufacturers with multiple store or warehouse locations or complex inventory management requirements. The Manufacturing Suite provides component management for light assembly systems, as well as assembly work orders and multi-tier subassembly processing.
Because BizfinityPro system is Web-based, its e-commerce system interacts with sales orders, purchase orders and credit card processing, as well as inventory management and CRM systems. This also means that the BizfinityPro is platform agnostic in that it doesn't matter whether you access the system via an IBM PC or a Mac. The pair of new suites taps into BizfinityPro's most popular modules, including Web Site Creator, Web Store Creator, Credit Card Manager, Sales Manager, and Accounting Manager.
Distribution Suite Specifics
The Distribution Suite includes a new module, Distribution Manager. An advanced version of Bizfinity's existing Order Manager, Distribution Manager offers sales order processing, purchase order processing and inventory management for online and offline orders. New and improved features include support for enhanced price matrix and item matrix (color, size and other variants), split shipment, drop shipment, multiple shipping addresses per order, back order processing, volume processing, and returns management.
Additionally, Distribution Manager allows customers to manage inventory in multiple locations (warehouses or stores), and multiple inventory types, serial number tracking, Units of Measure (UOM) and track inventory received and shipped by a serial number and/or a barcode.
Manufacturing Suite Specifics
Manufacturing Suite is Bizfinity's most complete and comprehensive solution to date, providing all the modules available in other suites, with the addition of an Assemblies Manager module. Assemblies Manager adds flexibility in configuring and managing assembled items, and real-time integration with BizfinityPro's Order Manager and Distribution Manager. Subassemblies are handled at unlimited levels, and the system automatically calculates component availability to satisfy outstanding orders and updates component inventory as each item is built and shipped. Support is provided for Finished Goods, Bundles Kits and Build-to-Order items, as well as full integration with BizfinityPro's order-entry and e-commerce capabilities.
BizfinityPro allows its small businesses to sell products online, and now with Assemblies Manager, customers can select from an online list of components of any build-to-order items — such as a PC or bicycle, an item of furniture or jewelry — and instantly review the final assembled price. BizfinityPro automatically feeds all online orders into the back office assembly, inventory, shipping and billing processes, all included in the BizfinityPro Manufacturing Suite.
Systems Supported and Setup
BizfinityPro currently operates on a Windows PC running 95/98/NT/2000/XP with Pentium II or better processor running Netscape Navigator 4.5 or higher, or Internet Explorer 4.72 or higher. Alternatively, the system also operates an Apple Macintosh with OS 8 or 9, PowerPC processor, Netscape Navigator 4.5 or higher, or OSX with Mozilla 1.1 or higher. Machines require a minimum 64MB RAM with at least 20MB allocated memory to Netscape Navigator on a Macintosh.
To print invoices, checks and other .pdf documents, Adobe Acrobat Reader is also needed. To generate reports in spreadsheet format, a copy of Microsoft Excel is required.
BizfinityPro is primarily focused on meeting the business computing needs of retailers, wholesalers and distributors. Its customers are not mammoth enterprises or very small businesses, but companies seeking high quality services without paying a fortune. Most customers employ between five and 100 people. Many of Bizfinity's customers are spread across multiple locations or connect a number of remote access workers and telecommuters.
The company offers product demonstrations over the Internet and can arrange for a private presentation with a Bizfinity Certified Channel Partner. Online seminars are also conducted twice each month so you can see the platform in action over the Web. Pricing for two users and 100MB storage range from $199 to $899 per month depending on which suite of services is selected. Setup fees typically start at around $5,000, which includes implementation of a custom Web site.
IE 7
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