Jun 4, 2012

Pacific Coast Lighting Signs with Brandwise for VMi iPad Sales App

Pacific Coast Lighting, one of the largest manufacturers of decorative lighting in the United States, has announced it will be working with leading technology provider Brandwise to incorporate its new VisualMerchandiser for iPad (VMi) sales presentation and order capture app. A successful test run of VMi in the Pacific Coast Lighting showroom during the recent High Point Furniture Market exceeded the company’s expectations and it plans to roll out the iPad app throughout its Vegas showroom in August.

“We’re extremely pleased with how VMi performed. It will be a real asset to our sales staff because of its ease-of-use and, as it seamlessly integrates into our sales process, it will maximize the precious time we have with our retailers,” said Rick Spicer, vice president of sales for Pacific Coast Lighting. “I was hesitant at first because it could have cost us a lot of business. You always expect tweaks during a test phase, but Brandwise and their VMi app get an ‘A’. Perhaps more importantly, our reps are really excited about it and are asking how soon they can get on it for their road sales.”

A marked example of this excitement came from Buddy Shaffer, one of Pacific Coast Lighting’s most seasoned reps who is also well known in the industry and was perhaps the biggest adversary to using the new technology. “I refused to use VMi at first but within half an hour I loved it,” he said of the experience. “If this schmuck can learn to use it – anyone can!”

“Retailers have less time than ever to shop and it’s absolutely vital that new sales tools are efficient, intuitive, easy-to-use and seamless – otherwise reps won’t readily adopt them, and retailers won’t find any value in them” said Todd Litzman, president of Brandwise. “We madeVMi a priority because our seamless integration into suppliers’ back-end systems and our ability to work in multi-line agencies is what is missing from the other iPad applications out there. Unless you can get reps to adopt it and those orders instantly integrate into the supplier processing system, it’s ultimately not going to be successful.”

“We saw a groundswell of enthusiasm at High Point,” he continued. “More than a dozen companies signed up on the spot and we’ll be rolling out VMi with a number of agencies and suppliers at the major summer markets. We’re really excited about VMi and truly feel it’s the best iPad tool in the marketplace.”

VMi was created as a further move by Brandwise to create an environment that is platform independent, meaning its technology can work on iPad, PC or laptop, both locally (off-line) or online. It’s the only iPad sales app in the industry that can accommodate both showroom and road sales for supplier-only and multi-line agency reps. Additionally, it integrates with any back-end office software using the same proven technology Brandwise has used for 15 years.

For more information about VMi, Visual Merchandiser, or the full line of Brandwise integrated sales tools and service, visitwww.Brandwise.com, email sales@brandwise.com or call 877-435-3225 xt. 2.

About Pacific Coast Lighting
Founded in 1979, Pacific Coast Lighting is one of the largest manufacturers of decorative lighting in the United States and the exclusive lighting and accessories manufacturer for top industry brands, including Kathy Ireland Home and National Geographic Home. With a reputation for innovative design, quality workmanship and market responsiveness, the company sets a standard of excellence for the entire lighting industry. From its design and distribution headquarters in Southern California, Pacific Coast Lighting supplies many of the nation’s top retail chains, including Macy’s, Living Spaces, La-Z-Boy, Gallery Furniture, Nebraska Furniture Mart, Raymour & Flanigan, Capital Lighting, Haverty’s Furniture, Lack’s Stores, The Roomplace, Homemakers, City Furniture, and many more of the best furniture, lighting and department stores in the country. Pacific Coast Lighting has permanent showrooms at the High Point International Home Furnishings Market, Dallas International Lighting and Accessories Market, and World Market

About Brandwise
Brandwise is an Application Service Provider (ASP) delivering hosted software solutions to manufacturers and their sales organizations within multiple industries. Combining Visual Order Capture and Integration technology, Business Intelligence, B2B e-Commerce, and Customer Relationship Management (CRM) to enhance the coordination and communication of information between manufacturers and their sales channels, the Brandwise product suite integrates a series of powerful and leading-edge tools that help Suppliers and Sales Reps efficiently sell more products to their retailer customers in a collaborative environment. In over 14 years of operation, Brandwise consistently brings a fresh perspective, and revolutionary advancements, to a number of vertical markets from Gift and Home to Publishing, Apparel, Footwear and Sporting Goods.