In my other life, I manage my wife's gift and greeting card business called Olive Sandwiches and so I actually get a chance to put to use a lot of technology tools that I review and write about as the TechStoryTeller. One particular system that I've really become a fan of (and evangelist for) over the past five years is NetSuite. From the perspective of a hands-on small business owner, I think NetSuite represents the perfect model of how the Software as a Service (SaaS) approach can enable smaller players to operate at peak efficiency and execute like market leaders.
As an addictive multi-tasker, I particularly appreciate the web-based model that allows me full access and control from any browser - anywhere. I typically start my workday from home on my laptop and then migrate to the office before the staff come in - so, if I have a customer inquiry from another time zone, I can easily access their records and reply immediately without having to leave home. It's amazing how being able to provide a customer on the East Coast with a quick response at 5 AM from the West Coast always impresses them - - and let's them know how appreciated they are! Also, when I'm traveling, it's great to be able to access the same current data that our production manager is looking at back at the factory.
In the past five years, we've gone from just-a-hobby to now wholesaling products in over 3000 stores, distribution around the world, and a growing online retail business - and we couldn't have done it without NetSuite. We first started using the NetSuite system in January 2005 and have relied on it for accounting, inventory, web store, payroll and planning purposes - - all along the way.
If you want to know more about Olive Sandwiches (and maybe have a good laugh), check us out at http://www.olivesandwiches.com/ . We also just had a nice article in the Kitsap Peninsula Business Journal, profiling our first five years in business and highlighting my wife's quirky "for ladies who love to laugh" humor that fuels our success. Read it here: http://kpbj.com/headlines/articles/2009-05-02-HED-16.html
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