Retail Observer

RETAILOBSERVER.COM NOVEMBER 2016 54 STORIS LATEST RELEASE, 9.7, ENHANCES USER INTERFACE DESIGN STORIS is releasing the latest version of their retail software solution, STORIS 9.7. They showcased the release at Las Vegas World Market. 9.7's development was focused around STORIS' User Interface design. Key STORIS processes underwent significant navigational and visual design changes. STORIS' Product Management team is responsible for assuring that the design and usability of the solution keeps pace with technology trends and the needs of STORIS' retailer partners. The team utilizes STORIS' Product Suggestion Portal for all customers to better communicate their product needs and for STORIS to share their application direction with its growing customer base. "How software responds to mobile devices, how processes flow in a retail environment, and how to best cater to customers all impact the evolution of our software," stated Director of Product Management, Shawn McKnight. "The result of 9.7 is a more appealing user experience. It is particularly important that STORIS' software is continually designed for optimal use on tablets." Screen design has been enhanced for a better mobile workflow, greater search functionality, and improved field navigation. Fonts, heading types, and field structure were studied and updated for easier readability across many processes. "9.7 also includes a number of enhancements and details that customers identified and requested to make using the software more intuitive and effective," noted Product Manager, Donnie Surdoval. STORIS now has Single Password Sign- On capabilities that authenticate against their Windows Active Directory, allowing for simpler password management for retailers of all sizes. Other improvements include data grid changes, enhanced filtering and sorting capabilities, additional data fields, and many other important technical changes that improve data accessibility and integrity. Software provides a wealth of data and information for retailers, their employees and their consumers. 9.7 has focused on further automating notifications, scheduled processes and other areas of the application to make this information more useful and digestible. STORIS has improved multi-language document printing capabilities to support our multi- lingual and international customers. Finally, communicating a retailers' brand is more intuitive in STORIS' forms designer with updated picture availability along with new dynamic form fonts and export capabilities. HTSN VENDOR ROSTER CONTINUES TO GROW The HTSN division within Nationwide Marketing Group has announced the addition of two new partners to their vendor roster. Paradigm/Anthem and Dana Innovations both joined HTSN, effective July 1, 2016. They both exhibited on the PrimeTime! show floor in Nashville in August, so the group's independent retailers could see what they are all about. Hank Alexander, director of HTSN, says, "These are two vendors we are thrilled to team up with. By offering more product selection to our leading CI retailers, it's enabling them to make a stronger footprint in their local marketplace." Paradigm/Anthem manufactures award-winning high-end audio/ video equipment for music, home theater and distributed audio and is a world leader in the competitive high performance loudspeaker market. Paul Grove, SVP global sales & marketing of Paradigm, said "Expanding our brand into these retailers' stores will enable consumers to purchase high end equipment that is simply unrivaled by our competitors. We look forward to this partnership with HTSN." Established in the early 1980s, Southern California-based Dana Innovations is the parent company of Sonance, iPort and TRUFIG. Each brand offers innovative and unique solutions that harmoniously blend technology and aesthetics—a philosophy that is favored by architects, interior designers, custom installers, home, and business owners throughout the world. Jeff Brewer, VP of sales for Dana, said "As the parent company of these three brands, we feel each has a unique place in the independent CI space. We hope the HTSN dealers are a excited as we are about the future of this partnership." B U Y I N G G R O U P N E W S RO

• Cover