Q. How long have you been in business and how did you get
started?
Next Question
A. In 1994, the founders moved to Breckenridge
Colorado, where they purchased an Art Gallery. Not finding any appropriate
gallery software to run their own art gallery, the owner began writing
his own software, specifically tailored to the consignment based
business.
After some months, one of their artists mentioned the software
to another art gallery owner, who wanted to purchase the system.
In early 1996, the gallery was sold, and the owners began the process
of getting the gallery software ready for market. It was necessary
to build in features which allowed galleries to enter information
such as sales tax rates, artist names, and other details which were
unique to their own gallery.
Formerly a software engineer, the owner's technical experience,
along with the fact that he has personally owned and operated a
gallery, gives him a deep understanding of the issues facing art
galleries. This has allowed him to create a system which is able
to address the concerns of consignment based businesses.
The Masterpiece Gallery Manager was released to Art Gallery Owners
and Managers in August 1996.
The system is not only in use in Art Galleries. Artists, Antique
Dealers, Fine Crafts, Wine and Jewelry stores have also purchased
the system to manage their businesses.
There is NO OTHER ART GALLERY SOFTWARE on the market today that
covers the many features of The Masterpiece Gallery Manager.
Q. Can I add a new piece of inventory
or add a new client without having to exit the sales screen?
Next Question
A. YES ! While you are in the sales screen, you
can use a QUICK sale to sell a piece which is not already entered
on the system. This means you can use the system for POS beginning
the first day you install it and still get the benefits of the sales,
consignment, and other reports. And, if your client is not already
on the system, his or her details will automatically be added to
the mailing list directly from the sales screen. (If they are on
the system, their details will be brought into the sales screen
so that you don't have to type in their address and other information
again!)
Q. What if I need to do a discount on
the sale?
Next Question
A. The computer is, after all, a big calculator!
If you need to discount an individual item, or all the items for
the sale, the system will figure the discount for you! It will even
compute the amount to discount the consignment to the artist (if
you want it to.) When a piece is discounted, the system records
what the original asking price and consignment was, so that you
have a permanent record of the discounts made.
Q. Does the system print Mailing Labels?
Next Question
A. YES! The system will print mailing lists and
labels for you. It will even generate a merge file for you to import
into your word processor. When a client makes a purchase, the information
is automatically related to the mailing list so you can print labels
for a particular artist, location, or keyword. And you can easily
add names to the mailing list for potential clients who have not
yet made a purchase. Use these features to generate invitations,
announcements, thank you cards, or any other correspondence.
BUT WAIT! THAT'S NOT ALL! The system ALSO generates EMAIL lists
that you can use with other email programs, OR, you can broadcast
an email, including digital images, directly from Masterpiece.
Q. Can you copy my data from an old program
so I don't have to enter it again? How much does it
cost?
Next Question
A. We can almost definitely copy your mailing
list from an old system so you won't have to enter your client list
again. Most client lists have pretty much the same information,
names, addresses, phone numbers, etc. So, while there are no guarantees,
we have done this hundreds of times in the past.
We have also had great success in translating Inventory lists from
other programs, but this usually takes longer because not all of
the information is the same for every system.
The fee for translating data is $100/hour. A typical mailing
list usually takes us about 30 minutes. Inventory can take
anywhere from an hour to a day. The more work you do to "clean up
the list" before we begin, the better. We're happy to give you a
quote before we begin.
Q. Can the system run on a network?
Next Question
A. Of Course! Network features are already built
into the system so you don't need a different version to run on
a peer-to-peer windows network, or a Novel network.
We also support SQL server. This type of database is what
the "big boys" use to manage data over a wide area network.
If you have lots of computers, or multiple locations, call us to
discuss this option.
Q. Can the system tell me how much, and
when, to pay my suppliers?
Next Question
A. YES! The system tracks all of your inventory,
whether owned or on consignment. Even if you have a canvas on consignment
and you put the frame on it, the system will distinguish who owns
what. This means that when the piece is sold, the system will track
the amounts due to the artists. This is true even if the piece has
been discounted or is being sold on layaway.
Q. I have loaded the CD and now it is
asking for my Username and Password. What are they?
Next Question
A. Obviously, we don't know the names of the operators
you will be using with your system . As shown in the Operator Names
section of the installation guide/tutorial, the system is shipped
out with a generic operator name and password. Call technical support
if the password shown in your guide does not open the program. Once
you are in the system, you can change operator names by selecting
the PASSWORDS option from the CHANGE menu. This is also the screen
where you determine which operators have access to different levels
of information about your gallery. You can use this feature to prevent
new staff from viewing or changing items on the system.
Q. When I am modifying a report layout,
how do I save my changes?
Next Question
A. Masterpiece uses a very powerful report generator
which allows you to modify many of your own reports. This means
that if, for example, you would like to add your own logo to the
Customer's Invoice, you can do it. After modifying a report, press
CTRL-F4 to save your changes.
Q. What is VNC, and do I need it?
Next Question
A. The staff at Masterpiece Solutions are committed
to ensuring that you are and remain completely satisfied with the
system. (Please see the Testimonials page on this web site.) As
such, we offer various levels of training and support, depending
on your requirements. VNC is a product which allows two computers
to talk to each other and show the same screens and mouse movements
on both computers. We use VNC for both training and support. We
can actually see what you are doing and walk you through any questions
you might have.
Although VNC is not needed to run Masterpiece, it is a valuable
tool which will for us supporting you remotely. We do recommend
you have a copy. It is available for download for free in our download
center or it comes supplied on our initial CD.
|