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FAQ - Sales

Frequently Asked Questions & Answers for Products Sales

1. What is AIMS and what does it do?
2. How much does AIMS cost?
3. What Kind of computer and operating system do I need to run AIMS?
4. What printers do you recommend for use with AIMS?
5. What is EDI and how can I purchase it?

AIMS – What is it and what does it do?

AIMS is a complete order and production processing system for apparel manufacturers, wholesalers, importers and distributors.  AIMS is used as a major management tool in the manufacturing of apparel, accessories, footwear, and home furnishings.  A greatly improved Windows version of AIMS that supports up to 24 sizes per style and offers an EDI integration for both in-house and service bureau solutions. Enhanced features on our database management system include integrated backup and restore programs.

How much does it Cost?

Starting around $4000 for a single user system, with flexible terms and financing, you can start using the AIMS system with a small down payment and low monthly payments tailored to fit your budget.

What Kind of Computer and Operating System do I need?

Almost any Pentium II 300MHZ or faster with 64 MB RAM, 2GB Hard Driver running Windows 95/98 will work with the AIMS system.

If purchasing a new computer, we recommend a Pentium III 850 MHZ or faster installed with 128MB Ram, 20GB+ Hard Drive, modem, AGP 8MB+ video card, 17" color monitor, etc.   Most new computers run Windows 98 2nd Edition, Windows NT or Windows 2000 as the operating system.  Beware not to purchase a computer with the Windows ME operating system installed, as it is known to have compatibility issues with most vertical applications and dot matrix printers. AIMS does not support Windows ME operating system.

The AIMS system supports multi-user networks using Windows NT 4.0, Windows 2000 Server and Novell 5.0.  AIMS recommends a dedicated server with 256MB RAM, 20GB+ 7200RPM Hard Drive , Ethernet card, Uninterruptible Power Supply (UPS) with SMART Software, hub (# of ports depends upon size of network) tape backup drive large enough to adequately backup installed hard drives and One backup tape for each business day.

Note: We do not recommend peer-to-peer networks using non-dedicated server.

What printers do you recommend for use with AIMS?

For printing most reports (portrait or landscape), we recommend any HP compatible laser printer.  We do not recommend ink jet printer for printing reports. Ink jet printers are fine for printing spec sheets, cost sheets and line sheets.  If you have a laser printer that is not manufactured by Hewlett Packard, and you are experiencing problems, try using either the HP Laser Jet Driver or the HP Laser Jet Series II driver for that printer.  An HP Laser Jet 1200 printer (15 pgs/min) is under $400

For printing multi-part invoice forms and picking tickets with dot matrix printers, we recommend the following:

• Epson FX 1180 (around $400)
• Lexmark Forms Printer 4227 Plus (around $1500)
• Epson 8500 (around $2500)

What is EDI and How Can I purchase it?

Electronic Data Interchange (EDI) is the computer-to-computer exchange of inter- company business documents using a standard, public data format. Instead of relying on the telex, fax machine or mail to exchange documents, EDI users exchange them directly between computers.

AIMS offers a complete product line of integrated EDI products to compliment your AIMS order processing system including 850 Purchase Order, 810 Invoice, 856 Advance Ship Notice (ASN), 832 UPC Catalog, and other transactions.

Regardless of how you accomplish your EDI transactions, you will need to purchase the AIMS EDI module. Because many of our customers do not require EDI in their businesses, the EDI portion of AIMS is not included in the price of the base package.  This upgrade enables AIMS to import and export data with the EDI application.

AIMS has an In-House integrated solution.  We have chosen to "integrate" AIMS with Gentran: Director, an EDI translator software application from Sterling Commerce, a worldwide leader in EDI software.  Maps for these trading partners are currently being written and maintained by Computer Technology Support.

AIMS also has an integrated Service Bureau solution for those smaller companies who do not want to purchase a translator and trading partners maps, can use Innovative Systems, an EDI Service Bureau.  With the Innovative Systems, these costs have been waived.  You are only charged based on what you use.  You must have AIMS and the AIMS EDI module to achieve this.

Starting around $4000 you can implement EDI using the AIMS system with a small down payment and low monthly payments tailored to fit your budget.  Printer Hardware and Label software costs are additional.