BikeBiz Bicycle and cycling retail news
The full text of the US release is below (but while we’re on the subject of the BikeBizBible, an info checking mail-out is to be posted soon – look out for it and return ASAP. To book premium position ads email bikebizads@aol.com):
National Bike Month Kicks Off May 1: FileMaker Pro Helps Bike Firms Manage Busy Cycles
SANTA CLARA, Calif., April 30: With National Bike Month kicking off Thursday, May 1st, the $3 billion U.S. bicycle business is bracing to serve the growing needs of more than 42 million estimated recreational bicyclists.
To meet the demand, a growing number of prestigious bike manufacturers and retailers are turning to easy-to-use yet powerful database software programs such as FileMaker Pro, an effective tool for organizing everything from customer orders to sales, marketing and manufacturing. Among them are: Trek Bicycle Corporation – http://www.trekbikes.com/ – in Waterloo, WI, a manufacturer of the bicycle frame used by Lance Armstrong to win the Tour de France, uses a FileMaker Pro database to feed information (photos, product descriptions, pricing and more) on over 8,000 of its products directly into a graphics layout program to produce its dealer network product catalog. Terry’s Precision Cycles – http://www.terrybicycles.com – Macedon, NY, is a leading bicycle outfitter for women. Offering everything from bikes to clothing, safety equipment and customized tours, Terry’s first started as a wholesale business. When CEO Georgena Terry decided to expand into mail order, sales went through the roof — but it also made managing these increasing customer demands exceptionally challenging. In a typical month, the company might ship more than 6,000 orders. Terry states that FileMaker Pro has helped cut down dramatically the time required for tracking credit card orders and inventory. Erik’s Bike Shop – http://www.eriksbikeshop.com/ – sells bikes out of eight stores throughout Minnesota. In a business as competitive as retail sporting goods, diligently tracking customer purchases and preferences — from tires to gloves and helmets — can make the difference between profit and loss. FileMaker Pro helps Erik’s maintain up-to-the-second records of what’s selling, who’s buying and what’s in stock. This makes it easy for Erik’s to create customized promotions and build close relationships with its customers and the growing Minnesota biking community. "FileMaker Pro lets fast-paced growing businesses keep on track and focused on their customer’s needs and not on the need to be a database expert," said Dominique Goupil, president of FileMaker.
FileMaker is a leader in workgroup databases and workgroup information solutions. Unlike complex database software, FileMaker’s intuitive interface empowers knowledge workers to create and share rich solutions. The award-winning FileMaker line of database software provides relational power, instant and custom Web publishing and legendary ease-of-use. FileMaker, Inc. is the database software subsidiary of Apple Computer, Inc.
