dataSIGN is comprehensive Business Management Software for the custom sign manufacturing industry.  dataSIGN is a web-based solution that enables you to manage your business on one system.

dataSIGN is enterprise wide.  It will touch every department, and nearly every individual within your company.  It addresses the needs of all phases of the “Life Cycle of an Order”, from Prospecting and Sales Order Entry through Shipping and Invoicing. This includes:

• Estimating/Quoting
• Sales Order Entry
• Shop Floor Control
• Purchasing/Receiving
• Inventory Management
• Scheduling and Production
• Full Accounting and Financial Management

All of these modules are appropriately tied into AR, AP, and General Ledger.

In late 1998, Datacom acquired a robust, client-server-based enterprise resource planning (ERP) software product, an established product with a number of satisfied customers.  With a mind to harness the power of the Internet, Datacom’s founders spent 6 years and over $5 million developing dataSTOR, a completely web-based (not just web-enabled) solution for Custom “Build-to-Order” Manufacturers.

Working with custom sign manufacturers, Datacom developed dataSIGN, building a solution that addresses the special needs of the sign industry with a robust enterprise platform.  dataSIGN is different than your typical ERP - it integrates industry best practices for estimating, quoting, sales/service and reporting.

dataSIGN is utilized by over 400 users at 44+ locations within the United States and Canada.

YES!  dataSIGN minimizes redundant data entry by replacing all of your islands of automation with ONE Fully-Integrated solution.  Data only needs to be entered in the system once and it will flow through to Work Orders, Purchasing, accounting, etc.  For example, once a salesperson enters in a new client’s address, it will flow through to accounting.  Sales Order information, Purchasing….everything is FULLY Integrated.

YES!  We have yet to find a file that we cannot attach to dataSIGN.

We include 5GB of storage in your contract.  Most of our clients use less than 5GB.  Additional storage may be purchased.

Absolutely! We are proud of the success of our clients.  Please contact your dataSIGN Sales Representative for references.

Yes!  dataSIGN not only supports multiple warehouses, but can be configured to support multiple divisions and multiple charts of accounts as well.  Our web hosted model is perfect for companies with multiple locations, or seeking to expand.

Yes, directly from dataSIGN. 

dataSIGN customers receive ongoing professional support from our in-house specialists.   dataSIGN utilizes an online ticketing system for tracking requests, ensuring your issue - whether low or high priority - gets resolved.

All application software and all customer data is maintained on a Datacom server in a secure data center.  Datacom assumes the responsibility for maintaining and upgrading the application.  This frees the customer from maintaining hardware and software.  You can access dataSIGN just by using your browser and an internet conneciton. 

Your data is extremely secure.  Your data is always your data.  It never becomes ours.

Your data is 128 bit SSL encrypted, the same security level as your online banking transactions.  Your data is hosted with OpSource (www.opsource.net ) the “Software as a Service” Experts.  The data is stored in an underground bunker on the power grid, with off-site, redundant backup.  dataSIGN also performs your daily data backups.  You don’t have to worry about security, firewall or servers.

The long and the short of it- your data IS MUCH more secure than on-premise. 

Most likely not.  dataSIGN is browser-based application, so most of the processing is done on the server.  That saves you time, money and headaches and likely avoids hardware upgrades down the road, unless other applications like AutoCAD, MS Office or MS Windows cause you to upgrade for performance reasons.

• A Reduced Capital Investment- No Server to Buy, Upgrade or Maintain
• Lower Total Cost Of Ownership and LESS Headache.
• No Database Administration Required
• Automatic Software Updates – You are always on the latest release of dataSIGN
• Your mission critical data is secure and always available
  

We hear this questions the most often.  We ask that you have a primary internet service provider (Cable, Satellite, or DSL [T1]) and a secondary service via dial-up.  Since only very small packets of encrypted data are transmitted, dataSIGN runs very smoothly on even a 56k dial-up connection.  If one goes down, you have the other as back up.  We encourage you to ask our current customers about their experience with dataSIGN uptime.

Don’t worry.  We have that covered.  We show you how to easily customize menus and access for individual employees or groups of employees.  Each user only has access to those functions that you designate.  I.e. accounting personnel have access to accounting applications only; sales personnel have access to view only sales data, etc.

We do not offer dataSIGN in a server-based environment.  A hosted environment is the preferred method for delivering software as a service as it enables vendors to roll out upgrades with no additional cost or involvement from the customer. By giving the vendor total control over the application, the vendor is heavily motivated to keep the product current and every client is on the most current release.

Customer Relationship Management.  Not only does dataSIGN’s CRM serve as a complete repository or archive of all communication with clients, you can use it to track service calls, vendors and shareholders.  You can also use it to manage attachments like permits, pictures and more.

As of now, dataSIGN’s CRM package is not intended to replace your current e-mail system like MS Outlook, etc.  You are able to email directly from dataSIGN’s CRM (sending a copy of your email to your own Outlook account if you choose), assign tasks and set up reminders.
E-mail recipients will see your e-mail address even when you send from dataSIGN. Outlook will operate as usual and you keep your same e-mail address.  You can easily copy/paste e-mails into dataSIGN notes section in CRM for future reference.

Quoting and Estimating in dataSIGN was developed with Custom Sign Manufacturers like you and it is EASY!  You can use dataSIGN for ALL sign types from the simplest print to the most complex 300 sign Stadium Job.

You use your information and not a national average, examples: your parts, your costs, your burden, your employees and skills, your departments, etc.

There are three (3) ways to Quote/Estimate in dataSIGN:
1) Build a Quote from Scratch
2) Copy an Existing Quote or Sales Order and modify
3) Use a template (pre-approved blueprint)

Quote prices are derived from a “cost plus markup” concept.  Each labor activity has its own rate, which is extended by the estimated time required.  This cost estimate is then “marked up” by a factor that may be unique for each type of effort involved.  Extended material costs are similarly “marked up” by a factor, yielding the price of the component.  Directly purchased products and services (i.e. concrete and excavating) may also be added to a Quote.  These prices are then accumulated to yield a price for the Quote.  Any of the costing elements may be altered to fit the circumstances of the Quote.  You can also modify a quote by adding or deleting parts, departments and changing copy and quantities.

Estimated gross margins are instantly shown for each detail entry, as well as for the overall Quote.

First, some background information.  A Quote is very specific in nature.  It was developed for a specific customer, for a specific install site, with specific pricing, for a specific period (expiration date).  Always copying from an existing Quote may not be convenient, since many elements may not be appropriate on the new Quote.

A Template is simply a set of instructions (“A blueprint”), defining how to make a certain type of sign.  It is not tied to a specific customer, nor does it have any cost/pricing or date data stored with it.  When a Template is used to develop a new Quote, costs and markups are automatically updated to reflect current prices, etc.  You don’t need to worry if you are using the most up to date version of a price list.

You can even use a template to create a new quote and then make that quote its own template.

Definitely.  A generic version is provided with the basic product.  However, Datacom expects to develop a custom version of this document for each client.  This custom version will contain the client’s logo, legal verbiage, formatting, etc.  Development of this custom document will take place during the implementation period.

YES!  dataSIGN’s Resource Scheduler and Production Calendar help you manage not only employees, but machines, trucks, and entire departments in real time. dataSIGN helps limit the number of surprises and offers more accurate completion dates.

Inventory related transactions are normally entered as the activity occurs.  Purchase Receipts, Issues to Work Orders, Inventory Adjustments, and Shipments are examples of these transactions.  As these transactions occur, the appropriate order data is updated, as well as the appropriate AR, AP, and General Ledger files.  All of this in real-time.
dataSIGN’s flexible inventory control system allows you to maintain optimal levels of items, whether raw materials, work in process, or finished products. dataSIGN automatically tracks inventory levels to provide you with consistently accurate, updated information -- right when you need it.
The Purchase Order processes allow for the ordering and tracking of purchased items from the initial generation of planned purchase requirements through receipt of the purchased items. dataSIGN’s flexible design allows purchasing of items to inventory, directly to a specific Work Order (materials and/or subcontract work), and directly to a General Ledger expense account on the same purchase order with multiple delivery dates and notes for each line item.
A detailed report shows all information pertaining to a current Purchase Order. This report provides tremendous flexibility of report generation: all or selected vendors, order due date ranges, associated Buyers, and other specifications may be selected to include as much or as little data on the report as you would like to see.

You can use key-cards, wands, bar coding with dataSIGN.  They are just a way to get the same data into dataSIGN.  However, if you are using timecards now, we recommend that you take one step at a time, implementing and learning dataSIGN first, then we can discuss adding peripherals.

Accurate and timely costing information is key to tracking actual costs to estimates or standards and effectively responding to any cost overruns and/or implementing price adjustments. dataSIGN’s costing capabilities collects and tracks individual job costs, allowing detail analysis.

dataSIGN job costing (or Work Order costing) provides the user access to accumulated costs in work orders on a real time basis. Job costing collects actual costs and provides comparisons to estimated or standard for material, labor, burden and outside service costs and calculates the variance dollars and percentage.

All cost and variances are automatically posted to the general ledger as part of the Work Order closing procedure. The closing procedure ensures that all charges, Purchase Orders, and shipments for the Work Order have to be processed and accounted for.

Work Orders are normally created automatically in the Sales Order Entry processes allowing shipments to be relieved directly from Work In Process.

Work Order status shows billings, gross profit and all charges (material, labor, burden, outside processes) both in summary and detail.  This query also indicates actual cost and part usage versus estimated or standard showing any variances. This information is available for current activity and is also recallable for historical purposes.

YES!  The dataSIGN Work Order Status provides visibility into the current location of the work order and also provides for a detail or summary view of expected and actual material consumption, labor, burden, and outside costs.  Tabbing to one of six detail screen provides the information regarding each area the user chooses to explore.

Other capabilities include cross division charges to the same work order for cost analysis, grouping of work orders with sub work orders, work orders created from sales orders showing gross margin and billing information, redistribute costs between work orders, variance reporting for material, labor, burden, and outside costs and work order price calculation based on incurred costs.

With integrated financials, dataSIGN replaces your current accounting software!  Since your current accounting package is likely not fully integrated with the rest of your business, you are probably wasting time and money on redundant data entry. Eliminate costs and errors associated with redundant data entry by using dataSIGN.

Not to worry.  During Implementation, your dataSIGN team uses tools to help extract your data and import it into dataSIGN.  We have transitioned companies for a variety of accounting programs including, but not limited to: QuickBooks, Simply Accounting, Microsoft Navision, Great Plains, BMS, Peachtree and Casper.

Absolutely.  We have a robust and fully-integrated Financial Module that will save your accounting department time and headaches.  It has a familiar look and feel and has all the functionality you need and MORE.  You will also find complete audit trails which may not exist in your current financial systems.  dataSIGN has complete A/R, A/P, General Ledger and Budgeting along with functionality tailored to custom manufacturers.

We believe that payroll experts do a great job handling things like regulatory updates, withholding changes, taxes, etc.  dataSIGN gives you several options.  We provide standard interface with ADP and Quickbooks.  Or, integrate with any payroll system with our configurable payroll export.

Timekeeping is handled within dataSIGN and the hours are exported into the payroll application.  All of your accounting information (AP, AR, GL) is handled in dataSIGN and reconciliation of payroll data to the GL is automated by a standard dataSIGN interface with the selected payroll application.  The payroll interface is as easy as a few clicks of your mouse.

You have many choices here and all are a matter of personal preference.  Many companies that use dataSIGN choose to have production employees fill out timecards, and then have a manager or clerical person enter the hours each day/week.  Some choose to have the employees enter time directly into dataSIGN via terminals.  Remember, dataSIGN is as current as the data that is input.

You can track time by department, job and employee.  dataSIGN handles, overtime, double-time, and more.

You CAN use key-cards, wands, bar coding.  They are just a way to get the same data into dataSIGN.  However, if you are using timecards now, we recommend that you take one step at a time, implementing and learning dataSIGN first, then we can discuss adding peripherals.

YES! dataSIGN automatically tracks Work-In Process, as it is input into the system.

YES!  You can assign tasks, send reminders, update schedules and more via dataSIGN.  dataSIGN even has dynamic, real-time “To-Do” lists by job function with clickable links to work orders, sales orders, art files and more!

YES!  Currently you can track these items using dataSIGN “Quote Status” feature. 

We understand that you have a business to run and that you and your team are very busy. All of our clients are successful manufacturers with many of your same “time crunch” concerns. Our implementation team has many years of experience implementing manufacturing systems.  They know that the keys to a satisfied end user are proper project planning, setup and training.
We work with you and your schedule to incur as little disruption as possible.  Each implementation consists of a month of environment set-up, 6-8 weeks of training and lab sessions (spaced out into 1-3 hour blocks), and a short period of piloting the new processes.  Subsequently, running dataSIGN alongside your existing system to ensure accuracy (referred to as “paralleling”).

Datacom uses Internet-based training sessions to allow “students” to view and hear the sessions as they are presented at Datacom’s facilities.  This also allows for interaction between student and presenter.

Curriculum materials are normally e-mailed to the participating companies the week prior to the scheduled class(es).  During Laboratory Sessions, control of the web-based instruction tool is turned over to the client to do the actual keying against their own training database.  The instructor watches the client, and answers questions in a dialog format.

YES!  Datacom has the tools to help you extract select historical data (customer data, vendor files, parts lists, etc.) from you current system(s).  Once this data is exported into a comma delimited format (.CSV, a version of Microsoft Excel) we can easily import it into dataSIGN.  Your Implementation is also a good time to “start fresh” with a “scrubbed” database.

YES!  Our team helps you add your logo and set up your documents to get the look you desire.

YES!  dataSIGN has 100’s of built-in, customizable reports that represent the needs  of manufacturers.  Many of these reports offer variable selection criteria such as date ranges, product or sales codes. dataSIGN continually is adding additional reports to the standard product, at no additional charge, based on User Group requests.  We are also adding a dynamic Report Writer in an upcoming version.

You can export data into Excel to create charts, reports, etc.  Datacom can also build custom reports for those special circumstances and often at no charge if we deem the report to be Standard Product worthy.

All customers have the right to request and pay for customizations to the applications. However, nearly all customization requests are fulfilled free of charge in the form of new system features.
Because our system is hosted, dataSIGN is not locked into the typical major/minor release schedule of a traditional software company. We are enhancing the application on a continuous basis. Most enhancements are the result of a customer request. dataSIGN’s advanced architecture of the system allows us to continuously add new features to the product while maintaining each customers unique database and “view”.

Datacom offers two payment methods:

Perpetual License (you Purchase and own dataSIGN)

Lease-to Own

Datacom charges per concurrent user- that is, with 10 concurrent user licenses you can have 10 people on the system at any given time.  We work with you to obtain the correct number of concurrent users for you company.

In each method, if you are current on your dataSIGN maintenance contract, you get included automatic upgrades and updates, so you are always on the latest release.  This saves you money, but also gives you access to the latest and greatest best practices of the Manufacturing Industry.

A typical lease-to-own arrangement is over two, three or four years through Falcon Leasing, our leasing partner.  Leasing offers significant tax advantages as well.  Please ask your Datacom Sales Representative for more information.

Please ask a Datacom Sales Representative for a proposal and quote.

Selecting enterprise software is a difficult process.  We understand how easy it is to get overwhelmed by the details of matching a solution to your business needs, and want to work with you hands-on.  After getting a better feel for your business needs, our sales specialists will develop a customized online demonstration to show you the power of the system.