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Frequently Asked Questions |
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| Q: What is the underlying database for Thumbs Up? A: Thumbs Up is based on a great product called 4th Dimension, or 4D. Thumbs Up was originally written in 1991, at which time a primary consideration was finding a database that would support plug-ins written and compiled in C in order to handle images. This was not possible at the time with databases such as Foxbase, and Microsoft Access did not appear in a stable 32-bit form until January of 1997. 4D, however, offered a Developer's Kit that allowed us to create the necessary image compression, decompression and display functionality in the C language and our first version shipped in Spring of 1992. We have reevaluated 4D over the years as other options have appeared and have found nothing that even comes close to matching its current capabilities. We continue to use 4D as our base for speed, abundance of features, and ease of use and support. Q: What makes Thumbs Up so much faster than comparable databases in MS Access or Filemaker Pro? A: The primary difference is in the fact that Thumbs Up is compiled. Our compiler generates true processor optimized machine language for PC or Macintosh. We could also distribute Thumbs Up in an interpreted version, much like MS Access, but tests on the interpreted and compiled versions of our own database show that most functions run anywhere from 5 to more than 400 times faster in the compiled version. This makes an amazing difference in overall performance. Q: I own a copy of ImageAXS, and it does not run properly on Windows 2000 (or XP). I have spent many hours developing my image data and collections. Can I move all of this data into Thumbs Up, including the keywords data? A: Yes. Contact us for detailed information on how you can move your data from ImageAXS to Thumbs Up and ask us about our competitive upgrade policy for ImageAXS owners. Q: How can I justify the expense of creating and maintaining a Digital Asset Management System? A: When you have quick and easy access to your images, savings in time and frustration alone can usually justify the installation of a digital asset management. But once you realize how many different departments in an organization can benefit from the efficiency of a digital asset management system, the case becomes even stronger. Using a textile company as an example, here are a number of different benefits you can consider. Design - In the design department, the obvious advantage is the time saved in finding existing assets and in greater use and re-use of those assets. With a digital asset management system you can capture ideas for future designs so your company’s creative energy is not lost. Catalog designs that have been purchased, but not placed into production, can also be managed online with a digital asset management system. |
Production – You can use your system on the production floor to verify that the equipment is running the correct patterns and correct colors. Just place a networked PC on the production floor, scan the barcode or enter the product number on the production order, and immediately get a visual confirmation of the job. Shipping – By placing your system in the shipping department to verify that the order going out is the correct one, you can eliminate costly shipping errors. Marketing – With a well-maintained digital asset management system, Marketing has instant access to quality images of all of your products. They can keep past catalogs and manage the development on upcoming catalogs. They also have instant access to most product information and digital images that they can use for advertisements and brochures. They may want to use the system to help them track advertising materials as well. Extra fields in the database can be used to help track key digital documents such as brochures and product specification sheets. Sales – Create instant catalogs to review with Sales management or provide “digital catalogs” for outside and inside sales personnel at the click of a couple of buttons within your system, at a fraction of the cost of producing paper catalogs or sample books. If the catalog needs to change, a few mouse clicks will configure a new catalog, but old versions can be kept online and immediately available for reference. The ability to review patterns and colors with customers on the database greatly reduces sample costs. For samples out of stock at the moment, send a high-resolution digital photo or file. And with a digital asset management-based catalog, there is no limit to the number of “samples” from which to choose, increasing the odds that customers will see something they want in your product line. It is also easy to create “selective” catalogs on a per customer basis on the fly. If a pattern you do not want to show or cannot offer a customer is on a card with other fabrics, you are stuck with tearing it off or not showing the other fabrics - not a good choice either way. Customer Service – A customer calls up and wants to check on availability of a pattern. Your digital asset management system can be connected to your inventory system, as many systems support ODBC calls (a standard for sharing information between database and applications). An even better approach is to use all of the data that you have placed into your system to populate your Web site and let your distributors or customers find the textiles they are looking for, check availability, and place an order. Management – Management is always looking for a way to improve processes and efficiencies. Digital asset management systems aid all departments in the sharing and coordinating of information, both within the company and with customers. And better access to company assets means a better bottom line. |
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