About High Touch Inc.
INCORPORATED SINCE
1984
CO-FOUNDERS
Ted Cary
Dave Glover
Mark Lenz
DID YOU KNOW?
The name ‘High Touch’ came from the #1 New York Times Bestseller “Megatrends” written by John Naisbitt. “Megatrends” was written based on predictions for tomorrow based on a dynamic analysis of what America is today; and proved to be true in anticipating major shifts for the world.
High Touch, Inc. point-of-sale upgrade offers advantages to Showplace, Inc.
March 17, 2009
Helping its clients achieve a higher level of success is High Touch, Inc.’s continued service mission. The company’s software and solutions provided for Showplace, Inc., is an example of how the Internet is becoming a necessary business tool for increasing store revenues, says John Rogers, High Touch Sales Group Director.
Rogers noted that rent-to-own dealers are seeing a shirt in a higher income client base. “Higher income consumers are accustomed to doing business online, and that has forced our clients like Showplace to reconsider the viability of Internet and online payments as options,” says Rogers. Showplace’s 14 locations wanted to increase the company’s market share while minimizing the drain of adding additional resources.
The Ohio rent-to-own retailer believed that moving towards the Internet and adding online commerce was a solution that would not require considerable resources of owner Gary Ferriman and his managers. He wanted a reliable solution that could easily adapt to the changing business economic environment faced by the rent-to-own market. Showplace needed a technology partner that could provide a seamless solution between their current POS and online payments. Ferriman called on his current technology solutions provider, High Touch.
The High Touch Solution
High Touch’s first priority was to provide Showplace with an updated home office Linux solution. The PRO/Store system coupled with the Enterprise module provided the company with additional system redundancies to enhance data protection. High Touch’s VPN and online security solutions coupled with the Home Office Linux Super Server gave the company quick, reliable connectivity while protecting all customer and company data from intruders. Ferriman and his district managers use the VPN to obtain remote information quickly from wherever they are located.
Showplace has seen a shift in its customer base and requests for online transaction capabilities have increased. High Touch implemented an online transaction system, “online payments,” that automatically integrates with Showplace’s POS system, saving resources and minimizing online transaction errors. “Showplace is unique in many ways, but their operational issues are not unlike many other businesses’ needs,” said Rogers. “Store personnel need efficient ways to serve customers and bookkeeping needs information to fill orders and manage cashflow. Management needs good data access so they can provide the proper oversight and leadership.” Ferriman noted that his company has reached a new growth milestone now that its operations are benefiting from improved high-speed Internet connections.
The High Touch upgrades resulted in the following:
• Showplace has a reliable, secure connection to upload 14 stores’ information nightly.
• Ferriman and his managers can quickly obtain information while traveling.
• Online transactions automatically integrate with Showplace’s POS system eliminating human error.High Touch, Inc. is an employee-owned company that provides technology solutions to small and mid-size businesses.
Based in Wichita, Kan., High Touch serves business clients with hardware and software services, Web site and Internet services, video surveillance and network security solutions. High Touch has customers in 50 states and the District of Columbia as well as six countries worldwide.
