Frequently Asked Questions

Which FAS system is best for me?
FAS offers systems that are affordable for even the smallest of shops, and we offer systems that are capable of handling the automation needs of the largest, multi-location shops. After discussing a shop's specific needs, i.e. number of workstations, number of locations, wire order network requirements, floral accounting software requirements, etc., with the shop owner or manager, FAS can propose a system that will best meet those needs.

Do I have to purchase my hardware from FAS?
While FAS normally provides complete "turnkey" systems, including hardware and software, we do not require a shop to purchase all of its hardware from FAS. FAS will use hardware that a shop already has, provided that equipment is compatible with FAS products. Virtually all FAS customers however, purchase their servers--the main "brain" of the systems--from FAS.

I've noticed that on-site installation and training is optional with FAS's smaller systems. Should I consider purchasing this service?
FAS provides on-site installation and training services as a standard service with its larger Unix-based systems. This service is optional, though recommended, with FAS's smaller Linux-based systems. The benefit of on-site assistance increases substantially with and in direct proportion to the size and complexity of the system. A shop using a FAS system only for invoice entry and billing can easily get all of the assistance it needs by calling FAS's support staff. A shop with multiple workstations and/or multiple locations interfacing their systems to Mercury, Dove, FASnet, and/or a credit card processor will find that the on-site assistance is worth every cent. With any software application, it's much easier to learn a system while being taught by an experienced instructor than it is to read a manual and hunt for the features you desire to use.

I've also looked at products offered by FAS's competitors. Some of the other systems are Windows applications, and the screens seemed "prettier" than some of the screens in FAS. Why is that?
As you'll see when you browse FAS's web site, FAS will soon be offering Windows-based software, along with its traditional products. However, the approach used by FAS to provide this functionality is unique in the floral industry.
While FAS allows you to use Windows-based PCs as workstations, FAS's systems are built on Unix and Linux servers. The primary reason for this is the stability and power that Unix and Linux offer, compared to Windows products http://www.ibm.com/linux/newto. You don't see Windows PCs being used to check out customers at WalMart, McDonalds, or Sears. Companies doing any volume of transactions at all can't afford to experience repeated system crashes that frustrate customers who would be forced to wait while sales clerks "reboot" their systems. Users of some floral technology products repeatedly experience these very situations. Windows is notorious for having issues related to stability and security (BMW™ dealer upgrades from Windows to Linux). From the fatal "blue screen" to the "Out of memory" message to the "Illegal operation" message you often receive just before the system freezes up. Windows PCs are also routinely shut down by viruses, adware, or spyware that is unknowingly acquired over the Internet. You can read more about this topic at http://securityresponse.symantec.com/. In contrast, FAS users routinely go weeks, months, or even years without having to reboot their systems, which run 24 hours a day, often for as long as 8, 10, 15 years or longer. Unlike our competitors who have frequently forced their customers to buy new systems by discontinuing support of older products, FAS has never discontinued support of any of its products. Companies that use Unix and Linux include IBM™, McDonald's Corporation™, The National Weather Service, and others (AT&T™ mulls large Linux leap).

FAS provides the best of both worlds--the power and stability of Unix and Linux at the server level, along with the flexibility and ease of use of the Windows interface at the workstation level. FAS's Windows software allows the PC to access the data and functionality that reside on the Unix and Linux servers. This approach allows a shop to run FAS's Windows software and character-oriented software all within the same system. Unlike users of some other systems, existing FAS users can upgrade to the Windows software without having to scrap their previous investments in hardware and software.

A computer is a tool that should help you make your shop be more profitable and more productive. When you are working on an arrangement, do you look for a pair of scissors or a knife that is "pretty" or flashy, or do you look for a knife that cuts clean and true each and every time you need it. A "plain" system that gets the job done day in and day out, year after year, is far superior to a "pretty" system that locks up, loses customers and orders, loses customers' account balances, etc. regularly and often.

Does FAS offer financing?
Yes, many florists take advantage of the financing programs offered by FAS. The simple credit application requests a bank reference, a couple of trade references, and owner information. Applications are normally processed within an hour or so. Most shops choose the 60-month finance option, although shorter terms are available. While the programs are known as "lease/purchase" programs, after the term of the agreement, you own the system without having to make additional monthly payments.
Click this link to submit an application online Crest Capital.

Wouldn't I be safer buying a system from a larger company, such as a wire service?
Not necessarily. A few short years ago, there were six "larger companies", i.e. wire services. Today, only two of the original Big Six are still with us. Two disappeared in bankruptcy. A third was forced to sell out to a competitor because the owner found his company suffering from a "cash shortage", and the fourth also found it attractive to sell out to a competitor. The wire service industry will continue to decline as consumers' buying habits change and as wire service membership and traditional wire orders continue to decline. Teleflora's Eagle™, RTI™, and Daisy™ are all products that have been through at least one change in ownership, including a couple of previous wire services. Many RTI™ users have actually experienced three owners of that product, including A&T Express™ and Redbook™. FTD's Advantage™ was originally the privately-owned Data Rose™ system, and FTD™ itself has gone from a member-owned co-op to an investor-owned company to a publicly-traded company and back to a private investor-owned company, and back to a public company, all since 1994. Both FTD™ and Teleflora™ experienced significant changes in senior management in 2004. Obviously, size does not guarantee success or stability.

On the other hand, buying from a company too small to meet the needs of its customers can be risky. I've heard from users of other systems who were unable to get support from their vendor when the programmer or support rep went on vacation. You also have to question the long-term viability of a company that has only a couple of dozen users, with almost half as many employees, after years in business.

FAS has a 20-year track record of success. FAS has turned down numerous very attractive offers to sell out to its primary competitors and to go to work for these companies. However, FAS believes remaining independent has always served the best interests of its customers and its employees. FAS has achieved a critical mass of customers that will sustain the company for at least another 20 years. Unlike FAS's primary competitors, the programmers who wrote the original FAS system 20 years ago are still the programmers who write FAS programs today. In fact, they are the owners of FAS. Large corporations owned by "hands-off" investors tend not to have the personal vested interest in making certain their customers' needs are being met. You are far more concerned about making sure your flowers get to a wedding or funeral on time than a clerk working for a corporate chain store whose headquarters are a thousand miles away. Similarly, FAS's owners work closely with FAS's customers to provide a quality product and a high level of customer service.

Does FAS offer a technical support program?
Yes, FAS offers whatever level of support a florist chooses. FAS's comprehensive program provides for unlimited technical support, software upgrades, wire service directory updates, payroll updates, FASnet's monthly access, and membership in IFA. However, FAS does not mandate participation in these programs. If you don't want any of these services, you pay absolutely nothing. Or, you can selectively choose which items you want to purchase.

I've heard and read that FAS has been around for 20 years. Does that mean your products are old and outdated?
Absolutely not! This makes no more sense than a new flower shop suggesting that a shop that has been around for 20 years is selling old, wilted 20-year-old flowers. In most other industries, a company's long successful track record is considered an asset, rather than the liability our competitors try to suggest. FAS has consistently released new software upgrades each and every year during its entire history. Our hardware represents the absolute latest and most advanced technology that manufacturers have to offer. Our systems allow you to use PCs, flat-screen terminals, or low-cost CRT terminals as workstations. They allow you to send email confirmations to your customers and to automate the receipt of orders from your own web site. FAS's software includes marketing and delivery management software that is unsurpassed by any of its competitors. Ironically, one of our most vocal competitors uses COBOL as its programming language. COBOL was originally developed in 1959! Another competitor that often suggests FAS products are old fashioned offers its "premier" product which was developed on the same operating system, programming language, and hardware as FAS.

Is FAS or FASnet a wire service?
No, not at all. FAS is strictly a technology company. FAS has never charged a cent in "membership" fees or clearinghouse fees. FAS's floral accounting software does support florists' use of wire services though. For example, with a FAS system, you can process Teleflora orders over Dove; you can process FTD™ orders over Mercury™ and you can process FTD™, Teleflora™, FSI™, and IFA's™ Florist Direct orders over FASnet--all with a single FAS system. Similarly, with FAS you can process credit cards through Teleflora™, FTD™, or through our independent FAScash program that routes your funds directly to your local bank. FASnet is the only independent network that provides universal coverage through all major wire services. However, orders sent over FASnet are cleared through the respective wire services, not through FAS.

Other vendors have promised me rebates and more incoming wire orders if I purchase their technology. What do I get with FAS?
First, you have to carefully evaluate some of the "too-good-to-be-true" offers being made to some shops. Shops that send 100 outbound wire orders a month or less find that their rebates are quickly eaten up in membership fees, network access fees, low-sending fees, reciprocity surcharges, directory fees, magazine fees, etc. In most cases, shops find that the high monthly fees far exceed the rebates they receive. As far as increasing the number of wire orders you receive, that would be questionable at best. After all, who determines which shops fill your orders? You do, of course. As a filling shop, you must rely on the sending shops to select you, not a technology provider. It is entirely possible that a technology vendor who is also competing against retail florists through its "order gathering" practices could route more orders to you, but how many "preferred" shops can there be in your town? Then, you should be very cautious about relying too heavily on incoming orders, particularly orders from competitors, as the basis of your business. Costs of goods sold and labor can each run about 30%-35% of gross sales. When you consider that incoming wire orders are discounted at least 30% after factoring in the costs of wire service membership, network fees, transmission fees, etc., how much profitability can these orders contribute to your bottom line? Unless your operating expenses--advertising, utilities, insurance, gasoline, supplies, taxes, etc.--are less than 5% of gross sales--a virtual impossibility, incoming orders filled to full value contribute very little to additional net profit. In fact, processing these orders could actually be making you lose money.

What you do get with FAS is a company that is committed to the success of its customers. FAS has successfully provided its customers with the tools they need to flourish and prosper in increasingly difficult and competitive times. You get a system that is as solid as the company standing behind the product. You get a great product at a fair and reasonable price. You get a company that has never competed against its customers and that will never compete against its customers. And most important, you get your own independence. Some technology companies use their systems to restrict or control the way shops do business. The shops sometimes find themselves working for the technology provider, rather than the technology provider working for the shops. Technology should expand your business options, not restrict them.

Do I have to use third-party software for payroll, accounts payable, general ledger, checkbook, or inventory functions?
No. FAS offers a comprehensive, integrated floral accounting software system. Some systems require you to use generic, off-the-shelf software for these critical management functions. Since FAS has developed these programs itself, its support staff and programmers can provide a much higher level of general and technical support and can more effectively address requests for software modifications and enhancements. Companies that are "resellers" of third-party products can usually provide only a superficial level of basic user support and most often are prohibited from modifying the software.

I already have a system in my shop. If I convert to FAS, can my data be automatically converted?
Yes, FAS has formal agreements with FTD and Teleflora that allow users of FTD or Teleflora technology to have their data exported by those companies and imported into FAS. FAS has also cooperated with other companies under informal relationships in exchanging data, and FAS can import data from virtually any system that can export data in text (ASCII) format. Due to the different file structures, data field lengths, data types, etc. used by the various floral technology systems, there can be limitations to the scope of data that may be converted. However, at the very least, you could expect your entire customer database, along with outstanding account balances, to be automatically loaded into your new FAS system.