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Industry Profile
Applied Technology
Evan Marsh Designs, Inc. offers choice and functionality
in computer-based design, visualization and communications.
D&WC:
Please give a detailed description of your company and its history.
EILEEN MEITZNER, CO-PRESIDENT: About
five years ago Donna Hyun and I realized that there were no effective
computer-based design and visualization tools for the window treatments
industry. After extensive careers in the corporate world, both of
us had a desire to start our own business and saw this industry
need as an opportunity.
We embarked on several years of development and launched the initial
release of DreamDraper™ in early 2003. Even in its basic form
the product was an instant success, and since then we’ve added
many new features and capabilities and the growth rate has been
terrific.
During the past year we’ve also introduced new products such
as measuring forms and a quoting system to enhance the efficiency
and effectiveness of window treatment professionals and to foster
better communication among designers, workrooms, installers and
customers. Our strategy is to harness the power of existing and
emerging technologies to provide solutions for the window treatments
industry.
D&WC: What products and
services do you offer today?
Donna Hyun, co-president: Our
core product is the DreamDraper design and visualization system.
Although the system was initially conceived just for window treatments,
we recently included space planning and a broader selection of room
accessories. With this system, designers can develop their own creations
from scratch or can choose from our thousands of beautifully illustrated
designs and modify them to reflect their own visions, complete with
an unlimited choice of colors, textures and fabric patterns. These
treatments can be done on the computer canvas with a full-room setting
or on an actual photo of the client’s room.
Just this month we announced the next generation DreamDraper G4,
a standalone system that retains the attributes of earlier releases
but also has new exciting features, including the ability to measure
and display dimensions merely by dragging the mouse and also the
ability to more easily skew designs.
Earlier this year we introduced a comprehensive set of printable
window measuring forms on a CD. The windows used were taken from
the DreamDraper collection of window styles.
And just this month we launched DreamDraper Quick Quote , an easy-to
use method developed by Dawn Lang (see page 30) for estimating material
and labor requirements, calculating costs and developing customer
estimates and invoices. This time saving method integrates with
the QuickBooks accounting system. We also are introducing a new
book, “The Designer’s Survival Guide to QuickBooks”
by LeeAnn Reed, which has a wealth of information to help designers
better utilize this accounting system in their businesses.
D&WC: Who are your customers?
What parts of the country do you service?
Meitzner: We have a
very broad customer base including designers, workrooms and retail
stores. We have sold our products in every state of the United States
and worldwide on every continent except Antarctica. But, when penguins
are looking for window treatments, we’ll be there!
D&WC: What best describes
your niche in the marketplace?
Hyun: We are a technology-based
company with the broad objective of meeting industry needs using
our technical expertise. We have the agility of a small company,
but have access to resources typical of a larger company.
D&WC: What are some of the
key factors involved in your growth and success?
Meitzner: It’s
very simple: understanding market needs, understanding technologies
that can be applied to meet these needs, and listening to our customers.
The DreamDraper G4 system was developed in response to market needs
for an easier-to-use, standalone system that combined DreamDraper’s
flexible break-apart designs and unlimited color and fabric capability
with features such as a dimension tool and enhanced skew capability.
In addition, customers have frequently asked whether DreamDraper
could do yardage and cost estimates, and to meet this need we’ve
added Quick Quote to our product line.
D&WC: What are your strengths
in the marketplace?
Meitzner: We were the
first to market a computer-based design and visualization product
such as DreamDraper, and through constantly upgrading the system
we have maintained our leadership position. Our key strengths are
the unparalleled functionality and choice our system offers and
our excellent customer service and support.
D&WC: What trends do you
see occurring in the industry?
Meitzner: We see two
key trends. First, most purchasers of custom window treatments have
a hard time visualizing what a treatment will look like and, thus,
they are reluctant to commit to an expensive project. DreamDraper
solves this problem through beautifully illustrated computer renderings
or DreamDraper designs superimposed on an actual photo of the client’s
window and room setting, all complete with actual fabric patterns
filling the designs. Largely because of this customer impact, computer
imaging of treatments and alternatives is becoming more much prevalent
and will soon be the norm in our industry.
Second, designers (and most other people, in fact) have little patience
for tedious and time-consuming cost calculations and estimate preparation.
The Quick Quote method to help in managing the business side of
the business will become a necessity to be competitive. Both trends
are being driven by the desire to close more sales, more quickly.
D&WC: What distinguishes
you in the marketplace?
Hyun: Innovation, technical
expertise and a high quality emphasis. We deliver what we promise.
D&WC: Do you educate your
customers? How?
Hyun: As a technology
company, we believe in and are committed to education both before
and after the sale. Our products come with complete step-by-step
user guides, self-paced video-tutorials and quick reference guides.
We also conduct Webinars, which are Web-based seminars by which
one can learn on his or her own computer in the comfort of home
or office. Combined with a telephone hook up, these are interactive
sessions where participants not only can see the instructors screen
but also hear the instructor and have the chance to ask questions.
We also offer conventional seminars to groups around the country
on DreamDraper and a variety of other topics.
D&WC: Any final closing
thoughts?
Meitzner: The window
treatments industry is dynamic and challenging. While there is no
substitute for good design and fabrication skills, the use of the
latest tools can help us be more effective and more efficient in
closing sales and having satisfied customers.
DreamDraper™ by Evan Marsh Designs, Inc.
P.O. Box 664
Bethlehem, PA 18017
(610) 868-5067
fax: (610) 868-1303
e-mail: info@evanmarshdesigns.com
www.evanmarshdesigns.com
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