I start using Commerce in March of 2005 and I immediately recognized that needed an Operation and Order Management System to integrate with Commerce. I researched all the programs that claim integration with Commerce. Here are my findings:

Merchant Companion: I have been using Merchant Companion for our online business now for over 30 days and I very impressed on how many features are offered and how easy it is to use the software. The tech support for Merchant Companion can be compared to Commerce Tech line; they are extremely friendly and knowledgeable.
I researched all the programs that claim integration with Commerce.
Final finding: user friendly and 30 day demo. www.merchantcompanion.com


Keystroke: Here is company that when you call them they state that Keystroke will work with Commerce and that a local representative will have to come to my facility to set up a demo. I was OK with that and I looked forward to working with someone in person. To my disappointment the representative calls two weeks after the initial call and then I am told that she has no idea on how to make Keystroke work for my company. Then I was told that a current customer who is using Key Stroke and who is also an online company using a different shopping cart would call me and discuss Key Stroke. That was two weeks ago and I have not heard from Key Stroke or the current Key Stroke user. Final Finding: Key Stroke will not have my business. www.keystrokepos.com


Stoneedge: When I called Stoneedge I was told that they currently support MonsterCommerce and in order for integration I would need to purchase Microsoft Access. Microsoft Access is three hundred dollars and that does not include the cost of Stoneedge which is 1,800.00. I would have to spend 2,100 plus to have Stoneedge.
Final Finding: too expensive and I cannot demo the program. www.stoneedge.com


In my research journey to find the perfect Company Operation and Order Management System to integrate with Commerce I can say without hesitation that Merchant Companion offers the best value and performance. I will continue to post my findings and experiences with Merchant Companion. You can be assured that I will be honest in giving my opinion.

Thank you very much secondlapllc.

We hope that our departmentalized order processing pipeline can provide valuable assistance on each stage of the order fulfillment process.

We will work on more automation tools in the near future. Thanks again.

Best Regards,

George
http://www.MerchantCompanion.com
Your Next Generation Order and Company Operation Management System

True, Microsoft Access is required to run the Stone Edge Order Manager. By shipping the Order Manager as an open Microsoft Access application we provide our users with a much greater range of customization possibilities and direct access to their data than would ever be possible with a closed application.

The $1,800 you mentioned must have included other options. The base price of the Order Manager is just $995, which includes a 5-workstation license. Most of our users start out at $1,250, which includes the program and a year of support (up to 3 hours of phone time) and a year of program updates. The $1,800 must have included other options, such as our Orders Status System or licenses to use the Order Manager with other shopping carts or sales channels (Amazon, eBay, Shop.com, etc.). Just wanted to clarify the pricing for anyone who is interested.

secondlapllc,

I too have been using Merchant Companion since October of last year. their customer serve is the best I've ever found and the program GUI is second to none. It's a very clean and well thought out program and the developers have made it so it can easily be further improved as systems and ecommerce evolves.

Anyone looking for a great order processing software to enhance their can't go wrong with Merchant Companion.

Kathy Smith
SCP

What about their inventory control functions?

How are their reports? Sales history? Sales Accounting? Inventory? Purchase orders?

Do they also have POS capabilities?