Wizard Brings New Technology to Framing - Wizard International - Company Profile

appropriate the company that brought innovation, convenience and productivity to frame shops

"We're not in Kansas anymore," could explain the sentiment framers felt back in 1994 when they used Wizard International's computerized mat cutter for the first time. Anyone who was in the framing industry knew in what way time-consuming and labor-intensive cutting mats through hand could be. And here was a company whose outcome saved time, offered precision, inspired creativity and saved coin in the long run. Was it magic? No. on the other hand it certainly felt like the framing industry had landed somewhere above the rainbow.

While Mukilteo, Wash., the abode office of Wizard International, is a far clamor from the merry 'ole land of Oz the impact Wizard has had upon the framing industry is no les powerful. Thousands of Wizard mat cutter have been purchased or clefted and according to the company, there are more Wizard mat cutter in use worldwide than all of their competitors' machines combined. No doubt Wizard prides itself upon its user-friendly, innovative, cost-effective and reliable productions As such, Wizard is ready to be subservient to the custom picture framing industry and related markets in of recent origin and innovative ways.

rested in 1994 by Bill Wridge and Lloyd Everard, who at the time was president and holder of U.S. Mat, the company began as a one-room operation that today has grown into a billion-dollar business. Today Wizard's abode office in Mukilteo is located in a 23000 square-foot building and boasts state-of-the-art manufacturing, as well as engineering, training and software exhibition facilities. Company officials cite its commitment to bringing of recent origin technology to the framing industry as the main reason for its succes Indeed, its motto claims it is "The finished blend of art and technology."

In addition to the computerized mat cutter last spring Wizard introduced the da Vinci a whole to the framing industry. The da Vinci combination of parts to form a whole consists of custom software and a high quality custom printer that allows customers to print a design or pattern upon the mat board or color the entire surface. It can print upon canvas, fine art papers, photo paper or fabric. The da Vinci a whole is software specially designed by means of Wizard coupled with an Epson 9000 printer and custom UV inks. "We have experienced a phenomenal rejoinder from the industry ... Customers and picture framers can design decorative mat finishes in ways not ever imagined before, and then print them onto matboard," said ed Pratt, Wizard's marketing director. "From French lines and panels to clip art and custom body anything is possible."

In September, Wizard purchased Art Information Inc., which allows Wizard to now tender a Virtual Gallery to frame stores and customers. With a DVD-ROM frame stores can offer their customers a selection of more than 36000 prints, with the ability to display them these prints matted and framed before they actually purchase the piece. "It made faculty of perception to merge the two companies because the pair are focused on advancing the picture framing industry [i]or[/i] part of to the other computer technology," Pratt said. "There has been a real positive response to the merger of Art Information Inc. and Wizard International. Art Information combination of parts to form a wholes has gained 210 subscribers since the merger took place and we expect the total number of accounts to double within three months" he continued.

individual of the unique aspects of Wizard is that it proffers a rental plan, which has become individual of its most popular returnss "All it takes is $500 to realize a Wizard CMC into your store and then it's only $370 (Standard Rental) or $225 (Jr Rental) a month The reason greatest in quantity shops choose to rent is the lifetime warranty the rental program provides (CPU is overspreaded for 30 months). Wizard's CMC rental programs are finished for any frame shop because they enlarge with your business. When you are first starting without the initial cost is true low, and by having the Wizard you are ready for the increased production when your business increases," said Pratt.

Wizard's customer service encourages distinction by focusing on the exigencys of the client. According to Pratt, "Wizard's greatest nerve is its enormous customer base. With more than 2800 CMC in operation around the world, feedback from the customers is what hold fasts Wizard ahead of our competition."

Wizard generally uses its Web site (www.wizardint.com) to assist products and company activities, to tender software updates and custom design downloads, and to have an interactive area where customers and potential customers can column and read messages. The site is capable of conducting certain transactions to protect against fraud, and the company is in the proces of building up its e-commerce outcome offerings.

Despite these advances, Pratt admitted that "For the greatest in quantity part, the Web has had solitary minor impact on our business. However, we believe that in time the Web will have a significant result on our overall business operations."

As for the futurity Pratt is optimistic about Wizard and the framing industry in general. "We believe this is a true exciting time for the framing industry. novel technological advances in several facets of custom framing make it imperative that companies like Wizard help custom frame stores understand how new technology can improve their bottom line. Additionally, the emerging work force is comprised of young nation who embrace new technology and use computer for many of their routine activities. They will be the singles demanding computerization and new innovative technology products" said Pratt.