Floranext

What do you like best?

Floranext is written by florists and a really smart group of programmers. It's designed specifically for *modern* florists who like to run their business independently from the big old-school wire companies. The implementation was so fast, it's all web-based with a super easy user interface. I was up and running in no time! We use the POS system and also the Proposal system for weddings and events and everything is integrated. The proposal system lets us create detailed quotes with photos and costing tools so we know how much to charge, and we can keep track of bookings, email clients, accept payments via online credit card links etc. The delivery manager creates routes, maps them for you, and has all the delivery confirmation functionality (without stupid penalties if you don't confirm). The POS and Website portal lets me make changes to our website immediately. I can add, change, rework categories, change pricing etc, and all integrates into the same POS pages. (not a separate system). This system lets us run our flower shop as we want it, not as someone else makes you run it. We LOVE this.

What do you dislike?

Nothing much to dislike. I hope that they continue to work on the mobile app. Currently it works great for deliveries (you can launch a route to your phone, then follow the map and confirm deliveries from your phone. Even add a photo like Amazon does). I'd love to be able to manage orders on the app too (we currently use the web interface on our phone if we are away from the computer - still amazing that we can quickly deal with issues on the fly away from our desk).

Recommendations to others considering the product:

We struggled so much trying to battle the "big floral wire companies" (Bloomnet, Teleflora, FTD) who have most small business convinced they can't survive without all their volume. The truth is, that volume just keeps you spinning trying to make their product and you don't have time or money to invest in building your brand or reputation as an artist and designer. Also, running a small business is all about cash flow management. The large companies "settle" with you 30 to 45 days after you've put out all the money and work to create what they give you (not your best work). Then they deduct everything under the sun from your earnings and give you what's left. Not with Floranext. They work for you, they provide you with the tools to run your own business. You create your own designs, you launch them on your website, you manage pricing, and you collect your money within a few days (when your merchant bank funds). That is the true equity of your business, not running orders for another company who could easily divert them to someone else.

What problems are you solving with the product? What benefits have you realized?

Our biggest problem before Floranext was that we were trapped by Bloomnet and FTD. They make it so hard to run your shop independently. They charge you for every little thing and in the end, you don't make any money. Floranext gave us total independence! We get to launch the products we want. We run our website as we want it, making changes on the fly. We don't pay transaction fees just because we received an order. Floranext integrates with easy merchant services for your credit card processing, and also integrates with a small Florist to Florist wire service when you need to send orders out or receive them in (simple 80/20 split and payment within a week, not 45 days later).

We are truly in charge of our business now.