F R E Q U E N T L Y A S K E D Q U E S T I O N S
[ Home ] [ FAQs ] [ Products ] [ Order ] [ Support ]
A template is a pre-designed file or document which can be used over and over again. Smart Sign System templates plug into Microsoft® Publisher, a powerful, yet affordable and easy-to-learn desktop publishing program. If you make changes to the template and decide to save it, you will be prompted to save the file under a different name, which protects the original template file for future use. Our stylish, pre-designed templates are full of content, so all the tedious set-up work has been done for you. You don't need to create text boxes and spend time sizing and styling the text. You just Select, Edit & Print.
Absolutely. You can easily change the style, color and size of the text, and can add logos or images to the template if you want to. But the tedious work of setting up the document, drawing text boxes and specifying size and style has been done for you. Just highlight the text you want to customize and make your changes. The templates can also be altered permanently, so each time a template is selected it already contains your logo and/or style changes. This will result in consistent signage throughout your store.
Smart Sign System creates signs in standard retail sign sizes, so they will fit into your existing sign holders. You can print them out on any card stock or paper (depending on your printer), and trim them to fit your sign holders. However, TIME is MONEY! So to provide a fast and affordable solution, we strongly recommend pre-perfed sign card stock. We've found Lazer-Signs™, a product of Russell & Miller (R&M) Merchandising, to be the best and most cost-effective solution for specialty retailers. The card stocks are inexpensive, and are available through us, the R&M catalog, and other retail catalog companies. You just print out the signs, fold, tear, and place in a sign holder. For fast, professional results, it's a no-brainer! Order them from R&M Merchandising by calling 800-231-9600.
You'll need a PC running Windows® version 98 or higher, with at least
32 megs of RAM. The Smart Sign System requires about 25 megs of hard disk space. If
you don't know what these requirements mean, email us at the above address and we'll be
glad to help you. A color inkjet printer is recommended, but laser printers work just
fine. Dot matrix printers will work, but for best quality results, are not recommended.
You must have Microsoft Publisher version 2.0 or higher to use the Smart Sign System
templates. You may already have Publisher on your PC. If you don't, you can
purchase it locally from an office supply superstore (usually under $100) or
your local Microsoft software dealer.
At this time we are only selling the Upgrade to Deluxe version of the Smart Sign System to previous Smart Sign System clients. You must have either the Standard or Bicycle version of Smart Sign System, and have your Monotype Font Pack fonts installed or available on diskette to purchase the upgrade to the Deluxe version.
We have four questions for you: (1) How much time (managerial, sales, personal) is it
taking to make the signs? (2) Are you achieving consistent and great-looking signage? (3)
Do you (or your sign-maker) have graphic design training? (4) What is your time worth to
you?
The Deluxe Smart Sign System will put over 300 signs at your fingertips, with a variety of
attractive styles to choose from. Many are ready to print out as-is. Running a retail
business is demanding -- why spend valuable time attempting what has already been done for
you?
First, if you already have a PC, consider only Windows-based solutions. Second, consider the ease and versatility of the software itself, including the learning curve and support issues. Third, consider cost, but realize that "you get what you pay for". Bargain sign-making software often provides only a single text box, requiring you to size and style all the text from scratch. High-end desktop publishing or database-type software is too technical and quite expensive, making it a poor choice for a specialty retail setting. Your best bet is a software program that is modestly priced, has all the hard part done for you, is easy to use, well-supported, designed to utilize your existing hardware and sign holders, and one that uses inexpensive and readily-available supplies. Your best bet is, in fact, the Smart Sign System. No other signage software we've seen offers such smart-looking, content-rich templates at such an affordable price. Learn more about the difference on the software page
The Smart Sign System assumes a basic knowledge of Windows-based functions, such as opening and filing documents, and basic word processing skills, such as highlighting text, copying and pasting. However, Microsoft Publisher contains pop-up tips and context-sensitive on-screen help, among other things, so even these basic skills are easily learned by beginners.
The Smart Sign System is somewhat over-supported. Microsoft Publisher, the
award-winning desktop publishing program which the templates are based on, provides pop-up
tips, context-sensitive on-screen help, an extensive on-screen Help database, and an
easy-to-understand manual. In addition, the Smart Sign System comes with several
support documents. You can call Microsoft for Publisher support, and free
tech support is available to Smart Sign System users via e-mail from the
Support page of this site. Our goal is to
keep customers satisfied (and we succeed brilliantly, if we do say so ourselves).
Note: Microsoft has
announced they will no longer provide unlimited no-charge phone support to its
software users, which includes Publisher users. Smart
Retail Solutions will continue to provide our Smart Sign System customers free tech
support for usability issues through the Support page of our web site. You
just e-mail your question using the Support form on the Support page.
[ Home ] [ FAQs ] [ Products ] [ Order ] [ Support ]