Sage 100

So what did your Value study determine they would be saving daily/monthly/annually if they modernized in some fashion?

------------------------------
Jeff Schwenk
Owner
Bottomline Software, Inc.
Waynesboro VA
(540) 221-4444

Improving bottom lines for over 25 years!
------------------------------

No value study was done and they would pay not to have one.  If the printers were reliable they would happily keep the same process.  The Okidata printers they used are not supported because Okidata stopped making them.  They switched to Epson and every few months one of the printers breaks.  I am looking for an alternative to dot matrix printers.  They insist that the customer gets a copy of the order with the customer signature on it and they bring another signed copy back to the office.  I am going to see if they would be open to printing one copy on a laser printer, having the customer sign it, and then have the driver take a picture of the signed order... similar to what FedEx and UPS do when they deliver a package to your house.

------------------------------
Doug Higgs
Midwest Commerce Solutions, Inc
(312) 315-0960
Chauffeur, Chef, and Personal Assistant to Sprinkles
------------------------------


Original Message:
Sent: 02-07-2026 15:34
From: Jeff Schwenk
Subject: Sales Orders Signed by Customers

So what did your Value study determine they would be saving daily/monthly/annually if they modernized in some fashion?

------------------------------
Jeff Schwenk
Owner
Bottomline Software, Inc.
Waynesboro VA
(540) 221-4444

Improving bottom lines for over 25 years!

Why not use a stack of paper with alternating colors in a laserjet? 

Also, I think Scanforce has a remote sales app which captures signatures on the phone/tablet.

No value study was done and they would pay not to have one.  If the printers were reliable they would happily keep the same process.  The Okidata printers they used are not supported because Okidata stopped making them.  They switched to Epson and every few months one of the printers breaks.  I am looking for an alternative to dot matrix printers.  They insist that the customer gets a copy of the order with the customer signature on it and they bring another signed copy back to the office.  I am going to see if they would be open to printing one copy on a laser printer, having the customer sign it, and then have the driver take a picture of the signed order... similar to what FedEx and UPS do when they deliver a package to your house.

------------------------------
Doug Higgs
Midwest Commerce Solutions, Inc
(312) 315-0960
Chauffeur, Chef, and Personal Assistant to Sprinkles


Original Message:
Sent: 02-07-2026 15:34
From: Jeff Schwenk
Subject: Sales Orders Signed by Customers

So what did your Value study determine they would be saving daily/monthly/annually if they modernized in some fashion?

------------------------------
Jeff Schwenk
Owner
Bottomline Software, Inc.
Waynesboro VA
(540) 221-4444

Improving bottom lines for over 25 years!

@Jerry Norman  It's a good idea, in fact I have a ream of 3-part white, pink, yellow laser paper that Amazon delivered on Thursday so I can test.  I anticipate the issues they will have are: 1. Someone has to staple the 3 parts together for every order and 2.  The customer has to sign twice - once for the copy they keep, and once for the office copy.  I always ask why the customer needs a copy with their own signature on it and the answer is "because that's what the customer wants".   

Why not use a stack of paper with alternating colors in a laserjet? 

Also, I think Scanforce has a remote sales app which captures signatures on the phone/tablet.

No value study was done and they would pay not to have one.  If the printers were reliable they would happily keep the same process.  The Okidata printers they used are not supported because Okidata stopped making them.  They switched to Epson and every few months one of the printers breaks.  I am looking for an alternative to dot matrix printers.  They insist that the customer gets a copy of the order with the customer signature on it and they bring another signed copy back to the office.  I am going to see if they would be open to printing one copy on a laser printer, having the customer sign it, and then have the driver take a picture of the signed order... similar to what FedEx and UPS do when they deliver a package to your house.

------------------------------
Doug Higgs
Midwest Commerce Solutions, Inc
(312) 315-0960
Chauffeur, Chef, and Personal Assistant to Sprinkles


Original Message:
Sent: 02-07-2026 15:34
From: Jeff Schwenk
Subject: Sales Orders Signed by Customers

So what did your Value study determine they would be saving daily/monthly/annually if they modernized in some fashion?

------------------------------
Jeff Schwenk
Owner
Bottomline Software, Inc.
Waynesboro VA
(540) 221-4444

Improving bottom lines for over 25 years!

I suspect their delivery guys would love to have an electronic record ala Fedex/UPS. Customers, by this time, think signing a paper copy is archaic -- very few vendors still do this.

Also, why do the customer sign the copy they keep? They should be taking only 2 copies, one to leave with the customer, and the other signed and filed. An unsigned "copy" for filing is essentially the pdf invoice created off the shipping function.

In an ideal world, they would scan the signed copy and save it to Instadocs for that SO.

I think you basically have to tell them "There is a reason you can't find reliable replacement printers: most people don't use them this way anymore." 

"So, do you want to continue to limp along with inadequate printers or create a solution that solves this and other problems?" 

"Yes, the new solution will be more out of pocket than you spend now. But I'll bet you can find lots of hidden costs and inefficiencies with your paper system." 

"If you stick with the first option, then please stop bugging me about it. If you want to seriously explore the second, then I can do a Technical Feasibility Study with you for $XXX. It will give you workable options to consider. Implementation and training would be a separate project."

@Jerry Norman  It's a good idea, in fact I have a ream of 3-part white, pink, yellow laser paper that Amazon delivered on Thursday so I can test.  I anticipate the issues they will have are: 1. Someone has to staple the 3 parts together for every order and 2.  The customer has to sign twice - once for the copy they keep, and once for the office copy.  I always ask why the customer needs a copy with their own signature on it and the answer is "because that's what the customer wants".   

Why not use a stack of paper with alternating colors in a laserjet? 

Also, I think Scanforce has a remote sales app which captures signatures on the phone/tablet.

No value study was done and they would pay not to have one.  If the printers were reliable they would happily keep the same process.  The Okidata printers they used are not supported because Okidata stopped making them.  They switched to Epson and every few months one of the printers breaks.  I am looking for an alternative to dot matrix printers.  They insist that the customer gets a copy of the order with the customer signature on it and they bring another signed copy back to the office.  I am going to see if they would be open to printing one copy on a laser printer, having the customer sign it, and then have the driver take a picture of the signed order... similar to what FedEx and UPS do when they deliver a package to your house.

------------------------------
Doug Higgs
Midwest Commerce Solutions, Inc
(312) 315-0960
Chauffeur, Chef, and Personal Assistant to Sprinkles


Original Message:
Sent: 02-07-2026 15:34
From: Jeff Schwenk
Subject: Sales Orders Signed by Customers

So what did your Value study determine they would be saving daily/monthly/annually if they modernized in some fashion?

------------------------------
Jeff Schwenk
Owner
Bottomline Software, Inc.
Waynesboro VA
(540) 221-4444

Improving bottom lines for over 25 years!

Thanks for your feedback @Jerry Norman  You have some good ideas with how to communicate particularly regarding outdated technology / processes.

I anticipated and addressed one of your questions in my previous post  "Also, why do the customer sign the copy they keep? They should be taking only 2 copies, one to leave with the customer, and the other signed and filed. An unsigned "copy" for filing is essentially the pdf invoice created off the shipping function."

....I always ask why the customer needs a copy with their own signature on it and the answer is "because that's what the customer wants".  

I have the same discussion once a year.

I suspect their delivery guys would love to have an electronic record ala Fedex/UPS. Customers, by this time, think signing a paper copy is archaic -- very few vendors still do this.

Also, why do the customer sign the copy they keep? They should be taking only 2 copies, one to leave with the customer, and the other signed and filed. An unsigned "copy" for filing is essentially the pdf invoice created off the shipping function.

In an ideal world, they would scan the signed copy and save it to Instadocs for that SO.

I think you basically have to tell them "There is a reason you can't find reliable replacement printers: most people don't use them this way anymore." 

"So, do you want to continue to limp along with inadequate printers or create a solution that solves this and other problems?" 

"Yes, the new solution will be more out of pocket than you spend now. But I'll bet you can find lots of hidden costs and inefficiencies with your paper system." 

"If you stick with the first option, then please stop bugging me about it. If you want to seriously explore the second, then I can do a Technical Feasibility Study with you for $XXX. It will give you workable options to consider. Implementation and training would be a separate project."

@Jerry Norman  It's a good idea, in fact I have a ream of 3-part white, pink, yellow laser paper that Amazon delivered on Thursday so I can test.  I anticipate the issues they will have are: 1. Someone has to staple the 3 parts together for every order and 2.  The customer has to sign twice - once for the copy they keep, and once for the office copy.  I always ask why the customer needs a copy with their own signature on it and the answer is "because that's what the customer wants".   

Why not use a stack of paper with alternating colors in a laserjet? 

Also, I think Scanforce has a remote sales app which captures signatures on the phone/tablet.

No value study was done and they would pay not to have one.  If the printers were reliable they would happily keep the same process.  The Okidata printers they used are not supported because Okidata stopped making them.  They switched to Epson and every few months one of the printers breaks.  I am looking for an alternative to dot matrix printers.  They insist that the customer gets a copy of the order with the customer signature on it and they bring another signed copy back to the office.  I am going to see if they would be open to printing one copy on a laser printer, having the customer sign it, and then have the driver take a picture of the signed order... similar to what FedEx and UPS do when they deliver a package to your house.

------------------------------
Doug Higgs
Midwest Commerce Solutions, Inc
(312) 315-0960
Chauffeur, Chef, and Personal Assistant to Sprinkles


Original Message:
Sent: 02-07-2026 15:34
From: Jeff Schwenk
Subject: Sales Orders Signed by Customers

So what did your Value study determine they would be saving daily/monthly/annually if they modernized in some fashion?

------------------------------
Jeff Schwenk
Owner
Bottomline Software, Inc.
Waynesboro VA
(540) 221-4444

Improving bottom lines for over 25 years!

I have my customers print 3 copies on plain white paper on a LaserJet printer. Using the Multi-Part printing feature in Sage, they get all 3 pages at the same time, 1 page says Customer Copy, the other says Office Copy, and the last one says Accounting. Yes, they would have to staple it. The customer signs the Office copy, the driver leaves an unsigned one with the customer so they can sign their own copy at their leisure (or have them sign at the same time), and the third copy does not need signing, it's just for Accounting. Some customers only print 2 copies, Customer and Office. They came to realize that Accounting does not actually need a copy since it's all in Sage100. 

Thanks @Kenny Daniel

I have my customers print 3 copies on plain white paper on a LaserJet printer. Using the Multi-Part printing feature in Sage, they get all 3 pages at the same time, 1 page says Customer Copy, the other says Office Copy, and the last one says Accounting. Yes, they would have to staple it. The customer signs the Office copy, the driver leaves an unsigned one with the customer so they can sign their own copy at their leisure (or have them sign at the same time), and the third copy does not need signing, it's just for Accounting. Some customers only print 2 copies, Customer and Office. They came to realize that Accounting does not actually need a copy since it's all in Sage100. 

I think everyone has customers like this (unfortunately).  The world changes while they don't.  The valuation study doesn't have to be in depth.  Use an estimate (like five minutes per stop).  Colored paper is great, but be careful.  Once (not if) the printer pulls two sheets, you will be out of synch.  Buy a laser with three paper trays.  I would also recommend printing the SO # as a barcode so the person entering the SO can just scan the order # to create the invoice.

BTW, I have an OKI out in the BLS hardware museum shed if you are interested.  As you may recall, OKI's were marketed as tank tough.

Thanks @Kenny Daniel

I have my customers print 3 copies on plain white paper on a LaserJet printer. Using the Multi-Part printing feature in Sage, they get all 3 pages at the same time, 1 page says Customer Copy, the other says Office Copy, and the last one says Accounting. Yes, they would have to staple it. The customer signs the Office copy, the driver leaves an unsigned one with the customer so they can sign their own copy at their leisure (or have them sign at the same time), and the third copy does not need signing, it's just for Accounting. Some customers only print 2 copies, Customer and Office. They came to realize that Accounting does not actually need a copy since it's all in Sage100. 

Show them that ad and then ask if they'd like to take a World War One tank into battle today....

Also, it was "what the customers wanted" when the Oki was NEW and it was step up from hand-written delivery slips...

I think everyone has customers like this (unfortunately).  The world changes while they don't.  The valuation study doesn't have to be in depth.  Use an estimate (like five minutes per stop).  Colored paper is great, but be careful.  Once (not if) the printer pulls two sheets, you will be out of synch.  Buy a laser with three paper trays.  I would also recommend printing the SO # as a barcode so the person entering the SO can just scan the order # to create the invoice.

BTW, I have an OKI out in the BLS hardware museum shed if you are interested.  As you may recall, OKI's were marketed as tank tough.

Thanks @Kenny Daniel

I have my customers print 3 copies on plain white paper on a LaserJet printer. Using the Multi-Part printing feature in Sage, they get all 3 pages at the same time, 1 page says Customer Copy, the other says Office Copy, and the last one says Accounting. Yes, they would have to staple it. The customer signs the Office copy, the driver leaves an unsigned one with the customer so they can sign their own copy at their leisure (or have them sign at the same time), and the third copy does not need signing, it's just for Accounting. Some customers only print 2 copies, Customer and Office. They came to realize that Accounting does not actually need a copy since it's all in Sage100. 

Any other lower tech solution ideas?

Does the customer really need a signed copy? 
So long as the company doing the delivery has proof of delivery what purpose  - other than they have been doing this since great great grandpa started the company - does leaving a signed copy with the customer achieve? 

Short answer: None

Go to one copy have the customer sign and your delivery driver brings that copy back.

How about 3-Part Carbonless Paper.  Use Multi-Part to print on each page.  Then when they sign the top one it signs all three pages.   

@Madeline Stefanou  I like this idea, and the customer likes it too.  I ordered what I thought would work from Amazon last week.  When I sign any of the copies the signature doesn't appear on the second page.  So the "carbon less" is truly carbon less... Whatever is suppose to replace the carbon does not transpose the signature to any of the other pages.  Might as well just use regular paper and watermarks unless there is another type of 3-part paper that can be signed and the signature will go through to another sheet.   Here's what I ordered.  Do you know of something else I should try?

------------------------------
Doug Higgs
Midwest Commerce Solutions, Inc
(312) 315-0960
Chauffeur, Chef, and Personal Assistant to Sprinkles
------------------------------


Original Message:
Sent: 02-10-2026 09:47
From: Madeline Stefanou
Subject: Sales Orders Signed by Customers

How about 3-Part Carbonless Paper.  Use Multi-Part to print on each page.  Then when they sign the top one it signs all three pages.   

------------------------------
Madeline Stefanou
RKL eSolutions, LLC

@Doug Higgs I have a client that uses what I am linking below.  It is about $ 0.21 per "set" when ordering a single case of 835 "sets" or $ 0.18/set when ordering more cases.    That website includes blogs, technical video's, printer compatibility and video's on these exact sheets.  OH, and I think WHITE is the top sheet, so you have to write on the 3-part from the WHITE Side. If it comes out of printer reversed, with pink on top; that may be the problem with what you sampled. 

https://www.relyco.com/collections/carbonless-paper/products/reimage-3-part-straight

------------------------------
Madeline Stefanou
RKL eSolutions, LLC
------------------------------


Original Message:
Sent: 02-11-2026 07:51
From: Doug Higgs
Subject: Sales Orders Signed by Customers

@Madeline Stefanou  I like this idea, and the customer likes it too.  I ordered what I thought would work from Amazon last week.  When I sign any of the copies the signature doesn't appear on the second page.  So the "carbon less" is truly carbon less... Whatever is suppose to replace the carbon does not transpose the signature to any of the other pages.  Might as well just use regular paper and watermarks unless there is another type of 3-part paper that can be signed and the signature will go through to another sheet.   Here's what I ordered.  Do you know of something else I should try?

------------------------------
Doug Higgs
Midwest Commerce Solutions, Inc
(312) 315-0960
Chauffeur, Chef, and Personal Assistant to Sprinkles


Original Message:
Sent: 02-10-2026 09:47
From: Madeline Stefanou
Subject: Sales Orders Signed by Customers

How about 3-Part Carbonless Paper.  Use Multi-Part to print on each page.  Then when they sign the top one it signs all three pages.   

------------------------------
Madeline Stefanou
RKL eSolutions, LLC

This is great.  Thank you very much @Madeline Stefanou!

@Doug Higgs I have a client that uses what I am linking below.  It is about $ 0.21 per "set" when ordering a single case of 835 "sets" or $ 0.18/set when ordering more cases.    That website includes blogs, technical video's, printer compatibility and video's on these exact sheets.  OH, and I think WHITE is the top sheet, so you have to write on the 3-part from the WHITE Side. If it comes out of printer reversed, with pink on top; that may be the problem with what you sampled. 

https://www.relyco.com/collections/carbonless-paper/products/reimage-3-part-straight

------------------------------
Madeline Stefanou
RKL eSolutions, LLC


Original Message:
Sent: 02-11-2026 07:51
From: Doug Higgs
Subject: Sales Orders Signed by Customers

@Madeline Stefanou  I like this idea, and the customer likes it too.  I ordered what I thought would work from Amazon last week.  When I sign any of the copies the signature doesn't appear on the second page.  So the "carbon less" is truly carbon less... Whatever is suppose to replace the carbon does not transpose the signature to any of the other pages.  Might as well just use regular paper and watermarks unless there is another type of 3-part paper that can be signed and the signature will go through to another sheet.   Here's what I ordered.  Do you know of something else I should try?

------------------------------
Doug Higgs
Midwest Commerce Solutions, Inc
(312) 315-0960
Chauffeur, Chef, and Personal Assistant to Sprinkles


Original Message:
Sent: 02-10-2026 09:47
From: Madeline Stefanou
Subject: Sales Orders Signed by Customers

How about 3-Part Carbonless Paper.  Use Multi-Part to print on each page.  Then when they sign the top one it signs all three pages.   

------------------------------
Madeline Stefanou
RKL eSolutions, LLC

Any chance the "non carbonless" forms were printed on the wrong side?  Maybe the forms you received did not pass QC?

This is great.  Thank you very much @Madeline Stefanou!

@Doug Higgs I have a client that uses what I am linking below.  It is about $ 0.21 per "set" when ordering a single case of 835 "sets" or $ 0.18/set when ordering more cases.    That website includes blogs, technical video's, printer compatibility and video's on these exact sheets.  OH, and I think WHITE is the top sheet, so you have to write on the 3-part from the WHITE Side. If it comes out of printer reversed, with pink on top; that may be the problem with what you sampled. 

https://www.relyco.com/collections/carbonless-paper/products/reimage-3-part-straight

------------------------------
Madeline Stefanou
RKL eSolutions, LLC


Original Message:
Sent: 02-11-2026 07:51
From: Doug Higgs
Subject: Sales Orders Signed by Customers

@Madeline Stefanou  I like this idea, and the customer likes it too.  I ordered what I thought would work from Amazon last week.  When I sign any of the copies the signature doesn't appear on the second page.  So the "carbon less" is truly carbon less... Whatever is suppose to replace the carbon does not transpose the signature to any of the other pages.  Might as well just use regular paper and watermarks unless there is another type of 3-part paper that can be signed and the signature will go through to another sheet.   Here's what I ordered.  Do you know of something else I should try?

------------------------------
Doug Higgs
Midwest Commerce Solutions, Inc
(312) 315-0960
Chauffeur, Chef, and Personal Assistant to Sprinkles


Original Message:
Sent: 02-10-2026 09:47
From: Madeline Stefanou
Subject: Sales Orders Signed by Customers

How about 3-Part Carbonless Paper.  Use Multi-Part to print on each page.  Then when they sign the top one it signs all three pages.   

------------------------------
Madeline Stefanou
RKL eSolutions, LLC