1. By Loncey Johnson

2.  Owner operator = Loncey Johnson  Web design/accountant= Jessie Jo Witte The purpose of LJ-Bar Tack and Saddlery is to perform the construction or reconstruction of good looking and quality cowboy products. There is a need for custom orders along with having the right product on hand when it is called upon for a quick pick up.

3.  The CRM system in which has been integrated into LJ-Bar is the OnContact software.  This software adds just the right edge to help create a success story and a great relationship amongst the customers.

4.  The use of OnContact can be of great use to the shop.  It can be used to track customers ( there phone numbers, addresses, amounts in which they spend at the shop, and what they order)  When tracking there order I could keep track of what they ordered, what finish I put on it and the sort of tooling along with the hardwares used  This could allow me to look back and throw a sales pitch to them on a product I could build before it was ever ordered from them. As well as match products as they are ordered from them.

5.  The buyer power is high for the shop and by having a good CRM could help lower this situation  Supplier Power is fairly low which would be good to be able to track suppliers information and the good that they provide  The threat of Substitute Products or Services is very high. There are many of the same products offered at different qualities, looks and prices as well as customer relations.

6.  The Threat of New Entrants is also high. It is not to hard to get a leather shop started. The most difficult is having the patients and the talent and a few funds. By having a good customer relations base you can beat out the new competition by not running of the customers you have to the new guy.  Rivalry Among Existing Competitors is mediocre as long as you make what the people want at a good price and respect them. In other word have a good CRM and it will help dwindle the existing competitors.

7.  One of the main features of OnContact that makes it stand out is that the fact that it conforms to you.  LJ-Bar is rather small now so a system that adapts to the shop and then grows with it is essential.  It is fully customizable, this allows for a program in which needs no updates.  Also with this great system you can take it anywhere (web based) with you, and not be stationed. With this I can go to events with my product and build a customer relation at these events.

8.  Challenges for the year can be to get the system up and running as well as figure out the best way to manage the program and incorporate it in a manner that is useful.  Another issue that may come of an issue is gathering all the information from the clientele without being pushy or over bearing.

9.  As far as the initial cost goes it is said to actually be free!!! for the first 30 days.  After that the system is $59.95 per user per a month.  It seems a little on the expensive side however there are no updates acquiring an additional fortune.

10.  On a yearly basis OnContact cost a total of $1438.80 on a normal year for two people to run it.  After three years this total comes to $4316.40 for two people to be able to run the system.  However in LJ-Bar’s status I think one person can manage on this system dropping it to $719.40 a year or $2158.20 for a three year period.