BUYER’S FORUM

Tech in the Spotlight

Using the latest tools to keep frame buying and selling processes going strong

these days, frame buying has moved far beyond a cozy lunch with a frame rep and into the world of high technology. From style forecasting to inventory management and product presentation, the Internet has moved to the forefront in the optical business on many levels.

The changes you may be going through now or in the near future might include using iPads as tools for buying and dispensing, as noted in this month’s frame feature about try-on technology.

Denine Harris, ABO

A Kaseya Mobile Device Management white paper, “Embracing Mobile Devices in Retail and How to Manage them Effectively,” cites a strong retail trend: “According to an RIS/IHL 2012 Store Systems Study, 52 percent of retailers are planning to roll out tablets to their employees in stores within the next 12 months. Another 25 percent plan to roll out tablets in the following 12 months.”

This month, Eyecare Business spoke with Denine Harris, ABO, lead optician and department head at the seven-location Moses Eyecare in Crown Point, IN, about how technology is influencing her practice.

Q: HOW DO YOU UTILIZE TECHNOLOGY IN YOUR FRAME BUYING PROCESS?

We utilize frame companies’ websites to order frames for patient orders.  As well, we use an electronic inventory system to determine what products are moving in our locations. This is great tool to use when buying frames.

Q: IN WHAT WAYS DO YOU INTEGRATE TECHOLOGY IN DISPENSING?

At this point we are only using technology in our fitting process to order lenses and any frames supplied by our lab. Otherwise, we use AR markers and PD sticks for measurements.

Q: DOES SOCIAL MEDIA COME INTO PLAY WITH YOUR FRAME SALES? HOW SO?

It does have a small impact. We do utilize a Facebook page which directly links with our site with all of our brands listed, which can end in a purchase of a frame.

Hot Topic

eb: What collections are you most excited about right now? What makes them interesting?

dh: Ray-Ban. The brand is just hot right now. I love how versatile this brand is; you can fit someone who is 15 and the next moment fit a 50 year old. I wear one myself because with one selling every second in the world, how could I not?

Ray-Ban styles from Luxottica in a variety of materials, from velvet to denim, are consistent sales-getters for Moses Eyecare in Crown Point, IN, notes Denine Harris, ABO, lead optician and department head

— Amy Spiezio

Want to talk about what gives your frame buying flair? Please email executive editor Amy Spiezio, Amy.Spiezio@PentaVisionMedia.com