VL's Omni-Channel Data Integration Blog

[Video] ProsperWorks & Shopify Data Integration

jthiele@virtuallogistics.ca (Jessica Thiele) — Wed, 27 Jul 2016 15:05:15 GMT

Have you ever wondered...

What does good data integration look like?

If you're coming from the point-to-point/plug-and-play integration world - AKA integrations that are boxed products or come as add-ons to applications you already use - you might not know what a customized data integration looks like when it's up, running, and already working hard for you. You're coming from a world where you're used to clicking a single button to install a single point-to-point integration. And you're also coming from a world where you're used to having to do the work of setting up the integration points so that the data moves. Then you're left hoping everything works as you return your focus to running your business.

Watch the video below on what a customized data integration by VL OMNI looks like!

VL: The Evolution of a Brand - The Reveal

jthiele@virtuallogistics.ca (Jessica Thiele) — Mon, 25 Jul 2016 15:32:58 GMT

Last week, we took a trip down memory lane.

Visually reviewing all of VL's logos since our start back in 1994, we let our audience in on a little secret:

VL is rebranding again!

From our logo to our official name change,

We're excited to officially introduce

VL Inc.!

Keep scrolling for our updated branding infographic and the grand reveal of VL's new logos!

VL: The Evolution of a Brand

jthiele@virtuallogistics.ca (Jessica Thiele) — Wed, 20 Jul 2016 19:08:47 GMT

VL's been around for a while.

Starting in 1994 as a partnership between Co-Founders Robin H. Smith and Scott A. Beaver, VL has grown from a small startup focused on EDI integration into the customized omni-channel data integration solution provider we are today.

And we're proud of how far we've come!

Being agile and changing to the times has been embodied in our ethos from the very beginning. Everything from our business model to our branding and corporate identity have been molded to fit the market demands and trends.

With the recent official launch of VL OMNI

(Our cloud-based omni-channel data integration solution)

It's time to pivot again.

Let's take a visual journey into the branding history of VL, capped off with an exciting announcement at the end!

Charting Tuesday: Corporate Logos and EDI Integration

rhsmith@virtuallogistics.ca (Robin H Smith) — Wed, 20 Jul 2016 15:54:50 GMT

In a previous blog article we discussed the extensive re-branding project we undertook in 2013. Taking a deep dive into Why, How and What we do meant talking to customers and finding out what worked for them and what didn’t, as well as what they wanted from us as a business. During this branding process we also examined the Virtual Logistics logo and made some changes. The most obvious changes included a trademark and the addition of our new tagline: Transforming Data, Connecting Business. Take a look at how the VL logo has evolved over the years.

[STORE 2016] What Saks, Sephora, Frank & Oak know about retail that you don't

jthiele@virtuallogistics.ca (Jessica Thiele) — Wed, 13 Jul 2016 14:00:00 GMT

At the end of May 2016, the Retail Council of Canada (RCC) held their annual conference,

STORE is a great conference to attend if you're looking to take the pulse of the Canadian omni-channel retail sector. STORE is always interesting to attend; it's usually the place where consumer, business, and regulation makers' ideas on the retail industry intersect. And the outcome of that intersection always leaves us with something to talk about.

STORE 2016 was particularly interesting, with quite a few big American retailers taking the stage. Saks, Sephora, and Frank & Oak's presentations had the largest impact thanks to the way they frankly addressed omni-channel and ecommerce retail in Canada: how Canada is likely getting things wrong in a number of facets, and how we can learn from our mistakes and create a great omni-channel retail economy in the very near future.

Keep reading below for short synopses of the presentations given by Saks Fifth Avenue, Sephora, and Frank & Oak, accompanied by my thoughts on the issues they raised and how businesses can actually apply the speakers' teachings.

[Quiz] When is it time to move up to a customized data integration service?

jthiele@virtuallogistics.ca (Jessica Thiele) — Thu, 07 Jul 2016 12:56:13 GMT

VL OMNI is a service.

Customizing data integration strategies to each of our customers,

We're like the custom made suit or the hand-built Bugatti of the data integration world.

But not everyone needs a custom suit, and not everyone fits the hand-built Bugatti profile. Just like other custom services, VL OMNI is not the right fit for every business.

So how do you know what business would be a good fit for our data integration services, and which would be better off with other boxed-product alternatives like plug-and-play integrations? How do you know if and when your business is ready to make the jump into a tailored data integration solution?

We've put together a short and fun

10 Question Quiz

for you to test your knowledge.

Take the quiz below, challenge your friend and peers, and let us know how you did in the comments below!

VL Partner Profile Series: ProPack, Delivering Logistics Freedom

egraham@virtuallogistics.ca (Emmett Graham) — Thu, 30 Jun 2016 15:45:07 GMT

"If you want to go fast, go alone.

If you want to go far, go with others."

- Proverb Origin Unknown

If you're already familiar with VL and our VL OMNI service, you already know that our specialty and the core focus of our business is the integration of data between disparate applications. This is all we do, and we do it really, really well.

But naturally we don't work in a vacuum. Sometimes, our customers ask us to recommend an application or a service. Since we work with and experience so many of these applications and service providers from a data integration perspective, the ease of integrating applications and the quality of the partner are very important to us. And we always recommend the best partners for the job!

Continuing on our existing VL Partner Profile Series, we present one of our 3PL/Fulfillment partners.

4 Great Infographics on Data Integration, EDI, and Business Intelligence

jthiele@virtuallogistics.ca (Jessica Thiele) — Fri, 24 Jun 2016 12:41:34 GMT

One of the most popular type of content VL produces is our

INFOGRAPHICS

Consistently downloaded, shared, and occasionally even published, our data integration, EDI, and business intelligence infographics are in high demand.

As a result, we've updated and re-released four of our infographics:

Keep reading to view and download high-resolution PDF copies!

[Ebook] eBay: A How To Guide for Businesses

jthiele@virtuallogistics.ca (Jessica Thiele) — Thu, 23 Jun 2016 13:09:05 GMT

eBay:

A Comprehensive How-To Guide for Omni-Channel SMBs

Are you thinking about expanding your business' channels?

Has your business considered eBay as a marketplace addition to your channel mix, but aren't sure on where to start? Or are you confused by the new eBay Seller Standards?

This comprehensive how-to guide on eBay walks you through everything you need to know about becoming an Amazon seller at any level.

Download the eBay ebook here

... Or keep reading for more information!

VL Sponsors Raconteur Supply Chain Strategies Report

jthiele@virtuallogistics.ca (Jessica Thiele) — Tue, 21 Jun 2016 17:45:29 GMT

If you've visited our website lately, you already know that

VL plays in a number of verticals

As a true believer that the best way to help our own industry continue to grow is through providing high-quality educational material to our audience, we both produce our own great content that is free to download and is always accessible, while also occasionally sponsoring world-class external content.

Raconteur's UK Supply Chain Strategies Report is one of these outlets.

Published in The Times and The Sunday Times, a daily national newspaper based in London, UK, the Supply Chain Strategies Report contains high quality supply chain industry research, and is free to download.

Keep reading for more on Raconteur's Supply Chain Strategies Report, and a link to instantly download a copy of the report.