NEW SPACE MANAGEMENT SOFTWARE
By Adnews Staff
ACNielsen of Markham, Ont. has introduced a low-cost version of its Spaceman space management system, called MerchMan. The new software, which runs on desktop computers using Microsoft's Windows 3.1, allows retailers and manufacturers to plan and track how they use their shelf space. "MerchMan is a space management system developed for business people by business people," says ACNielsen vice-president of logistics Randy Armstrong in a release, "It's designed to provide our retail and manufacturing customers with many of the features they're looking for in a low-cost and flexible format." The marketing plan for the new software will not be finalized for a few weeks, giving the company time to gauge the market's reaction, according to Kate Jobling, ACNielsen's vice-president of corporate communications. However, in-person demonstrations for potential customers are already being done, and a brochure is being produced in-house with the aid of a freelance art director. Whatever advertising plans are finally made, they will likely be carried out in-house with freelance help, as is ACNielsen's usual practice. Toronto firm Langdon Starr has handled public relations for ACNielsen in the past, but PR plans for the new product are also yet to be determined.