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Over the last 30 years, all of us at ARS have worked as a team to give you the best software and support possible for our RMA products. We are making some changes that we want you to be aware of that indirectly impact you and your organization.
During this time, I have not only met many of you, but shared training experiences, gone out to dinner and got to know you personally. I treasure those experiences. To keep this work going forward, I recognized recently that we need to grow; develop better products and continuously improve. To make this possible, I have decided that it is in the best interest of ARS and our customers if we merge with another company. Last week, we finalized the transaction and ARS is now part of Iron Creek Partners, a family office investment group that owns Prism Visual Software.
Yes, it is a big change – with both new opportunities and new challenges. You will be happy to know that I am not going anywhere and will be here to help in the transition. At ARS there are a lot of talented and capable people – many of whom are just now coming into their prime. With the addition of the management talent and financial resources of Iron Creek Partners, it will only get better. Craig Mordi, CEO of Prism Visual Software, will be the CEO of the combined companies.
One thing we pride ourselves on at ARS is communicating with our team and our customers. I will continue to do this and give you monthly updates on what is changing and the resulting impact you will see. Rest assured, we are still developing RMA as well as our new Mango One product (both desktop and handheld). We will continue to earn your trust and support on this journey.
Finally, thank you for all the wonderful times we have had together. The future is bright, and ARS will be more relevant than ever going forward. If you would like to chat about anything or have concerns, please email or call me and we can talk one-on-one. Look forward to it!
Cordially,
David Kroutil
Q. Is Advantage Route Systems still operating after the merger with Prism?
A. Yes, Advantage Route Systems is still fully operational post-merger. We are excited about the opportunities this merger brings. Nothing will change for the balance of 2024. We will use the next 6 months to plan and organize. As we begin 2025, you will see some gradual changes.
Q. Will the merger affect the products and services offered by Advantage Route Systems?
A. The merger with Prism will result in even better products and services for our customers. We are combining the strengths of both companies to provide innovative solutions and enhanced support.
Q. How will the merger impact existing customers of Advantage Route Systems?
A. Existing customers can rest assured that the merger will not disrupt their service or support. We will be functioning independently through the end of 2024. Then, there will be gradual changes.
Q. What benefits can customers expect from the merger?
A. We expect to move resources into our new Mango One, our web based, SaaS software.
Q. How will the merger impact pricing for the Advantage Route Systems’ products and services?
A. As of this year, there are no anticipated pricing changes. This is for current support plans or additional licenses.
Q. What about ARS staff – is anyone leaving?
A. The intent is to keep all of our staff members intact. There are two exceptions: In 2023, Richard let us know he wanted to retire this year. April 30, 2024 was his last day. In addition, for personal reasons, Jonathan Van Duppen left in April of 2024. David Kroutil is planning to stay through the end of 2026 or until the full Mango One is released.
Q. As an RMA customer, will I need to move to the Prism platform?
A. There will be no migration to Prism software. You will be able to stay on RMA software for as long as you want. For the last 3 years we have had the policy that the RMA, in its current and enhanced form, will continue to be around until at least 2030. More realistically, it will be 2035. In the meantime, we will continue to bring Mango One to the market so you can migrate as you are comfortable.
Q. How can customers provide feedback about the merger?
A. We welcome feedback and encourage customers to reach out to us with any questions, concerns, or suggestions they may have regarding the merger. You can contact our support team or email dkroutil@AdvantageRoute.com directly to get a reply from our CEO.
Q. How can customers stay updated on news and developments related to the merger?
A. Customers can visit our website regularly for updates, subscribe to our newsletter, or follow us on our social media channels to stay informed about news and developments. We will also update you in our monthly newsletter.
Q. Will David Kroutil be retiring or leave the company?
A. David is expected to stay through the completion of Mango One, our new software in the cloud that has been under development for the last few years.
Prism Visual Software Acquires Advantage Route Systems
May 3, 2024 ‐ Melville, New York ‐ Prism Visual Software, Inc. (“Prism” or “the Company”), a leading provider of direct store delivery (“DSD”) and route accounting software to manufacturers and distributors, today announced that it has acquired Advantage Route Systems, Inc. (“Advantage Route Systems” or “ARS”), another leader in the route delivery software space.
The acquisition of ARS and its suite of modern, scalable software solutions complements Prism’s existing portfolio of products and will help to further the Company’s organic growth plans, expanding Prism’s addressable market, use cases, and geographical reach.
“ARS has a proven track record of providing high-quality service, well-designed products, and creative solutions that meet the needs of distribution customers across the world,” said Craig Mordi, Chief Executive Officer of Prism. “We believe that ARS’s highly-configurable, well-architected suite of Mango One solutions represent a strong platform from which to scale Prism’s existing software and services. We look forward to the continued growth and success of both companies.”
“I believe that we have found an excellent partner in Prism,” said David Kroutil, Chief Executive Officer and Founder of ARS. “At ARS, we have always placed our customers and employees first. With the growing demand for better and more powerful software, teaming up with Prism allows us to grow and offer a more complete family of products to our customers. I am excited to see the continued progress and innovation as we bring together two of the leading companies in the industry.”
The transaction closed on April 15, 2024. Financial terms were not disclosed.
Prism (www.prismvs.com) is a leading provider of DSD and route accounting software to manufacturers and distributors globally. Founded in 1998 and based in Melville, NY, Prism has customers in various industries such as beverages, food, gas, and water treatment.
Advantage Route Systems (www.advantageroute.com) is a leading provider of DSD and route accounting software to manufacturers and distributors across 22 countries. Founded in 1994 and based in Turlock, CA, ARS serves customers in many industries, with particular focus on beverage, propane, oil recycling, and ice.
Contact
Iron Creek Partners LLC
Jeff Montagna, (949) 547‐5201
Email: press@ironcreek.com
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