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Demand for creative solution sees Sohnar open first Australian office.

9th May 2007

Australian design, marketing and advertising agencies now have access to award winning agency management software, thanks to the introduction of Sohnar’s ‘Traffic’ into the Australian marketplace.

Until now, Australian creative agencies and design studios have had to rely on systems that were inadequate for their needs. They were focused purely on project management, job tracking or customer relationship management, were too simple or way too complex to use, or were developed for broad business use. Nothing has been available specifically for use by creatives, that manages all functions of a creative business.

Sohnar, based in London, has already found success in Australia. They have had so many requests for their software from Australian agencies, that they have just opened their first Australian office. And Australian design and marketing firms are thrilled.

Sohnar’s Australian-born Managing Director Tracey Shirtcliff, says Traffic is the first software of its kind in Australia, in that it is customizable, comprehensive and created specifically for creative companies, by designers themselves.

“We purposely created Traffic in response to a call from design companies for a purpose-built job management system that could eliminate the need for several separate documents, spreadsheets and systems. Traffic brings everything together in one easy to use package,” said Tracey.

Unlike other software, Traffic handles every aspect of a creative business from initial sales contact through to invoicing. It controls every process in the studio - from project management and scheduling through to recording time and expenses on all jobs. It can even link to MYOB and Quickbooks.

The system will enable creative agencies to improve the efficiency of their business with detailed reports on job times, staff performance and a complete diary function.

Director of Melbourne design agency The Tank, Neil Shewan said Traffic had already dramatically improved his business.

“Efficiently managing workflow through a design firm or advertising agency is critical, and at any given time, we’re working on numerous projects of all sizes. With the components in the Traffic software, we’re now able to create and process jobs in a small amount of time, whereas in the past they used to take an entire day to organise,” Neil said.

Traffic is already used by nearly 1800 creatives, managing 42,000 jobs in seven countries. It has been awarded five out of five mice by MacUser, and five out of five stars by MacWorld.

The system helps businesses to win new clients. “Traffic's primary objective is to enhance profits and win new business. It transforms the business of creativity, it lets you spend the time producing great creative but makes sure that you have enough information on the business end to keep that performing,” Tracey said.

Sohnar’s Australian Sales Manager Bruno Calfapietra said the positive response from Australian creative and marketing firms to the introduction of Traffic to Australia has been exciting.

“It’s only when agencies see a demonstration of Traffic that they realise how limited their current software and systems are. They are also pleased with how simple and logical it is to use, despite how comprehensive it is,” said Bruno. “Traffic can really help creative agencies and designers to look at how they work in the studio, how they can improve all aspects of their business and ultimately how they can increase profitability.

“Traffic measures all your key performance indicators and provides new levels of transparency right across a business. It offers instant access to information, eliminates drudgery and enables the marginal analysis you need to control profitability. ”

Traffic’s features include:

• a diary

• email system with document management

• CRM and contacts database

• projects & job costing templates and schedule templates

• task allocation and work requests to team members

• timesheets and time reporting

• job and staff scheduling

• job and Management reporting

• estimating invoicing system

• sales and pipeline management

• purchase ordering and reconciliation of costs on jobs and projects

For a business owner, one of the most important aspects of Traffic is the reporting. With Traffic, it’s possible at any point to take a look at how things are progressing.

“You can quickly determine if any job or project is behind schedule, if costs are too high or more importantly if you’re making profit,” said Bruno. “With over thirty customisable reports to utilise, you can even tell if your estimates are accurate or if your employees are performing.”