Aleyant, an innovative leader in providing robust software services to the graphic communications industry, today announced that Alliance Franchise Brands has more than 100 franchise members using Aleyant’s Pressero eCommerce solution. Pressero is a core component of the franchisor’s WorkStream™ technology platform, an integrated system designed to reduce the time associated with estimating, order entry and production activities through automation and integration.

“We have more than 800 Pressero eCommerce stores that are active across our franchise network, with some centers having more than 40 eCommerce sites for their customers,” said Paul Wywrot, director of Technology Development for Alliance Franchise Brands. Wywrot noted a recent shift among franchise owners from concentrating on the eCommerce component with customer storefronts to the more robust, multi-purpose solutions built into the WorkStream technology platform.

“Today, we see that virtually everyone is interested in integrating ordering into their MIS and/or production workflow with Aleyant’s Automation Workflow Integrator which is included in WorkStream,” Wywrot explained. “Aleyant has built-in connectivity with PressWise, EFI’s PrintSmith Vision, Printers Plan and CoreBridge, covering more than 90 percent of our locations.”

Digital Marketing & eCommerce Manager Ryan Mastako added that the COVID-19 pandemic has, in part, been responsible for increased adoption of eCommerce and workflow automation across the network. “Our centers are offering COVID-related products such as signage, wall and floor graphics, and PPE,” he said. “The ease and convenience of online ordering is helping all types of businesses to reopen safely as soon as they’re allowed. We know business owners have so much on their minds; we want to make it as easy as possible for them to get these safety requirements taken care of.”

Alliance Franchise Brands is a key Aleyant partner, and the two organizations have worked together to continue to enhance the capabilities of Aleyant’s software solutions, including Pressero, eDocBuilder, Automated Workflow Integrator (AWI) and more.

“Some of our key integrations have been driven by Alliance Franchise Brands requirements,” said Trent Foreman, Aleyant’s director of Products & Services. “They help us stay on the cutting edge, and we are pleased to be a go-to partner to enable their franchise members to be successful.”

The franchise network’s WorkStream technology with the incorporated Aleyant components is a key competitive advantage of franchise membership, according to Alliance Franchise Brands Chief Technology Officer Joe D’Aguanno. “Our leadership team recognized the need to invest in a talented and passionate support team along with the right technology partner to ensure the success of the initiative.” He said. “One of the many benefits to a tech-enabled network is that it frees up our franchise members to be sales-driven rather than bogged down by workflow inefficiencies that can be detrimental to a business.”

Also beneficial is the collective buying power that the franchise network brings. “A customized technology package like WorkStream would be cost-prohibitive for an independent business to replicate,” D’Aguanno noted.

Alliance Franchise Brands has several paths to franchise ownership. “We have some great programs for independent printers and sign shops as well as entrepreneurs who are interested in joining the network,” Wywrot said. “The MatchMaker® Program allows entrepreneurs to purchase an established business with an existing customer base, cashflow and staff. And owners of independent print or sign shops looking to retire or sell their businesses can work with one of our merger & acquisition managers to find qualified buyers or match with existing franchise members looking to expand in other markets. They understand the value WorkStream brings.”