I have been to visit Fred Aldous in Manchester - the range of arts and crafts items was baffling to me, a non-artist, however with their help I was able to find the perfect things for my wife.  The reason I was there though, was not to buy some paint, but to meet with the current family owners.  They are an amazing showcase of what technology can do without damaging the fabric of what makes a family run business great.

I have spoken about them before and yesterday someone asked me to provide the references, but the great success has been written up in the Daily Telegraph in the UK, so it is not something I can send out.  A quick search of the Telegraph site has produced two stories on Fred's transformation - one as it was happening and one six months later.

I strongly suggest a read to learn more!

Victorian ledgers give way to age of Epos (Filed: 12/09/2005)

A city craft shop founded in 1880 is going for the latest retail software to provide 21st century service, says Selina Mills

Source: Telegraph | Money | Victorian ledgers give way to age of Epos

and

A crafty solution to a notable problem (Filed: 17/10/2006)

A leap of faith with an electronic retail system has lightened Rob Aldous's paper load, he tells Selina Mills

This time last year, Fred Aldous, the Manchester- based craft shop, had one ancient computer in a corner of an office that nobody used.

Regarded as one of the most knowledgeable businesses in the trade, it relied on an ad hoc Post-it note system for ordering, stocktaking and reminders. Notes were everywhere, with urgent messages such as "order more" and "check with Rob" scribbled in a rush.

Source: Telegraph | Money | A crafty solution to a notable problem