Dingley Press Transforms Printed Catalogs into Mobile App for Customers

LISBON, ME—May 10, 2012—Working with existing customer Store Supply Warehouse, a wholesaler for store fixtures, The Dingley Press created mobile apps for small and independent retailers. The apps were developed and launched for both Android and iOS-compatible mobile devices and are available free of charge in the Android Market as well as the iTunes Store.

Meanwhile, another customer—Hobby Builders Supply—saw the opportunity to make its products available to customers anytime and anywhere. The company recently approached The Dingley Press to create Android, iOS and Kindle-compatible mobile apps to complement its existing print and online dollhouse and miniatures catalogs. The apps, which are available in the Android Market, the iTunes Store and on Amazon.com, are a first for Hobby Supply.

Features in these apps include product search, table of contents, thumbnails, page-by-page browsing and the ability to add products to your shopping cart for purchase. Also included are embedded links for more product information and new catalog “push” notifications. Mobile customers can share the catalogs with others via email and, for more product information, tap a link to be connected the retailer’s website.

Scott Loeffelman, Store Supply chief financial officer, stated, “Store Supply Warehouse is excited to bring another touch point between our customers and our brand. The new mobile apps that have been created will allow easy access to all of our products regardless of where a customer is. We are also excited about the marketing flexibility the apps will provide as we develop targeted marketing materials that allow our customers to focus on the products that are most valuable to them.”

In the case of Hobby Builders Supply, Dingley had already created an existing interactive catalog for the miniatures dealer and was able to adapt the Dynamic Edition into a mobile app. The mobile app features more 80 pages of dollhouses, furniture, accessories and supplies. Hobbyists also have the option to use the familiar bookmark and shop features from the online version of the catalog with the new app.

Courtney Cooper, the internet manager at Hobby Builders Supply, noted, “Our goal is to increase sales revenue and grow our customer-base by providing mobile access to our products.”

Rob Nowak, technology strategist at Dingley, stated, “Catalogers are seeing the advantages of having their content available across all channels of distribution. Creating access via a mobile app helps them reach more consumers.

“Mobile apps are now becoming mainstream for direct mailers,” Nowak continued. “In the past year, we have seen both B2B and B2C customers embracing this technology as an additional channel to reach their buyers.”

The Dingley Press, a Sheridan Group company, is working with its catalogers to assist them in delivering content in a variety of formats to their catalog reading customers. Mobile Apps are just one in a series of products created and supported though Sheridan Technology. Other products for catalogers include Sheridan Dynamic Editions and Sheridan Print-to-Mobile QR codes.

About Dingley
In business since 1928, The Dingley Press provides high quality catalog printing, binding, co-mailing, and distribution services from its Lisbon, ME facility. As a full-service catalog printer, serving medium to long run catalog customers, Dingley brings value to its customers through a high degree of customer service, sophisticated in-house co-mailing and distribution services and technology-based content distribution solutions through QR Code programs, Dynamic Edition digital catalogs and mobile apps. It is one of five Sheridan Group companies providing print, publishing services and technology solutions to the publishing industry.

About Store Supply
For over 15 years, Store Supply Warehouse has been the premier source for retail store fixtures, supplies and displays. The company and its employees are driven by a commitment to always provide superior customer service and affordable products that appeal to a wide range of retail needs. Stocking and selling more than 1,600 retail fixtures and store supplies, including display cases, racks and shelving, shopping bags, hangers, pricing and tagging guns and mannequins.

About Hobby Builders Supply
Based in Atlanta, Hobby Builders Supply has been in the miniature business for over 30 years. A division of Benamy International, Hobby Builders Supply is known for its commitment to quality products and low prices. This focus has helped it to grow into the world's largest discount dollhouse and miniature supplier.

Source: Dingley.