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ReadyAboutGear.com Sets Sail with The Help of Pandora Systems

BOSTON, MA February 15, 2003 -- Pandora Systems, a Boston area developer of online systems and applications, has announced the launch of ReadyAbout Gear, Inc., an online retailer specializing in high-performance, high-style clothing and accessories for women who sail. Working with a visual design and branding provided by Arlington, MA-based Hecht Design, Pandora Systems designed and built a full online retail center for ReadyAbout Gear that includes a custom-developed e-commerce solution.

Formed in 2003, ReadyAbout Gear Inc. plans to use its new online store to meet the demand of an underserved market by selling well-made, stylish sailing gear designed specifically for women. In the process, the founders also hope to make a difference to another underserved group—proceeds from the store will support the ReadyAbout program, which uses sailing to teach empowerment skills to women who have experienced domestic abuse.

Having retained Hecht Design to create a brand and visual design for its online store, ReadyAbout Gear sought out Pandora Systems to build the store and provide its entire online infrastructure. Pandora developed a custom e-commerce system that lets ReadyAbout Gear’s customers browse its product catalog and make purchases online. They also built a Web-based administration module for ReadyAbout Gear’s staff that lets them manage and update product information on the site, as well as monitor inventory, transactions and orders—all using just a Web browser and an Internet connection. In addition, Pandora worked with ReadyAbout Gear’s fulfillment center to create automatic communication between the warehouse and the e-commerce system.

“Pandora’s involvement in this project was invaluable to us,” says Barbara Christie, President of ReadyAbout Gear, Inc. “They patiently walked us through all of the complicated technical steps required to launch an online business, and served as our trusted guides, helping us set up all the relationships we’d need to fulfill our orders. I really don’t know what I’d do without them!”

Colleen Hamilton, President and founder of Pandora Systems, says of the experience, “We were very excited to be a part of this project. While it is always professionally rewarding to work with the latest technologies and to build cutting-edge solutions for our clients, we also found this project personally fulfilling. We’re pleased to know that fruits of our efforts are helping to fund such a worthy program.”

As it does on most of its projects, Pandora worked as part of a team of vendors (including Project Power, Hecht Design and Libretto, Inc., who provided the copy) that together provided a seamless, full-service solution to ReadyAboutGear.com. Project Manager Kelly Powell, of Project Power, says, “Going into it, I knew Pandora Systems would be the right fit, because of their ability to integrate with a diverse group of vendors. And Pandora’s ability to see a project’s ‘big picture’ helped keep the rest of the team focused on the client’s larger goals.”

Through success stories like this one, Pandora Systems has built a reputation as the technology partner of choice for several firms specializing in online marketing and communications.

Pandora Systems, Inc. (www.pandorasystems.com) develops online systems for organizations of all sizes to help them expand their marketing reach, streamline business processes and improve their bottom line. Since 1999, Pandora has lived up to its reputation for delivering the highest quality Web solutions, on time and within budget. Pandora's clients include some of the best-known organizations in New England, including Massport, the Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, and Boston Ballet, as well as many other organizations ranging from Fortune-1000 companies to small, innovative start-ups.

For more information, please contact Jay Rothschild at 617.357.0142 x105, or jrothschild@pandorasystems.com.