Chattanooga, TN, May 20--Apso announces the release of a new evolution in product development for interiors manufacturers, the Apso Jet Set.
The system offers a full design suite integrated with a prototyping engine, communication with a wider variety of manufacturing machines than other CAD software, and archiving. The installation is available on a monthly license agreement, eliminating maintenance agreements and the need for significant up-front investment of capital.
The system builds upon 22 years of experience from Apso, which in 2004 became a trademark of Tricycle, Inc., positioning the brand for further expansion in the U.S. carpet market.
"Simply put, we listened to carpet designers," says Apso U.S. sales manager Josh Chappelear. "Through four months of intensive research with Grant Design Collaborative we heard designers say that they are tired of having to switch back and forth between programs. They also would love to have simulation that is accurate and reliable, so they can proof a design before it goes to the sampling machines or drop it into a room scene in order to pick up artifacts that jump out in the repeat."
The simulation component is powered by SIM from Tricycle, winner of two NeoCon Gold awards and nominated in March for an international INDEX: award as representing the best of socially responsible design in the United States. SIM digitally tufts carpet, combining yarn color information, manufacturing machine data and a pattern file, then mimicking the manufacturing process in virtu al reality.
The resulting first generation simulation may be viewed full scale or in room scenes in "Backstage," an integrated simulation viewing tool. Draft prints may be printed from the desktop and high quality, color accurate prints may be ordered through Tricycles SIM+Factory. The simulations are used for the evaluation of new designs before costly physical samples are manufactured.
The software integrates with machines from all three major U.S. machine manufacturers. The monthly site license model takes its cue from cell phone plans and subscription cable television.
"Maintenance agreements are a thing of the past," says Chappelear, "especially because they have historically not meant much. At Apso, we do not consider one sales call and a new feature every year or so to be 'maintenance.'"
Apso Jet Set also offers its users the potential to link into the wide array of Tricycle services currently in use at 18 commercial and hospitality manufacturers.
"With the launch of Apso Jet Set, Tricycle serves the entire lifecycle of creative products in interiors manufacturing, from product development and prototyping to sampling and marketing," says Tricycle president Jonathan Bragdon. "Our services reduce costs, improve sustainability efforts and drive sales to market."
Tricycle, Inc. is an international corporation offering evolutionary processes, products and services to reduce costs while improving performance and sustainability for interiors manufacturers. Tricycles trademarks include SIM from Tricycle, the SIM+Factory, Cre8tiv, and Apso. For more information, visit tricycleinc.com
