Gone Green

It’s official.  Following a successful test run in the Boston market, Tom James announced today that it will provide its entire sales force with iPads, complete with all the apps and content necessary to replace most currently printed catalogs and brochures.

In a conference call, CEO Sergio Casalena and President of Sales Todd Browne described the enormous impact the tablet technology would have on the company’s bottom line, as well as the environment.  As CFO Phil Williams put it, “This is just the right thing to do for so many reasons.”

The company expects to reap significant savings in postage and printing while taking a load off the back of its sales force.  Tom James estimates that each of its clothiers will experience a reduction of 15 – 20 pounds in the amount of materials carried on sales calls.  In addition to eliminating the need for most printed sales materials, the 3G-enabled devices will also provide access to the company’s intranet and back office systems, further reducing the amount of paper client files needed during appointments.

The rollout will begin in mid-March 2011 and is expected to be completed by June.  Fall 2011 will mark the first season in which Tom James no longer prints the catalogs and brochures traditionally used to present products such as shoes, ties and accessories.