Frequently Asked Questions

Here are answers to some questions you may have about CHI-LLC.

Who is CHI-LLC (what kind of company are they)?

Computer Human Interaction, LLC (CHI-LLC) is a focused technology company based in Seattle. We combine the creativity and focus of a smaller, high-tech firm; and the stability and wisdom of a larger firm. We have been in business since 1990, during which time we have enjoyed extraordinarily low employee turnover.

What does CHI-LLC do?

CHI-LLC creates Design-Visualize-Order software: sales and marketing applications for designing, visualizing, and ordering complex and made-to-order products. These applications leverage intuitive user interfaces and advanced 3D motion graphics to deliver a powerful customer experience.

What are the Key benefits of Design-Visualize-Order software?

These applications are powerful, effective sales tools that enable buyers to virtually design, configure, visualize (in 3D with zooming, spinning, fly-through motion, and more), and then order your product. Technology that enables the buyer to be the co-designer dramatically increases customer satisfaction and decreases sales cycle time.

In addition, design-visualize-order does exactly what it is named -- encompass the entire customer experience from design to visualization to order, integrating business logic and databases to enable error-free configuration on the front end and easy ordering on the back end.

How do CHI-LLC applications compare to similar tools such as CAD-based systems?

There are many offerings on the market that do some, but not all of the work described in the previous answer. For example, it's usually possible to work with a CAD-based package that can output a file for export to another system to generate an order or determine pricing. Off-the-shelf drawing packages rely on generic rules and do not often have the refinement of imaging that CHI-LLC's software possesses. In addition, these packages typically do not have the capability of dynamic spinning of view and texture mapping on 3D images that CHI-LLC possesses.

Plus, unlike CAD systems which are designed for engineers, CHI-LLC's applications are designed for novice users. Overall, our approach is unique in the way we first learn about customer's products and processes, and then quickly create optimized software solutions that have significant impact on top-line sales and revenue.

What are the names of CHI-LLC's applications?

CHI-LLC does not have a "packaged" product. Instead, we work intimately with our customers to design and deliver custom 3D sales and marketing applications specifically for the way their salespeople work, their products are configured, and their customers think and buy. So our application names are really up to you: when finished, the applications we build typically become named by our customers for their ongoing branding purposes, such as Herman Miller's Z-Axis®, ClosetMaid's VSP™ (Visual Storage Planner), and Knaack's WeatherGuard Vehicle Solutions™.

Does this customization make your applications expensive?

CHI-LLC leverages proven expertise and existing processes for 3D graphics, user interface design, quality assurace and database development to provide a foundation for faster, more cost-effective customization. You get the benefits of a customized solution without the higher cost of building completely from the ground up. Contact us and we can quickly work with you to scope and estimate an application for your company.

Who are some of your customers, and what customized applications have you developed for them?

Examples of these custom applications include the powerful Z-Axis® sales and marketing tool for Herman Miller, Inc.; the web-based VSP™ (Visual Storage Planner) for ClosetMaid Corporation; and the WeatherGuard Vehicle Solutions™ tool for Knaack Manufacturing... More>

What benefits do CHI-LLC applications have on customer satisfaction and the bottom line?

Herman Miller, for example, is seeing significant, tangible benefits such as dramatically faster sales cycles and increased profits. Plus, they also recognize greater customer satisfaction... More>

Are your applications web-enabled or desktop-based?

Actually, both. CHI-LLC can levereage a single code base to enable both platforms.

Can your applications be easily integrated into our exisiting sales or back-office systems?

Yes. CHI-LLC is very experienced in integrating our sales and marketing tools with other front-end sales systems as well as back-office MRP and ERP systems.

How does CHI-LLC support their applications once they have been custom developed for their customers?

Our commitment to our customers continues well beyond the initial completed application. We continue to work side-by-side with the customer to provide support, software updates, and feature upgrades.

How stable is CHI-LLC? Will you be around to support my application in the future?

CHI-LLC has been in business for over 12 years and the average tenure of our employees is 6 years. We have been profitable from day one, and continue to build strong, sustaining relationships with customers. To answer the question, absolutely.

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