Salonbiz
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SalonBiz is a computer software program used to control the management aspects of a salon or spa. It is currently the most widely used piece of software for this purpose, and has been since 1999 according to Salon Today magazine[citation needed].
SalonBiz is designed by Extended Technologies, a division of Neill Corporation, an independent distributor of Aveda beauty products in the southeastern United States. After Extended Technologies was founded in 1993, work on the initial versions of SalonBiz was started. Completion of the first release did not occur until two years later. The company later introduced SpaBiz, a version that also included additional features that focused on the needs of spa businesses.
SalonBiz is currently at version 3 and most customers have upgraded during 2004. SalonBiz Enterprise and SpaBiz Enterprise are achieving widespread acceptance for larger customers, especially salons and spas with multiple locations.
One significant point of difference between Extended Technologies and other salon and spa software companies is that Extended Technologies offers its software on a recurring subscription model where a customer pays a monthly fee for the software receiving free upgrades and technical support during their subscription.
In February 2004, Edwin Neill, the owner of Neill Corporation and founder of Extended Technologies, passed away. The company has recommitted itself to improving its software products and direction.
In January 2005, Salon Today magazine released their annual Top 200 list of the most successful and fastest growing salons in the United States, in which SalonBiz was again listed as the software package used by the majority of the salons and spas listed; this marked the fifth year in a row for SalonBiz/SpaBiz products to have a majority presence in Salon Today's Top 200. (January 2005) "Salon Today Top 200 2005". Salon Today magazine (1). .
In April of 2005, Extended Technologies also released a free, basic version of their SalonBiz program titled SalonBiz LIGHT. The free software package contains less powerful features than the full suite and is intended to help smaller salons get started with computerizing their business. Since this program is a free salon software, the free support offered with other Extended Technolgies software subscriptions is not available, but free online support in the form of a user manual, FAQs and user forums are available at the SalonBiz LIGHT website.
