Help zone

Starcdrom.com Reducing "Piracy"

(PRWEB) April 10, 2006 -- With a new wave of handheld electronic devices, portable console systems and the rapid growth of digital download, one would think there is no market for "tried-and-true" educational software; walk into any store that sells or rents video games and chances are you'll find only a few shelves, if any, for personal computer software amid the aisles dominated by console games. A local software supplier, StarCDrom.com, has found their niche on the World Wide Web.

Based in Markham, Ontario, StarCDrom.com is a subsidiary of Star Interactive, Inc. Their online presence has grown since 2004 with a customer base of over 15,000. Customers, including teachers and parents in the educational, home schooling, games, and children's markets are now placing orders. The company operates under the model of providing full-version, closeout software for $5.99 or less. "The products are essentially so cheap that it is no longer worthwhile pirating," says Moti Bensalmon, President and CEO. As big name publishers continue to struggle, companies like StarCDrom continue to grow in areas where publishers cannot reach. This strategy has proven to be successful. The belief is that consumers no longer want to pay $19.99 for educational software. It is the company's belief that as online shopping continues to grow, more and more parents and educators will see the value in purchasing quality programs that are available on closeout.

What's the advantage with closeout software? The products are "tried-and-true" titles from Reader Rabbit, Disney, DK, Topics, Clue Finders, Atari and more. These titles, and others, offer educational and technological value to students of all ages.

So how do they make their money if the products are so cheap? There is no catch. StarCDrom's business model is clear; all computer software is 100 % full version. To save on shipping costs, they strip down all boxes and jewel cases into paper sleeves, which brings down the shipping cost to $1.00 per item. This saves the company on their postage costs, and allows them to make a small margin on each order; buy more items, and the costs are further reduced.

It's easy to see why this Markham, Ontario company does so well in the educational market. "With limited funds for classrooms and continuing budget cuts by school boards, and the demand for quality educational programs rising, we are trying to provide cost-effective ways to teach, read, write and compute," says Bensalmon. Most of the larger orders fulfilled by the company are bulk orders from public and private schools, home school co-ops, and even from some colleges and universities. Aliza Kessler, a home schooling parent from Queens, NY added, "Thanks to StarCDrom teaching my children at home has become inexpensive. I'm always looking for a great deal."

StarCDrom's success has now opened other opportunities for the company. While the company's Vice President of Sales & Operations, Jana Suchter would not elaborate, she says the company has been approached by some of the major retailers who are now looking at their business model and would like a " low cost" program of their own. It should be noted that as computer piracy is on the decline, companies like StarCDrom take away the incentive to pirate. The cost and time to illegally duplicate a CD is approximately the same as purchasing a CD on closeout.

Customers who want to take advantage of the newest product additions to the website can sign up to get a daily e-newsletter sent by permission only. By registering, customers can make wise use of valuable, "tried-and-true" educational materials. Visit the website at www.starCDrom.com or call 905.202.3455 for more information.