BCL Soft - Makers of Barter 21. The Next Generation of Barter Exchange Management Software
Latest News
4/26/10
New enhancements to Barter21 are designed to increase trade volume for barter exchanges. Read more about the updates to the barter software here.
3/2/10
Barter21 has rolled out an entirely new messaging system. Incorporating security features found in some of the most visible websites on the Internet, utilizing the most advanced email technology available, and tight integration with social media sites, Barter21 is set to become the number one barter and trading platform in the industry.
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About Us
BCL Soft was created to fill a need in the barter industry. BCL Soft consists of a partnership between barter exchange owners Barry and Catherine Cohen and web application developer, Luther Monson.
Like other exchange owners, Barry and Catherine liked their software provider, but felt that something was missing. Discussing this with friend Luther Monson, he suggested coming up with something better. What started as a gripe session became a brainstorming session that created Barter21 software.
Like other exchange owners, Barry and Catherine liked their software provider, but felt that something was missing. Discussing this with friend Luther Monson, he suggested coming up with something better. What started as a gripe session became a brainstorming session that created Barter21 software.
Barter21 is the barter exchange management software used by many of the top exchanges. Features in the Barter21 software aren’t found in any other barter industry software.
As you’ve probably figured out, BCL stands for Barry, Catherine and Luther. While we are creative geniuses when it comes to developing software, we weren’t as creative in the name department.
Company Profile
Barry Cohen
Barry Cohen is the Chief Operating Officer for BCL Soft.
Barry's interests and hobbies always were technology driven. Coincidentally, the personal computer debuted the same year he graduated high school. It was not long before Barry was learning everything he could about these new machines by attending DeVry University. Computers were the future, and Barry was going to be a part of it.
Barry has achieved numerous certifications in the computer industry. Graduating at the top of his class at DeVry, Barry has had a successful technical career during which he continued to achieve numerous certifications including A+, Certified Netware Engineer, Apple Certification, and Compaq Certification. After being hired at the highest possible technical level at MicroAge, then the largest technology distributor in the U.S., he was fast-tracked into management and trained in every aspect of their management training curriculum.
After leaving MicroAge, Barry founded a website design and hosting company, Barca Solutions. Originally a one-man shop, he grew the company to a small staff of website developers while remaining the creative director. Barry also closely managed the company owned web servers to maintain security and efficiency.
While operating Barca Solutions, Barry was introduced to formal barter exchanges. While he and his wife enjoyed using a barter exchange in each of their businesses, the areas they found lacking caused them to open their own exchange. Together they built, and still operate, one of the largest barter exchanges in Arizona.
In much the same way they created Premier Barter, Barry saw a desperate need in the industry for a new way to operate a barter exchange. That is when the concept of BCL Soft and the Barter21 software was formed.
Barry has achieved numerous certifications in the computer industry. Graduating at the top of his class at DeVry, Barry has had a successful technical career during which he continued to achieve numerous certifications including A+, Certified Netware Engineer, Apple Certification, and Compaq Certification. After being hired at the highest possible technical level at MicroAge, then the largest technology distributor in the U.S., he was fast-tracked into management and trained in every aspect of their management training curriculum.
After leaving MicroAge, Barry founded a website design and hosting company, Barca Solutions. Originally a one-man shop, he grew the company to a small staff of website developers while remaining the creative director. Barry also closely managed the company owned web servers to maintain security and efficiency.
While operating Barca Solutions, Barry was introduced to formal barter exchanges. While he and his wife enjoyed using a barter exchange in each of their businesses, the areas they found lacking caused them to open their own exchange. Together they built, and still operate, one of the largest barter exchanges in Arizona.
In much the same way they created Premier Barter, Barry saw a desperate need in the industry for a new way to operate a barter exchange. That is when the concept of BCL Soft and the Barter21 software was formed.
Catherine Cohen
Catherine Cohen is Chief Executive Officer and Marketing Director for BCL Soft.
Catherine’s background industries are diverse with one common thread – marketing. From the fashion industry, to advertising, printing, and later as a massage therapist, Catherine has always been in the marketing game.
Born and raised in New York City, Catherine excelled in both school and athletics. Catherine graduated from SUNY at the Fashion Institute of Technology in NY with an AAS and BS in marketing and advertising.
As is the dream of every graduate with an advertising degree, Catherine went to work for an ad agency. She worked in various areas until she found a niche in printing and production.
With a move to Arizona, Catherine continued in the advertising print production world until she decided on a huge change.
Becoming a massage therapist meant creating clients and building a practice. Catherine’s marketing skills were brought to the rescue as she developed a large and successful practice. One way to get new business was participation in a local barter exchange. After several years, Catherine saw areas where the barter exchange could be improved upon, and with husband, Barry, opened, built and still operate one of the most successful exchanges in the Southwest.
After years of using a popular, but what she thought was overwhelming, software to run their exchange, Catherine and Barry brainstormed with friend and business partner Luther Monson to create Barter21, the barter exchange management software.
Born and raised in New York City, Catherine excelled in both school and athletics. Catherine graduated from SUNY at the Fashion Institute of Technology in NY with an AAS and BS in marketing and advertising.
As is the dream of every graduate with an advertising degree, Catherine went to work for an ad agency. She worked in various areas until she found a niche in printing and production.
With a move to Arizona, Catherine continued in the advertising print production world until she decided on a huge change.
Becoming a massage therapist meant creating clients and building a practice. Catherine’s marketing skills were brought to the rescue as she developed a large and successful practice. One way to get new business was participation in a local barter exchange. After several years, Catherine saw areas where the barter exchange could be improved upon, and with husband, Barry, opened, built and still operate one of the most successful exchanges in the Southwest.
After years of using a popular, but what she thought was overwhelming, software to run their exchange, Catherine and Barry brainstormed with friend and business partner Luther Monson to create Barter21, the barter exchange management software.
Luther Monson
Luther Monson is the lead programmer and Chief Technical Officer for BCL Soft.
Born in Lansing, MI, Luther’s childhood was adventurous. With his father being a medical missionary, he spent most of his formative years in the West African country of Liberia. He then spent time in Guinea and later moved to Sierra Leone where he attended a boarding school. Eventually, the Monson family moved back to Duluth, Minnesota.
Luther’s love for computers started early on when he was living in Liberia. While in Africa, Luther’s father managed to procure some Apple computers and had them shipped over. Luther has vivid memories of huddling in front of the glow of an Apple II playing DigDug. Perpetuating this love for computers through Middle and High School, the choice for College was a natural progression - the Computer Science Department at Gustavus Adolphus College in St. Peter, MN.
After College, Luther and friends came to the American Southwest and settled in Tempe, AZ. Looking for something Computer Science related, but not necessarily in the Computer Engineering field, Luther found work in website building and made that his specialty. Immersing himself in the language of the internet, Luther began building dynamic websites with more and more functionality. His websites meet or exceed the highest quality web standards and have cross browser compatibility.
His web portfolio has grown over the years and subsequently has become quite diverse. Luther’s portfolio includes dynamic web applications for Universities, Newspapers, Real Estate Investors, Retail and Grocery chains and even a hockey rink scheduler for a hockey town in Northern Minnesota.
Luther Monson brings to BCL Soft a product built by his expertise in functional, dynamic and scalable web and infrastructure design. His pride is in the form and functionality of the software.
Luther’s love for computers started early on when he was living in Liberia. While in Africa, Luther’s father managed to procure some Apple computers and had them shipped over. Luther has vivid memories of huddling in front of the glow of an Apple II playing DigDug. Perpetuating this love for computers through Middle and High School, the choice for College was a natural progression - the Computer Science Department at Gustavus Adolphus College in St. Peter, MN.
After College, Luther and friends came to the American Southwest and settled in Tempe, AZ. Looking for something Computer Science related, but not necessarily in the Computer Engineering field, Luther found work in website building and made that his specialty. Immersing himself in the language of the internet, Luther began building dynamic websites with more and more functionality. His websites meet or exceed the highest quality web standards and have cross browser compatibility.
His web portfolio has grown over the years and subsequently has become quite diverse. Luther’s portfolio includes dynamic web applications for Universities, Newspapers, Real Estate Investors, Retail and Grocery chains and even a hockey rink scheduler for a hockey town in Northern Minnesota.
Luther Monson brings to BCL Soft a product built by his expertise in functional, dynamic and scalable web and infrastructure design. His pride is in the form and functionality of the software.