Wednesday, October 31, 2018

Does Leasing a POS System Make Sense?

Over the years I am asked from time to time whether it makes sense to lease a point of sale system versus making an outright purchase. Even the subscription style point of sale software programs may require new computer hardware that can run $3000 to $8000 for a typical retail store so you have to think about the following factors:
  1. What are the interest rates?
  2. Length of the lease?
  3. Are there potential tax write offs?
  4. Are you better off saving up for a POS system and making an outright purchase?
  5. Have you calculated a Return On Investment (ROI) based on putting in a new POS system?
  6. Have you created a budget for the POS system based on ROI?
  7. Who owns the equipment during the lease and at lease end?
  8. What about repairs for hardware before the lease is paid off?
  9. How much labor is part of the POS system? Some leasing companies put a cap on what percentage of the lease can be labor related.
It almost boils down to what works within your budget and mindset. Do you prefer to rent a house or lease a vehicle? Then leasing may be a good options for you.

Are you on a budget but see the value/ROI that a POS system offers?  Then leasing may be an option for you.

On the other hand, if you would rather not take on debt and prefer to own the equipment, then an outright purchase may be best for you.

Statistically, I have seen a decline in retailers wanting to lease equipment since around 2010. You have to look at your budget, future plans for growth, and similar factors like ROI to decide what is best for you and your business.

I would also caution against over buying. You need to stay within the same budget whether you lease or purchase outright.

Have questions on leasing versus buying a point of sale system? You can reach me at 208-340-5632 or kevinantosh@gmail.com for some general advice.


Wednesday, October 24, 2018

NCR CounterPoint Forum Posts

POSTINGS FROM OUR FREE  

Counterpoint® Users Group (CPUSER.ORG®) is an independent Support Group for users of Counterpoint® Point-Of-Sale Software by NCR Corporation (formerly by Radiant Systems, Inc. & by Synchronics, Inc.).  We have been serving the
 Counterpoint® Community since 2003.  Please see our Legal Disclaimer at the end of this e-mail.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
 
This NCR Counterpoint® SQL User posts their CP-Partner advises Windows Server / SQL Server 2012 R2 for their CP-Server upgrade.  He then asks if he can use the 2016 versions instead.     
 
Some great feedback is given, so see another fine example of users-helping-users at Post #3622, "Server Upgrade." 
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~   
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
2.) Some CP-Users Get Help! / Some Need Help!
(Click the Links below and view the posts from fellow CP-Users!)
 

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~   
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
3.)  HostGator Error 404:  Page Not Found: 
 
If you are trying to connect to our Forum and get an Error 404 Message, change the 50.87.144.104  IP Address in the link to cpuser.org and the link will work.  
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~   
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
4.)  10% First Order Discount!
$71.10 / Case of 50 Rolls!  Free Shipping!
*  3 1/8 Inch x 230 Feet (for Epson, Bixolon, etc.)    
*  Free Shipping!
*  That's 61.8 cents per 100 Feet!  
*  Regular Price is $79.00/Case.
*  Call or E-Mail Us Today!
Plus Save 10% on Labels, Tags, & Ribbons!
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~   
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~  
Questions???  Call or E-mail us!  
Counterpoint Users Group 
 
Gordon Gelrod, Owner 
 
Toll-Free:  (888) 434-0844 
 
E-mail:  Gordon@cpuser.org 
Website:  www.cpuser.org 
 
LinkedIn:  www.linkedin.com/in/cpuser   
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ 
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
        
 
CPUSER.ORG® and Counterpoint Users Group provide independent technical support services and information specifically for users of COUNTERPOINT® point of sale systems.
 
COUNTERPOINT® is a registered trademark of CheckPoint Systems, Inc. and a licensed trademark property of NCR Corporation (formerly licensed by Radiant Systems, Inc. and by Synchronics, Inc.
 
CPUSER.ORG® is a registered trademark of Counterpoint Users Group.
 
CheckPoint Systems, Inc. and NCR Corporation neither endorse nor have any affiliation with CPUSER.ORG® or Counterpoint Users Group.

Wednesday, October 17, 2018

Update on Meetings with Goodwill Stores and Retail POS Systems for Thrift Store

As many of you know, I've worked with multiple Goodwill stores over the last 12+ years specific to helping them source POS systems and/or selling and supporting their POS systems. Over the last couple of months, I've had the pleasure of meeting with a couple more Goodwills and wanted to share some feedback specific to what they are using, or moving to, when it comes to thrift store retail point of sale systems. My notes from the meetings are below:
  • Many are still using Microsoft Dynamics RMS/HQ as well as NCR CounterPoint (both of these programs have Goodwill/Thrift Store specific modifications like round up buttons and production tracking).
  • Budgets are still tight so many of you are holding on to current POS systems as long as possible.
  • When looking for a new, or replacement POS system, many of you are concerned about costs related to the replacement of existing hardware as well as aging servers.
  • Justification to spend money on a new POS system comes from newer features and functions, reducing costs specific to manual processes, and eliminating the need for expensive servers.
  • Your next POS system must handle the unique requirements of Goodwills but also be as automated as possible to eliminate cashier errors and cashier decision making for unique situations like double discounting.
  • The POS system must be easily trainable due to staff turn-over but also provide data needed by the organizations leadership.
  • On the solution side, we have eliminated all of the iPad systems like Shopkeep, Lavu, Revel, Clover, Silver and Bindo due to lack of depth and feature/functions. We've also eliminated Retail Management Hero since it is only (for now) a single store product. Possible solutions include: Staying with NCR CounterPoint, NetSuite, Dynamics 365, Lightspeed, and Cloud Retailer. We also discussed the pro's and con's of using a custom designed POS system and agreed that that was not a viable option as you would end up being a beta tester and could be orphaned if the programmer moved on to other projects (which I've seen happen a couple of times within Goodwill).
Those are just a few bullet points. If you are part of Goodwill, or a similar organization, I do offer unbiased consulting as well as the sales and service of POS systems designed for thrift stores.

Oh, and we are happy to provide RMS/HQ support as well (we have 10 support techs).

If I can help, the first step is a conversation via phone, email, or in person. Please contact me at 208-340-5632 or kevinantosh@gmail.com. As always, non-profit organizations enjoy a 10% discount off of any consulting fees and/or towards the cost of new software and hardware!

Wednesday, October 10, 2018

Cloud Retailer Adds Waiver Functionality to Their POS Software

Based on demand, I'm pleased to pass along that Cloud Retailer now has added the ability to have customer signed waivers.  This is great for any retailer that needs to have signed waivers on file. Some examples include:
  • Health Food Stores
  • Trampoline Parks
  • Weapon Related Retailers
  • Retailers that sell Raw Dairy Products
The waiver function in Cloud Retailer is based around an online waiver that is completed by the customer online or using an iPad in the store. The software then notes whether the customer has a completed and signed waiver on file.

Costs are very nominal as well (does not include the iPad):
  1. $549 up front cost for installation and training
  2. $50/month per store location
That's it!  Very simple and easy!

If you have questions about anything related to waivers or retail point of sale systems, please contact me at 208-340-5632 or kevinantosh@gmail.com

Tuesday, October 2, 2018

An Overview of Age Verification in the Cloud Retailer Point of Sale Software

On a regular basis, I read about retailers being fined for selling liquor to underage customers. Unless you really like paying fines, a point of sale system with age verification is a great investment. Other retailers may also have products that are age restricted so this goes beyond liquor stores as far as being an important feature within the point of sale software.

This specific video quickly covers how age verification works in the Cloud Retailer point of sale software. I didn't have my 2D scanner with me (I'm on the road this month) so I'll create another quick video once I have my scanner with me.




If you have any general questions about retail point of sale programs with age verification, please contact me at 208-340-5632 or kevinantosh@gmail.com. If you have some interest in the Cloud Retailer point of sale software, please use my work contact information (208-994-9404 or kevina@rite.us).

Cheers!