End of Year Advice - 2016

A few "ponderings" to share as we close in on the final few days of 2016 and look forward to 2017:

1. Please remember the true meaning of Christmas as you celebrate and reflect with family and friends - Jesus birth is the true "reason for the season".
2. Take some time to plan out any physical inventory counts and ensure that you have the correct training on how to use any physical inventory count features in your point of sale software.
3. Reflect back on how you use your point of sale system to spot any gaps or room for improvement (or a new system).
4. Keep an eye out for pesky new regulations and security requirements so you are not blind-sided with outdated equipment that is non-compliant.
5. Still using Microsoft Dynamics POS 2007/2009/2.0?  Full end of life for these programs is coming up on July 9th, 2019. While this is still a couple of years away, I'd recommend that you start thinking now about a migration plan. Keep in mind that you do qualify for a low cost upgrade to the new Retail Management Hero software.
6. Planning on using Microsoft Dynamics RMS for the next few years (end of life is not until July 2020/2021 - depending on which support contract you are on)? A few suggestions:
• Keep an eye on Retail Management Hero since the upgrades are fairly low cost and painless (but watch for differences in features, add-ons and functions).
• Make sure that you are on version 2.02 of RMS so all the latest service packs and hot fixes have been applied.
• Consider using Card Defender to ensure compliance with credit card security, EMV, SHA-2, etc.
• Avoid Windows 10 if possible for the time being.
• Make sure that you are aligned with an Dynamics Partner that is committed to supporting RMS, HQ and Retail Management Hero - we have actually acquired customers from around 3 different Dynamics Partners that are phasing out support for various point of sale software programs.
7. Watch this blog and my YouTube Channel for more information on Cloud Retailer which is a cool hybrid point of sale system that combines the best of what cloud based and on-premise point of sale systems offer.

Right now it looks like I will be headed to multiple states in the first half of 2017. Confirmed so far are Seattle, WA, just about all of Idaho, Salt Lake City, UT, and Minneapolis, MN. Pending are Portland, OR, Denver, CO, Phoenix, AZ, Tuscon, AZ, Dallas, TX, San Francisco, CA, and San Jose, CA.

Do contact me at 208-340-5632 or kevinantosh@gmail.com if I can of assistance. Thanks!

Support Hours Double Standard?

Having worked in retail and restaurant management, one thing that has bugged me over the years is why companies who support point of sale systems charge extra for support outside of "normal" business hours? After all, a product sold in a retail store sells for the same price whether it is 10am on a Monday or 7pm on a Saturday (sales/promotions aside). So why does support for a point of sale system cost more when that support is needed on weekends or after 5pm on weekdays?

One reasoning is related to labor costs in having a support on stand-by for after hours support. But, some minor scheduling adjustments can keep the labor costs inline.  This also applies to the salespeople who sell point of sale systems - no one should have signed on thinking that they are going to be working an 8-5, Monday-Friday job selling cash registers and point of sale systems. Retailers sometimes only have time to chat before the store opens, once late afternoon/early evening part time help arrives, or after closing. In fact, most of the folks who contact me do so during the 4pm to 7pm hours - which is fine by me (assuming that I'm not traveling or engaged in other activities).

I'm going to be making a push that point of sale companies expand their support hours to at least extend in to the early to mid evening on weekdays but not be charging extra above the normal support rates. It's pretty easy to schedule a tech to work 10am - 7pm one day a week (and no technician supporting point of sale systems should have signed on thinking that they would only be working 8-5, Monday - Friday).

I feel that the companies that offer this added value will see an increase in sales and an increase in customer satisfaction. This should also reduce the need to call-back customers who have support needs but could not be reached (so more effective in reducing voice mail tag and email tag).

Feed back on this concept is welcomed and appreciated - you can comment anonymously below or use the contact form to the right to reach me as well.

Retail Management Hero Promotional Pricing Extended to Microsoft POS 2007/2009/2.0 Users

A quick note that Retail Realm and Retail Hero have let me know that users of the Microsoft POS 2007, 2009 and 2.0 point of sale programs can also upgrade to the new Retail Management Hero point of sale software program at the $250/license cost (plus maintenance and labor/new hardware as required).

This is a really great opportunity for stores using these point of sale software programs to upgrade to a newer point of sale program!

Be sure to contact me at 208-340-5632 or kevinantosh@gmail.com for more information (US only please).

More information on Microsoft RMS/HQ/POS 2009/Dynamics Conference

The good folks at Retail Realm have posted more information on their  4th annual "‘Microsoft Dynamics’ Retail Technology Conference".

 It honestly looks like the 40,000+ users of the various Microsoft point of sale software programs will have to wait until April 2014 to hear more about Microsoft's plans related to Dynamics RMS Store Operations, HQ, and POS 2009.  Here are a few highlights of the conference:

Get ready for Retail Realm's 4th annual ‘Microsoft Dynamics’ Retail Technology Conference! Learn the latest news and updates directly from Microsoft about the future of RMS, RMS Next Generation, AX for Retail, Statement of Direction, and so much more! Utilize this great opportunity to connect with the reseller network, interact with Microsoft representatives, solution / hardware providers, and retail industry professionals. Find out about fresh new concepts in retailing and learn firsthand where the future of retail is headed! Don’t miss out! REGISTER for the conference today!

TIMELINE:

April 24 – 26, 2014 at Caesars Palace, Las Vegas, NV

• Thurs. PM - Afternoon Golf Event 
• Thurs. PM - Welcome Cocktail Reception - Shadow Bar
• Fri. AM - All-day Conference Sessions
• Fri. PM - Exhibitor Extravaganza
• Sat. AM - All-day Conference Sessions
• Sat. PM - Wrap-Up / Awards Reception

You can see a video related to the conference at: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=K5HN1rNyoDc
 
Full conference details and registration can be found on Retail Realm's website: http://www.rrdisti.com/rr-conference-2014

I'm sticking with my past advice - it you are current on your software maintenance agreement and can wait until April, keep using your current point of sale solution.

If you are not current on your software maintenance (which is a very bad thing with mandatory compliance updates coming out in 2014 and 2015 for anyone that takes credit and debit cards via a point of sale system), then I would highly suggest either getting current on software maintenance ASAP or looking for alternative solutions like Retail Pro. 

Are you in the US and in need of no cost retail point of sale advice? I'm happy to help and can be reached on my cell at 208-340-5632 (mountain time) or via email at kevinantosh@gmail.com.