The End of Microsoft Dynamics RMS Is Official!

 As of today, July 12, 2021, Microsoft has ended all support for the Dynamics RMS Store Operations point of sale software. If you are still using RMS, you are on borrowed time. You need to be looking at either Retail Management Hero or Cloud Retailer.

Given the ending of support from Microsoft, my ability to support RMS will be quite limited and only offered on a case by case basis to retailers in the United States.

Updated for 2021: Microsoft RMS vs. Retailer Management Hero (RMH) vs Cloud Retailer

 A quick comparison of running sales transactions, inventory, purchasing, reporting and merchant services in the Microsoft Dynamics RMS, Retail Management Hero (RMH) and Cloud Retailer point of sale software programs.

For questions or comments, please contact me at kevinantosh@gmail.com or 208-340-5632.

Get Google Pointy for Free!

If you happen to be using the Retail Management Hero (RMH) point of sale software, then the folks at New West Technology are offering Google Pointy for free! 

While Pointy is not a e-commerce or shopping cart site, Pointy does allow you to showcase your inventory online by syncing your RMH inventory with Pointy.  This is a great way to allow customers to browse your store online before coming to the store to make an actual purchase.  Pointy sounds like a nice solution for retailers who have products that cant be sold online.

Pointy is completely new to me so I don't have a lot of additional information at thus time. I'd suggest heading over the New West Technology for more information which can be found here: https://www.newestech.com/pointy-for-rmh

Retail Management Hero or Cloud Retailer: Which is a better replacement for Microsoft RMS?

Designed to help you decide whether Retail Management Hero (RMH) or Cloud Retailer is a better replacement option for the Microsoft Dynamics RMS point of sale software.

One Update: RMH is available globally while Cloud Retailer is designed only for retailers in the United States.

For questions or suggestions, please contact me at kevinantosh@gmail.com or 208-340-5632.

Microsoft RMS End Of Life: Replacement Flowchart

 OK - I know - another post (and video) about Microsoft RMS end of life. This is due to the sheer number of RMS point of sale software users that have been contacting me over the last few weeks.  

I am also working on a video that shows some of the feature and functions in Cloud Retailer and Retail Management Hero that should help you decide whether Cloud Retailer or RMH is a better option for your store.

For now - a flow chart to walk you through the Microsoft Dynamics RMS point of sale software replacement decision:

Quick update that the folks at Retail Management Hero now offer Age Verification and similar features and function for liquor retailers. Contact them at sales@rmhpos.com for more information

Questions? Please contact me at 208-340-5632 or kevinantosh@gmail.com

Heartland Letter about Oct 20th 2020 Deadline for Backend Change

Letters and emails have been going out to Heartland customers about a change they are making that could effect the retailers point of sale system.

I can not speak on behalf of all the POS systems but indications are that Cloud Retailer, Retail Management Hero (RMH), and Microsoft RMS users should be OK. This assumes that retailers using RMS or RMH are also using the Card Defender payment processing plug in for RMH and RMS. 

If you are concerned, be sure to contact your point of sale provider and your Heartland Rep for assistance.

Reminder: All Microsoft RMS to Retail Management Hero Discounts End June 2021

Just a quick reminder that all discounts for moving from the Microsoft Dynamics RMS point of sale software to the Retail Engagement Hero (RMH) point of sale software will end June 2021 thanks to the folks at RMH extending a 10% discount for all RMS users.

Please contact me at 208-340-5632 or kevinantosh@gmail.com if you have any questions about Microsoft RMS replacement options.

For Montana and Colorado Liquor Stores Using Microsoft RMS

30 Second bullet point summary if you don't have time to read further or watch the videos:

• End of Life for the Microsoft Dynamics RMS software is July 2021
• There are 50+ liquor stores in Montana and Colorado still using Microsoft RMS
• First video covers facts around RMS End of Life, what other retailers using RMS are doing regarding the RMS End of Life Deadline, and general advice
• Cloud Retailer is both a low direct replacement program for RMS and is designed for beer/wine/liquor retailers as show in the remaining videos
• We do plan on supporting RMS/HQ past July 2021 but not indefinitely
• There are support/maintenance plans available for Microsoft RMS that will be available for the next couple of years
• Contact me at kevinantosh@gmail.com or 208-340-5632 to chat more about your specific situation. No sales pitches - just a conversation.

My understanding from speaking with liquor store retailers in Montana and Colorado is that at least 50 of you are still using the Microsoft Dynamics RMS point of sale software.  To help you with the whole Microsoft RMS End of Life deadline, a few resources are below:

Video about RMS End of Life (facts, what other retailers are doing, advice):

In addition to being a direct low cost replacement for Microsoft RMS, Cloud Retailer is also specifically designed for liquor store retailers.  Feature/Function examples include:

Age Verification:

Automatic Cash Discounts:

Supplier Purchase Planning:

Unit of Measure:

Detailed Product Attributes:

If you own or operate a beer, wine or liquor store in Montana or Colorado, and use the Microsoft Dynamics RMS point of sale software, then it is worth taking a look at Cloud Retailer.

A quick reminder that 1) Cloud Retailer is a direct replacement for RMS (keep your existing data, possible discounts for RMS users, etc) and that 2) We will continue to support RMS past the July 2021 End of Life date (but will end support at some point).  There are support/maintenance plans available for Microsoft RMS that will be available for the next couple of years - please contact me directly for more information.

Free trial versions of Cloud Retailer are available by contacting me at 208-340-5632 or kevinantosh@gmail.com (US and Canada only please). I am also available for in person or online meetings as my travel schedule permits.

Honest Feedback on Retail Management Hero (RMH)

As we start a new decade, I wanted to pass along my personal experience in working with retailers who are using the Retail Management Hero point of sale software. I have been onsite with many of these retailers and/or spoken with them via phone and helped with installation and training.

First, the negative reviews: https://www.softwareadvice.com/retail/retail-management-hero-profile/

I can vouch for almost all of those reviews as being valid (these retailers did not acquire RMH through myself, or RITE, but I am familiar with their stores).

As for retailers who did acquire RMH via myself and RITE, there seems to be a 80/20 split between those who love RMH (80%) and those who are struggling to use RMH (20%). These are retailers across just about all industries and are located across the US.  The biggest concerns to note about RMH are:

1. Needing to use add-ons for credit card processing
2. Differences between Microsoft RMS and RMS as covered here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wqPTxoSgHHo
3. RMH Central is NOT ready for general release
4. Not being able to see cost at the POS screen
5. Not being able to add new items at the POS screen
6. Lack of a manual or users guide
7. Too many releases and cost to install each new release
8. No support is included with annual software maintenance

The retailers who love RMH have expressed the following to me:

1. POS is really easy to train cashiers on
2. Liked that they could move their data from Microsoft RMS to RMH
3. Plenty of third party plug ins for e-comm, and accounting software interfaces
4. Uses fairly standard point of sale hardware and peripherals
5. The built in customer loyalty program is a nice feature
6. Physical inventory counts are easy to do using the built in tool
7. New options for shipping, age verification, and liquor store integrations

There also seems to be a trend of various RMH re-sellers abandoning retailers mid-deployment which myself and RITE have done our best to help clean up. Never an ideal situation but it seems to have gone well 90% of the time in fixing what the RMH re-seller promised but never delivered on.

Are you considering RMH and/or have RMH feedback? Then please contact me at 208-340-5632 or kevinantosh@gmail.com

Top Reasons Retailers Contact Me

OK - not super exciting but here are the main reasons and topics why retailers are contacting me:

Locations and Blog Site Stats: http://www.pospondering.com/2019/10/the-power-of-social-media.html

Microsoft Dynamics RMS / HQ End of Life / RMS Replacement Options: http://www.pospondering.com/2019/08/what-other-microsoft-rmshq-users-are.html

Point of Sale Technology for Goodwill's and Similar Thrift Store Chains: http://www.pospondering.com/2019/09/goodwill-pos-meeting-updates.html

RMS Replacement Options Video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Q-oS4ehvjgI
 

If you are in the US and need point of sale related consulting, advice, sales, service or support, please contact me at 208-340-5632 or kevinantosh@gmail.com

Android Stock Take App for the Retail Management Hero POS Software

Many retailers like that the Retail Management Hero (RMH) point of sale software includes a module called "Stock Take" for performing partial or full physical counts. Presently the Stock Take module can only be used on Windows based devices which can be a bit cumbersome when it comes to physical inventory counts.

Well, that will change a bit later on 2019 when an Android version of Stock take will become available. This should open up the door to use hand held devices that are more are rugged and designed for counting inventory.

Release is expected in late 2019. I will be sure to pass along details on pricing and compatible devices as soon as they become available.

In the meantime, if you have questions about RMH or point of sale software, please contact me at kevinantosh@gmail.com or 208-340-5632.

News Flash: Important Retail Management Hero (RMH) Upcoming Price Changes

I wanted to pass along some VERY important information regarding the pricing for the Retail Management Hero (RMH) Point of Sale software. this includes information on the Microsoft RMS to RMH discount schemes.

1. Effective Immediately: RMH iPOS license prices are now $495/each instead of $695/each.
2. Effective August 1st. 2019: RMH Base license price will be $1300. Additional lane and manager licence pricing will remain the same.
3. Effective August 1st, 2019: Payment Processing through RMH will carry a $7/month per lane charge to new users or users who let their annual maintenance lapse. This will not apply to users who do not process payments via RMH.
4. Effective October 1st, 2019: Microsoft RMS users who wish to migrate to RMH will only receive a 50% RMH license discount if current on RMS maintenance. The discount will be reduced to 20% for RMS users who are lapsed on maintenance.
5. Effective April 1st, 2020: All RMS license discounts end. There will be no RMH license discount available to RMS users.

For more details, please contact me at kevinantosh@gmail.com or 208-340-5632.

News Flash: Important Retail Management Hero (RMH) Upcoming Price Changes

I wanted to pass along some VERY important information regarding the pricing for the Retail Management Hero (RMH) Point of Sale software. this includes information on the Microsoft RMS to RMH discount schemes.

1. Effective Immediately: RMH iPOS license prices are now $495/each instead of $695/each.
2. Effective August 1st. 2019: RMH Base license price will be $1300. Additional lane and manager licence pricing will remain the same.
3. Effective August 1st, 2019: Payment Processing through RMH will carry a $7/month per lane charge to new users or users who let their annual maintenance lapse. This will not apply to users who do not process payments via RMH.
4. Effective October 1st, 2019: Microsoft RMS users who wish to migrate to RMH will only receive a 50% RMH license discount if current on RMS maintenance. The discount will be reduced to 20% for RMS users who are lapsed on maintenance.
5. Effective June, 2021: All RMS license discounts end. There will be no RMH license discount available to RMS users.

For more details, please contact me at kevinantosh@gmail.com or 208-340-5632.

Retail Management Hero Feedback from Retailers & Resellers

Over the last 2 months I have been involved in the deployment of Retail Management Hero (RMH) to 5 different retailers across the US. These are all specialty retail stores with between 1 and 3 check out lanes. Each store uses name brand computers, receipt printers, cash drawers, etc. None of the stores use any special add-ons for RMH like e-commerce/shopping carts.

Overall the feedback has been positive. Time was spent during the pre-sales process to ensure that the retailers knew some of the limitations within RMH when it comes to reporting and credit card processing.  About the only issues that came up was needing to upgrade SQL server for 2 of the 5 customers and error messages when trying to edit purchase orders (which appears to have been corrected by upgrading to SQL 2014).

However, I was contacted by four retailers who went from RMS to RMH in 2018 and are both searching for a POS system to replace RMH. Main issues are the following:

1. Having to pay for bug fixes (labor for re-installing RMH)
2. General slowness of RMH (RMH is not like RMS speed-wise but is similar to other POS programs)
3. Lack of drill down capabilities in Reports
4. Lack of ability to add a new item at POS screen
5. Poor reseller / VAR / Dealer support (these are Positive Technology and EZB Solutions customers)

I've also had 3 different RMH Partners/Resellers contact me via phone. Combined, they have installed around a dozen RMH systems over the last 4 months. These resellers have also provided positive overall feedback on RMH.

This is making me feel somewhat better about RMH as a solution for new retailers as well as retailers using the Microsoft Dynamics RMS point of sale software. I will continue to keep in touch with these retailers and pass along feedback as time allows.

If you would like more information, please contact me at kevinantosh@gmail.com or 208-340-5632.

Retail Management Hero: Retailer Feedback

As many of you know, I worked with several retailers in 2018 to upgrade them from the Microsoft Dynamics RMS point of sale software to the Retail Management Hero (RMH) software.  I'm involved with 3 retailers who are currently in the midst of upgrading from RMS to RMH and will report back on their feedback within the next 45 - 60 days.

If you need feedback sooner, please contact me at kevinantosh@gmail.com or 208-340-5632. Thanks!

Updates on Retail Management Hero Central

Fresh off of a webinar regarding the status of the Retail Management Hero (RMH) Central software designed for retailers with more than one location, here are some updates to pass along:

• 50 partners have been trained world wide to sell and support RMH Central
• Uses background services to sync data between store and central HQ (no worksheet required, looks for changes and syncs automatically)
• Near real time data sync
• Can have store specific customers (customer record doesn't have be stored at all the stores)
• Can return products at a store that is not the same store as the original purchase
• Global customer loyalty program included
• Global voucher (gift card/gift certificate) included
• Very simple and straightforward inventory transfer abilities in near real time 
• Regional suppliers

At this time, no release date information on RMH Central was shared. My best guess is that we are looking at very late 2019 or early 2020 before RMH Central will be stable and deploy-able.

Please let me know if you have any questions on RMH Central by contacting me at kevinantosh@gmail.com or 208-340-5632.

New Pricing Options for the Retail Management Hero (RMH) and RMH Central POS Software

***Information on new pricing for RMH as well as the phasing out of RMS user discounts can be found here: http://www.pospondering.com/2019/07/news-flash-important-retail-management.html***

Very important information related to the pricing scheme for Retail Management Hero (RMH) and RMH Central as well as the iPad version of RMH. be sure to note the effective dates as this may effect your decision related to upgrading from Microsoft Dynamics RMS to RMH. Please note that this is subject to change. Also note that subscription based pricing is listed below the pricing matrix as well (based on 12 month minimum commitment)

RMH, RMH Central & iPOS Pricing Scheme – New User

License	Before Oct 1st 2017	Oct 1st 2017 – March 31st 2018	Starting April 1st 2018	Notes
Base License: 1 POS + 2 Manager	$1190 + $215	$1250 + $225	$1250 + $225	“+ $XXX” is required first year software maintenance
POS 2 & Above	$1190 + $215	$900 + $162	$900 + $162	“+ $XXX” is required first year software maintenance
Manager 3 & Above	$400 + $72	Same	Same	“+ $XXX” is required first year software maintenance
iPOS for iPad	$650 + $117	Same	Same	“+ $XXX” is required first year software maintenance
RMH Central – User	$72/year	Same	Same	Expected release Q1 2019
RMH Central – Store Connection	$360/year	Same	Same	Expected release Q1 2019

RMH Pricing Scheme – Lapsed RMS Users

License	Before Oct 1st 2017	Oct 1st 2017 – March 31st, 2018	Starting April 1st, 2018	Notes
Base License: 1 POS + 2 Manager	$250 + $215	$500 + $225	$875 + $225	“+ $XXX” is required first year software maintenance
POS 2 & Above	$250 + $215	$360 + $162	$630 + $162	“+ $XXX” is required first year software maintenance
Manager 3 & Above	$0 + $72	$160+ $72	$280 + $72	“+ $XXX” is required first year software maintenance

RMH Pricing Scheme – Non Lapsed RMS Users

License	Before Oct 1st 2017	Oct 1st 2017 – March 31st, 2018	Starting April 1st, 2018	Notes
Base License: 1 POS + 2 Manager	$0 + $215	$0 + $225	$0 + $225	“+ $XXX” is required first year software maintenance
POS 2 & Above	$0 + $215	$0 + $162	$0 + $162	“+ $XXX” is required first year software maintenance
Manager 3 +	$0.00	Same	Same	Up to 10 manager licenses total

RMH Subscription (based on 12 month commitment)

$59/month per POS station which is $708/per 12 month period. The software will check to ensure that the subscription is paid.

Questions or need help? You can reach me at 208-340-5632 or kevinantosh@gmail.com

Calls and Emails from Retail Management Hero

Based on conversations with several retailers in the US, it appears that the folks at Retail Management Hero have been calling and emailing users about upgrading from the Microsoft Dynamics RMS point of sale software to the Retail Management Hero point of sale software. I appreciate that many of you have contacted me directly to confirm what options are available to you.

While I can not speak on behalf of Retail Management Hero, I am more than happy to assist you with validating whether upgrading to Retail Management Hero is a viable option for you. Over the last several months I have been onsite helping retailers upgrade to Retail Management Hero from RMS or have met onsite with retailers who recently installed Retail Management Hero.

The best way to reach me is at 208-340-5632 or kevinantosh@gmail.com.

What Came Out of the 2018 Retail Realm Conference

Some news, thoughts, and observations from the recent 2018 Retail Realm Partner and User Conference:

1. The folks at Retail Management Hero (RMH) are making strides to ensure that RMH is a stable and competitive product.
2. Look for RMS Central to be released in early 2019 (but allow time for the program to stabilize)
3. Look for some improvements in how reports are generated in RMH over the coming year

For additional information, please contact me at 208-340-5632 or kevinantosh@gmail.com

2018 Retail Realm Conference Agenda

Wow - so the 2018 Retail Realm User and Partner Conference is just around the corner. This is a great event to learn more about Microsoft Dynamics 365 for Retail (D365), Retail Management Hero (RMH) and Retail Management Hero Central (RMH Central).  Dates are Monday August 20th - Wednesday August 23rd, 2018.

This is a good event for any chains using RMS HQ that want more information about D365 for Retail and RMH Central. With the RMS/HQ end of support date coming up in under 3 years, many chains are getting pretty serious about RMS/HQ replacement options.

I won't be attending this year as it is too expensive for me to pay out of pocket (would cost me nearly $1500) but I'll pass along any information that is provided to me.

Here is a link to the full agenda: http://retailrealmconference.com/agenda/