Video Overview of Cloud Retailer Loyalty Program

When showing retailer the Cloud Retailer point of sale software program to retailers, I am often asked about the available customer loyalty module for Cloud Retailer. The video below gives a great overview:

If you have any questions about Cloud Retailer or point of sale systems in general, please contact me at kevinantosh@gmail.com or 208-340-5632.

Goodwill POS Meeting Updates

I've had the opportunity to speak with a couple more regional Goodwill's about their POS plans - a summary appears below.

• Generally, all Goodwill's are still dealing with tight technology budgets but realize that outdated technology costs them more money in the long run via break/fix hardware costs, excessive labor costs for manual processes that could be automated, and employee errors due to using older technology.
• When looking for a new POS system, major consideration has to be given specific to whether their new POS system "wish list" includes features like production tracking and donor tracking.
• Consultants are proving to be very helping in identifying areas that a new POS system could increase revenue, reduce labor costs, and reduce employee errors.

Now, since y'all don't like it when I share your location information in too much detail, here are the Goodwill's that I have spoke with recently (or consulted with), what POS system they currently use, and what they plan on doing about their older POS system.

1. Southern US - Using Microsoft RMS/HQ - general discussions to replace in 2021 but no formal plan yet.
2. Southeastern US - Using Microsoft RMS/HQ - general discussions to replace RMS in 2021 - have looked at Retail Management Hero and Cloud Retailer - no formal plan yet.
3. Midwest - Using custom POS system - no plans to replace
4. Southwestern US - Using PC America - RFP is presently out to narrow down search for a new POS.
5. Rocky Mountain - Using NCR CounterPoint - no plans to switch away
6. Northeastern US - Using NCR CounterPoint - no plans to switch away
7. Southern West Coast - Using Microsoft RMS/HQ - starting searching for RMS replacement
8. Pacific Northwest - Using Microsoft RMS/HQ - started search for RMS replacement by looking at Retail Management Hero and Cloud Retailer - budget limitations mean using RMS through at least 2020
9. Pacific Northwest - Using Microsoft RMS/HQ - have not started looking at RMS replacement options
10. Pacific Northwest - Using Microsoft RMS/HQ - have not started looking at RMS replacement options
11. Northern Rock Mountains - Using NCR CounterPoint - no plans to replace CounterPoint at this time.

If you would like more details about the consulting that I have done for Goodwill Industries, or just have general thrift store point of sale questions,  please contact me at kevinantosh@gmail.com or 208-340-5632. Thanks!

Advice on POS Systems for Health Food and Vitamin Stores

Wow - so I have been contacted by quite a few health food or vitamin retail stores over the last couple of weeks. I appreciate all of you letting me stop by your stores to learn more about your business and what you want in a retail point of sale system!

It is clear that you have some very loyal customers and provide product knowledge that goes beyond what a typical retail store can offer. As for POS systems, your wish list included the following (aside from the normal core POS functions):

• Loyalty or preferred customer program 
• Bundling items together and selling as a package
• Gift cards
• E-commerce integration
• Detailed product information at POS screen
• Ability to search for product based on need (eg: natural sleep aids)
• Re-order points for commonly sold items
• Signed waivers from customers who purchase raw products
• Expiration dates

So far, we've narrowed down some solutions based on your business size as well as your existing POS system. Retail Management Hero and Cloud Retailer are both contenders in addition to LightSpeed and NCR CounterPoint so we will continue the process of looking at demos and costs for each of these programs.

Do you have a health food or vitamin retail store? Have something to add to the above list? Want some advice on possible solutions? Please contact me at 208-340-5632 or kevinantosh@gmail.com for more information.

New Look for NCR CounterPoint SQL

As many of you know, I worked heavily with the NCR CounterPoint retail point of sale software for several years. The good folks at Retail Control Systems have uploaded a video showing what the new user interface looks like in NCR CounterPoint which can be found here.

Having personally worked on around 30 CounterPoint deployments, along with my interactions with NCR CounterPoint users, the CounterPoint team in Georgia and CounterPoint Partners/Dealers/VAR's, I've found that NCR CounterPoint is a great POS system for retailers with chains of 3+ locations who are high volume and have high technology needs or have special requirements like the Goodwill thrift store version of NCR CounterPoint.

Questions? I can be reached at 208-340-5632 or kevinantosh@gmail.com.

Reminder on Consulting Rates

A quick reminder that I am still able to offer a large variety of on-site consulting services based around retail point of sale systems. Here are the common requests that I receive:

• you need a better understanding of your existing POS system
• some help documenting processes
• looking for gaps in your existing system
• budgeting for a new POS system
• creating a wish list for a new/replacement POS system
• comparing options
• What to do about Microsoft Dynamics RMS/HQ
• Replacement options for Microsoft Dynamics RMS/HQ

Generally you are looking at costs of $125/hour for these types of services but I also have flat daily or weekly rate options which run $2000 to $4000/week, depending on travel expenses. This would mean that my time would be exclusive to your organization for the entire length of my stay (example - a retailer in Minnesota with 40+ locations paid to have me onsite for 2 weeks and that my time was exclusive to them).

Discounts are available if there are multiple retailers that I can meet with in the same geographical area (example - multiple retailers in Texas combined to have me onsite with each of them during different days of the same week to save on travel expenses). 

On-site consulting costs can also be rebated towards the purchase of Retail Management Hero, Cloud Retailer, Dynamics 365, Microsoft RMS/HQ, Card Defender, or the other POS systems that the company that I work for is certified to sell, install, and support.

As each situation is unique, please contact me at 208-340-5632 or kevinantosh@gmail.com to have a no cost conversation about your specific situation. If you would rather contact me via my employer, my work contact information is 208-994-9404 or kevina@rite.us

Windows 10 Update Coming - Be Ready

A quick heads up that another Windows 10 update will be rolling out to Windows 10 users. As it's not know how well the update will play with various point of sale programs, there are a few things that you can do to prepare for the update:

1. Ensure that your data is being backed up daily
2. Don't let any of your point of sale computers update during business hours
3. Ensure that a restore point is created before any updates are applied
4. Make sure that you have the installation CD's/downloads and license keys for your point of sale software

If you run in to issues or have questions, please contact me at 208-340-5632 or kevinantosh@gmail.com - we have 10.5 technicians now - if I can't help you then I can create a support ticket for a tech to assist you.

Retail Management Hero: Features and Functions

From the folks at Retail Realm:

GREAT NEWS! The latest version of Retail Management Hero (RMH) is now available. Added features and functionality in RMH Version 3.3.0 include:

• Store Availability and Returns (POS with RMS HQ)
• Time Clock (POS)
• Blind Closeout at the Store Manager (Store Manager)
• Supervisor Override (POS)
• Lot Matrix Items (POS)
• Select Multiple Items in the Lookup Window (POS)
• Exchange Rate in Customer Invoice (POS)
• Search Customer by Account Alias (Store Manager)
• Search Item by Alias (Store Manager)
• Define Paths for Labels, Receipts, Pictures, Reports (Store Administrator)
• Loyalty: Basket Points - add multiple levels (Loyalty)
And more!

I have not had time to test any of the above so you may want to contact me first at kevinantosh@gmail.com or 208-340-5632 for more information.

Best Point of Sale System for Paint Stores

Recent conversations and in person visits with multiple paint and glass retail stores have prompted me to create the video below showing how Retail Management Hero (RMH) and Cloud Retailer work well in these types of stores.

While both Retail Management Hero and Cloud Retailer work well, some of the key differences depend on how you want to handle the following:

1. How do you want to handle purchasing and receiving?
2. Do you have more than one location?
3. Do you prefer to buy your software and hardware upfront or use a subscription based solution?
4. Do you have a need for the system to prepare quotes and work orders?
5. Would you like all your data to be stored on a computer at the store or are cloud based "access anywhere" systems of interest to you? 

Here is the video (which is also a great comparison video comparing RMH and Cloud Retailer as replacement programs for Microsoft Dynamics RMS):

As always, contact me at 208-340-5632 or kevinantosh@gmail.com for more information.

Spotting POS Scams on eBay and Amazon

While searching for some information on the new Retail Management Hero software, I came across some sellers on eBay and Amazon offering both Retail Management Hero and Microsoft Dynamics RMS point of sale system "Bundles". The cost for these bundles was around $2295 to $2795 which should be a warning sign as these are lower than normal prices for a complete retail point of sale "bundle". Other signs that these are potential scams:

• Computer in the bundle has Windows XP (no longer supported)
• The sellers "store" contained no information (phone, address, etc)
• Multiple spelling errors and typos
• Using a logo for one product but describing a different product
• No buyer feedback
• Guarantee that the RMS license can be registered to a new user

Please be wary of these types of listings - especially as Dynamics RMS can no longer be sold to new users or existing RMS users who are lapsed on their software maintenance agreement (unless the lapse fee is paid first). There are reputable companies selling point of sale systems online but it's clear that there are also potential scams so please be wary and perform some good due diligence. 

Do I still Offer Consulting Services?

I've had a couple of retailers contact me wondering if I still offer point of sale system consulting services. The short answer is "yes" but with the following stipulations:

1. Hourly rate is $125 which is billed in 15 minute increments via my employer.
2. The first 15 minutes is free.
3. Travel expenses may apply for in person assistance.
4. I can consult outside of the different point of sale solutions that RITE offers (I've worked with around 20 different POS systems total).
5. If you do happen to purchase a POS system from me, the consulting fees (less any travel) can be deducted from the cost of the POS system.

Even if I can't provide you with the system that you need, I can help you select the best system and connect you with the best resource.

I've helped organizations with anywhere from 1 to 297 locations find the best point of sale system over the years and can be reached at 208-340-5632 or kevinantosh@gmail.com

Whats the Deal with Microsoft Dynamics 365 for Retail?

As Microsoft Dynamics RMS users start to think about plans for beyond July of 2021, more and more options are becoming available. While Retail Management Hero is the least expensive and least stressful migration option for most RMS users (pending the release of the RMS HQ replacement for Retail Management Hero come the end of 2017 which should scale up nicely for RMS users with multiple locations and will not be cloud based as previously reported), Microsoft Dynamics 365 has some retail/point of sale functionality that might appeal to retail chains who want a cloud based solution to save on hardware expenses.

Dynamics 365 allows for the modular based approach like Dynamics AX does and features a very robust enterprise level solution that would appeal to retailers with multiple locations and/or complex operations.

A single user license cost for Dynamics 365 - including the retail module - is $12,600 over the course of 5 years so retailers really need to balance costs/needs against other solutions. It basically boils down to factoring all costs associated with a POS system over the course of 5 to 7 years (hardware, software, network, deployment, support, updates, network, etc) against what your organization needs in a POS system.

More information on Microsoft Dynamics 365 for Retail can be found at https://explore.dynamics.com/operations-retail or please contact me at kevinantosh@gmail.com or 208-340-5632.

Launch Webinar for the Retail Management Hero Point of Sale Software

Registration link for the official launch webinar for the new Retail Management Hero point of sale software: https://attendee.gotowebinar.com/register/3810771337066541314

Retail Management Hero Point of Sale Revenue Opportunity

I've been doing my best to provide some revenue forecasts to point of sale dealers/partners thinking of taking on the new Retail Management Hero (RMH) point of sale program. Based on a mix of RMS to RMH upgrades and new installs of RMH, a dealer/partner selling and supporting RMH should easily see $794,347 in gross sales.

That even assumes that your salesperson can only maintain a 10% close rate!

Contact me if you want a more detailed breakdown - obviously this information in only for businesses in the US that are interested in becoming certified to sell and support RMH.

Vertically Tailored Android POS Software by UP Solution

I have not had the opportunity to review this POS system be here is some information to pass along:

	Vertically Tailored Android™ POS Software by UP Solution® UP Solution's vertically tailored POS solutions for Android provide out-of-the-box functionality that addresses specific business needs and industry characteristics that enhance a business' connection with its target market - no compromises. UP TAB Restaurant Features Customizable menu and item modifiers Online ordering through epipay™ Supports multiple locations Easily join, move, or split tables and checks Send e-mail receipts Supports FlexGift® loyalty/gift program UP TAB Retail Features Inventory and vendor management Track sales, discounts, and transaction history Employee sales and commission tracking Multi-store management Customer management and tracking Supports FlexGift® loyalty/gift card program UP TAB Salon Features Convenient appointment and employee management tools Send out appointment confirmation e-mails Booth rental to support multiple MIDs Supports multiple locations Customer management and tracking Supports FlexGift® loyalty/gift program Compatible withUP TAB™ AiO Android based 10.1 inch tablet UP TAB POS software installed (Retail, Restaurant, or Salon) Docking station Built-in magnetic stripe reader Built-in printer Tilt feature for customer viewing Wi-Fi and Bluetooth enabled !/O ports for cash drawer, barcode scanner, and other peripherals Android is a trademark of Google Inc.

Used Product Add-On for NCR CounterPoint SQL

So this is pretty cool - a NCR CounterPoint Partner has created an add-on module for NCR CounterPoint  specifically for stores that buy and sell used products. Regardless of the economy, the buying and selling of used products like clothing, video games, and sporting goods can make for a very successful retail store.

While the standard version of NCR CounterPoint can work in nearly any retail business,  this add-on makes things a bit easier when it comes to stores that buy and sell used products.

Please visit my contact page for information on how to reach me for more information and to be connected to the right NCR CounterPoint Partner.

Annual Retail Realm Conference Information

You're invited to attend the year's most retail technology focused event... Why it matters. As the only event in the world exclusively focused on the Microsoft suite of products for the Retail Industry, the 6th annual "Retail Realm Partner & User Conference" in 2016 will be our biggest event yet! This event's content is designed to speak directly to companies and customers in the retail space about available solutions and integrations, emerging industry innovations and trends, and also Microsoft's involvement in and commitment towards providing retail-centric technological solutions. This year's conference line-up will also provide attendees with an up-close-and-personal look at Retail Realm's new point-of-sale solution, Retail Management Hero (RMH), that will give retailers a seamless transition from Microsoft RMS. All about retail Ready, set, global: As an international conference hosted in Las Vegas, partners and customers worldwide will come together to be educated, equipped and encouraged regarding the future of retail. A key focus this year will be on attracting partners AND retailers/customers to provide them with educational and training content. The conference agenda will include two Microsoft keynotes, enabling attendees to hear directly from Microsoft regarding planned innovations, strategies and opportunities... and demonstrating that Microsoft supports the retail products and roadmap. Make connections In addition to activities sponsored by high profile companies, there will also be an Exhibit Hall packed with product showcases, enabling attendees to have one-on-one conversations with solution providers. Welcome Cocktail Reception  Sponsored by August 21, 2016 | Foundation Room in Mandalay Bay Every year our conference attendees tell us that the Welcome Reception is one of their most favorite parts of the event. It's a great way to connect with partners and customers before the next day's sessions begin. The setting is casual, intimate and fun -- providing you a simple way to introduce yourself to attendees and start conversations. And because Vantiv will be sponsoring this year's reception, you will be able to relax and enjoy complimentary drinks and appetizers. Thank you, Vantiv! Want to be an Exhibitor or Sponsor? Opportunities available! Get involved. Exhibiting at this conference is an excellent direct way to gain in-person access to current and prospective partners and customers worldwide. You will be able to demonstrate your solution, engage conversations and answer questions regarding your product/service to key industry decision-makers and providers. And, we will promote your company and solutions in our marketing and promotional materials. We offer Gold Level and Silver Level exhibitor packages. For specific questions, contactconference@rrdisti.com.    Early bird pricing ends April 1 View exhibitor packages About Retail Realm: Retail Realm is a multinational company specializing in creating and managing a portfolio of vertical business software solutions that are marketed worldwide through a community of resellers. Retail Realm is a leading distributor of Microsoft Dynamics Retail Management System (RMS), Microsoft Dynamics AX for Retail and "Retail Realm Essentials™ powered by Microsoft Dynamics".  For additional information, contact sales@rrdisti.com or visit www.rrdisti.com  STAY CONNECTED

Unofficial CounterPoint Users Group Newsletter

POSTINGS FROM OUR FREE  

'NCR COUNTERPOINT® SQL' FORUM 

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.

1.)  Can't E-mail or Export Reports!

 

This NCR Counterpoint® SQL User suddenly started getting an Error Message when trying to send a Report out of CPSQL.

 

Ideas have been given, but no solution yet. 

See it all at the Posting, "Failed to export the report."

 

2.)  NCR Counterpoint® SQL Users asking for help:

"Streamline POS Eq for 'Traveling Store' "

"Programming a trigger"

"Point of sale rounding up receipts and reports." 

3.)  EMV Chip - What Are CP-Users Saying?

"Ingencio iSC250"  (1,095 Views since 04/27/2015)

"EMV chip card compliance"  (1,017 Views since 07/23/2015)

"Ingenico ISC250" (1,985 Views since 05/01/2013)

Services for Counterpoint® Users:
*  Merchant Services:  Lower Your Rates & Fees!  

*  CP-Cloud:  Counterpoint® Hosting & Backup Services!   

*  POS Supplies:  Receipt Paper, Labels, Tags, Ribbons, Gift Cards! 

*  POS Equipment:  Label Printers, Receipt Printers, Scanners, etc.!  *  Free Counterpoint® Support Forums!     

Consume Counterpoint® Consumables For Less:   

*  Receipt Paper Rolls 

*  Labels and Tags  

*  Custom Labels

*  Ribbons 

*  Gift Cards 

*  FREE SHIPPING  

*  SAVE 10% ON FIRST ORDER! 

For Pricing, please Contact Us Today: 

 

Toll-Free:  (888) 434-0844

E-mail:  Gordon@cpuser.org

Website:  www.cpuser.org 

* LEGAL DISCLAIMER

 

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.