Tuesday, January 8, 2013

Expanded Tuesday Tip from DirectPOS

Users of Microsoft RMS Store Operations and NCR/Radiant Counterpoint point of sale programs can take advantage of a substitute item feature in both software programs.  This is especially helpful when you are out of stock on a particular item but have a very similar item in stock. For example, you may not have 24" Forest Green "widget" in stock but you may have a 24" Fern Green "widget" in stock.  Or maybe you are out of stock on an item from one supplier/vendor but have a very similar product in stock from a different supplier/vendor.

Idea is that you can quickly recommend a substitute item to a customer so they don't leave without making a purchase (you spent the marketing dollars to get them in to your business so we want to make sure that the customer doesn't leave empty handed).

Microsoft RMS Store Operation user can go to the Manager part of the software and then go to “Database”, then “Items”, then select an item, and then you can add substitute item(s) under the (surprise) “Substitute” tab. Here is what the Substitute tab looks like when a substitute item is added:





NCR/Radiant CounterPoint users can go to “Inventory” then ”Items”, then select an item, and then you can add substitute item(s) can be added under the (surprise again) ”Substitute Item” tab which looks like this:





If needed, you can have multiple substitute items listed as needed.  A great way to use your point of sale system to help prevent lost revenue.

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.

Monday, January 7, 2013

Point of Sale Solution Comparison Website

This link leads to a website that has some comparison information on different point of sale solutions for retail stores and restaurants. I'm a little confused as the site appears to be ad-driven and doesn't include some of the more popular point of sale solutions like Micro's, Retail Pro, and Microsoft RMS Store Operations.  Here is the link: http://pos-systems-review.toptenreviews.com/

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.

Feedback on Radiant/NCR CounterPoint POS Software

NCR/Radiant has indicated a focus on providing point of sale solutions for multi-location specialty retail stores so I thought that it would be interesting to talk to one multi-location chain that purchased the NCR/CounterPoint solution as well as one chain that went with a different point of sale solution.

The feedback from the retail chain that purchased CounterPoint was neutral to positive with the main issue being that one location went through 3 Radiant/NCR terminals in just 45 days due to equipment failures.  This was very disappointing to the retailer since NCR/Radiant promotes their computer terminals as being very reliable and worth the extra expense over using a normal computer and monitor (1 terminal was even Dead On Arrival).

The retailer was pleased with the flexibility of the system and the built-in loyalty and gift card functions within NCR/Radiant CounterPoint.

I also met in person with a specialty retail chain that decided not to purchase CounterPoint.  Their IT director had mostly negative things to say about NCR/Radiant CounterPoint when compared to other point of sale solutions. He said that the system was "very cumbersome and slow when it comes to processing transactions".

As an IT director, he also noted that the structure and design of the software database is typical SQL. He did note that the user interface is very friendly and appeared to be easy to learn and use at a cashier level.

I think that the main issue is that this was a liquor and tobacco chain and whoever showed them NCR CounterPoint tried to show how CounterPoint has special features like customer tracking. In a fast paced business, it makes much more sense to put CounterPoint in a "quick Scan" mode so all the cashier needs to do is scan the items and tender the sale - you can even make reciept printing optional to help speed up transaction times.

While I can't mention the names of these businesses or individuals, I do appreciate their honest feedback.  In another 60-90 days, I will plan on contacting some additional multi-location specialty retails chains to get their feedback on NCR/Radiant CounterPoint.

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.