Paper, Ribbon and Label Supplies for Former DirectPOS Customers

Many businesses across Idaho as well as Montana, Eastern Oregon, and Eastern Washington relied on DirectPOS to provide receipt paper, printer ribbons, and barcode label supplies. Just a reminder that Ada Cash Register has taken over supplying these items as well as handling cash register sales, programing, and repairs.

Here is the contact information for Ada Cash Register:

Ada Cash Register
600 N. Maple Grove Road
Ste. P5
Boise, ID 83704
208-407-2202

Ada Cash Register also offers discounts for volume supply purchases. 

Micros E7 and 3700 Review

Over the last 14+ years I have mainly focused on Retail and Museum point of sale solutions but I have also had some experience with a couple of the solutions from Micros. Here are my thoughts specific to working with the e7 and 3700 solutions from Micros:

The Good:

• Solid solutions designed for any food or liquor service business
• Well designed hardware
• Flexible when it comes to programming
• Extensive reporting
• Large customer base

 The OK:

• Have to use their hardware and peripherals
• Not a "do it yourself" solution - lots of initial training and on-going support
• Somewhat traditional - not a forward thinking company (eg. last on the market with tablet solutions)
• Lots of add-ons allow the system to work in hospitals, hotels, and venues like event centers

The Needs to be Improved:

• Expensive!
• If you have issues with your Micros dealer/partner it is very difficult to switch to a new dealer/partner as Micros assigns protected territories
• Expensive to make changes (eg. changing who handles your credit and debit card processing)

Summary and Note for folks in Idaho and Oregon:

Micros has been like a 3M in the point of sale world. Solid and reliable but expensive and not the "latest and greatest".  Of note, the 2 Micro's technicians servicing Micros customers in eastern Oregon and all of southern and eastern Idaho have quit so I'm not sure what level of service Micros customers in these areas are receiving currently.

If you are one of those customers, please do contact me and let me know. If you are searching for a point of sale solution for your restaurant or bar from a local company with local service (and multiple customers throughout Idaho) please let me know and I can put in touch with them.

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.

PCI Compliance Survey Results

I've been harping a lot over the last year about planning for the upcoming EMV requirement which will affect everyone who takes credit and debit cards.  Based on a recent survey of retailers by ControlScan, it appears that many folks are still ignoring PCI compliance.  The survey results are surprising to me as PCI has been around for several years now and who wants to risk fines and fees that could put you out of business overnight.

I'm going to focus on some of the result specific to retailers with 1-50 employees and processing under $500,000 annually (which would approximate to annual gross sales of less than $800,000 annually).  Of the survey respondents...

• 71% feel that they are not at risk for a data breach
• 64% have no action plan should a breach occur
• 45% have no employee designated to check network and related security
• 36% don't feel that PCI compliance is a priority

Obviously, point of sale and merchant services companies have not done a good job of stressing the need to maintain on-going PCI compliance. One data breach (which can also come internally from a dishonest employee) can result in fines exceeding $20,000 as well as the loss of revenue and the ability to accept credit and debit cards.

If you are not sure about your PCI Compliance status, please contact the company that provides your merchant services (credit and debit card processing) to ensure that your hardware, software, and network equipment are PCI complaint.

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.