Saturday, January 30, 2016

Retail Point of Sale System True 7 Year TCO

Whether you are searching for a computer, tablet, or cloud based retail point of sale system, a summary of the true cost of ownership over 7 years for NCR CounterPoint SQL, Microsoft Dynamics RMS, Retail Management Hero, Bindo Point of Sale, and NCR Silver.

All based on real world numbers as I have worked with all four of these systems.



Remember that cost is only one aspect of your purchasing decision as you may find that you have the need and sales volume to justify purchasing the most expensive or the least expensive system. The goal in the video is not to pit one solution against the other but to show that mobile and cloud based POS systems have similar long term costs as traditional point of sale systems that you purchase outright.

Visit my contact page for information on how to reach me for questions, input or paid on-site unbiased point of sale consulting services.

Thursday, January 28, 2016

Unofficial CounterPoint Users Group Newsletter

POSTINGS FROM OUR FREE  

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.


 
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:
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!     


*  Receipt Paper Rolls 
*  Labels and Tags  
*  Custom Labels
*  Ribbons 
*  Gift Cards 
 FREE SHIPPING  
*  SAVE 10% ON FIRST ORDER! 

Toll-Free:  (888) 434-0844
E-mail:  Gordon@cpuser.org
Website:  www.cpuser.org 

 
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.

Friday, January 22, 2016

For Microsoft Dynamics RMS POS Users: Upgrade Costs & Options

Update July 2016, Retail Management Hero demo and overview: http://retailpospondering.blogspot.com/2016/07/new-version-of-rmsretail-management.html

As I have been contacted by 1102 stores using the Microsoft Dynamics RMS point of sale software over the last couple of years, an unbiased overview of the costs, pro's and con's related to switching from the Microsoft Dynamics RMS point of sale software to either the new Retail Management Hero (RMH) point of sale software or the NCR CounterPoint SQL point of sale software.


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 (I am on Mountain Time) or via email at kevinantosh@gmail.com. There is also a contact form to the right that can be used to reach me.

Tuesday, January 19, 2016

2016 Goals, News, Reviews, Etc

I've been made aware of the fact that I am one of very few professionals in the United States who can offer unbiased point of sale advice who has real world retail and restaurant management experience plus 15 years of experience selling and supporting over 20 different point of sale systems for retail stores, restaurants and museums.

While the paid onsite consulting and speaking engagements do keep me busy, I still want this blog site and my YouTube Channel to offer free point of sale advice, news and reviews for those of you who just need some basic advice.  As such, I still plan on providing the following as the Lord allows:
  • Point of sale system news for businesses and organizations of all sizes
  • Special focus on retailers using the Microsoft Dynamics RMS Point of Sale software
  • General advice for choosing and selecting a point of sale system
  • Tips and Tricks or How To videos specific to the following point of sale systems:
    • NCR CounterPoint SQL
    • NCR Silver
    • Microsoft Dynamics RMS
    • QuickBooks Point of Sale
    • Bindo Point of Sale
    • Aldelo Point of Sale
  • Any promotions, specials, or discounts that might be beneficial to you and your organization
  • Updates on EMV and EMV 2.0
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 (I am on Mountain Time) or via email at kevinantosh@gmail.com. There is also a contact form to the right that can be used to reach me.

Friday, January 15, 2016

Cash Drawer Best Practices - Theft Prevention Quick Tip

Due to a slew of recent burglaries, a quick reminder that your closing procedures should include leaving all your cash drawers partially open and empty.  The tills/trays with money should be secured in your safe.

Leaving the empty cash drawers partially open lets potential thieves see that there is no money in the cash drawer helping prevent smash and grabs as well as potential damage to your cash drawers.

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 (I am on Mountain Time) or via email at kevinantosh@gmail.com. There is also a contact form to the right that can be used to reach me.

Wednesday, January 13, 2016

Travel Schedule 2016

My schedule for the first 8 months of 2016 is pretty booked at this point with paid consulting commitments, speaking engagements,  or other point of sale related commitments (keep in mind that I have to schedule all of this around my "day job").

However, I do have some gaps where I could squeeze in a 2-3 day trip.

As such, here are the places that I am headed to so for in 2016 (in 2015 I ended up traveling to 8 different states visiting 18 different cities and major metropolitan areas):
  • Idaho: Boise, Twin Falls, Potatello, and Idaho Falls
  • Utah: Salt Lake City, Park City, and areas within 100 miles of Salt Lake City
  • Wisconsin: TBD
  • Minnesota: Greater Minneapolis-St Paul (Twin Cities) area, Eagan
  • Indiana: Indianapolis (tentative)
There are other possibilities as well - just don't have anything confirmed at this point. If you need a speaker for an event or if your organization/business is in need of paid unbiased point of sale consulting and you are located in one of the above areas, be sure to visit my contact page for information on how to reach me.

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 (I am on Mountain Time) or via email at kevinantosh@gmail.com. There is also a contact form to the right that can be used to reach me.

Saturday, January 9, 2016

Barcode Scanner Issues on the Shopper's World Undercover Boss Episode

I think this is the 3rd or 4th time that the TV Show Undercover Boss on CBS has shown an episode that included some sort of issue with a point of sale system.

In the Shoppers World episode, one of the segments included problems with a barcode scanner not being able to scan the barcode tags and labels used in the store as well as problems with a handheld device used to check for markdowns.

The handheld device problems was attributed to WiFi issues which does point out that having business class routers and other business class IT equipment in your store is essential in order for the devices to work correctly. Given the size of the Shoppers World stores, they would likely benefit from having 2-3 hand held devices per store as well as having hot swap equipment in case a device needs repairs. In most cases, these types of devices can be moved from store to store with minimal programming.

The barcode scanning issue at the check out lane was a bit tougher to figure out as there are a lot of of variables related to barcode label/tag size and how the barcode scanners are programmed. I'm sure the issue has already been resolved at Shoppers World (or was just a made for reality TV moment) but the take away is to always work with your point of sale partner/vendor to make sure that the barcode scanners can be programmed to handle the sizes and types of labels and tags used in your business as well as the volume of transactions.

Some things to check on specific to labels, tags, barcode scanners, and the label/tag printers:
  • Sizes of media being used
  • Format being used
  • Label/Tag printing being used (DPI, Thermal Transfer, Direct Thermal, etc)
  • Size in mils of the barcode itself
  • Type of barcode scanner: Laser, CCD, Single Line, Omni-Directional, Auto-sense, Trigger, near/far scanning, etc
Point being, make sure that you are getting them correct equipment for your business - while you may save $300 by going with a low cost barcode scanner, how much will you end up losing in employee errors and longer transaction times (and fewer repeat customers) by requiring manual entry of the product code if the barcode scanner can't scan the barcode?

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 (I am on Mountain Time) or via email at kevinantosh@gmail.com. There is also a contact form to the right that can be used to reach me.

Tuesday, January 5, 2016

CounterPoint Point of Sale Users Group Newsletter

As I have worked extensively with the NCR CounterPoint point of sale software and know a lot of business and organizations using the NCR CounterPoint point of sale software, here is a newsletter related to an "un-official" forum specific to NCR CounterPoint:

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 newletter.

 
Here's a Counterpoint® V7 user about to make the switch to NCR Counterpoint® SQL.
 
She has been offered to attend NCR's Course #305U, 'Counterpoint Fundamentals' free of charge.  She asks if she should attend.
She gets some great advice.  See it at the Posting, "Training for SQL."
 
2.)  NCR Counterpoint® SQL Users asking for help:
3.)  EMV Chip - What Are CP-Users Saying?
"Ingencio iSC250"  (1,057 Views since 04/27/2015)
"EMV chip card compliance"  (980 Views since 07/23/2015)
"Ingenico ISC250" (1,965 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!     


*  Receipt Paper Rolls 
*  Labels and Tags  
*  Custom Labels
*  Ribbons 
*  Gift Cards 
 FREE SHIPPING  
*  SAVE 10% ON FIRST ORDER! 

Toll-Free:  (888) 434-0844
E-mail:  Gordon@cpuser.org
Website:  www.cpuser.org
        
 
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.