Microsoft RMS Support

 A quick note that I am still getting calls and emails regarding support for the Microsoft RMS point of sale software. I do have equipment running Microsoft RMS but that equipment is quite old.

 As long as the equipment keeps running, I will do my best to offer limited support for RMS. If it only takes 15 minutes to answer your support question, then the support is free.

 More in depth RMS support will be billed at an hourly rate of $79/hour.

 

 

Stiil using the Microsoft Dynamics RMS Point of Sale Software in 2022?

 

If you don't want to listen to me ramble for 3 minutes, here are the key messages in the video: 

1) Yes, Microsoft RMS still works even though the July 2021 End Of Life date has passed 

2) Support for RMS will continue to wane over the next couple of years 

3) Something will happen that will require you to replace Microsoft RMS with a different point of sale software program 

4) If you are hanging on to Microsoft RMS, have a plan ready for when #2 or #3 happens. 

If you are a retailer in the United States who is still using the Microsoft RMS point of sale software and need some advice on replacement options for RMS, please contact me at 208-340-5632 or kevinantosh@gmail.com

Are you still using the Microsoft RMS point of sale software?

 Howdy! I have had quite a few retailers using the Microsoft RMS point of sale software contact me for support or advice on replacing RMS. Some highlights and notes to pass along:

• I am not able to provide in depth technical support for RMS 
• I realize that many of you want to keep using Microsoft RMS even though Microsoft ended all sales and support of RMS back on July 13th, 2021. However, you WILL need to replace RMS at some point so please have a plan in place should you need to quickly replace RMS.
• Please note that RITE has ended all sales of their various Plug Ins and Add Ons for RMS.

Have questions? Retailers in the United States are welcomed to contact me at 208-340-5632 or kevinantosh@gmail.com

Thanks!

 

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.

New Issues for Microsoft Dynamics RMS Users

 We are just a few weeks away from the July 13th, 2021 official end of life date for the very popular Microsoft Dynamics RMS point of sale software. Based on some recent phone calls and emails that I have had with companies in the US that still plan on supporting RMS, there are a few things that retailers need to be aware of:

1. Plan on support ending for the various plug ins and add-ons for RMS or plan on there being no enhancements to these plug ins and add ons (new versions, bug fixes, etc)
2. Plan on paying double for RMS support - of the few companies that I spoke with, most mentioned charging a premium service rate (eg $135 to $175/hour plus an annual support contract that costs $400 to $1500 for a typical retail store)
3. Plan on longer support response times. With Microsoft no longer offering any resources, each individual company will need to figure out support requests on their own. This could easily take longer for a tech to work through an unusual or unfamiliar support issue/request
4. Any plug ins and add ons for RMS that will not be phased out for another 1-3 years may see a price increase if there is a monthly fee involved. It is just going to cost more to maintain and support anything related to RMS.

Soooo - the idea of using RMS past July 2021 may be less appealing you if support alone costs $1500 a year plus finding someone to support RMS will become more and more challenging over the coming years.

If this is enough to prompt you to take a serious look at replacing RMS, here is a video that might help guide you to which POS system would make a good replacement:  https://youtu.be/fzqc7gmrJ58

Questions, comments, anything that you would want me to share with RMS users in the US? You can reach me at 208-340-5632 or kevinantosh@gmail.com

 

What is Floor Pricing? How to setup Microsoft RMS for Floor Pricing

 The Oregon Liquor Control Commission recently passed a motion that all liquor stores in Oregon adhere to what is called "Floor Pricing". This got me thinking that not everyone knows what floor pricing is.

Basically, floor pricing is the minimum price that you can sell a product at to a customer. This is useful for not selling products below cost or below a minimum sell price set by a supplier, vendor, or manufacture.

As a retailer, you may also want to set floor or minimum sell prices to ensure that your staff does not sell a product for too low of a price (eg: minimum margin that you want to make or a popular product that should not be discounted).

Each point of sale software program is different, but here is a video showing how you set floor pricing in the Microsoft Dynamics RMS point of sale software

 

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

Online Resources for Retailers Using the Micrisoft Dynamics RMS Point of Sale Software

So, with only few a few months left before RMS goes end of life in July 2021, I'm still fielding calls and emails from retailers still using RMS as their point of sale software.  Since support will be very limited after July 2021 (unless you have a support contact through me/RITE), here are some general resources for "self help":

Official RMS Forum: https://community.dynamics.com/rms

RMS Database Schema: https://static.austinhartzheim.me/files/docs/microsoft-rms/microsoft-rms-database-structure.pdf

Windows 10 and RMS: http://legacy.rite.us/Support/UpgradingtoWindows10.aspx 

RMS Tutorials: http://legacy.rite.us/Support/MicrosoftRMSSupport/RMSTutorials.aspx 

My YouTube Channel: https://www.youtube.com/kevinantosh 

Card Defender for Microsoft RMS: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PsjOU6jhFZM

RMS HQ User Guide: https://www.geminicomputer.com/rms/hq/RMS_HQ_Users_Guide_V2.pdf

RMS HQ Getting Started Guide: https://www.geminicomputer.com/rms/hq/RMS_HQ_GS_Guide_V2.pdf

Don't forget about the "help" option in RMS Manager as well as the user guides that came with the software. These are fairly in depth and very helpful for the average user.

RMS Replacement Options: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mmvYwfJ-MeE and https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fzqc7gmrJ58&t=1s

 

If you have any additional resources that I should list above, please contact me at kevinantosh@gmail.com or 208-340-5632.

 

Welcome to the First new Customers of 2021!

A quick shout out to retailers that have signed on recently for point of sale hardware, software and services. I am so grateful for all of you putting your trust in me!

• CJ Eateries - 22 location chain in Oregon - moving from Microsoft RMS/HQ to Cloud Retailer
• Owasso Liquor - Oklahoma - moving from Microsoft RMS to Cloud Retailer
• Total Health - Idaho -support and services to upgrade their Microsoft RMS point of sale system
  

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.

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

What Liquor Stores are Replacing Micrisoft RMS With

WOW - thanks to all the liquor stores in Montana and Washington State who updated me on what they used to replace the aging Microsoft Dynamics RMS point of sale software. In no particular order, here are the top 4:

• NCR CounterPoint (liquor store specific version)
• Retail Management Here (which now has a liquor store specific version of the software)
• LiquorPOS (no longer requires the use of Heartland for merchant services)
• Vend (this surprised me - I didn't know that Vend was popular in the liquor store retail vertical)

No one had any complaints about their decision so I felt that it was good information to pass along to any liquor stores wondering what to do about the upcoming July 2021 end of life date for the Microsoft Dynamics RMS point of sale software.

As always, please do call or email me with any questions.

 

RITE Expands Uncorked Commerce e-comm solution to RMS Users

A quick note that the popular Uncorked Commerce ecommerce solution for liquor stores using the Cloud Retailer point of sale software from RITE is now available to liquor stores in the US using the Microsoft Dynamics RMS point of sale software. Here are the highlights:

• Must being located in the US
• Product catalog for the online store is free but only designed for liquor stores
• Must use NAB for online merchant services (does not apply to in store purchases)
• Initial setup and training cost is $850
• Ongoing monthly is $180/month for one store
• Processing rates are 2.69% plus $.25 per transaction
• Video overview: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ioeUtAhw8gI&feature=youtu.be

You can contact RITE at 888-267-7483 or sales@rite.us for more information.

Limited Extended Support Offered for Microsoft Dynamics RMS and HQ Version 2.x

While July 2021 marks the end of all support from Microsoft for the Dynamics RMS and RMS HQ products, support will still be available for a few more years from RITE. RITE has 14 support techs and offers 24/7 support to retailers using the Microsoft RMS and RMS HQ point of sale software programs.

Of course, there are a few restrictions:

• You must be located in the US or Canada
• You must stay current on a maintenance agreement (prices start at only $214 a year)
• You must be on version 2.0 or higher of RMS
• New or replacement lane license keys are NOT available 
• EDC is NOT supported - you must be using Card Defender, a supported RMS payment processing plug in, or stand alone payment terminals

Since each retailers situation is unique, please contact RITE at 888-267-7483 for more information.

Upcoming 2020 Changes to the Retail Management Hero Point of Sale Software

Wanted to pass along some important upcoming changes the the Retail Management Hero (RMH) point of sale software. Most of this will take effect in September 2020 unless otherwise noted.

1. Retailers using the Microsoft Dynamics RMS point of sale software can take advantage of a 10% discount on RMH licenses through June 30th, 2021. You do not have to be current on an RMS maintenance agreement to take advantage of this discount.
2. RMH Central is officially in general release now. Cost is $8/month per user plus $30/month per store.
3. Perpetual pricing for RMH will be made available in September 2020. Plan on a lane license to cost around $65/lane per month ($3900 over the course of 5 years).
4. How payment processing is handled in RMH will change. Newer versions of RMH will require a MAX Pay license and staying current on an RMH Enhancement Plan. Sounds like the cost for MAX Pay will be $8/lane ($480 over the course of 5 years) with the first year being free for RMH users on an Enhancement Plan.

The perceptual pricing will help retailers who are looking to put in a POS system (or replace RMS) at a low up front cost. However, the up front cost works out to be a better value over time - even with the annual cost for the RMH Enhancement Plan.

As always, the above information is subject to change - be sure to contact an RMH Reseller for more information.

 PS - I'm feeling much better about RMH and the future of RMH thanks to some positive feedback from retailers who put in RMH over the last month or two. Hopefully the new update in September 2020 will solidify RMH as a solid POS solution for RMS and Non-RMS users.

Latest Liquor Store Newsletter From RITE

RITE "Bottoms Up" industry news Keeping you up to date on everything BWL Dear Kevin, For over 15 years we have been on the edge of relevant information and offerings within the Retail Alcohol Industry to help guide your interests and decisions. In testament to this, we received the 2019 "Friend of the Retailer" award from MN's Licensed Beverage Association (1st POS company to win the award). The Industry is changing and we are changing right along side it to better suit your needs (scroll down to announcement about our new Curbside Pickup offering). *If you think a friend may benefit from this content, feel free to forward it to them. Mass Cumberland Farms drops beer and wine ballot question Read More Here (estimated read time 2-3 minutes) The proposed ballot question to allow more stores to sell beer and wine will not appear on the ballot this fall and its backers will instead work to put the question before voters in 2022.Cumberland Farms, the convenience store giant that was leading the ballot initiative campaign, said Friday evening that it is dropping its effort due to the COVID-19 pandemic’s impacts on the retail sector and the company’s corresponding need to focus more on the health and safety of its workers and customers. “They deserve our undivided attention as we fulfill our ongoing commitment to safely providing essential services in cities and towns across Massachusetts." A cold beer or bottle of wine could soon be just a click away in Georgia Read More Here (estimated read time 2 minutes) "The Georgia Senate overwhelmingly approved legislation Tuesday to allow businesses licensed to sell alcohol to deliver beer, wine and spirits to customers’ doorsteps. The current pandemic has left many Georgians wondering why they can get their bread and eggs delivered, but not their beer and wine, said Sen. Bill Cowsert, an Athens Republican who pushed for Snellville Republican Rep. Brett Harrell’s House Bill 879 in the Senate." Oregon Liquor Control wants temporary alcohol rules to be permanent Read More Here estimated read time 4 minutes "The Oregon Liquor Control Commission (OLCC) is set to put in motion plans to turn temporary alcohol guidelines, amended at the start of the coronavirus shutdown, into permanent rules, despite opposition from addiction recovery advocates.On Thursday, June 18, the OLCC will hear recommendations from its staff on amending guidelines and approving delivery of beer, wine, cider, and spirits, directly to Oregon consumers and their homes and allow for curbside pickup as a permanent option for its licensees or Oregon businesses with an approved alcohol license." Best of the Rest Total opens in Metairie with 70 jobs, plans stores in Lafayette and Mandeville Upscale booze profits dry up as cheaper brands boom during lockdown Your neighborhood restaurant is now your local wine seller Colorado legislature passes extension of to-go alcohol sales through July 2021 Non-Alcoholic Beer Regulation 101 Utah liquor stores have an 86% turnover rate, and low pay is hurting business Need liquor to fly? Some US airlines stop serving alcohol on flights due to COVID-19 TX Restaurants Might Be Able to Sell To-Go Drinks Beyond the Pandemic The surprising state that drinks the most wine in the U.S. RITE Releases 'UnCorked Commerce' Curbside offering RITE is committed to supporting retailers in any business environment. We acknowledge that a lot of you have had to shoot from the hip and make it up on the fly to serve customers via phone orders, email orders, product catalogs loaded onto Facebook etc... We applaud your efforts and creativity during these wild times. As you are ready, we want to build off what you're doing and streamline sales methods that will continue to be requested, and to some extent required. Give us a call, and we'll take you "From the Hip" to Fully Hip. Do you have comments, suggestions, or feedback about this newsletter? Questions about liquor store point of sale systems - including the low cost replacement program for Microsoft Dynamics RMS, or other legacy POS systems? Then please contact RITE's sales and marketing team at 888-267-7483 or sales@rite.us Retail Information Technology Enterprises (888) 267-RITE (7483) Fax: (320) 230-1795 Email Us Visit Our Website  ‌  ‌  ‌

Retail Information Technology Enterprises | 1001 2nd Street South, Suite 100, Sartell, MN 56377

RITE Waives Contactless Payment Change Fees for Cloud Retailer and Card Defender Customers.

July 7th, 2020: RITE (Retail Information Technology Enterprises) is now waiving change fee's for customers who want to adjust their Cloud Retailer POS software or their Card Defender for Microsoft RMS software to accept contactless payments. This is a great way for retailers to reduce a common touch point in their store to help mitigate the spread of COVID 19.

Retailers using Card Defender or Cloud Retailer can reach RITE tech support at support@rite.us or by calling 888-267-7483. Note that RITE is only able to assist retailers whose payment terminals are under RITE's control.

If you want to learn more about Card Defender for Microsoft RMS or the new Cloud Retailer point of sale software (including what contactless payments are accepted), please contact RITE at sales@rite.us or by calling 888-267-7483.

Letter from Retail Realm About RMS End of Life

I've had multiple calls and emails this week from retailers who received an email from Retail Realm about the July 2021 end of life date for the Microsoft RMS point of sale software.  

There are a few comments and clarifications that need to be shared about the email:

1. That was a great video - well done! I remember the days of QuickSell 2000 and QuickSell HQ very well!
2. Only Microsoft is ending support for RMS in July 2021. RMS will not cease to function come July 2021 and you will still have support via various RMS Partners across the US for several more years.
3. What will end is the ability to issue new or replacement license keys for RMS. If you lose your license key - you will likely not be able to obtain a new license key.
4. Using native EDC in RMS for payment processing is no longer supported. You need to be using stand alone payment terminals or a third party plug in like Card Defender.
5. Over the next 2-4 years, it will become more and more difficult to fully support RMS. As I have recommended multiple times, you should look at RMS replacement options even if you want to keep using RMS for a few more years.
6. The email mentions Dynamics 365 (D365) as a potential replacement for RMS. Keep in mind that D365 has a monthly software cost starting around $70/month per user (that adds up to $4200 for one user over the course of 5 years).
7. Another replacement program, Retail Management Hero (RMH), is potential RMS replacement and RMS to RMH discounts have been extended through June 2020. I've personally upgraded around 20 retailers from RMS to RMH and you are welcomed to contact me for personal experiences in working with RMH.
8. There is also the Cloud Retailer software that is designed as a direct replacement for RMS and carries a much lower cost than D365 or RMH since the licensing is lane based (not per user and no charge for manager licenses like D365 and RMH require).
9. Here is a video comparing RMS, RMH and Cloud Retailer:
   

That about covers the questions that retailers have been asking me about RMS end of life and the email from Retail Realm. If I can be of further assistance, please contact me at 208-340-5632 or kevinantosh@gmail.com

Yes Microsoft RMS Users - Card Defender is Still Available (and fully supported by RITE)!

 

Quick Update: Card Defender is no longer available for Microsoft RMS unless you are a beer, wine, or liquor store that will be moving to the Cloud Retailer point of sale software in the near future. 

With Microsoft RMS coming up on the end of extended support, I wanted to let retailers using the Microsoft RMS point of sale software know that the Card Defender plug in for RMS is still being actively sold and supported by RITE (approx 1700 installations as of 6/2020).

A general overview video can be viewed below:

If you would like more information about Card Defender for Microsoft RMS, please contact RITE at sales@rite.us or 888-267-7483.

If you would like a Card Defender quote/proposal, please complete this questionnaire.

Note that Card Defender is only available to RMS Users with stores in the United States.

RITE's "Bottoms Up" Newsletter for Liquor Stores 6/15/2020

RITE "Bottoms Up" industry news Keeping you up to date on everything BWL Dear Kevin, For over 15 years we have been on the edge of relevant information and offerings within the Retail Alcohol Industry to help guide your interests and decisions. In testament to this, we received the 2019 "Friend of the Retailer" award from MN's Licensed Beverage Association (1st POS company to win the award). The Industry is changing and we are changing right along side it to better suit your needs (scroll down to announcement about our new Curbside Pickup offering). *If you think a friend may benefit from this content, feel free to forward it to them. Mass Voters Will Decide If Retailers Can Carry Beer and Wine at More Locations...and Not Everyone Is Happy Read More Here (estimated read time 2-3 minutes) Cumberland Farms just inched one step closer to eviscerating current regulations that determine the number of retail alcohol licenses a single company can hold in Massachusetts. To the consternation of the Massachusetts Package Stores Association (MPSA), the Supreme Judicial Court for Suffolk County just ruled that voters will be able to vote on a ballot question in November that could grant Cumberland Farms, as well as countless other national and international retailers, access to unlimited retail beer and wine licenses in Massachusetts." Ohio Lawmakers want to make "to go" alcoholic drinks permanent now Read More Here (estimated read time 3 minutes) "Amid the novel coronavirus, Ohio broke the seal on allowing to-go alcoholic beverages from margaritas to adult Capri Suns. Now, some lawmakers want to make the change permanent. House Bill 669 would allow Ohioans to purchase delivery and carryout alcoholic beverages even after Ohio Gov. Mike DeWine lifts the emergency order on the novel coronavirus." Pre-Mixed Cocktail Pickup and Delivery Temporarily Allowed in Washington Read More Here estimated read time 4 minutes "In a major announcement on Wednesday, May 6, 2020, the Washington State Liquor and Cannabis Board (“WSLCB”) issued a policy to temporarily allow sales of pre-mixed cocktails by businesses holding a Spirits/Beer/Wine Restaurant License – the license type held by most full service restaurants – for curbside pickup and delivery. Until now, the WSLCB’s temporary measures only allowed Spirits/Beer/Wine Restaurant Licensees to offer delivery and curbside pickup of beer and wine in growlers, kegs or factory sealed containers and spirits in factory sealed containers only." Best of the Rest Beer Production Is Fizzing Out with a Changing Demographic Gomer's of Kansas City acquires sixth location, opens as remodeling continues Chattanoogans stock up on Tito's and tequila for coronavirus quarantine Albany Business Creates Liquor-Infused Ice Cream But Can It Be Sold? Target on Foster Ave Chicago to include Starbucks, CVS and possible liquor section. The American Wine Experience: The Best Wineries of the Pocono Mountain Region No wine or beer at Montgomery County’s Maryland's newest liquor store Hard Seltzer’s Surge Shows No Sign Of Slowing RITE Releases 'UnCorked Commerce' Curbside offering RITE is committed to supporting retailers in any business environment. We acknowledge that a lot of you have had to shoot from the hip and make it up on the fly to serve customers via phone orders, email orders, product catalogs loaded onto Facebook etc... We applaud your efforts and creativity during these wild times. As you are ready, we want to build off what you're doing and streamline sales methods that will continue to be requested, and to some extent required. Give us a call, and we'll take you "From the Hip" to Fully Hip. Do you have comments, suggestions, or feedback about this newsletter? Questions about liquor store point of sale systems - including the low cost replacement program for Microsoft Dynamics RMS, or other legacy POS systems? Then please contact RITE's sales and marketing team at 888-267-7483 or sales@rite.us Retail Information Technology Enterprises (888) 267-RITE (7483) Fax: (320) 230-1795 Email Us Visit Our Website  ‌  ‌  ‌

Retail Information Technology Enterprises | 1001 2nd Street South, Suite 100, Sartell, MN 56377