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

Comparison Video: Microsoft Dynamics RMS and Cloud Retailer

A 16 minute video showing some of the differences and similarities between the Microsoft Dynamics RMS point of sale software and the Cloud Retailer point of sale software. Designed as a replacement program for Microsoft RMS, Cloud Retailer allows RMS users to keep most of their existing data, transfer up to 2 years of customer purchase history, and take advantage of license cost discounts to help offset the up front costs from moving from RMS to Cloud Retailer.

For more information on POS options for your retail store (including Cloud Retailer), please contact me at 208-340-5632 or kevinantosh@gmail.com.

Updates on Retail Management Hero Central

Fresh off of a webinar regarding the status of the Retail Management Hero (RMH) Central software designed for retailers with more than one location, here are some updates to pass along:

• 50 partners have been trained world wide to sell and support RMH Central
• Uses background services to sync data between store and central HQ (no worksheet required, looks for changes and syncs automatically)
• Near real time data sync
• Can have store specific customers (customer record doesn't have be stored at all the stores)
• Can return products at a store that is not the same store as the original purchase
• Global customer loyalty program included
• Global voucher (gift card/gift certificate) included
• Very simple and straightforward inventory transfer abilities in near real time 
• Regional suppliers

At this time, no release date information on RMH Central was shared. My best guess is that we are looking at very late 2019 or early 2020 before RMH Central will be stable and deploy-able.

Please let me know if you have any questions on RMH Central by contacting me at kevinantosh@gmail.com or 208-340-5632.

Retail Management Hero Central Updates

Some much awaited updates on the Retail Management Hero (RMH) Central multi-location module which is designed to replace Microsoft Dynamics RMS HQ as well as being a solution for chain retailers looking for a new point of sale system.

Training has Started:

RMH Central Training

April 30 – 31

Location: Napa, CA

RMH Central Training

May 3 – 4

Location: Napa, CA

Beta sites are set for May - July.

General release is set for August 2018.  

Please keep in mind that this has changed in the past and will be subject to potential bugs, etc.

Contact me at 208-340-5632 or kevinantosh@gmail.com for more information - I already have a dozen or so RMS HQ users that I am meeting with over the coming months to out line migration plans to RMH Central.