National Retail Point of Sale Solution Provider Expanding to Utah, Idaho, and Surrounding Areas

Update April 10th, 2016: this is still a work in progress but I am doing some ground work for the rest of April to see if this can be finalized by the end of May, 2016.  I've tallied around 600 businesses in the areas mentioned below that would benefit from having a local company for point of sale software, hardware, installation, training, and on-going support.

While Idaho and many of states surrounding Idaho contain multiple local companies that specialize in Restaurant point of sale systems, no one has stepped up to replace the local sales and service void left by the closure of DirectPOS and RVP Businesses Systems when it comes to a local company providing point of sale systems for retail stores and museums.  There are a few local companies in these areas that offer some retail point of sale solutions but it is not a primary part of their business.

To early to say for sure but it appears that a well respected  national retail point of sale solution provider is considering some level of expansion to offer sales and support to retail stores and museums located in Idaho, Utah, Montana, Wyoming, Northern Nevada, Eastern Oregon, and Eastern Washington State.

I will pass along further details as they become available as this would be welcomed news to retail stores and museums located in these areas!

Please visit my contact page for information on how to reach me.

Want to Meet in Person?

While its awesome to speak with so many of you over the phone or chat via email, I really enjoy traveling as it gives us a chance to meet in person as well the opportunity for me to visit your business or organization in person. Here are some of the areas that I will likely be visiting for the rest of June and into July 2015:

• Utah - Salt Lake City and surrounding areas
• Washington State - Seattle and surrounding areas
• Colorado - Denver and surrounding areas 

Of course, I'm always available to meet in person for anyone in Idaho as well as Eastern Oregon. I can arrange other travel as time and budget allow or if you are able to reimburse my travel expenses.

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.

Point of Sale Roadshows - Portland, OR and Seattle, WA

An invite for those of you in the Portland, OR or Seattle, WA area from the folks at BHD Inc. Nice informal way to learn more about retail point of sale systems!

EMV Advice and Discount Options for Former DirectPOS/RVP Business Systems Customers

Update July 2016: Since many Microsoft RMS point of sale software would like to keep using RMS for another couple of years but still need to deal with the EMV Liability Shift Date, visit this post for more information on the Card Defender EMV add-on for Microsoft RMS versions 1.3 and higher (and HQ as well): http://retailpospondering.blogspot.com/2016/06/card-defender-emv-add-on-for-microsoft.html

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

With the EMV (chip based credit and debit cards) Liability Shift Date coming up quickly (October 1st, 2015 in the United States), I wanted to pass along some important information for former customers of DirectPOS (RVP Business Systems) who formally sold and serviced cash registers and point of sale systems out of offices in Boise, Idaho, Salt Lake City, Utah and Spokane, Washington.

If you happen to be a former customer of DirectPOS or RVP Business Systems, you likely have questions related to making sure that your cash register or point of sale hardware and software is ready for the EMV Liability Shift Date.  I have made arrangements with multiple trustworthy companies to help you determine what, if anything, you need to do related to your current equipment and EMV.

Even better, these companies will offer you a special discount related to any costs you may incur. Because this involves multiple different types of hardware and software, as well as over 3000 different businesses and organizations, you need to contact me for more information.

Here are the systems that qualify for the discounts:

• MICROS e7
• MICROS 3700
• Sam4S Cash Registers
• QuickBooks Point of Sale
• NCR Silver
• NCR CounterPoint SQL
• Microsoft RMS
• Microsoft HQ
• Microsoft POS 2007 or 2009

If your business is using one of the above systems, and resides in the states listed below, do contact me for free advice and direction on what to do.  I will also be reaching out to all of you as time permits.

• Idaho - ID
• Utah - UT
• Washington State - WA
• Oregon - OR
• Wyoming - WY
• Montana - MT
• Ohio - OH
• Minnesota - MN
• Iowa - IA
• Wisconsin - WI
• Louisiana - LA
• Texas - TX
• Florida - FL
• California - CA

The goal here is to make sure that the upcoming EMV Liability Shift Date catches no one by surprise.

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.

Some of you have been asking about my availability for in person visits or speaking at trade shows, conferences, expos, or small business development centers.   My schedule is flexible enough that I can travel almost anywhere with some advanced notice.

I do not charge anything for my workshops or consultations but if the location is more than 200 miles from Boise, ID then I do ask for enough to cover my travel related expenses.

There are also other options related to using online meeting tools as well to save time and money.

Best way to figure out our options is to contact me vie the contact form to the right, via email at kevinantosh@gmail.com or on my cell at 208.340.5632.

If it helps, the majority of the folks that I worked with or the locations I have spoken or conducted workshops at are:

• Boise, ID
• Twin Falls, ID
• Pocatello, ID
• Idaho Falls, ID
• Burley, ID
• Rigby, ID
• Rexburg, ID
• Jackson Hole, WY,
• Helena, MT
• Nampa, ID
• Caldwell, ID
• Atlanta, GA
• Ontario, OR
• Baker City, OR
• Portland, OR
• Seattle, WA
• Salt Lake City, UT
• Minneapolis, MN
• St Cloud, MN
• Reno, NV
• Shreveport, LA
• Spokane, WA
• Post Falls, ID

And obviously the areas around these cities.

Big News at Bindo

Some very cool news related to the Bindo Point of Sale (POS) solution.  As I have mentioned before, Bindo POS is a true "Mobile 2.0" point of sale solution with additional features and functions not found in Clover or Silver.  Bindo POS still retains the affordable monthly payment structure that today's retailers prefer over an upfront cost of $4000-$10000+ for a traditional point of sale system.

Based on phone calls and emails that I receive several times per week via this (rather basic) blog site, retailers of all sizes are choosing Bindo as their POS solution with a nearly 5 to 1 margin over other solutions like NCR Silver, Clover, QuickBooks POS, NCR CounterPoint, Retail Pro, and Microsoft Dynamics RMS.

I also want to let folks know that Bindo will be expanding to service the geographical areas formally served by DirectPOS who stopped selling and supporting POS systems in late summer 2013.  This is great news for retail stores and museums in the states of Idaho, Utah, Wyoming, Oregon, Washington and Montana!

Here is the official press release from Bindo:

FOR IMMEDIATE PRESS RELEASE 

PRESS CONTACT 

Benedict Wong 

VP Business Development at Bindo 

ben.wong@bindo.com 

+852 6202­5613 

+1 (212) 603­9715 

NYC RETAIL STARTUP BINDO RAISES USD1.8M SEED ROUND AND OPENS NEW 

OFFICE IN SINGAPORE 

Bindo Expands in Asia: An iPad POS That Helps Small Businesses Compete with Amazon 

MAY 29th, 2014 (New York, NY) ­ Bindo, a New York­based retail startup has just raised an 

oversubscribed $1.8mn seed round for international expansion. The round is co­led by Gary 

Vaynerchuk, a renowned social media and wine expert, and Singapore/Tokyo­based East 

Ventures. Other investors include NYC­based Metamorphic Ventures, and other private angels 

with decades of experience in brick and mortar retail, ecommerce and internet­related 

businesses. 

Bindo has developed a cloud­based iPad Point of Sale (POS) system that enables 24/7 online 

shopping for the end consumer. Not only does the POS offer a comprehensive array of features 

ranging from inventory management to customer relationship management (CRM), Bindo offers 

merchants the mobility to consult, sell, and close the deal simultaneously, providing a VIP 

experience to every customer. Its CRM creates customer profiles at the point of checkout 

enabling the merchant to later engage with the customer post­sale. 

More uniquely, merchants can launch their entire store online onto web and mobile with one click 

and efficiently operate omni­channel commerce with one unified inventory, saving hours of store 

management tasks each week. This turns the POS into a powerful retail platform capable of true 

online and offline commerce. Bindo Marketplace then aggregates all the stores on the Bindo 

network, onto one consumer platform, and allows consumers to shop from their favorite 

neighborhood store online, and have it delivered within hours 

 “Our mission at Bindo is really to strengthen local economies and support local businesses, 

whilst making shopping more convenient for consumers”, said Brad Lauster, cofounder of Bindo. 

“Having personally experienced the difficulties small business face selling online, we wanted to 

find a way to bring merchants online without diluting brand awareness. We are not interested in 

simply providing an online storefront for merchants to promote themselves; we are aggressively 

co­marketing our marketplace with our merchants so that together, we have the means to battle 

the Goliaths of e­commerce.” 

The Bindo Marketplace app also makes mobile commerce and e­commerce infinitely more 

convenient for the consumer, by bridging the gap between online and offline retail. In­store 

purchases are saved, viewable and reorderable on the mobile app, and loyalty points are tracked 

across multiple channels. It is a hyperlocal marketplace for consumers that want to find and 

purchase a particular product in their neighborhood stores online, which they can do so scanning 

the barcode with their app. 

Bindo will split the funding equally between development and sales. The development team will 

focus on delivering the Marketplace and providing a seamless experience for both merchant and 

consumer. Since Bindo’s private beta launch, inbound leads have been increasing exponentially 

each month; substantial resources will be allocated to scaling the sales team to support the 

rapidly growing number of merchant demo requests. 

ABOUT (BINDO) 

Bindo is a NYC startup with offices in Hong Kong. It was founded in 2011 by Jason Ngan and 

Brad Lauster. Bindo has developed a cloud­based iPad POS (Point­of­Sale) that enables online 

shopping for the end consumer. In a few months, it will be releasing Bindo Marketplace: a 

consumer app that aggregates all the stores using Bindo POS onto one platform, allowing 

consumers to purchase directly online from their favorite neighborhood store, and have it 

delivered. In doing so, Bindo aims to close the loop between the online and the offline. As the 

network grows, Bindo becomes a real­time product graph, connecting brands, consumers and 

merchants.  

Why This Blog Site Exists...

Many folks have asked me why this blog site even exists - especially since the site generates no ad revenue and as I am not currently employed full time within the point of sale industry.

When DirectPOS/RVP Business Systems closed back in September 2013, I initially intended to stop posting point of sale news and information on this site. However, with over 58K in views, a YouTube Channel and near daily calls or emails from folks having point of sale related questions, it became clear that this blog site still had a purpose.

That purpose is to provide free and unbiased point of sale advice, news and information. Please visit my contact page for information on how to reach me.

Looking to Expand Your Point of Sale Business?

A quick note to any point of sale partners/var's/dealers that might be looking to expand. I do have a list of ~3800 contacts with the majority of them being located in the states of Idaho, Utah, Montana, Oregon and Washington.  If you are thinking of expanding in to any of these markets with a true local presence for support and sales, please contact me at kevinantosh@gmail.com so was can set up a time to talk more.

I know that a lot of these contacts would enjoy having a local source for point of sale solutions!

Please note that I am not able to provide you with the contact list itself as these are clients and customers who are used to personal contact and do not want to end up on a telemarketing list.

Review of Spark Solutions Group/Cowans Restaurant Soluitions

Update June 2016: RITE Solutions has officially expanded to offer retail point of sale systems in the markets formally served by DirectPOS/RVP Business Systems. The includes the states of Idaho, Utah, Montana, Wyoming, Nevada, California, Oregon and Washington with a special focus on the Boise, ID, Salt Lake City, UT and Spokane, WA markets.

Back in September of 2013, the point of sale company that I used to work for, DirectPOS, sold their customer lists to One Step Retail Solutions and Spark Solutions Group/Cowans Restaurant Solutions. I wanted to pass along some feedback from former DirectPOS customers specific to Spark Solutions Group/Cowans Restaurant Solutions. Unfortunately the feedback has been mostly negative.

• Local techs have all quit
• No local support like we used to have
• No commitment to helping customers
• No local presence
• I've already switched to Khamu Solutions as they can offer me local support and training
• Keep pushing me off to a call center for support even though my business is near their office
• Expensive

I wish that I had better reviews/comments to pass along - especially since there are hundreds of businesses using the Micro's solution from DirectPOS.

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.

Update 24.April.2013:  Since Jason C. posted his comment and offered to to speak with unhappy customers I have not heard any additional complaints related to Cowans/Sparks.  The same can not be said about One Step Retail Solutions.

Another Update for former DirectPOS Customers

Since it has been just over four months since DirectPOS in Boise, ID, Spokane, WA and Salt Lake City, UT closed their doors - a few updates to pass along.

• Cash register sales, service, & supplies are still being handled by Ada Cash register in Boise: 208-407-2202.
• No company with a local office presence is taking care of NextPOS/Aldelo customers or  retail point of sale customers. I am still in conversations with two companies that might be interested in establishing a local office presence in the areas formally served by DirectPOS but it might not be until April 2014 before any final decisions are made.
• Hopes are fading as well for Micro's customers based on the phone conversations that I have had with former DirectPOS customers (best bet would be to contact Micro's directly to see if there is a Micro's dealer in Portland or Seattle that can assist you).
• I am reaching out to some local restaurant point of sale companies to see if they can assist existing, new or upgrading restaurant point of sale users in the states of Idaho, Oregon, Washington, Montana,  Wyoming, and Utah.

Former customers of DirectPOS, as well as anyone with point of sale related questions, are welcomed to contact me via email at kevinantosh@gmail.com or via cell at 208-340-5632 (business hours - mountain time). I do not represent any point of sale companies so you know that I can provide some impartial and honest advice.

Restaurant/Hospitality Point of Sale Solutions

I've been receiving a few calls and emails from folks with questions on point of sale systems for bars and restaurants so I thought that I should clarify my level of expertise.

Over the last 14+ years I have worked with various solutions that are specific to food service/bar related businesses. Some of these solutions are no longer available but the entire list includes:

• Samsung and TEC cash registers
• TEC 3600
• NextPOS/Aldelo for Restaurants
• Clover
• NCR Silver
• Micros 2000 and 3000 Series
• Digital Dining
• Khamu
• Aloha

You are welcomed to contact me with point of sale related questions - I can always recommend someone else to contact if I can't help you. I can be reached via email at kevinantosh@gmail.com or on my cell during business hours mountain time at 208-340-5632.

Incentive for Former DirectPOS Customers and NCR CounterPoint/Microsoft RMS Customers

With Microsoft being fairly quiet on what their plans are for their point of sale software packages (RMS Store Operations, HQ, and POS 2009), I've been receiving calls from retail stores who need to upgrade sooner than later.

If you are a current NCR CounterPoint or Microsoft RMS user, the folks at Big Hairy Dog (BHD) are offering some nice discounts if you switch to Retail Pro through Big Hairy Dog.  There are some details that need to be discussed so be sure to call me at 208.340.5632 or email me at kevinantosh (at) gmail (dot) com.

As a reminder - it appears that we will not be hearing much from Microsoft until April 2014 so it wouldn't hurt to start exploring other options sooner than later - especially since the MasterCard unique terminal ID requirement and EMV standards are coming up in 2014 and 2015.

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.

Important Information for Present and Future DirectPOS Customers - Updated 14.June.2015

Update June 2016: RITE out of St Cloud, MN has started their westward expansion to offer a variety of retail point of sale systems in the states if ID, NV, OR, WA, MT, WY and UT with a special focus on the Boise, ID, Spokane, WA and Salt Lake City, UT markets.


Very important information to pass along related to DirectPOS in Boise, ID and Spokane, WA. I will hit the highlights and you can always contact me via email at kevinantosh (at) gmail (dot) com or 208-340-5632.

• As of Today, Monday September 16^th, 2013, DirectPOS has merged with Cowans Restaurant Solutions out of Salt Lake City, Utah. The new combined company will be called Spark Systems and will have a physical office presence in Salt Lake City, UT, Boise, ID and Spokane,. WA.
  12/2/2013 Update: Correct new business name is Spark Solutions Group - they currently only have an office in Salt Lake City, UT and will only be supporting Micro's brand equipment.
  
  
• Because of this change, Spark Systems will only sell, service and support the Micro's and Aldelo point of sale solutions for restaurants and bars in Utah, Idaho, Montana, Oregon, and Washington State. 
  12/02/2013 Update: No sales or support for Aldelo.
  
  
• For those of you with cash registers (supplies, repairs, programming, purchasing), you can reach Rick Bier at Ada Cash Register (208-407-2202). Rick has extensive experience with cash registers.
• If you are in need of paper or ribbons for cash registers or kitchen/bar/receipt printers, you can also contact Rick Bier at 208-407-2202 as he will be your source moving forward for paper and ribbon supplies (and barcode labels as well I believe).
• If you are a NCR CounterPoint user, your information has been acquired by One Step Retail Solutions in Phoenix, AZ who will be providing support for your system. Note that One Step Retail Solutions will not have a local office presence in Idaho, Utah, Oregon, Montana, or Washington State but does plan to keep a technician on staff in the Boise, ID area.
• If you are using one of the Microsoft Point of Sale solutions (RMS Store Operations, HQ, POS 2007, or POS 2009), your information has also been acquired by One Step Retail Solutions in Phoenix, AZ but they have not communicated to me what level of service and support they will be able to provide.
  12/02/2013 Update: Feedback indicates that One Step is not interested in supporting customers using the various Microsoft point of sale solutions (RMS, HQ and POS 2007/2009).

I'm am hopeful that a computer tech company or even a point of sale company in Idaho, Utah, Washington, Oregon, or Montana will see this as an opportunity to grow/establish a physical office presence in Boise, ID and/or Spokane, WA as retail stores, museums and government agencies in these states have become accustomed to working with a local company for all of their point of sale hardware, software, training, installation, and on-going support needs (as of the end of August, I had over 300 customers/clients using various point of sale systems designed for retail stores, museums, and government agencies).


2/7/2014 Update: the former DirectPOS Micros technicians based in Boise are no longer employed with Cowans or Sparks.  I am available to field retail, restaurant/bar and museum point of sale questions and can put you in touch with the correct resource as needed.

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.

Ada Cash Register

As you know it can be tough to find a local company that sells, services, programs, and offers supplies for cash registers so I wanted to pass along some information about Ada Cash Register.

Ada Cash Register is based in Boise, ID and offers the Sam4S line of cash registers as well as being able to service and offer supplies for many different kinds of cash registers. Rick Bier is the owner and he has many years of cash register sales, service, and programming experience.

Ada Cash Register also offers paper and ribbon supplies for cash registers as well as for the common receipt printers used with computer based retail point of sale systems.

As DirectPOS in Boise, ID and Spokane, WA is no longer offering cash registers, cash register repair/programming, or cash register supplies, I would highly recommend getting in touch with Rick Bier at Ada Cash Register - he even rents cash registers for short term special events!

Rick can be reached at 208-407-2202 or rick (at) rbier (dot) us

You can also find him on Facebook at: https://www.facebook.com/adacashregister