Cost of Using an Outdated Point of Sale System or No Point of Sale System

Video explaining how using an outdated point of sale system or no point of sale system could be costing your business or organization 3% to 5% of your annual gross sales in lost or unrealized revenue.  This is based on real world data and professional experiences having worked with over 4400 business and organizations.

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.

EMV and What it Means to Folks With Cash Registers and Point of Sale Systems

I've been fielding multiple calls and emails from businesses with cash registers or mobile/computer-based point of sale systems asking what to do related to the upcoming US EMV liability shift date. This video covers some of the questions and answers related to EMV and chip cards and contains information for businesses in the US that accept credit and debit cards as payment in person.

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.

Best Systems for Marijuana Related Stores

With more states legalizing the retail sale of marijuana, I have received several calls and emails from folks asking for help in choosing the best cash register or point of sale system for their business.

While a cash register would work, many of you are under strict reporting requirements as well as various tax collecting and reporting requirements so I generally recommend looking at the tablet or mobile type of point of sale systems for tracking sales and inventory. An added bonus is that the tablet systems also allow for various security levels to be setup to prevent employees from giving discounts to friends or family.

Some of the tablet or mobile point of sale systems also include customer loyalty programs and the ability to print scanable barcode labels.

When looking at the various solutions, be sure to keep the following in mind:

1. If you sell by weight then make sure the system will work with a scale or allow for a price calculation based on weight.
2. Depending on how taxes are collected, make sure that the system can handle multiple taxes as well as provide a break down of various taxes collected.
3. If your state allows you to accept credit and debit cards for payment from customers, then make sure that the system will work with the place that handles your debit and credit card processing services (commonly referred to as "merchant services"). This is important as not all merchant services companies will provide credit and debit card processing services to business that sell marijuana.
4. Don't forget to ask about EMV compliance. No sense buying something now only to have to spending more money in 2015 to be EVM compliant.
5. Ask for references of businesses like your already using the point of sale system that you are considering and contact those businesses or visit in person if possible.

Be sure to contact me if you have any questions.  I can't sell you anything but I am keeping tabs on which systems have proven to be popular with retail stores selling Marijuana of which I know that Bindo POS has proven to be very popular in the state of California. More reviews on Bindo POS can be found here: https://bindopos.com/reviews

Tabby from Samsung

So this is pretty cool - Samsung has released a basic point of sale system named Tabby. Tabby is designed to run on any device with a web browser (tablet, smartphone, laptop, or desktop).  Looks to be very basic but easy to learn and use.  Here are some more details and you can always contact Ada Cash Register at 208-407-2202 for more information as Tabby is only sold through Samsung Dealers.

Update 21.August.2014 - I am hoping to take a more in depth look at Tabby by the end of May when I will be visiting the main Samsung US distribution facility in Minneapolis, MN.

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. 

Review of Samsung Cash Registers

In addition to having worked with multiple tablet, computer, and smartphone point of sale systems over the years, I've also worked with traditional cash registers. While cash registers might be considered a dying breed, there are still valid reasons why some businesses can only consider cash registers as a viable option.

The two most common reasons are lack of internet connectivity and lack of sales volume.  A small business generating under $100,000 in annual gross sales is likely not able to afford even a $75/month tablet-based point of sale system.  Depending on the location of the business, I've found that reliable and secure high speed internet access is still not available in all areas.

My thoughts on the Samsung Sam4S line of cash registers:

The Good:

• Durable
• Wide range of models and prices to match any budget
• More advanced options like touch screens are easily available
• Use current technology like USB and SD cards
• Wide variety of options for more advanced functions

The OK:

• Still not a true point of sale system
• Can take some time to learn how to program depending on the model
• Can lose their programming if left unplugged for too long
• Future of cash registers
• Connecting the registers together can be somewhat complicated unless you have been trained by Samsung.

 The Not so Good:

• Can't really think of anything other than how EMV standards might effect those who use the cash registers with credit and debit card processing equipment attached to the cash register.

Summary:

I actually visited the US distribution center in Minneapolis a few months ago and was impressed with the solutions from Samsung.  Over the years I've been able to see  how the registers are programmed and installed.  Even as a tablet and smartphone systems become more popular, there still appears to be a small niche of businesses were only a cash register makes sense.

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.

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.

Retail Point of Sale Software Comparison Chart

One of the handouts that I use at my point of sale technology workshop presentations:

Retail Solution Comparison
Cash Registers – variety of models from $500 to $2000. Optional programming, training and installation services. Designed for retail stores of any gross sales volume.

NCR Silver – iOS Based (iPhone/iPad/iPod Touch). $29-$79/month plus hardware costs. Designed
for businesses that need minimal inventory tracking (ie. Kiosks, 2^nd hand stores, thrift stores).

Microsoft RMS Store Operations - $6000+ for a complete point of sale solution (includes software, hardware, computer, hardware, installation, training, and ongoing support). Designed for single to multi-location retailers with only basic technology needs (no built-in email marketing, no integrated online shopping cart, no smart phone/tablet needs). Designed for gross annual sales of $400,000+.

NCR CounterPoint - $9000+ for a complete point of sale solution (includes software, hardware, computer, training, installations, and on-going support). Designed for single to multi-location retail stores with high technology needs (integrated email marketing, integrated online shopping cart, use on a smart phone/tablet computer, automated email or texts on store activity). Best for retail stores generating $750,000+ annually per location.

Function	Cash Register	NCR Silver	MS RMS	CounterPoint
Track Item Sales	Yes	Yes	Yes	Yes
Employee Login	Some Models	Limited	Yes	Yes
Levels of Departments or Categories	Some Models	1 Level	2 Levels	2 Levels
Process Credit Cards	Optional	Integrated	Integrated	Integrated
Process Gift Cards	Optional	Optional	Integrated	Integrated
Customer Loyalty	No	Yes	Optional	Integrated
Track Customer History	No	Basic name & address	Yes	Yes
Scan Barcode Labels	Some models	Yes	Yes	Yes
Print Barcode Labels	No	Yes	Yes	Yes
Purchasing and Receiving	No	Limited	Yes	Yes
Choice of Merchant Services Processors	Yes – with optional credit card processing	Yes	Yes	Yes
Multi-location Capable	No	No	Yes – full data	Yes – full data
Designed for use on Touch Screen Monitor	Some models have touch screens	Yes (tablet computer)	Yes	Yes
Multiple Price Levels (retail, wholesale, etc.)	No	No	Yes	Yes
Interface to Quickbooks Accounting	Some models	No	Yes	Yes
Quotes	No	No	Yes	Yes
Lay-aways	No	No	Yes	Yes
Work Orders	No	No	Yes	No
Integrated Online Shopping Cart	No	No	Available	Available
Smart phone “app” version Available	No	n/a	No	Available
Integrated Email Marketing	No	Basic	Available	Available
Text/Email Alerts for Store Activities	No	No	No	Available

No – Not Available
Yes – Available and Included
Third Party – Available through third party and additional charges may apply
n/a – Not Applicable
Some Models – Only available in some models
Available – Available and additional charges may apply

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