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.
Having worked with multiple retailers who replaced Microsoft Dynamics RMS with Retail Management Hero, I've been provided with some valuable feedback on the biggest feature/functions that have changed or are not presently available in Retail Management Hero.
Below is a video showing some of the key differences between the Microsoft Dynamics RMS and the Retail Management Hero point of sale software programs. This is by no means meant to scare retailers away from Retail Management Hero - just a way to help set expectations when moving from RMS to RMH:
For more information, please contact RITE at sales@rite.us or 888-267-7483.
***Updated video coming early 2019 as there have been over 60 enhancements to Cloud Retailer like the ability to use purchase planning to auto-generate purchase orders***
Comparing Microsoft RMS vs Retail Management Hero vs Cloud Retailer in the areas of
included modules
ringing up sales
looking at inventory items
creating purchase orders
running reports
merchant services options
differences between customization and configuration
Helpful not only for Microsoft RMS users seeking low cost RMS replacement programs but also for retailers searching for a new POS system that are not using Microsoft RMS.
You can reach me at kevinantosh@gmail.com or 208-340-5632 for more detailed information or to have a general conversation about your retail business.
A video showing the differences in the costs over 7 years related to the different types of restaurant point of sale systems - including comparing the long term costs of the mobile restaurant point of sale solutions that run on iPads versus more traditional point of sale systems like MICROS, Aloha, Digital Dining, Aldelo, and Sapphire.
These are estimates only as there are a lot of variables. Please visit my contact page for information on how to reach me for unbiased point of sale advice.
The video below contains a full version of the point of sale workshop that I conduct for groups of all sizes. The video is 40 minutes long but covers just about everything related to choosing, selecting and budgeting for a point of sale system designed to be used in retail stores, restaurants, museums, kiosks, concession stands, and food trucks. Note that the video does cover EMV and merchant services as well as information specific to point of sale systems designed to track inventory, customer/guest information, and sales.
All from an unbiased expert!
Be sure to contact me with any questions as well as to request free copies of the materials needed for the workshop (you must be located in the United States in order to request the free workshop materials). You may also want to contact me if you are need of a speaker/presenter at your next event or to assist future business owners seeking assistance via Small Business Development Centers or similar organizations.
Now pop some popcorn, grab your favorite beverage, and enjoy the following:
With both retail and restaurant management experience as well previously providing point of sale solutions to both retail stores and food service businesses, I am often asked what the main differences are between a point of sale system designed for retail and a point of sale system designed for food service.
The reality is that there are a lot of differences but is also depends on what type of food service business you have. Here are the key differences on what makes a food service point of sale system unique (with the biggest items in bold as it would apply to nearly all food service businesses):
Tabs
Split checks
Modifiers (ie: extra mayo, extra shot of espresso, no pickles)
Tracking food cost
Tracking labor cost
Tracking food waste
Customer counts
Table map
Remote kitchen, bar, and prep station printers
Reservations
Tip (how the payment is processed to include letting the guest/customer add a tip)
Not a comprehensive list but enough to give you an understanding of some of the key differences.
If you are in the United States and in need of some free point of sale related advice or help, you can reach me via the contact form to the right, via email at kevinantosh@gmail.com or on my cell at 208-340-5632. Over the last 15 years I have helped thousands of folks find the best point of sale solution for their business or organization.
As July is not a big month for point of sale news and information, I thought that I would pass along some information related to what vertical markets various point of sale programs focus on. This is not meant to say that the program will not work in a different vertical - just that the program has an established presence in the verticals listed below.
If you recall, my point of sale workshops stress that you should focus on point of sale programs that are designed for your type of business.
NCR Silver
Small general retail stores and food service businesses like food trucks, counter serve restaurants/cafeterias/coffee shops, and concession stands.
Temporary or seasonal retail businesses
Mobile retail or service only businesses
Kiosk businesses
Thrift and second hand stores
Clothing and Apparel Stores
E-Cig Stores
First Data Clover
Same as NCR Silver
Bindo Point of Sale
Wine, Beer and Liquor Stores
Pet Stores
Health and Beauty
Clothing and Apparel Stores
Sporting Goods Stores
Museums
Gift Shops
Candy Stores
Salons and Spas
Thrift and second hand stores
Pro Shops
NCR CounterPoint
Museums
Thrift and second hand stores
Garden Centers
Pet Stores
Sporting Goods Stores
Clothing and Apparel Stores
Liquor Stores
Sporting Goods Stores
Gift Shops
Tobacco and E-Cig Stores
Pro Shops
Retail Pro
Same as NCR CounterPoint
Microsoft RMS
Same as NCR CounterPoint and Retail Pro
A lot of government entities (since it is a Microsoft product) as well as government run businesses like golf courses and pro shops.
I realize this is not a complete list but I used information from the companies websites, what trade shows these companies attend, and my own 15 years of personal experience.
Can I help by offering some free point of sale advice or answering your retail or museum point of sale related questions? If you are in the United States then please use the contact form to the right, email me at kevinantosh@gmail.com or call me on my cell at 208-340-5632. I've worked with thousands of businesses over the years to help them find the best point of sale solution and have also negotiated some pretty cool discounts as well.
Just a quick note that this rather basic blog site has taken on a life of its own as I have been getting multiple calls and emails each week from folks with point of sale questions. Page views have well surpassed 20K as well. Still - no ads and no charges are to be found as I am committed (God-willing and according to time and budget) to providing free help for retailers and museums searching for point of sale systems.
A couple of buying tips to pass along as I am busy with some point of sale related meetings and speaking engagements:
Please be asking about EMV when considering any and all point of sale solutions. The EMV deadline may be just over a year away but do you really want to be hit with additional EMV related hardware and software costs just a year after you invested in a point of sale solution?
Unless you are a large multi-location chain with 25+ locations, don't expect to find one software package that is both accounting software and point of sale software. There are very different needs (I have worked in accounting and finance as well as with point of sale software) between each type of software program. One company can't create a single solution that does both accounting and point of sale functions well. You will end up with great accounting software and poor point of sale software or vice versa. Best solution in most cases is to find point of sale software that allows for some degree of data sharing with QuickBooks Accounting.
If any of you have found a solution for retail stores and museums with 1 -24 locations that handles both accounting functions and point of sale functions well, please get in touch with me as I would enjoy getting a chance to find out more information.
As always, I can be reached at kevinantosh@gmail.com or 208-340-5632 (mountain time) to hopefully answer your point of sale related questions.
Update November 9th, 2014. I can confirm that Bindo, Clover, and Silver have now added the following: Bindo POS: basic invoicing and quoting functions First Data Clover (still restricted to using First Data for merchant services): Item attributes, modifiers and barcode label printing. NCR Silver: Barcode label printing and QuickBooks Accounting interface. Note that some of the added features may require paying an additional fee and/or using third party software.
As I try to stay on top of the more popular solutions on the market, here is an updated overview and chart showing the more popular retail point of sale solutions for computers and mobile devices like tablets and smartphones. This is a great 'snapshot' but be sure to contact me directly at kevinantosh@gmail.com or 208-340-5632 for more detailed information/questions (no charge for advice/help) or if you spot an error.
Retail Solution
Comparison
Cash Registers – variety
of models from $500 to $2000. Optional programming, training and
installation services. Designed for retail stores and restaurants of
any gross sales volume. NCR Silver – iOS Based
(iPhone/iPad/iPod Touch) point of sale system for single location
retail stores and restaurants. $29-$79/month plus hardware costs.
Designed for businesses that need minimal inventory tracking (ie.
Kiosks, 2nd hand
stores, thrift stores). Microsoft RMS Store Operations
- $6000+ for a complete point of sale system (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 system (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. Bindo POS -
iOS Based (iPhone/iPad/iPod Touch) point of sale sale system for
single and multiple location retail stores. $79-$149/month plus
hardware costs (free
hardware offer – contact me for details).
Designed for specialty retail stores who want a full functioning
tablet based point of sale system. Clover – Android tablet
based point of sale system for single and multiple location retail
stores and restaurants. Unknown pricing at this time due to product
acquisition by First Data. Clover is designed for retail stores and
restaurants who only need basic sales tracking information but would
rather have a tablet system versus a cash register. Retail
Pro Prism-
$7K-$9K Browser based Modular POS Application. Deploy on iOS,
Windows, Android or even mini-devices. Market first Mobile 2.0
Solution, Real-Time, Scalable to tie to back end RPRO or an ERP
solution. Lower demands on hardware. Database Neutral – Oracle,
Microsoft SQL Server, and MySQL. Fully customizable User Interface
(UI). Automated email reporting for store. Best for retail stores
generating $750,000+ annually per location. Retail
Pro v9- $9000+ for
a complete turnkey point of sale solution (includes software,
hardware, computer, training,
installation, and refundable support). Scalable single to
multi-location retail stores with high technology needs (Near Real
time communication, Customizable Screens and documents throughout,
integrated online shopping cart, automated email reporting, Franchise
capable, Mobile POS options iPhone, iPod touch, Prism POS ). Best for
retail stores generating $750,000+ annually per location. Tabby from Samsung – Unique solution that
runs on any device with a web browser (PC, Mac, tablet, smartphone,
computers, etc.). Purchased, installed, and supported by Samsung
dealers. Designed for retail stores and restaurants. More
information coming soon.
Update June 2044 - Clover now has a barcode label printing app which has a monthly cost of $5 to use 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-Kevin
Antosh: kevinantosh@gmail.com
or 208-340-5632
Since I have had the opportunity to speak with multiple point of sale companies since the closure of DirectPOS, I have gleaned quite a bit of information related to which company is offering what solutions and what type of end of year promotions.
I realize that this is a tough time of the year to being thinking about technology equipment for your retail store or museum but we do have some pressing timelines related to the MasterCard Unique Terminal ID Requirement, the future of Microsoft RMS/HQ, and EMV Requirements. This means that everyone needs to start thinking now about where they want to go over the next year with their point of sale system.
I am currently offering a free basic phone or email consultation to help you determine whether you need to upgrade (if you already have a point of sale system) or which point of sale systems might be best for you (if you currently do not have a point of sale system). This is a strictly non-sales consultation since I do not currently represent any point of sale companies or software manufactures.
You can reach me via cell at 208-340-5632 or email at kevinantosh (at) gmail (dot) com. I am in Mountain Time and a typical phone consultation takes less than 15 minutes. You will receive professional advice and related options to help chart your point of sale technology plan.
