Cloud Retailer - The "Yes We Can Do That" Retail Point of Sale Program

So I've had the opportunity to work more and more with the Cloud Retailer point of sale software over the last year - including a few deployments. While Cloud Retailer is still catching up to include a few features and functions, one area where Cloud Retailer has excelled is in the area of custom configurations.

While most of the point of sale software programs require that you follow the processes built in to the program (or devise a workaround), Cloud Retailer actually can be configured to match your processes in most cases.  I've seem this first hand with liquor stores, mobile locksmiths, a chain of airport gift shops, a trampoline park, a gun store, and a theater.

The secret is that Cloud Retailer was designed to be easily configurable so little to no actual coding or programming is required. That means retailers can use a point of sale program that follows their processes instead of paying for costly customization.

I do have a full copy of Cloud Retailer if you are interested in learning more - Cloud Retailer is positioned to meet the needs of retailers and franchises with between 1 and 300 locations.

You can reach me at kevinantosh@gmail.com or 208-340-5632 for more information. Cloud Retailer can be reached at 888-267-7483 or sales@rite.us.

Tough year for retail chains and franchises searching for POS systems?

Many of the retailers contacting me have between 4 and 25 locations. Nearly all of them have expressed frustration due to a lack of affordable point of sale options on the market. They generally find that they are too complex for the tablet solutions like NCR Silver, Clover, Lavu, and Shopkeep but don't have the sales volume/budget to invest in LightSpeed or Dynamics 365/AX.

Retail Management Hero (RMH) with RMH Central will be a great solution come later in 2018 (for anyone - not not just Microsoft Dynamics HQ users). Cloud Retailer is also moving forward with more of the e-commerce and accounting integrations that chain retailers want. Microsoft is also working on a retail specific POS solution but licensing and deployment costs may fall in to the AX/365 category.

Lets not overlook that NCR continues to improve their CounterPoint point of sale solution. Retail Pro and Bindo are also players in the small chain and franchise concept market.

My main advice to small chain and franchise retailers contacting me is to see if they can hang on another 6 months to a year as more options should be available as 2018 progresses. If they can't wait, then a staged implementation might be acceptable starting with a core POS system and then waiting for additional features, functions, and integrations to be added.

Need retail or restaurant point of sale advice? Contact me at 208-340-5632 or kevinantosh@gmail.com

Using Me and My Sites as a Resource for Your Chain, Franchise, Association, or Organization

Just a quick note that you are more than welcomed to use myself and my sites as a source of unbiased point of sale information as needed. This works well for the following:

• Franchises
• Chain Stores
• Organizations (non-profit and government)
• Retail Associations
• Retail Conferences
• Retail Trade Shows

I'm actually already a point of sale contact for multiple businesses and organizations (representing well over 5,000 retail stores in the US) whose members/stores/leadership need any or all of the following:

• Free and unbiased point of sale advice
• Unbiased in-depth onsite point of sale consultation
• Speaker for events
• General point of sale advice

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.

Anyone Headed to MAGIC or IFA in Vegas Next Week?

So - I tried to clear my schedule due to several requests that I attend MAGIC and IFA in Las Vegas next week (Feb 17th - 19th 2015 for Magic at the Las Vegas Convention Center and Feb 15th-18th 2015 for IFA at the MGM Grand) but I was unable to clear my schedule.

I was, however, able to connect with some folks who will be in Vegas next week and have offered to buy dinner for anyone that is searching for a retail point of sale system.

Be sure to contact me for an invitation and more information!

Point of Sale Systems for Franchises

Some thoughts from my Point of Sale Technology workshop presentation specific to franchise concepts:

• Many retailers/restaurants sell their retail concept as a franchise
  For $100,000 to $250,000+, someone can purchase everything they need to open a retail store/restaurant with support and guidance from a franchise HQ

• Many are including point of sale systems within the franchise fee
• Keeps the franchisee honest when it comes to paying royalty fees
• Provides varying level of controls over product pricing
• Allows for a level of consistency between franchise locations

• Examples include Other Mothers, Scales ‘N Tails, Wild Birds Unlimited, Pro Image Sports

• Above applies to restaurants as well

 As a reminder, I am not currently affiliated with any point of sale companies or manufactures but have 14 years of experience working with retail, restaurant, and museum point of sale solutions. You can reach me at 208-340-5632 (business hours - mountain time) or kevinantosh@gmail.com if you have any point of sale related questions.