Sound Payments Review and Experience

I've been involved with the deployment of Sound Payments software and payment terminals at a 3 location retail chain that uses the Microsoft Dynamics RMS/HQ point of sale software. Some observations and feedback on Sounds Payments:

• The costs are very low. There are no software costs and the monthly rental for the payment terminal is reasonable when compared to paying outright for a payment terminal (breakeven is around 24-36 months depending on the model of payment terminal used).
• Upfront labor costs are high. To be honest, the only way for a reseller/VAR/dealer to make any money on a Sound Payments deal is via the upfront labor for installation. Plan on around $250 to $375 for installation labor per device and POS station.
• Initial install for just one payment terminal took 14 business days due to errors being encountered and then having to figure out who to contact for support (RITE? Sound Payments? Retail Realm?).
• Functionality appears to be what was promised: a semi integrated solution for Microsoft RMS.
• There is a limitation on what receipt templates can be used - at this time, only the "stock" RMS receipt templates work with Sound Payments. This has caused some issues specific to any custom receipt information and custom receipt templates. We are investigating this as of 1/23/2019.
• Long term use will have to be evaluated over the next 1-2 years
• Sound Payments team was very helpful but did make some promises that took 3-4 weeks to be completely fulfilled.
• Sound Payments was very communicative throughout the process which was much appreciated by all parties involved.

Would I work with Sound Payments again? Maybe as there has to be a source of revenue via upfront labor charges and/or the sale of something else to the retailer (or a long term opportunity). Another reason that my answer is "maybe" is that this is only one very recent install so there isn't much to go on when looking for long term results across multiple customers.

Have questions? You can reach me at 208-340-5632 or kevinantosh@gmail.com

Retail Management Hero Loyalty Program Webinar Link

Great video of a webinar explaining how the loyalty program for Retail Management Hero works: https://vimeo.com/205437044

Great information! Contact me at 208-340-5632 or kevinantosh@gmail.com for more information on Retail Management Hero.

Cloud Retailer Video Review/Demo/Overview

A quick demo/overview/review of the very flexible Cloud Retailer point of sale software. Cloud Retailer has proven to be adaptable to multiple type of retail vertical markets and offers unique pricing option making for an affordable investment.

I can be reached at kevinantosh@gmail.com or 208-340-5632 for no-cost information on Cloud Retailer or retail point of sale systems in general.

More In Depth Retail Management Hero Overview

A slightly more in depth review of the Retail Management Hero retail point of sale software. A great solution not only as a low cost upgrade for Microsoft RMS/POS/POS 2009 software users, but also for retailers searching for an affordable and flexible point of sale system.

Tough to cover everything without making the video too boring so please contact me directly at 208-340-5632 or kevinantosh@gmail.com for a more personalized demo.

New Version of RMS/Retail Management Hero Demo and Overview

So excited for Microsoft RMS users as well as retailers in general as the new Retail Management Hero (RMH)  point of sale software is here!  While the name is slightly different, I can really see why RMH could be labeled as version 3 of Microsoft Dynamics RMS.

There are multiple reasons why RMS users and retailers should take a serious look at RMH.  From an RMS users perspective you have the following:

1. No need to start from scratch for training 
2. Low cost upgrade licenses $215 to $465/computer depending on your software maintenance 
3. Keep nearly all of your historical data (sales, customers, etc)
4. Works with Windows 10 - eliminate the issues with RMS and Windows 10
5. Use your existing peripherals (cash drawer, receipt printer etc) or start fresh with new hardware

For Retailers in General, RMH offers the following:

1. Proven database platform
2. Potential existing user based of 40,000+ stores
3. Overall costs are 20% - 30%  than similar point of sale systems like NCR CounterPoint and Retail Pro
4. Solid solution for retailers who need more that what the tablet POS systems can offer (Clover, Vend. Shopkeep, Lava, Silver, Bindo, etc) but don't have the sales volume to justify investing in NCR CounterPoint, Retail Pro, or Dynamics AX

My advice to RMS users is that you get in touch with myself or your existing Dynamics RMS Partner to take a look at your various options and chart a course for the next 60-90 days.  Each situation is different but the good news is that everyone has multiple options.

How to obtain a 30 day trial version of Retail Management Hero: http://www.pospondering.com/2017/01/how-to-obtain-30-day-trial-license-of.html

You can reach me on my cell at 208-340-5632 or via email at kevinantosh@gmail.com.  I'm presently only able to provide service, sales, and support to retailers in the United States at this time.

Oh yeah, here is the video:

Video Overview of Bindo for Restaurants

The folks at Bindo have taken over the retail industry with an awesome feature rich retail point of sale app and have now set their sights on the food service industry with a new version of Bindo point of sale for restaurants, cafe's, and bars.

Here is a link to a video overview of Bindo POS for Restaurants: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YP4SaxiqTKQ

Looks like an awesome new option!

Visit my contact page for information on how to reach me.

Big Upgrade for Bindo Point of Sale

Wanted to pass along that the folks at Bindo point of sale (www.bindopos.com) have released a new version of the Bindo Dashboard which allows users to perform non-selling functions from any device with an Internet browser.

Definitely a major improvement! Here is a quick video that I created showing how the Bindo Dashboard works on my laptop running Chrome (thanks to the folks at Bindo POS for allowing me access so I could give the system a "test run"):

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.

7 Cool & Important Feature-Functions in Bindo Point of Sale

I've posted and mentioned at many of my point of sale speaking engagements some of the key differences between Mobile 1.0 and Mobile 2.0 Point of Sale solutions. This brief video highlights 7 (of many) cool and important feature-functions in the Bindo Point of Sale solution for iOS devices.  Included in the video are:

1. Putting transactions on hold
2. Autosetting sale prices
3. Loyalty program
4. Purchase orders
5. Delivery address and deliver notes
6. Split tender
7. Various receipt options

If you are in need of some free point of sale help or advice  (I have 15+ years of industry experience plus real world retail and restaurant management experience), you can reach me using the contact form to the right, via email at kevinantosh@gmail.com, or on my cell at 208.340.5632

Here is the video:

More reviews on Bindo POS can be found here: https://bindopos.com/reviews

Microsoft Dynamics Retail Management Systems Store Operations (RMS) Review and Demo

Updated information on Retail Management Hero as a direct replacement for RMS as of December 3rd, 2015: http://retailpospondering.blogspot.com/2015/12/updated-information-on-new-retail.html

New video discussing options for Dynamics RMS and HQ users as of December 5th, 2015: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=evVWS7dj0Bs

A quick reminder that sales of Microsoft Dynamics RMS and HQ to new users as well as mainstream support ends next year (2016) so please keep that in mind if you are thinking of purchasing RMS or HQ as point of sale software for your business or organization (not a wise investment at this point).

Update 13.June.2015: A quick note that I have been receiving multiple calls and emails from Microsoft Dynamics RMS users looking to replace RMS due to the upcoming October 1st, 2015 EMV liability shift deadline as well as the "end of life" status for Dynamics RMS and HQ. I have personal experience with RMS users upgrading to NCR CounterPoint and would be happy to share - just visit my contact page for information on how to reach me. I can also put you in touch with a trusted NCR CounterPoint SQL partner.

The license swap options mentioned below refer to Retail Realm Essentials and Retail Management Hero point of sale software programs.

My thoughts on the Microsoft Dynamics Retail Management Systems Store Operations (RMS) point of sale software and a quick look at the manager/back office part of the software.

RMS has been one of my favorite point of sale solutions over the years and currently is in use at over 40,000 stores, museums, and government entities. Even though sales to new users for RMS will end July 2016, there will be license swap/migration options for RMS users who stay current on their annual maintenance agreement.

Here is the video:

The Highlights:

• Great solution for retail stores, museums, and government entities of all sizes
• Lots of third part add-ons for special functions like online shopping carts and loyalty programs
• Very popular solution for government entities
• User interface is outdated looking
• Takes some training to get a handle on the correct way to run reports
• Sales of RMS will end in July 2016 but their will be a migration path to other point of sale solutions from Microsoft

Bottom Line:

A great solution but sales of RMS and HQ to new users ends July 2016 and the options for complying with the October 1st, 2015 EMV Liability Shift Date are somewhat cumbersome. Flat out, it just doesn't make sense to look at RMS or HQ as a potential point of sale system.

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.

Review and Demo Of Microsoft Dynamics Retail Management Systems Store Operations (RMS)

Updated information on Retail Management Hero as a direct replacement for RMS as of December 3rd, 2015: http://retailpospondering.blogspot.com/2015/12/updated-information-on-new-retail.html

New video discussing options for Dynamics RMS and HQ users as of December 5th, 2015: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=evVWS7dj0Bs

A quick reminder that sales of Microsoft Dynamics RMS and HQ to new users as well as mainstream support ends next year (2016) so please keep that in mind if you are thinking of purchasing RMS or HQ as point of sale software for your business or organization (not a wise investment at this point).

In this video I share my personal experience working with the Microsoft Dynamics Retail Management Store Operations (RMS) point of sale solution. I also very quickly show the main parts of the RMS point of sale module.

The key highlights are:

• Very flexible - can be user in nearly any retail store or museum
• Quick when it comes to running transactions
• Sized to work with nearly any sized retail business or museum
• Popular with government entities as well
• Lots of add-ons via third parties
• Big cost advantage over other PC-based point of sale solutions
• Dated interface 
• Sales will end in July 2016 
• There are license swap options that will be available to other point of sale solutions offered by Microsoft
• Must be current on your annual maintenance agreement to qualify for the license swap options

Summary:
 Great solution but getting dated and we need more details from Microsoft related to what Dynamics Retail Essentials will offer compared to RMS plus sales of RMS and HQ to new users will end on July, 2016.

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.

Video Review and Demo of Bindo Point of Sale

As Bindo Point of Sale has quickly become the most popular retail and museum point of sale solution on my blog site, I figured that it was time to make a quick video showing what Bindo looks like. My AirPlay software was running unusually slow so any slowness in screen changes is not related to Bindo but to my AirPlay software linking my iPad Air to my Win 7 laptop.

The feedback that I have been getting about Bindo is very positive. What one retailer mentioned kind of sums it all up: if Bindo can do more than what other mobile point of sale solutions can do for the same or a lower price, why wouldn't I choose Bindo over NCR Silver or Clover?

I do have a fully functioning copy of Bindo if you want to take a more in depth look. More reviews on Bindo POS can be found here: https://bindopos.com/reviews

Visit my contact page for information on how to reach me.

NCR Silver Review and Back Office Demo

I've worked a bit over the last couple of years with the NCR Silver mobile point of sale solution. The video below covers what I like and don't like about NCR Silver as well as a brief overview of teh back office part of NCR Silver.

The highlights are:

• Very simple to setup, learn, and use
• Flexible for both retail and food service businesses
• Can be turned off and on for seasonal businesses
• Monthly price includes support and updates
• Some limited loyalty and email marketing functions
• Must buy the hardware and peripherals while other solutions like Bindo offer free hardware and peripherals
• Not a true point of sale system
• If solutions like Bindo can offer more of a true point of sale solution for the same monthly price then why choose NCR Silver?

Summary:
Affordable mobile solution for retail, museum and food service businesses who want more than what a cash register can do but more advanced solutions like Bindo POS are making the original mobile solutions like Clover and NCR Silver look a bit too basic.

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.

NCR CounterPoint Review and Demo

April 3rd, 2016, new video review/overview of the NCR CounterPoint SQL point of sale software: http://retailpospondering.blogspot.com/2016/04/updated-review-of-ncr-counterpoint-sql.html

One of the point of sale programs that I have worked with over the years is the NCR CounterPoint solution. This video covers some of the things that I like and don't like about NCR CounterPoint as well as a brief overview of the software itself.

The highlights are:

• A great solution for a larger single location retail store or for chains with up to 300 locations
• Very touch screen friendly for museums and similar organizations that have admissions
• Specialty hardware is available for tough environments like food service or nursery/garden centers
• Lots of high level functions related to email marketing behind the scenes, integrated online store,  text alerts, and selling via both a PC's and iOS devices like iPads
• If your business is not generating at least $800,000+ in annual gross sales, you will never get your purchase price back in terms of ROI via increased sales, reduces theft, better reporting, etc
• Complex - takes a good 15-20 hours of formalized training to learn how to use NCR CounterPoint - this is not a "do it yourself program". The end result is that you have a very robust point of sale system that can do just about anything you ask of it, no matter what type of retail store you have or how many locations you have
• Ticket entry mode for stores that need to quickly process transactions like liquor stores and convenience stores

Summary:
 Great solution for larger single and multi-location retail store and museums whole sales volume and technology needs justify the investment.

Visit my contact page for information on how to reach me for unbiased point of sale advice.

Video Review and Demo of QuickBooks Point of Sale

One of the point of sale software solutions that I have worked with over the years is the QuickBooks Point of Sale solution. This video covers some of the basic highlights as well as what is good and not so good about QuickBooks point of sale.

The highlights:

• Very easy to learn and use
• Great interface to QuickBooks Accounting
• Affordable for small boutique style retail stores or museums
• Limited Hardware/Peripheral Options
• Not the quickest program on the market
• Extra costs (easily $1000/year) related to having to use Intuit for merchant services (credit and debit card processing)

Summary:
 One of the easiest to use point of sale systems that I have every worked with but the forced use of Intuit for merchant services means QuickBooks Point of Sale should be crossed off your list of potential point of sale solution.

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.