New POS system for all liquor stores in Oregon?

Update 2/7/2023: Bid Notification is out on the OregonBuys website. Look for OLCC Distilled Spirits Supply Chain RFP.  You must be a registered vendor/supplier to see the RFP and respond.

 

 I have had multiple requests from liquor stores in the state of Oregon to provide an update regarding the OLCC's search for a new POS system.

I do not work for the OLCC but have been in communication with the OLCC. I also have met in person or online with multiple liquor stores in Oregon.

If you have any questions or insights, please contact me at 208-340-5632 or kevinantosh@gmail.com

Standardized POS System for Oregon Liquor Stores?

 This was sent to me via email:

"The State of Oregon, acting by and through the Oregon Liquor Control Commission, (“Agency”), is issuing this Request for Information for a Point-of-Sale (POS) software for the Distilled Spirits Supply Chain to assist the Agency’s future buy decision. The desirable solution will merge computer hardware, software and peripheral equipment with improved operating practices for managing inventory for our liquor agent’s throughout the State of Oregon. The solution will increase accuracy and improve flexibility and responsiveness through real-time liquor inventory management and revenue capture."

Basically, they are soliciting information from POS vendors for a possible standard point of sale system to be used at all of the 280+ agency liquor stores in the state of Oregon.

If you are a liquor retailer, what are your thought on this? Are you OK with being told what POS system you must use in your store by a state agency? 

I'm curious to know! Please comment on this post or contact me at kevinantosh@gmail.com

The results will be shared in a future blog post (less any personal information so there is no chance of retaliation).

 

Last Reminder on Windows 7 End of Life

If you happen to still be using Windows 7 on your point of sale computers, it is important to note that all support for Windows 7 will end on January 14th, 2020. What does this mean? Basically, you will be using an un-supported operating system and will most likely need to upgrade to Windows 10 (and may need to upgrade your computers as well).  Reasons for this include the following:

• Being non-PCI compliant
• Being vulnerable to virus and malware attacks (potential loss and/or compromise of data)
• POS software may no longer be supported if using Windows 7
• Peripherals like receipt printers, payment terminals, scales, customer displays, etc may no longer be supported
• Your point of sale Partner/VAR/Dealer/Reseller will no longer assist you
• You may not be able to use integrated payment terminals 

You may want to take this opportunity to evaluate which point of sale software program to use and see if it is time to make a switch to newer point of sale software as you will likely already be investing in new computers. Keep in mind that the only way to by-pass this would be to use stand alone payment terminals and computers that have no internet access.

Questions or need some advice? Please contact me at kevinantosh@gmail.com or 208-340-5632.

Are you a retailer in the path of Hurricane Dorian? What you need to do with your POS system

No matter what point of sale system you have, some general advice regarding what you should be doing with your point of sale system. All of you are in my prayers for safety and guidance over the coming days. Aside from the items listed below, please take steps to protect yourself and family first.

1. Make sure that all of your data has been backed up online or to a device that you can take with you (like a flash drive or removable drive). Back up the data multiple ways if possible
2. If you are using a cloud based POS system like Cloud Retailer - backups are done automatically for you and are safe at a secure facility 1000+ miles away from Florida.
3. Batch and close out the pos system
4. Close out of all your software
5. Power down all hardware
6. Power down all related equipment like surge/power strips, routers, payment terminals, etc
7. Ensure that you have documentation (like receipts and invoices) and pictures of all your technology equipment for insurance purposes
8. Ensure that you have any cd’s or dvd’s that came with the hardware and software
9. As time permits, and as needed, document how all the cables are connected via pictures or even different colored twist ties attached to each of the cables
10. Disconnect all technology equipment and related documentation, and move above the water line or to a secure offsite location (be sure to move carefully and store in a way not to cause damage)

Be sure to contact your point of sale partner/dealer/reseller for assistance as needed with any of the above items

Taking the above steps will help protect your point of sale system and related data.

If any of us at RITE can be of assistance, please call us at 888-267-7483. You can also reach me directly at 208-340-5632.

Are you a retailer in the path of Hurricane Florence? What you need to do with your pos system

No matter what point of sale system you have, some general advice regarding what you should be doing with your point of sale system. All of you are in my prayers for safety and guidance over the coming days. Aside from the items listed below, please take steps to protect yourself and family first.

1. Make sure that all of your data has been backed up online or to a device that you can take with you (like a flash drive or removable drive). Back up the data multiple ways if possible
2. Batch and close out the pos system
3. Close out of all your software
4. Power down all hardware
5. Power down all related equipment like surge/power strips, routers, payment terminals, etc
6. Ensure that you have documentation (like receipts and invoices) and pictures of all your technology equipment for insurance purposes
7. Ensure that you have any cd’s or dvd’s that came with the hardware and software
8. As time permits, and as needed, document how all the cables are connected via pictures or even different colored twist ties attached to each of the cables
9. Disconnect all technology equipment and move above the water line or to an offsite location (be sure to move carefully and store in a way not to cause damage)

Be sure to contact your point of sale partner/dealer/reseller for assistance as needed with any of the above items

Hopefully Florence will turn north and move away from land. Taking the above steps will help protect your point of sale system and related data.

If any of us at RITE can be of assistance, please call us at 888-267-7483.

Can't Process Credit Cards? Comcast Outage

If your credit and debit card processing has stopped working (or generates an error message), the you may effected by a Comcast Outage.

Status updates can be found at: http://trust.cloudretailer.com/