The End of QuickBooks Desktop Point of Sale

 As many of you have likely heard, Intuit is ending support for the desktop version of  QuickBooks POS later this fall. 

Here is a great article that summarizes what you need to know as a QuickBooks POS user: https://www.intuitiveaccountant.com/accounting-tech/general-ledger/say-goodbye-to-quickbooks-desktop-point-of-sale/

If you happen to be a beer, wine or liquor store that uses the desktop version of Quickbooks POS, you should take a look at the Cloud Retailer POS software for beer, wine and liquor stores as a low cost replacement option.

Travel Schedule and On Site Consulting: 2019

So 2018 was a record year for meeting onsite with retailers looking for help in choosing a POS system. 90% of you are on the Microsoft Dynamics RMS point of sale software and the looping end of life deadline has you anxious to come up with a plan to replace RMS at some point in the next 1 to 3 years.  From March 2018 to October 2018, I spoke or met with 421 retailers with a total of 680 stores in the US.

For 2019 I do anticipate more RMS users requesting onsite consulting so please get in touch with me if you are in or within 150 miles of the following areas (or wish to cover my travel expenses for dedicated onsite consulting as 7 retail chains did in 2018):

• Boise, ID
• Salt Lake City, UT
• Denver, CO
• Jackson, WY
• Seattle, WA
• Portland, OR
• Phoenix, AZ
• Dallas, TX
• San Antonio, TX
• Houston, TX
• Austin, TX
• Corpus Christi, TX
• Minneapolis, MN

For more information, please contact me at 208-340-5632 or kevinantosh@gmail.com. Note that I am happy to travel just about anywhere, but, my expertise is best suited for retailers located in the US.

What Microsoft Dynamics RMS Users are Doing: 2018 Edition

Quick analysis of what retailers are doing specific to the upcoming end of extended support date for the  Microsoft Dynamics RMS and HQ point of sale software programs:

Whether it be paid onsite consulting or point of sale sales and service, you can reach me at kevinantosh@gmail.com or 208-340-5632 to have a free initial conversation to discuss your specific situation,

What Microsoft Dynamics RMS Users are Doing: 2017 Edition

***Video did not render correctly - yet another problem with my Surface Pro 4***

I will attempt to edit and re-upload  but the video is watchable - just the right side content is cutoff.

I'm in the midst of travel visiting retailers using the Microsoft Dynamics RMS point of sale software to advise what, if anything, they need to do between now and July 2021. The options are fairly clear cut between Card Defender, Cloud Retailer, Retail Management Hero, Retailer Realm Essentials, Microsoft Dynamics AX and Microsoft Dynamics 365 which are all covered briefly in this video:

If your store or chain is using RMS, I'm happy to consult with you on options (both short and long term). I can be reached at kevinantosh@gmail.com or 208-340-5632

What RMS User are Doing - Chain/Franchise Version

OK - I'm not sure if it is the economy, our new president, or just good planning, but I have had 8 retail chains contact me in the last week related to meeting to look at RMS replacement options. Needless to say, I will be traveling a lot over the coming months (I'll post my travel and related trade show schedule next week)!

So - to provide some perspective - these retail chains and franchises have the following in common:

• Using Microsoft Dynamics RMS version 2.01 or higher
• Have between 5 and 350 locations
• Computers and related hardware in the stores is less than 5 years old

Here is what they do not have in common:

• Some are using Dynamics HQ and some are not
• Some are using Windows XP while others have Windows 7, 8.1 or 10
• Some are current on their software maintenance agreement - some are not
• Some have stand alone payment terminals, some are still using EDC in RMS, and some have a third party payment gateway or add-on for RMS

Based on initial conversations, here are the various courses of action - this is somewhat vague as you can always contact me for more information:

1. If there is a lot of love for RMS (you want to keep using RMS as long as possible), then adding payment processing equipment like Card Defender alleviates worries about payment security in RMS. This is a very easy and low cost option since only the payment processing hardware is being changed out.
2. If there is love for RMS and you already have payment processing terminals that exceed security requirements, then a simple refresh to the most current version of RMS is a great solution to keep things up and running for the next 4+ years. Also good to look at your hardware at this point and see what might need replacing.
3. If the sentiment is that the time is now to look at a cloud based point of sale system with a lower up front investment cost as well as a monthly fee that covers support and software upgrades, then RMS users are looking at Cloud Retailer which offers data migration from RMS as well as discounted license costs for RMS users.  Cloud Retailer has been tested to work in chains with up to 50 locations and could likely scale even higher if needed.
4. Feel like RMS is just great but you want a more updated look and feel? Retail Management Hero is a direct replacement for RMS but a multi-location "HQ" option will not be available until late 2017. Stay tuned.
5. In the mood for something more complete that just POS? Maybe you need more detailed accounting integration or true warehouse management. Some chains also need transportation logistics and productivity management. Here are your "step up" solutions that are great RMS replacements:
1. Retail Realm Essentials: In a nutshell this is Microsoft Dynamics AX with the non-POS modules turned off. Great for retail chains who want an on-premise point of sale system. Best suited if each retail store location is generating well over $1M in annual gross sales.
2. Microsoft Dynamics AX: The "do anything" on-premise ERP solution. Modular based solution and device level licensing. Too many options and modules to list in one post. Generally, you need to be ready to spend over $500,000 when it comes to Dynamics AX. For example, I was working with a 47 location chain with a $2M budget and we could barely get one Dynamics AX Partner to even speak with us (one reason why I now work for a Dynamics AX Partner).
3. Microsoft Dynamics 365: As Dynamics AX will not be around forever, Dynamics 365 is AX but as a cloud based and subscription as a service solution. Business and Enterprise level solutions are available as well as the different modules. Starting price point for the core module is around $210/month. Long term licensing costs are offset by no need for SQL servers and annual maintenance agreements. Limited feedback presently as Dynamics 365 was just made available for deployment.

OK - when it comes to chains and franchises using RMS, the situation and solution can be complex enough to require an onsite visit after an in depth conference call. With 18+ years of experience, this is something that I am more than happy to help with. My direct contact information is kevinantosh@gmail.com or 208-340-5632. If you would rather contact me via my employer, my work contact information is kevina@rite.us or 208-994-9404.