Top Reasons Retailers Contact Me

OK - not super exciting but here are the main reasons and topics why retailers are contacting me:

Locations and Blog Site Stats: http://www.pospondering.com/2019/10/the-power-of-social-media.html

Microsoft Dynamics RMS / HQ End of Life / RMS Replacement Options: http://www.pospondering.com/2019/08/what-other-microsoft-rmshq-users-are.html

Point of Sale Technology for Goodwill's and Similar Thrift Store Chains: http://www.pospondering.com/2019/09/goodwill-pos-meeting-updates.html

RMS Replacement Options Video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Q-oS4ehvjgI
 

If you are in the US and need point of sale related consulting, advice, sales, service or support, please contact me at 208-340-5632 or kevinantosh@gmail.com

Goodwill POS Meeting Updates

I've had the opportunity to speak with a couple more regional Goodwill's about their POS plans - a summary appears below.

• Generally, all Goodwill's are still dealing with tight technology budgets but realize that outdated technology costs them more money in the long run via break/fix hardware costs, excessive labor costs for manual processes that could be automated, and employee errors due to using older technology.
• When looking for a new POS system, major consideration has to be given specific to whether their new POS system "wish list" includes features like production tracking and donor tracking.
• Consultants are proving to be very helping in identifying areas that a new POS system could increase revenue, reduce labor costs, and reduce employee errors.

Now, since y'all don't like it when I share your location information in too much detail, here are the Goodwill's that I have spoke with recently (or consulted with), what POS system they currently use, and what they plan on doing about their older POS system.

1. Southern US - Using Microsoft RMS/HQ - general discussions to replace in 2021 but no formal plan yet.
2. Southeastern US - Using Microsoft RMS/HQ - general discussions to replace RMS in 2021 - have looked at Retail Management Hero and Cloud Retailer - no formal plan yet.
3. Midwest - Using custom POS system - no plans to replace
4. Southwestern US - Using PC America - RFP is presently out to narrow down search for a new POS.
5. Rocky Mountain - Using NCR CounterPoint - no plans to switch away
6. Northeastern US - Using NCR CounterPoint - no plans to switch away
7. Southern West Coast - Using Microsoft RMS/HQ - starting searching for RMS replacement
8. Pacific Northwest - Using Microsoft RMS/HQ - started search for RMS replacement by looking at Retail Management Hero and Cloud Retailer - budget limitations mean using RMS through at least 2020
9. Pacific Northwest - Using Microsoft RMS/HQ - have not started looking at RMS replacement options
10. Pacific Northwest - Using Microsoft RMS/HQ - have not started looking at RMS replacement options
11. Northern Rock Mountains - Using NCR CounterPoint - no plans to replace CounterPoint at this time.

If you would like more details about the consulting that I have done for Goodwill Industries, or just have general thrift store point of sale questions,  please contact me at kevinantosh@gmail.com or 208-340-5632. Thanks!

Best Point of Sale Systems for Thrift Stores: 2017 Edition

Wow - I've had around 8 thrift stores contact me over the last couple of months based on an older post. Now seemed like a good time to update with more current information when it comes to the best point of sale systems for thrift stores. Note that this applies whether you have 1 location or 500 locations.  Below is a matrix that also notes costs and some other basic details.

Please note that that first steps in searching for a thrift store point of sale system are documenting processes, coming up with a budget, and interviewing staff and leadership to come up with a feature/function wish list. The matrix is only designed to give a high level view of whats on the market today and a few details about each system.

Here is the matrix:

Thrift Store Point of Sale Overview – 2017

Type	Examples	Strengths	Weaknesses	Costs	Kevin Antosh can demo or provide free trial
Cloud – low end	Shopkeep, Lavu, Silver, Clover, Revel	Super easy to learn and use	Weak for multi-location operations, limited reporting. Some systems lock you into contracts with specific credit card processing companies	$3000 - $4000 for typical 2 lane store for hardware + $120 - $200 a month per location for software subscription	Yes on Silver
Cloud – mid level	Bindo Lightspeed	Easy to use and better designed for multi-location operations	Mixed reviews – somewhat pricey	$3000 - $4000 for typical 2 lane store for hardware + $200 - $300 a month per location for software subscription	Yes on Bindo
Cloud/Windows – high end	Microsoft Dynamics 365	Complete ERP software for entire organization	Fairly new (2017) and expensive	Easily $1000000 to $2000000 across the organization or around $60,000/month just for licensing	Yes – can be arranged
Mixed	Cloud Retailer	Part cloud/part Windows, well designed for multi-location. Latest in payment processing security while still being processor agnostic.	Might need some minor adjustments to handle round ups if needed.	$5000 - $8000 up front for a single store with 2 check out lanes + $70/month per store for software subscription and support.	Yes + can provide your organization with a full access to Cloud Retailer for up to 60 days.
Windows – Low end	Retail Management Hero	Designed for all types of retail – fairly low cost – flexible	Multi-location version will not be available until Q1 2018	$8000 - $10000 for typical 2 lane store . No mandatory on-going fees	Yes – have full copy.
Windows – mid level	Retail Pro	Stable system	Not truly for thrift, fairly outdated	$12000 - $16000 for typical 2 lane store . No mandatory on-going fees	No
Windows – customized for thrift	NCR Counterpoint SQL	Lots of thrift store customizations – in use already at multiple thrift stores (of which many I have met with in person)	Amazingly expensive	$12000 - $18000 for typical 2 lane store . No mandatory on-going fees	Have full copy of the basic software – general information on thrift store enhancements
Windows – discontinued (but in use at a lot of chain thrift stores)	Microsoft RMS, Microsoft RMS HQ, Microsoft POS 2009, Microsoft POS 2.0, Microsoft Dynamics AX	N/A	N/A	N/A	N/A

Software in bold means that it is use at thrift stores and/or well designed for thrift stores.

Contact me at 208-340-5632 or kevinantosh@gmail.com with any questions or if you have interest in the onsite consultancy services that I offer.