Updates on Retail Management Hero Central

Fresh off of a webinar regarding the status of the Retail Management Hero (RMH) Central software designed for retailers with more than one location, here are some updates to pass along:

• 50 partners have been trained world wide to sell and support RMH Central
• Uses background services to sync data between store and central HQ (no worksheet required, looks for changes and syncs automatically)
• Near real time data sync
• Can have store specific customers (customer record doesn't have be stored at all the stores)
• Can return products at a store that is not the same store as the original purchase
• Global customer loyalty program included
• Global voucher (gift card/gift certificate) included
• Very simple and straightforward inventory transfer abilities in near real time 
• Regional suppliers

At this time, no release date information on RMH Central was shared. My best guess is that we are looking at very late 2019 or early 2020 before RMH Central will be stable and deploy-able.

Please let me know if you have any questions on RMH Central by contacting me at kevinantosh@gmail.com or 208-340-5632.

Retail Management Hero and RMH Central Update - June 2018

Some long awaited and much appreciated updates specific to the Retail Management Hero (RMH) and RMH Central retail point of sale software programs. Here are the bullet points and some screen caps:

• New Leadership and renewed commitment at Retail Management Hero
• Roadmap to a better and more feature rich program towards 2019/2020
• Now offering an Avalara integration (nice!)
• Q3 2018: Completely new version of RMH
• 2019: Android version
• Future Integrations (2019-2020):
• Accounting: Nav, Dynamics GP, QuickBooks Accounting
• Business Intelligence: Power BI
• E-Commerce: Shopify, Magento, Amazon, WooCommernce
• Shipping: ShipRush
• Plan to offer custom layouts and skins
• RMH Central Updates
• Beta release "soon"
• On premise/locally hosted for now - cloud version down the road
• Near real time communication using VPN/Web that is also bi-directional
• Worksheets are mainly only used for future tasks (eg: change sale price in 60 days)
• Item creation is only at the RMH Central level - not at the store level
• Can have multiple layers (eg: groups of stores, RMH Central and the RMH Central again at a higher level)

RMH Central Screen Caps (looks like RMH Manager but with the worksheets and easy to use multi-store settings):

Summary:

Overall it is very clear that the folks at Retail Realm and Retail Management Hero realize that they needed to re-commit to enhancing and stabilizing RMH in order to capture more of the 50,000 retailers world wide that use Microsoft Dynamics RMS and RMS HQ. The biggest concern at this point is that many RMS and HQ users can't wait another 2-3 years for a RMH and RMH Central to stabilize and include all the features and functions that today's retailers want and expect.

Advice:

My overall advice remains the same - if there are no compelling reasons for you to move away from RMS / HQ, then we still have until at least 2020 to keep using RMS. If you compelling reasons to replace RMS /HQ now (TLS 1.2 or 1.3, outdated hardware, credit card processing issues, missing key features/functions that are required by your organization, etc), then you will likely need to either look at Card Defender or other POS options like Cloud Retailer unless you have some fairly simple needs that can be fulfilled by RMH now.

Given that new technology and payment industry requirements may require the replacement of RMS sooner than 2020 or 2021, I would strongly advise having 2 plans in place if the initial thought is to continue using RMS for the time being. One plan would be more long term for RMS replacement and the second plan would be to replace hardware, payment processing equipment, and peripherals as needed in the interim. 

I do see RMH and RMH Central as great replacement options for RMS and HQ for retailers and franchises who can wait until the programs stabilizes and matures over the next 1-3 years.

Next Step:

Can I help? I've now worked with well over 1700 retailers using RMS (and HQ) and can provide the following in conjunction with the entire team at RITE:

• Retail POS Sales, Support and Service
• Paid onsite consulting (process documentation and improvement, ROI for a new POS system, POS feature/function/requirement wish list creation, vendor comparison, RFI/RFP/RFQ creation and review)
• Onsite POS Sales, Support and Service
• General Advice

Please do contact me at kevinantosh@gmail.com or 208-340-5632 so I can learn more about your business and specific goals. 

Retail Management Hero v 3.51: List of Updates

A list of the various updates to the Retail Management Hero point of sale software over the last several months:

RMH 3.5.4 (February 2018) Release
Includes version 3.5.3 new features as well as a roll-up of resolved issues and fixes

New Features include:
Retail Management Hero (RMH) 3.5.4 is a maintenance release that carries over all features from its predecessors . The following improvements are available in RMH 3.5.4 .

Notes :

•  To upgrade to RMH 3.5.4 from RM H 3. 5 .0 or earlier , you must first uninstall the old version and install the new one.
  

•  Offline to online synchronization of payment data is currently not supported .
  

Previously released new features in 3.5.3  were:
Retail Management Hero (RMH) 3.5.3 is a maintenance release that carries over all features from its predecessors. The following improvements are available in RMH 3.5.3.

• Change Item Prices when receiving a PO (Store Manager)
• Sort Purchase Order Details exactly like it’s done in Purchase Order Requisition (Store Manager)
• Add an Item Movement Report to the Purchase Order details (Store Manager)
• Updated Spanish language menus (POS and Store Manager)
• Deleting a line drops the cursor (or active line) to the next item in order (Store Manager)
  

Note:
To upgrade to RMH 3.5.3 from RMH 3.5.0 or earlier, you must first uninstall the old version and install the new one.

Offline to online synchronization of payment data is currently not supported

Previously released new features in 3.5.2  were:
Retail Management Hero (RMH) 3.5.2 is a maintenance release that carries over all features from its predecessor, RMH 3.5.0 Beta. While RMH 3.5.2 provides mostly improvements and critical fixes, it is considered the GA version of the RMH 3.5.x series. The following improvements are available in RMH 3.5.2.

• Validating all fields on the item form (Store Manager)
  

Note: To upgrade to RMH 3.5.2 from RMH 3.5.0 or earlier, you must first uninstall the old version and install the new one.

RMH 3.5.2 (January 2018) Release
Includes version 3.5.1 new features as well as a roll-up of resolved issues and fixes

New Features include:
Retail Management Hero (RMH) 3.5.2 is a maintenance release that carries over all features from its predecessor, RMH 3.5.0 Beta. While RMH 3.5.2 provides mostly improvements and critical fixes, it is considered the GA version of the RMH 3.5.x series. The following improvements are available in RMH 3.5.2.

• Validating all fields on the item form (Store Manager)
  

Note: To upgrade to RMH 3.5.2 from RMH 3.5.0 or earlier, you must first uninstall the old version and install the new one.

Previously released new features in 3.5.1  were:
Improvement in the Max Amount or Percentage Discount (POS, Store Manager)
Enable/disable editing the Item Description (POS)
Improvements in the Cash Drawer functionality (POS)
Channels added to the Net Display (POS)
Extended Description field added to the Action menu (POS)
Include '*' in the quantity/weight entry on-screen num-pads (POS)
Add Description to Reason Code list (Loyalty)
Fractional Item Quantities for Assembly items (POS, Store Manager)
Please refer to the release notes PDF contained inside the zip installer (info folder)


NOTE: To view the latest RMH documentation, visit https://www.rmhpos.com/resources/. Latest addition to the RMH documentation is the RMH POS How-To Guide, which walks new cashiers through all the basic features and functions of the RMH POS program.


Previously released new features in 3.5.0 Beta were:
TaskPads (POS, Store Manager)
Active Reports (Store Manager)
Enhanced custom reports to include filtering (Store Manager)
Additional fields to the Detailed Sales Reports (Store Manager)
Cash Drawer: Support for two independent cash drawers (POS)
Column tooltips in customer lookup and item lookup (POS)
Automatic refresh at the POS after changes are made at the Store Manager (POS)
Tax brackets (POS)
Prompt to Show PO/Transfer – Receipt document after Commit (Store Manager)
Recall Layaway (list/grid) – Include columns for Ref and Comment (POS
Please refer to the release notes PDF contained inside the zip installer (info folder)


NOTE: To view the latest RMH documentation, visit https://www.rmhpos.com/resources/. Latest addition to the RMH documentation is the RMH POS How-To Guide, which walks new cashiers through all the basic features and functions of the RMH POS program.

****Please Contact A Retail Management Hero Partner for Help in Upgrading to the Latest Version of the Retail Management Hero Point of Sale Software****

Microsoft Dynamics RMS Hotfix List

I've posted about all the hot fix, version, and cumulative updates to the Microsoft Dynamics RMS point of sale software in the past but here is information specific to 2015-2017. You will need an active CustomerSource account to access these hot fixes or help from a Microsoft Dynamics RMS Partner. If you are in need of a Microsoft Dynamics RMS Partner then please contact me at 208-340-5632 or kevinantosh@gmail.com

Number/​Date	Issue Summary	Build
Hotfix #60 KB3096600 (9/25/2015)	The following error occurs when trying to backup an RMS 2.0 database on Windows 8.1 or Windows 10 when using SQL 2012 R2:  Backup failed for server 'server name'. ​A join to the [Transaction] table has been added to the Accounts Receivable report to allow for the report to be customized to display additional columns.	2.0.2022
Hotfix #59 KB3088633 ​(8/25/2015)	When you try to settle a payment connector EDC transaction you receive the following error message. This is caused by a transaction being settled in Dynamics Online Payment Services but not in RMS. This fix settles all possible transactions to help narrow down the issue.  Error: Payment card number is required. ​After you disable the "Allowed to change tax status" cashier permission in Store Operation Manager, cashiers can still change the tax status in Store Operations POS. The "Hide items with no discrepancies" button on the Physical Inventory Discrepancy form isn't available if the button is disabled for users who have a different security level in Store Operations Manager.	2.0.2021
Hotfix #58 KB3075799 (7/16/2015)	​When you tender a recalled credit card transaction for return, in Store Operations POS, the card is charged and not refunded if you are using Microsoft Dynamics Online Payment Processing. When you use a Gasoline item after you install hotfix KB2991974, you receive the following error message: "Validation Error 311: The amount for this tender cannot exceed the purchase amount."​	2.0.2020
Hotfix #57 KB3070630 (6/23/2015)	When you return an item with a $0.00 price in Store Operations POS, you receive the following error message: "Runtime error '3021': Either BOF or EOF is True, or the current record has been deleted." In Store Operations Manager, when you use the Dynamics Online Payment Connector for payment processing, the Electronic Draft Capture Detailed report shows returns with a status of open.  In Store Operations Manager, when you use Preferred Acquirer for payment processing, the Electronic Draft Capture Detailed report shows returns with a status of open.	2.0.2019
Hotfix #56 KB3065670 (5/25/2015)	New warning messages are introduced to help prevent entry of incorrect database configuration settings in Headquarters Client. After Hotfix #54 was installed, the message displayed would not allow you to process a voucher until the settings were fixed. This fix allows the cashier to continue with the mismatched settings. Note This hotfix rolls back a previous change that required registry settings to be updated manually. Any registry settings that have already been entered do not have to be removed.	2.0.2018
Hotfix #55 KB3058058 (4/27/2015)	When you close Store Operations POS, the SOPOSUSER.exe service does not stop. This causes a problem when you try to reopen Store Operations POS. When you double-click to reopen Store Operations POS, nothing happens. To have Store Operations POS opened, you have to go into the Windows Task Manager, and then manually stop the SOPOSUSER.exe process first.Adds a new Dynamics Online Payment Services Electronic Draft Capture report in Store Operations Manager. Note This resembles the previously available report when you use TSYS.	2.0.2017
Hotfix #54 KB3047259 ​(3/27/2015)	When security is enable to prevent a cashier for editing a Purchase Order in Store Operations Manager, cashiers who have the right to edit a Purchase Order are also unable to edit a Purchase Order. When you try to tender a transaction with a global voucher, you receive the following warning message in Store Operations POS: The voucher sale cannot be completed because Voucher Client is not configured with the correct store database. To proceed with this sale without the voucher, void the voucher line item. When you are working on an order, the Add Items item list in the Purchase Order, Inventory Transfer In, or Inventory Transfer Out window periodically updates and moves the pointer focus to the top of the list. ​	2.0.2016
Hotfix #53 KB3035749 (2/27/2015)	When you add a sale schedule to a Matrix Code in Store Operations Manager, the sale is not enabled for the corresponding component items.  You must settle transactions before making changes to your Payment Connector configuration.  ​ You must settle transactions before making changes to your Payment Connector configuration.  ​ When you try to add details to a transaction or set multiple quantities per line item in Store Operations POS, you receive the following error message:  Run-time error '91': Object variable or With block variable not set.​ ​When you have unsettled electronic draft capture (EDC) transactions in a database, you can switch between Test Mode and Production Mode in the Store Operations Administrator Dynamics Payment Connector window. After you apply this hotfix, if there are unsettled EDC transactions in the database, the following warning message will be displayed when you try to save changes in the Dynamics Payment Connector window:	2.0.2015
​​​Hotfix #52 KB3031731 (1/27/2015)	You receive the following message when you try to tender a transaction with more than one tender type: “The change tender cannot be determined. Adjust tendered amounts as needed.”	2.0.2014

Updates on Retail Management Hero

Some updates related to the Retail Management Hero (RMH) retail point of sale software. As a reminder, RMH is a direct low cost replacement for Microsoft Dynamics RMS as well as some of the other Microsoft Dynamics POS products like POS 2.0 and POS 2007/2009.

RMH Central - New headquarters module to replace RMS HQ:

• Rejoice!  No longer cloud based!!!  Just like RMS HQ, RMH Central will be a locally deployed solution
• Direct replacement for RMS HQ
• Keep all historical data
• Same pricing structure as HQ
• Better security and faster processes
• Ready for deployment Q4 2017

RMH Updates:

• Loyalty Module now included - based on the popular Hero Points add-on for RMS
• 3 types of point collections
• 7 types of point redemption
• On premise (nice - not cloud based)
• Various accelerators to promote faster point collection
• QuickBooks integration (Q2 2017)
• 3 e-commerce options
• Weights and Measure certification and support (Q2 2017)
• Additional payment processor support (varies by locale)

We are a fully certified RMH Partner (as well as a Microsoft Dynamics Partner) so I will list my work contact information in this post to obtain more information: 208-994-9404 or kevina@rite.us

Still Using Microsoft RMS Version 1.X? Things You Should Know

There are still a multiple stores in the US using version 1.2 or 1.3 of the Microsoft RMS point of sale software (also under the Store Operations name) so I wanted to pass along a checklist of reasons why you may want to consider an upgrade to RMS version 2.02 or even version 3 under the new Retail Management Hero name.

1. Support for version 1.2 and 1.3 ended some time ago per this page on the Microsoft website: https://support.microsoft.com/en-us/lifecycle?p1=10339&forceorigin=esmc
2. If you are still using a software key/dongle, you can not obtain a replacement (and those devices are sensitive to just about anything - especially static electricity). If the key/dongle fails, you will lose access to the POS module in RMS.
3. There are known device issues with Windows 10 - especially when it comes to receipt printers and barcode printers.
4. You are not PCI compliant 

The good news is that you can upgrade to version 2.02 of RMS and obtain a more traditional software key or you can upgrade to the new Retail Management Hero software as well. As costs vary depending on what hardware you have and whether you have stayed current on your RMS software maintenance, please contact me at 208-340-5632 or kevinantosh@gmail.com for more information. A good ballpark starting price is $940 to cover the lapsed maintenance and issue a new single lane license key for version 2.02 of RMS.

Reasons to Upgrade to Version 2.02 of Microsoft RMS

Even with the new Retail Management Hero software being available at low cost to Microsoft RMS users, several stores using RMS version 2 have actually opted to only upgrade to RMS version 2.02 for the time being. As RMS version 2.02 (with service pack 5) will be supported through  July 2021 (per this page on the Microsoft website: https://support.microsoft.com/en-us/lifecycle?p1=17483&forceorigin=esmc), here are some reasons why you may want to just upgrade to version 2.02 and wait on upgrading to Retail Management Hero for the time being (which could be a few months or a few years depending on your preference):

• You have multiple add-ons (shopping cart, loyalty program, gift card program, etc) in RMS that will not yet work with Retail Management Hero
• You have already invested in EMV/Chip Card equipment like Card Defender
• You have passed all PCI compliance testing
• You have remained current on annual software maintenance or are willing to pay a lapse fee to become current on software maintenance
• You are not using Windows XP
• You are not using Windows 10
• Everything is churning along just fine
• You are not receiving any error messages like 941 errors
• The RMS database is not near or at the SQL size limits

Obviously this is not a complete list as everyone's situation is different. The point is that you may want to stick with your current version of RMS, upgrade to version 2.02, or go ahead and upgrade to Retail Management Hero.

Just as situations vary, costs vary as well. Of the last 8 stores using RMS that I helped update to version 2.02 of RMS, the costs ranged from $330 to $1700.

Of course, future industry changes may prompt a "sooner than later" upgrade to Retail Management Hero but, for now, these stores are set through 2021 (but most are looking at upgrading to Retail Management Hero within the next 12 months).

Contact me at 208-340-5632 or kevinantosh@gmail.com for more detailed assistance.

Quick Note of Thanks!

Quick note of thanks to the 27 stores in Idaho & Utah that recently selected RITE as their Microsoft RMS Partner! #rms #support #Utah #idaho

Obviously this was more of a social media post but it has been amazing (and hectic) couple of weeks given the need and demand for RMS support here in Idaho and Utah.

Thank goodness we have multiple RMS techs on staff!

Latest Patches/Fixes/Updates for Microsoft RMS

A very detailed document explaining the various updates/fixes/etc to the Microsoft Dynamics RMS point of sale software. Please review carefully and contact myself or your Dynamics RMS Partner for more information as this is already over 2 years old.

http://www.rite.us/Portals/0/Documentation/RMS/Microsoft%20RMS%20Version%20Log%203-27-2014.pdf

If you are in the US, I can be reached using the form to the right, via email at kevinantosh@gmail.com or on my cell at 208-340-5632 (I am on mountain time).

Retail Essentials Point of Sale Software

Just a quick request to any Microsoft Dynamics Partner in the US or Canada that is planning to become certified to sell and support the new Retail Essentials (Retail Realm Essentials - powered by Microsoft Dynamics)  point of sale solution: please contact me!

I have been receiving multiple requests from Dynamics RMS and HQ users looking for detailed information related to Retail Essentials and I can not find anyone who is currently planning on selling and supporting Retail Essentials.  There are also several hundred current RMS and HQ users that I am personally familiar with that would appreciate knowing more about Retail Essentials to see if Retail Essentials is a viable upgrade.

My contact information can be found here.

Microsoft RMS/HQ End of Life and EMV

Update July 2016: Since many Microsoft RMS point of sale software would like to keep using RMS for another couple of years but still need to deal with the EMV Liability Shift Date, visit this post for more information on the Card Defender EMV add-on for Microsoft RMS versions 1.3 and higher (and HQ as well): http://retailpospondering.blogspot.com/2016/06/card-defender-emv-add-on-for-microsoft.html

Update July 2016, Retail Management Hero (RMS version 3.X) demo and overview: http://retailpospondering.blogspot.com/2016/07/new-version-of-rmsretail-management.html

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

Update August 8th, 2015: Blog post and video covering all the options available for RMS users related to EMV: http://retailpospondering.blogspot.com/2015/06/options-for-microsoft-dynamics-rms-and.html

Updated information on the upcoming Retail Management Hero Software (or what I am coining "RMS 3.0 for 2015 and beyond") can be found here: http://retailpospondering.blogspot.com/2015/06/new-option-for-rmshq-users-retail.html


Update January 1st, 2015:

Based on recent conversations with Microsoft and Retail Realm, use of EMV hardware with Microsoft Dynamics RMS Store Operations and HQ will only be available via third party software add-ons (subject to change of course). While this does provide a way for RMS/HQ users to comply with the EMV liability shift, it also means that you will need to pay to use the third party EMV software.

Of course, RMS and HQ are end of life so it make more sense to start planning to replace RMS/HQ with a new point of sale program.

Confused? Contact me for free and unbiased advice.


Since I have been receiving multiple calls and emails related to Microsoft Dynamics Retail Management Systems Store Operations (RMS) and Headquarters (HQ), I wanted to pass along some updates based on what I know so far related to RMS and HQ 'end of life' as well as EMV compatibility.

First, on EMV compatibility:

A forum response from a Microsoft Representative states that there are no plans to upgrade RMS to work with EMV hardware.  However, there is a good chance that a third party will step in and offer some sort of add-on so RMS users can use EMV hardware.  I have heard of some third party RMS EMV apps becoming available but they take a percentage of each transaction.

It is starting to look like RMS and HQ users need to start looking at other options as I question whether it makes sense to invest in a point of sale product whose end of sales and mainstream support date is July of 2016.

Which brings up another possibility related to RMS and HQ:

Given the sheer number of users, as well as all the companies that sell RMS and HQ or offer various enhancements for RMS and HQ, I am hopeful that someone might acquire the rights to coding and database design for RMS and HQ.  I have not heard anything but it seems really strange that a point of sale program used by 40,000+ stores would just be completely retired.

Like I said, I've not heard anything yet but a companies like Retail Realm and New West Technologies stand to loose a lot of revenue if RMS and HQ are retired.

The upside (if a company acquired the rights to RMS and HQ) would be an extremely large existing user base - the downside is that a lot of RMS and HQ users are pretty upset with Microsoft and already making plans to switch to different point of sale programs before October of 2015.  And I don't just mean small single stores but stores with hundreds of locations in the US.

So - anyone interested?  Of course, Microsoft may not be interested in selling the coding and database information for RMS and HQ so this could be a mute point in the end...

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.

New 'Stuff' in Bindo Point of Sale

The folks at Bindo point of sale have been busy adding new stuff to Bindo. The most recent update includes the following:

• User Interface Improvements
• Performance Improvements
• Anonymous Gift Cards
• Ability to Edit Purchase Order Costs
• Label Print with Quantity
• Create Discounts
• Customize Email Receipts
• Return Report
• Gift Receipts
• Adjust Order Minimum for a Signature Being Required
• Item Level Atributes
• Signature Line for Delivery Receipts
• EMV Compliance (very important and one of the first point of sale solutions that I am aware to meet EMV compliance)

There is more in the works so I will try and keep everyone updated. This is one nice thing about the current generation of point of sale solutions - the updates and upgrades are included in the price!  You can learning more about Bindo by visiting www.bindopos.com. 

Do you have some point of sale questions or need some free advice or help in selecting a point of sale solution for your business or organization? I'm happy to help!  If you are in the United States 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.

New Features in Shopkeep Point of Sale & Reviews/Feedback

I mentioned a few posts back that open bar tab and tip/total functions are what prevents most retail point of sale systems from being used in most food service businesses.

Well, the folks at Shopkeep have now added both the open bar tab function and tip/total functions to Shopkeep which opens up Shopkeep point of sale for iOS devices to those with food service businesses.

My main concern with Shopkeep Point of Sale is the lack of valid reviews from people actually using the Shopkeep point of sale solution here in the United States. I receive frequent calls and emails from folks asking about Shopkeep but none of us can find valid reviews from actual end users. That being said, you can find more information on the Shopkeep website at http://www.shopkeep.com/

UPDATE: I may have spoken to soon. Here is a link to a Shopkeep review but ignore the review (the person who wrote the review does not state that they have retail or restaurant management experience) and jump down to the comments to see some feedback on Shopkeep - it is pretty easy to spot the valid and invalid comments: http://www.merchantmaverick.com/reviews/shopkeep-review/


With a background in retail and restaurant management plus 15 years of working with various point of sale solutions, I have become quite skilled at pulling out the valid information in the reviews.  For those of you not wanting to read through the comments, here is what you need to know:

"As of about a week ago, suspended tickets have now been added"
"Shopkeep does not support integration with ANY webstore applications that I can find. They had made a decision to move away from Shopify in early 2013,"
"Shopkeep still has NOTHING in place to offer for web integration"
"expect the second tax rate to be available in the very near future"
"the interface seems easy and clean, and it’s a breeze to set up"
"no long-term agreements and no cancellation fees"
"The customer service is great and they are obviously a company on the right track"
"However, not having gift card integration is TERRIBLE and extremely frustrating...."
"...only one tax rate and only one special tender type…those are limitations I cannot live with."

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.

More updates for users of Microsoft Dynamics Retail Management Systems Store Operations (RMS) Point of Sale Software

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 28.June.2015 - special discount and incentive from a national NCR CounterPoint Partner for RMS and HQ users: http://retailpospondering.blogspot.com/2015/06/big-discount-and-incentive-for.html

As I have been asked to assist multiple retail stores using RMS to help determine their best course of action (which I am doing for free, by the way), I took some time recently to travel to Minnesota to meet with one of the largest Microsoft Dynamics Partners in the United States.  Basically, here are the most recent updates related to Microsoft Dynamics RMS and HQ:

• Sales and mainstream support will continue to be available until July 2016
• Support for customers who maintain an annual software maintenance agreement will be available until July 2021
• RMS users who are current on their maintenance agreement will have a license swap option in the near future if Microsoft Dynamics AX POS or Dynamics Retail Essentials might be a better fit for your business
• Dynamics Retail Essentials was announced in May of 2014 but does not yet appear to be market ready for actual deployment (stay tuned)
• Microsoft is also working on a new point of sale solution designed for smaller single location retailers

The options basically boil down to what I have mentioned multiple times before:

1. If you are current on your annual software maintenance and RMS is doing what you want, then stay current on your annual maintenance. You will have multiple options available over the next 1-2 years.
2. If you are not current on your annual maintenance, you need to look at renewing your annual maintenance (contact your Microsoft Partner or myself for help) OR you need to start looking at other point of sale options (again, feel free to contact me for free advice)
3. If you are not happy with RMS for whatever reason then you are likely already searching for other options

At this point, everyone using RMS has time to chart the best course of action unless you are not current on your annual maintenance and/or feel RMS is no longer the best solution for your business.

Can I help?  Over the last 15 years I have worked with thousands of retail stores, museums, and government entities to help them find the best point of sale solution. You can reach me at kevinantosh@gmail.com or on my cell at 208-340-5632

Updates to NCR Silver

A few updates related to the NCR Silver point of sale solution for retail stores and restaurants that want a tablet/smartphone/mobile point of sale solution:

1. NCR Silver now has the ability to include color, style and size options for inventory items
2. There is a QuickBooks Accounting interface available for NCR Silver - my understanding is that the interface costs an additional $30/month - I will try to confirm that price and obtain more details about what the interface can and can't do.

Have questions? Want some free point of sale advice?  You can reach me at kevinantosh@gmail.com or 208-340-5632. 

Microsoft RMS Store Operations Update

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 28.June.2015 - special discount and incentive from a national NCR CounterPoint Partner for RMS and HQ users: http://retailpospondering.blogspot.com/2015/06/big-discount-and-incentive-for.html

Quick update - I have mentioned that there are 40,000 users of the Microsoft Dynamics RMS Store Operations point of sale software - the actual number is 60,000.

So, the conference has ended and Microsoft made public their plans for the RMS POS software. The good news is that some of you will be eligible for some new software while others will need to invest in a new solution.

Since I have worked with nearly 500 stores and museums across the country that use the RMS solution, I will be doing my best to contact each of you to explain your options. Any and all RMS users are also welcomed to contact me at kevinantosh@gmail.com or 208-340-5632 for free advice on your different options. I will break things down in to two different scenarios:

Currently using RMS but Not Current on an Annual Maintenance Agreement:

• Support for RMS will end in July of 2016 (no word on whether RMS will be updated for the EMV requirements coming up in 2015).
• With no maintenance agreement, you need to consider the following options:
• renewing your maintenance agreement
• explore investing in a different point of sale solution

Currently Using RMS and Current on your Annual Maintenance Agreement:

• If you are happy with your system then keep running as normal - you will be eligible for an equal numbers of licenses for newer point of sale software from Microsoft (but will still have to likely invest in costs related to labor and possible replacement hardware and peripherals).
• If you have been thinking about upgrading, then it is a good time to look at other POS solutions on the market - you can always contact me for some free general advice.

Bottom Line: there is no sense of urgency at this point but it would be good to start looking at your options and have a plan in place before things get busy this fall.

Here is a link to a great article summarizing Microsoft's announcement related to RMS: 

http://msdynamicsworld.com/story/microsoft-maps-out-dynamics-retail-plans-enterprise-smb-markets-retail-realm-event-las-vegas

Again, I can be reached at kevinantosh@gmail.com or 208-340-5632 if you want some free advice related to your specific situation.

Note to those of you needing to renew your annual maintenance agreement and/or need help with your RMS solution: I have a meeting with a national RMS Partner in a few weeks and hopefully they will be able to offer some more detailed options after we meet.  

Future of Microsoft RMS and RMS HQ

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 28.June.2015 - special discount and incentive from a national NCR CounterPoint Partner for RMS and HQ users: http://retailpospondering.blogspot.com/2015/06/big-discount-and-incentive-for.html

For the 38,000 users of Microsoft RMS Store Operations (of which I know many of you personally):

Just a quick reminder that the Microsoft Retail  conference is this weekend (25.April.2014 - 26.April.2014). Microsoft has indicated that information will be shared related to the future of RMS and HQ.  This will finally allow the 35,000+ users of RMS to start planing for any upgrades or migrations that will need to be made over the next year.

I will post any and all information related to RMS as quickly as it becomes available to me (so please ignore any spelling and grammer errors).

I have also scheduled a meeting with a national RMS partner in May so I can also pass along information related to how a Microsoft Partner can assist both my personal former client base as well those of you using RMS and/HQ that I have not had a chance to meet yet.

-Kevin

Press Release from NCR on a New Feature in NCR Silver

NCR SilverTM mobile POS adds loyalty and rewards for small business

 New release of POS system for iPad®, now with rich loyalty program, makes it easy for small merchants including restaurants and retailers to reward customers

DULUTH, Ga., March 5, 2014 – Small businesses can now easily create, run and manage reward programs with the release of NCR Silver iPad® point of sale (POS), with subscriptions starting at only $59 per month. NCR Corporation (NYSE: NCR), the global leader in consumer transaction technologies, today announced the new loyalty component of its powerful mobile POS for small businesses.

Loyalty complements the existing automated email and social marketing functionality in NCR Silver making it even easier for cafés, shops, restaurants, boutiques, food trucks, and any small business to reward customers for repeat purchases. Loyalty fits seamlessly into the checkout process, automatically tracking rewards with each sale so customers see exactly what they have earned and eliminating the need for paper punch cards. Rewards and customer information reside on the NCR Silver POS system and merchants retain all the data rather than share it through a third-party loyalty application.

“Satisfying your best customers is critical to the success of every small business,” says Justin Hotard, general manager, NCR Silver. “We added loyalty to go along with email marketing, customer history, and reporting to make NCR Silver the perfect fit to grow any small business.”

Technology has changed how small businesses build loyal customer bases with digital alternatives to the old paper punch cards. Recently, MarketingProfs published ‘Surprising Facts about Customer Loyalty Marketing,’ reporting that if you structure your loyalty program effectively, you will see a lift in visits and revenue from your enrolled customers. The report also notes that over their lifetime, loyal customers spend 10 times more than new customers.
NCR Silver with loyalty now does more to help time-starved small business owners like Patrick Harkins.

“I send a personal note after every sale and people really respond to that,” said Harkins, owner of Jackson, MS-based, Fondren Guitars. “When they come back, I look at their order histories to see their preferences and recommend just the right guitar or accessory. Now, my customers know they can trust me and they come back, because at my store they have a better customer experience – which is the foundation of building loyal customers.”

NCR provides live, 7-day support and access to Silver Sidewalk^TM, a customer community portal with information and opportunities to connect with other members. NCR Silver runs in the cloud, uses consumer-friendly technology, and works on Apple® devices running the latest iOS. 

NCR Silver Updates

Some long overdue updates related to NCR Silver. As a reminder, NCR Silver is a tablet based point of sale system for retail stores and quick serve restaurants. The functionality of NCR Silver falls between what a cash register can do and what a computer-based point of sale system can do.  You pay a monthly subscription fee to use NCR Silver in your iOS device.

Hardware Updates: 

NCR Silver runs on Apple®i; iOS^TM 6.0 & 7.0 devices. When implementing integrated credit, the NCR Credit Card Reader supports the following devices: iPad® 2, iPad with Retina display (3rd generation), iPad Mini & iPad Mini with Retina Display, iPad Air, iPhone® 4 and iPhone 4S, iPhone 5, 5s and 5c, or iPod touch® 4th and 5th generations.

Previously NCR Silver did not work with hardware designed for 3rd generation iPads or 5th generation iPhones and iPod Touches

New Features in Version 3 of NCR Silver:

• NCR Silver now supports multiple locations and can scale to meet the needs of retail shops, cafes, bakeries, restaurants or any small business that is expanding. With easy-to-use tools and reports, owners can manage items across all their sites, see a consolidated view of site sales data, and still easily navigate to individual locations for site-level details.
• Small business owners get more control with the ability to set user roles like Cashier or Manager and to assign permissions so they can grant or limit access to functions such as price override, discounts, returns, voids and tip adjustments.
• A new Time Clock feature makes everyday easier for small business owners and their employees. Employees simply sign in and out through the app, and owners can export timesheets for payroll.

I've talked to a few places using NCR Silver and the response has been positive but with a note that most retail store owners indicated that they plan on upgrading to a more complete point of sale system "down the road" (ie. something that can print barcode labels and create purchase orders).

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 (mountain time) or via email at kevinantosh@gmail.com.

Upcoming Updates to NCR CounterPoint Mobile (CP Mobile)

Some information to pass along from NCR related to the next release of NCR CounterPoint Mobile (CP Mobile):

Upcoming NCR Counterpoint Mobile Releases

We’re expecting our next version of NCR Counterpoint Mobile to be released in the next four to five weeks, and to contain the following: IOS7 Support.   We expect IOS7 to be released in roughly the next month– we’ve been working with developer versions and want to make sure when it is released that we’re ready for it in advance. Support fixes related to NCR Counterpoint servers running WinXP variants and other crashes based on our diagnostic data collected from the field. Ongoing: We are currently working in development with the Linea Pro 5 sled that supports the Lightning connector for iPhone 5 and iPod Touch 5.  It does require a new SDK from Infinite Peripherals, which has not been released and does not have an ETA.   When the SDK is released, we will ensure it works properly for NCR Counterpoint Mobile and include support for it in a subsequent release. 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 (mountain time) or via email at kevinantosh@gmail.com.