Retail POS and E-Commerce

As more and more retailers realize they need to have an e-commerce solution, they encounter the task of finding (or replacing) both a POS system and an e-commerce (or shopping cart) platform that integrates with their POS system.

I've had quite a few calls and emails about this over the last month or so - thus this post with some general advice:

1. You will find that most retail POS systems only work with certain e-commerce site and vice versa. It is not a universal solution in most cases. Be prepared for this and realize that your choice of POS software may dictate the e-commerce options available to you (or vice versa).
2. There are some exceptions but the complexity of a POS system usually drives the e-commerce options.
3. Custom development of an e-commerce site may be an option for retailers who have a large online presence.

So, when searching, you need to weigh in on were your sales come from as well as your POS and e-commerce "wish lists" for features and functions.  If you find that most of your sales come from in-store sales, then weigh more heavily finding a great POS system. If online sales bring in the most revenue, then spend time finding the best e-commerce platform. 

Retailers whose online sales are fairly small (less than 3 to 5 orders per day), may find it easier to not have the POS system and the e-commerce site share inventory and customer information.

Each situation is somewhat unique so please contact me at 208-340-5632 or kevinantosh@gmail.com with any questions or personalized advice.

Annual Payment Options for Card Defender and Cloud Retailer

Wanted to pass along some information on annual payment options for the Card Defender EMV/Chip Card add on for Microsoft RMS as well as the Cloud Retailer point of sale software program.

As some folks prefer to pay the on-going support and upgrade fee's for Card Defender and Cloud Retailer by ACH, Invoice or Cheque (or a one time per year payment via debit/credit card). these fee's can now be paid annually or monthly.

This allows for more flexible billing options and mirrors the method used specific to how some companies charge for their software programs annual maintenance agreement.

Current Card Defender and Cloud Retailer customers can switch from monthly to annual billing at any point by contacting RITE at billing@rite.us or 888-267-7483.

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

Welcome to Some New & Upgrading Customers!

Wow!  Really happy to say "thanks" to the following retailers for selecting myself as their point of sale partner over the past month:

• Goya Foods: General Dynamics RMS support and training
• Everson Royce: Expansion to include Cloud Retailer and Card Defender
• Simi Sue: Replacing Microsoft Dynamics RMS/HQ with Cloud Retailer and Card Defender
• Takashima: Upgrading from Microsoft Dynamics POS 2009 to Microsoft Dynamics RMS and HQ along with multiple customization's and add-ons.

Would you like to be included on this list? I can be reached at kevinantosh@gmail.com or 208-340-5632