Is it worth upgrading our till to epos?

[Sobie]

Hi All,

We currently have a very basic casio till, with only five department keys. Which means we have to imput every price into the till, remember prices (or have a list on the till) and keep every multibuy item to one side until we check that the customer has the right number of products etc. We do make (rare) mistakes on the till and it is not easy to see what you have imputed or miss. If a price sticker has fallen off we have to run arround looking for a price - which means we have resorted to writing in marker pen on products this happens to frequently, and this just looks horrible.

We've been looking into upgrading our loyalty cards from paper ones, to swipe cards. Looking at standalone systems they look comparabily expensive to do something we already do on paper. But I'd like to get things looking more professional, and something people are more likely to hang onto. I know we're all loaded down with cards nowadays, but one of our competitors loyalty cards is almost always in a visable place in my customers purses.

It seems to me that upgrading our till to epos will cover all of our needs. But I need to find the best software to suit our needs - any suggestions?

Thanks
Sobie.

 

[solent66]

I've been looking at EPos systems for a few months now. Frankly the whole area is a nightmare with most suppliers websites saying nothing about their software other than a bunch of waffle about how it will save you money.

One of the problems is that you don't know what such systems are capable of until you've tried had a good long play with one.

A few of the features you might find useful:
Promotions (as you've mentioned).
Stock control
Reporting: see exactly what's been sold, which departments etc.
Start a new transaction before finishing the old one (e.g. if the first customer wants to pop off to get another product after you've started ringing up the sale).
Floating clerks: pick up the transaction on another till (e.g. when the customer above comes back and another clerk is using the original till).
Hotkey buttons on screen for top selling products (saves scanning etc.)
Clock in/clock out so you can track the hours your staff work.
Batch import barcode lists. I.e. get a list of products and prices from your supplier and import the whole thing in a few clicks.

One thin we're also looking at (you're a garden centre, right?) is wireless barcode scanners so when the customer comes to the till with a trolley full of large/heavy items we don't have to strain over the counter to scan them.

The system I looked at first was one called ICRTouch. I discounted it for a few reasons (no ability to discount an entire department - i.e. all bulbs 10% off; no sub-departments; and I'm not confident the batch import will work with our large number of products).

But I did find it a great system to download a play with and teach me what is capable. You'll need to google to find the download of the trial/demo - you're supposed to go through a dealer to get a copy - but it's one of very few systems where you can get an easily downloadable demo.

If you're not computer literate than a dealer demo may be better but, whichever systems you like the look of, make sure you get to have a long play with it because some you need to make sure you are comfortable using it day to day. And you need to make sure there aren't any niggling issues you'll only discover three weeks after you've purchased. This is the kind of stuff you won't find out with the dealer pressing all the buttons while you watch.

Also, make sure the software bends to the way you want to work rather than you having to compromise to fit around the software.

And good luck. My experience is that the software companies try and make it as hard as possible to learn about their systems.

 

[Sobie]

excellent reply, thank you so much solent.

Yes, we are a garden centre.

I was also looking at the ICR touch software, I believe its one of the few you can have loyalty schemes run through. so your points on that are very interesting.

Looking at the free software systems like uniCentre, issues seem to be at the moment you can't add in promotions, you can add multibuys but need to be able to write in coding. and no ability to run a loyalty scheme in that software.

I've just noticed on cardsave website that you can put loyalty cards in our pdq so will look at that route and perhaps not look for software with that ability. that will of course depend on the fees.

 

[solent66]

You'll probably find there are a number of systems that can run a loyalty scheme. My understanding of loyalty schemes is that they are there to built up a (e)mailing list so you can keep in contact. I understand a good system will let you send offers on products to specific customers who have bought the same thing off you before, or market them add-on products.

I'm not sure how useful that is in a seasonal business where customers are buying different products each month. Maybe if it can notify customers when a line they bought last year comes in stock? Loyalty schemes aren't really in our plans at present so I've not really investigated.

As for free software, I think you get what you pay for. Given that your business can't function without the tills I'd rather pay a bit more for peace of mind. Most of the commercial systems I've seen are pretty flexible with promotions: Buy n get 1 free; buy n for £x off; buy n get £x/y% off; buy a + b + c for £x etc.

Promotions are something we're really hoping an EPos system will help us with as they're difficult to do on our current tills and a pain for the staff to remember.

 

[Sobie]

Thanks for the advice.

I've seen that cardsave (world pay) now do a casio epos system so they are popping out to see us tomorrow to discuss if it will be suitable for us. I'll let you know how it goes.

I've been also thinking about the receipt. currently our till is not itemised. we sell quite a number of items that have guarentees (upto 10 years for some) so an itemised receipt really would be better for the customer, and us on returns.

All I really need in terms of a loyalty card is something that keeps note of customers points without us having to manually keep records. I'm not keen on the idea of a third party contacting customers on our behalf as we already have a mailing list so would want to keep that part as personal as possible. Although if it was just an email with ' you have X number of points' that would be fine.

Best Regards
Sobie.

 

[Sobie]

Its a no to cardsave/ world pay. £100 pm + £350 training. it doesn't include card payment so you still have to have a standalone pdq terminal. And it doesn't have the ability to link to website for instant stock updates.

 

[solent66]

As I understand the loyalty programmes, the data is stored on your computers so emails would be sent by you as and when you want - no third party involved.

Is the Casio something like the QT6600? They look like pretty good systems which can do much of what the stand alone software can handle. Cheaper than a PC based system, fast reboot times if they crash when you've got a queue of customers and 'all-in-one'. Well worth a look (and there's similar models from other suppliers).

If you want a website too then some of the systems will run the entire site for you which may be worth a look. ISTR that was something ICRTouch is good at.

 

[Sobie]

Its the casio V-R 100. It looks fine, and to buy outright its a good price. But, The more I look the more it seems we're not going to be up and running for silly season so I'm really going to spend some time investigating what we really need to move our business forward. Its got to exsist there are enough of us garden centres that must be looking for the same thing.

 

[bovine]

Hope I can help as I sell and install Casio vr100, qt6600 and Icrtouch. I'm not here to sell to you though!

If you are a garden centre and want a loyalty system, go with icrtouch. , but get a dealer to help. You' can do a lot yourself, but there is a lot more that can be done with layouts/setup etc. There is also an inbuilt scripting language that can be implemented to run custom scripts to solve specific problems. Yes there is a loyalty system built in which can be used in different ways, the most common being points for each sale, then redeem for a set value.

You don't need to have any worries about importing products into Icr, you could import a massive file. Use the back office though., it makes a much more compete system.

As for discounting departments, I would use selective discounts which would do what you want quite easily.

For large products files, personally i would avoid something like a qt. great machines, but PC based are better suited to large retail. And the vrs are also good machines, but they are not intended to compete with the functionality of the qt and Icr.

I've got Icr in with a garden centre and they started of using is as a glorified cash register, with lots of departments, but have been adding in functionality as they get more confident.

Any questions, post away!

 

[Sobie]

thanks for your reply bovine. good to have some professional advice.

Lots to think about (and research).

 

[MyBusinessStory.co.uk]

Might be a good idea although it can be done quickly and on the cheap, if you have an ipad i came across a Epos app which turned your ipad into a Epos till and card machine in one, looked really good and was something i considered when i had my shop 3 years ago

 

[Airpos]

Folks perhaps you'd like to try us out at AirPOS, we offer a free 30 day trial to enable you to have a look around? Cloud based ePOS, inventory control and available on Android, Windows and iPad. Also we now have a package deal available for hardware / software at epospack.com

We have no loyalty system just yet, but when we do it will be a doozy!

 

[Talay]

Absolute minefield here. Trouble is that most promise the earth and deliver not a fraction of that.

As to costs, do not be wholly swayed by what seems a lot of money up front or monthly. Any system worth its salt should link effortlessly into your sales and general ledgers and make your accounting a breeze. You should see a significant reduction in accountancy fees if all works well or at least, a saving of tens if not hundreds of hours of your time. That is a cost as well.

If looking at stock levels, you'll need to consider your website (or future one) at the same time and make sure you have not only compatibility but future proof yourself over all technologies.

 

[mhall]

airpos is fine but it's still very new and it doesn't give you some of the basic things you would expect in an epos system. If you are on your own and have responsibility for everything then it's probably one of the best out there - the till side of it is so simple a child of three could master it but that also means it has security flaws if you have staff so it has a long way to go. Then again, every Retailer will have his or her own requirements and I suppose you get what you pay for.

One of the most important things for you to think about is exporting. You will doubtless change your system at some point and it's vital that you are able to export everything from one system if you decide to finish with it. Very few systems give you this option as they want you to stay with them but the last thing you want to do is to have to input every line in again from scratch (we have close to 5,000 and trust me, it takes forever). While the "pay as you go" systems sound good, they are useless if all your hard work inputting has to be done again - and if you can't export good reports for your accountant you leave yourself wide open if you move systems. You are also left open to be held hostage to any future price increases - lack of exporting of reports, sales and stock is a dangerous route to take and will have you over a barrel.

PAYG also tend to be web based and run by people who think we are all on our PCs all day long. Your system can be turned off instantly - usually for not paying which is fine but we all know that sometimes things go wrong (credit card expiring for example). If you are busy working and don't read emails etc for a week, it will be a bit of a bugger if your till goes down mid sale. I would suggest finding someone that has a proper system to prevent turn off - even if it means a phone call. Don't trust email or internet support only.

Be careful of big "training" costs - if it takes a long time to train staff you really don't need it.

Think about what you actually want the system to do and take your time. You will be blinded by science and sold stuff you don't need while what you want may not be there. Go with one and find your feet- you will change so sign as short a deal as you can - and export regularly

 

[Positivesystems]

Have a look at a program called Vend. We install it here (we are in New Zealand) but it is also available in UK. I think it will be perfect for what you want. We are a point of sale company. thanks, chris

 

[Sherlock Homeless]

Self managed EPOS is a royal pain.

You spend more time chasing data than actually working for your business as each delivery, plof change, barcode addition etc.. means time sitting at the puter puting.

A much better solution is to sign up to a supply chain/buying group who will then provide you with an EPOS system and back office linked into their supply network which does around 85% of the grunt work for you.

Then all you have to do is check the incoming data, as opposed to manually entering it all yourself. But you also lose your independence and in a sense are tied because anything you add externally to the store equals more manual computer work.

You want to know how to circumvent the whole issue and create a simple lookup database that's an ease to maintain and can be used to keep your entire inventory and offers at your fingertips? Here:

Get yourself a nice shelf edge label printer and label up all of the shelves at each product point thusly:

Place shelf talkers at each promotional stock item:

And voila, no more need to price items and you'll never be stuck on the till wondering again. Consider a separate rolodex for promotional items or if you want to just use one add in different coloured sections for the promos for quick reference.

After getting all old school we now get real hi tech and wow the punters with...

An RFID loyalty card.

 

[Parcelhub Ltd]

If you are a growing company, then upgrading to epos would be sensible, yes.

 

[Sobie]

thanks for all the comments. theirs so much to think about.

Probably touch screen isn't a good idea. Wet muddy fingers and all..

 

[solent66]

Well, you can get splash proof touch screens. You just need to look at the IP rating. Also look at the technology the touch screen uses. Some are both more rugged and reliable (in terms of registering 'clicks' than others).

(And, frankly, if your existing cash register hasn't short circuited yet I'm sure a touch screen will cope too).

 

[800heerww]

Absolutely.

If cost is an issue, someone on ebay will usually buy the old ones, you wouldbe surprised, which should help a bit.

 

[RCSEPoS]

Hi Sobie,

If you are a growing company, then upgrading to epos would be sensible, yes.

Solent66 has supplied some great answers with regards to what to look for in terms of features/modules. I back up everything they've said.

A few of the features you might find useful:
Promotions (as you've mentioned).
Stock control
Reporting: see exactly what's been sold, which departments etc.
Start a new transaction before finishing the old one (e.g. if the first customer wants to pop off to get another product after you've started ringing up the sale).
Floating clerks: pick up the transaction on another till (e.g. when the customer above comes back and another clerk is using the original till).
Hotkey buttons on screen for top selling products (saves scanning etc.)
Clock in/clock out so you can track the hours your staff work.
Batch import barcode lists. I.e. get a list of products and prices from your supplier and import the whole thing in a few clicks.

These are all features that you'll find help solve the issues you've listed in your opening post. A good EPoS System will be able to handle all of these features, either as part of it's core or with additional modules.

For example, we provide an EPoS System that has additional extensions such as promotions, loyalty, time & attendance etc. as the module route means we can add features for a retailer when they are ready to use them, rather than being bogged down with things they don't need. Plus, we're the authors of the software so we can tailor it to fit your exact requirements.

make sure you get to have a long play with it because some you need to make sure you are comfortable using it day to day. And you need to make sure there aren't any niggling issues you'll only discover three weeks after you've purchased. This is the kind of stuff you won't find out with the dealer pressing all the buttons while you watch.

Also, make sure the software bends to the way you want to work rather than you having to compromise to fit around the software.

Fully agree with this. You want to know the system will work the way you need it to. Otherwise it'll be a burden rather than a help.

Have a look at a program called Vend.

Vend do seem to be quite a good system from what I've seen (I certainly love their branding) however as you've said:

I'm not keen on the idea of a third party contacting customers on our behalf as we already have a mailing list so would want to keep that part as personal as possible.

I'd advise against cloud based PoS Systems as your customer data will be stored somewhere on their server which means you don't know who has access to that information. It's one of the downsides to "the cloud".

As for wet muddy fingers:

Well, you can get splash proof touch screens.

We supply garden centres with touch screen EPoS terminals and wet muddy fingers are no problem

If you'd like more information and advice on EPoS for Garden Centres then feel free to call us 01924 260020 (ask for Ryan as he'll be your best point of contact).

Otherwise I'm watching this thread so happy to answer any other questions you come across while researching if EPoS is right for you.

Hope it helps,
Nate

P.S. I've been writing a product tour for our website, let me know if it answers some of your questions or if I can make it clearer to understand. epossolutions.org/ epos-systems/

 

[DoubleSpeed]

Nate, whilst you make a valid point above about potential risks of data stored in the cloud, however just because data is held in the cloud it doesn't mean its insecure.

Over the past few years there has been and continues to be a massive shift to cloud based systems, you can pretty much buy everything in the cloud now from accountancy software to backup services the list is endless.

The cloud is the future and provides businesses with massive flexibility and ways of working that traditional software that is restricted to a machine or operating system just don't do.

ePOS systems have evolved to, systems like www. ShopTill-e .com provide the ability to sell online and instore with combined eCommerce Websites, they are flexible, no contracts, no upfront costs, they are hardware friendly as they work with PC, Mac, iPad/iOS, Android touch screen or mouse, support barcode scanners, receipt printers etc.

As these systems work with your existing hardware there is literally no risk to try them as full featured free trials are available.

 

[Sobie]

Well another year has passed, and our little casio is still doing its job.

Just wanted to thank everyone for their imput, its been much appreciated. We've decided to wait until we can afford the system we want. We've just rented a new chunk of land to extend the centre so thinking positively It won't be much longer.

 

[Martina Wade]

Hi Sobie - just came across this and was wondering how you ended up with your loyalty program in the end?

 

[Sobie]

Hi Sobie - just came across this and was wondering how you ended up with your loyalty program in the end?

We had some cards printed, we enter the customers name and a customer number (which is recorded on a simple excel form). Customer hands the card over at the till and get small %discount at the till. We email out every week with other deals and promotions to the card holders.

 

[Martina Wade]

So the customer gets the same discount every time the come, ie. its like a customer club which gives a certain % off? Just interesting to see how different shops are doing it - don't think I have come across this version yet

 

[Sobie]

So the customer gets the same discount every time the come, ie. its like a customer club which gives a certain % off? Just interesting to see how different shops are doing it - don't think I have come across this version yet

Yes, its like a customer club they always get the same %discount, then we have different offers as well as the % discount. (buy 2 get 3rd free etc).

 

[2015]

What ever you do, Avoid ePOSNow, misleading sales team, horrible service, and will refuse to accept turn if there issues.

 

[Energise Accounting]

Their is a great free cloud based system available which I use for my clients.

 

[adamdylan]

Hi Doublespeed

ePOS systems have evolved to, systems like www. ShopTill-e .com p

Just noticed out of the 300plus epos systems you suggest only one on this thread and my thread.

Can you recommend any other cloud based epos and non cloud based
and explain why you recommended this non dedicated hospitality software for my hospitality business?

Thanks

( I dont want cloud based because if my internet does not work it will cause me problems which happened last month)

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
ENERGISE ACCOUNTING can you tell us the name of the free software please ?

 

[DoubleSpeed]

Regarding your point regarding Internet issues, the ShopTill-e POS works offline as well it has an offline mode so if for any reason you can't connect you can still sell, print receipts etc and your till then syncs orders to the main system when your connection is restored.

 

[adamdylan]

Hey Doblespeed

Im starting to think your pyjamas and slippers have the Shoptill-epos logo on them.

Ive had another look and still cant see how it would be good for me do you have a video and pricing for the non cloudy version hospitality ?

 

[DoubleSpeed]

Hi adamdylan!

I'm sorry I didn't pick up that you are looking for a hospitality system thought it was a retail POS you were looking for. There is a 2016 hospitality POS trends report at http:// hospitalitytechnology .edgl. com/news/Embracing-Disruption--2016-POS-Software-Trends-Report103740 that might be worth looking at?