Point of Sale Software - Bookshops

[sonofeve]

Hi All,
We’re in the process of setting up an independent bookshop. Does anyone have any idea what sort of point of sale software the big guys i.e. Waterstones, Blackwell, etc use for their business? Is it custom made by any chance or strictly an out of the box solution?

Many thanks in advance.

Nigel

 

[Billmccallum]

try http://www.misco.co.uk/applications/searchtools/item-Details.asp?EdpNo=51769&sourceid=2003

 

[TotalWebSolutions]

Hi Nigel,

If you need a physical terminal for the premises let me know as I have a contact that offers excellent rates. Drop me a PM if you are interested.

Thanks,

Simon

 

[kulture]

Many bookshops use the free software developed by Bertrams. Book epos systems tend to be different to plain simple epos, because of the number of titles, the re-ordering, and book search requirements. The Bertrams system is very good, and does not tie you into ordering from them.

http://www.bertrams.com/BertWeb/index.jsp?s=56

 

[kulture]

Good luck with your new bookshop. It is very difficult to sell books these days. We set one up many years ago and slowly moved from books to other things.

Don't forget to negotiate better discounts from the publishers/wholesalers. Don't believe them when they say 35% (or whatever) is their standard discount. ESPECIALLY for your initial order. If you cannot get a deep discount for your initial stock order then go direct to the publishers. Whilst they may not be interested in your re-orders and stocking up, your initial order will be enough to tempt salesmen to negotiate.

 

[bovine]

Not sure on the specifics, but if you are enquiring because you were thinking of getting the same software for your store I would suggest you look elsewhere. The requirements (and budgets) of a large multi store operation, with high end back-office and fullfillment needs are going to be quite different to yours.

There are many different systems available to you and lots of different options of hardware. My suggestions is to ring around a few epos dealers, tell them what you are after then get the ones that actually sound like they know what they are doing to come and see you and do a demo. If you like the demo and the people, get some reference sites and have a chat. A good epos company can really help you get on with running the business.

 

[jj251006271]

Hi,Nigel:

i am also find ways for my book selling.

And but not so familar about the market,so need more information.

Hope your store can successful set up soon.

Jun

 

[TotalWebSolutions]

There is a company local to us that provides EPOS software. Might be worth giving them a look: http://www.gs-epos.com/

If you do ask for Niels and tell him Simon at Total Web Solutions put you in touch

 

[and180y]

We use Myriad by Orcus, can't recommend it highly enough (and we tried loads before buying it) Speak to John Cooper on 01332 866420. We saved money by getting it installed over the web but should have paid for their training, that said if you have used epos before you will pick it up and their support is brilliant.
They have just set up a system for a book retailer according to their news pages. http://www.orcus.co.uk/news.php

 

[venus_liu]

You can ask the software company to custom that software for you!

 

[ElliottRoss]

Hi

We have worked with these guys before. They provide a one stop solution for retailers.

Steve Waller is a director and contact details can be found on: http://www.lois-systems.co.uk/

Regards
Elliott

 

[kulture]

One thing I cannot emphasise enough is that you would be much better off using a epos/stock control system designed for books. The general epos systems here might be great for general retail but books are very different.

Not only is the bar code different (ISBN vs EAN) but there are specialist book functions that you need handled which a proper system will do.

A real book system will help on re-orders, as the ISBN will tell the system who publishes the book and who distributes it. It will have a returns module that will notify you what titles have been lying on the shelves for x months and thus can be selected for returns. It will build up returns lists and monitor returns and tell you what credits to expect. It should integrate into the publishers and distributors electronic systems so orders and returns etc can be done electronically. You can probably negotiate an additional few percent margin if you use electronic ordering as it saves the publisher/wholesaler/distributor time.

A decent system will also have a decent title and author search so you can look up any published title on request and order in for customers.

I am sure that many of the systems suggested here are great, BUT a proper bookshop system will be better.

Oh and many of the smaller chains use the bertrams system. You can also look at the gardners system.

 

[bovine]

I can also recommend gs-epos, they are a reputable company within our industry. They installed the epos at the millenium dome - whatever you say about the dome, the tills worked!

As I said earlier, have a look at different offerings. Bookshop specific software would be great, but may not have other useful functions that other packages may have - niche software obviously sells less than general software.

Bertline looks interesting, but it appears that has been designed to help you sell the books they distribute to you. Its in there interests for you to have the software as it makes their life easier. If you're not using them, then it may not be as useful.

 

[sonofeve]

VERY good point! Thank you

One thing I cannot emphasise enough is that you would be much better off using a epos/stock control system designed for books. The general epos systems here might be great for general retail but books are very different.

Not only is the bar code different (ISBN vs EAN) but there are specialist book functions that you need handled which a proper system will do.

A real book system will help on re-orders, as the ISBN will tell the system who publishes the book and who distributes it. It will have a returns module that will notify you what titles have been lying on the shelves for x months and thus can be selected for returns. It will build up returns lists and monitor returns and tell you what credits to expect. It should integrate into the publishers and distributors electronic systems so orders and returns etc can be done electronically. You can probably negotiate an additional few percent margin if you use electronic ordering as it saves the publisher/wholesaler/distributor time.

A decent system will also have a decent title and author search so you can look up any published title on request and order in for customers.

I am sure that many of the systems suggested here are great, BUT a proper bookshop system will be better.

Oh and many of the smaller chains use the bertrams system. You can also look at the gardners system.

 

[kulture]

As I said earlier, have a look at different offerings. Bookshop specific software would be great, but may not have other useful functions that other packages may have - niche software obviously sells less than general software.

Bertline looks interesting, but it appears that has been designed to help you sell the books they distribute to you. Its in there interests for you to have the software as it makes their life easier. If you're not using them, then it may not be as useful.

Both statements are absolutely true, with some qualifiers. Firstly Bookselling software has been designed with books in mind. So not only do they have interfaces with all the main publishers systems (and distributors and wholesalers) but they are also designed to handle 100,000 plus SKUs (which is what a good bookshop will need as a minimum). The type of problems and the scale of them differ significantly from a typical shop.

Secondly the bertline system definately makes it easier to order books from Bertrams (they stock most every title in print and supply Amazon). BUT, and this is a big but, they do make it straightforward to source titles from anywhere including the only other wholesaler (Gardners).

I have had a bookshop for many years, and can say with certainty that using a system designed for books is the ONLY way forward.

 

[kulture]

Can I suggest reading this document.

http://www.bic.org.uk/e4booksfiles/pdfs/simple guide systems revised 0809.pdf

 

[John_Orcus]

Please get in touch if you would like to look at our system which has been recently developed for book retailers.

This includes searching the Nielsen database through the till, and real time ordering with Bertrams, Gardners and Teleordering, of which Bertrams gives real time order acknowledgement.

 

[INDIEBOOKSELLER]

Hi, There are only two systems worth looking at these days. If you are serious about bookselling, then invest a little more in a system like Booksolve or Merlio.
Wholesaler systems are okay for newbies.
Booksolve are the best and not as expensive as you might think. Both are neutral and are only interested in helping you be profitable.
You only have to look a their customer lists to know they are good. Hope this helps