The POS Software Blog

The POS Software Blog

News from Tower Systems about locally made POS software for specialty local retailers.

Latest stories

AI Tools are a game changer for local indie retailers like Tackle World

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Retail software has changed more this year than in the last 10 years combined.

Embedded AI tools have changed local retail businesses forever.

AI tools available in our Tower Systems POS software today give small retail businesses an advantage over big businesses

Here are 5 ways to Tower Systems software available for Tackle World businesses is delivering appreciated benefits:

  1. Automatic loading of any supplier invoice PDF. The Ai tools scan the invoice and extract product details, pricing and more.
  2. Optimised product listings: AI-generated, SEO-friendly product descriptions – it’s easier for people to find you based on what you sell vis Shopify etc.
  3. Strategic content marketing: Fast and east auto creation of product specific blog content and automatic publishing of this.
  4. Data-informed pricing decisions: AI-powered price comparison tools, enabling you to maintain competitive pricing strategies.
  5. Efficient inventory management: Smart, and easy – minimising out of stocks and maximising sales potential.
  6. Operational streamlining: Reducing of administrative overhead, allowing retailers to focus on sales and customer service.

We have retailers telling us they are saving more in labour costs each month than the software costs.

These AI tools can help you run a better business, a business you’re likely to enjoy more and find more valuable when you decide to sell.

We are grateful to our fishing and outdoor shop community for advice and support. The latest software is out now, and it is packed with treats.

Handling subscriptions or recurring billing is easy. If you rent something, this handles it for you.

Selling by weight (yes, it’s scale integrated) and fractions is easy too, as is selling bundle packs like a rod, reel and net, for example.

Selling to club members at a special price is easy. You can also easily use the software to raise funds for the club, attracting members of the club to shop with your business.

Best of all, you can easily share local fishing tips, leveraging your knowledge to differentiate your business.

Our software for fishing and outdoors shops aims to help you run a more successful, valuable and enjoyable business. It helps you streamline workflow, eliminate some manual processes and make better business decisions, sooner.

Now, these benefits are not just for Tackle World retailers – any retailer using our POS software can expect to tap into these benefits and plenty more.

We mention Tackle World today as we are grateful to serve some of their member retailers with POS software.

How AI tools in our POS software are helping garden centres save time and make more money

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Our Tower Systems Garden Centre software has AI tools embedded in the POS Software, tools that genuinely save time, cut mistakes and drive business profitability.

We have been delivering AI enabled POS Software to garden centres and other retailers for years. In 2025, though, our there AI enhancements in our POS Software have ramped up and garden centre owners and staff are loving it.

Thanks to the ChatGPT and Google Gemini integrations in our POS Software, we are delivering access to AI tools within the garden centre software and in a context that is meaningful in everyday garden centre management. We can’t know for sure but we think it’s possible that we are leading in this garden software AI innovation.

Using the AI POS tools embedded in our POS Software for garden centres, retailers can:

  1. Generate product names to maximise search opportunities.
  2. Generate meaningful and SEO ready product descriptions to maximise search opportunities.
  3. Easily load PDF invoices from any supplier, converting them to an import ready electronic invoice.
  4. Price compare locally, outside the business, to reveal better profit and competition opportunities.
  5. Generate publishing ready blog posts for products managed by the POS software, and publishing these blog posts for you if you wish.

These facilities exist today, and this list of five are only some of the AI ready garden centre software capabilities we offer our customers.

All of us here at Tower Systems are here for a win for local small business retailers like garden centres.  AI is playing a terrific role in this. It all started for us when we owned shops ourselves and wanted to deliver efficiency in them. We researched, experimented and evolved our POS software. Now, years on, we are grateful to be helping so many of our customers in this space.

If you run a local garden centre, AI is key to success in-store as well as online. Tower Systems is here to help you with this with software equipped in this area.

When looking at other POS solutions and considering your AI needs, be sure to see first-hand, to see for yourself what the POS company claims its software in terms of AI capabilities. Too often there is a difference between marketing pitch and action.

We’d be grateful to demonstrate our AI POS software tools any time.

Contact: sales@towersystems.com.au.

Are you looking for a POS Software alternative to Retail Express?

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Here at Tower Systems we serve local independent specialty retailers, small business retailers: garden centres, bike shops, jewellers, newsagents, pet shops, music shops, bookshops, fabric shops, produce businesses, firearms dealers, homewares shops, fashion shops and more. We don’t supply big businesses or franchises.

A potential client recently asked how our Tower Systems POS software compares to Retail Express. The most honest answer is that we don’t have a direct comparison, and this is by design. Our philosophy is to invest our resources in developing our software and supporting our retail partners, rather than analysing competitive products.

We believe the only comparison that matters is the one that proves which software is the best fit for you, and that only you can make that comparison.

If you are looking for an alternative to Retail Express, consider Tower, we may be a good choice. Take your time though, look around.

A Transparent Approach to Your Decision

We are committed to making your evaluation process as simple and transparent as possible. We invite you to see our software’s functionality firsthand through our publicly accessible Tower Systems YouTube channel—no signup needed.

For a more in-depth analysis, we welcome the opportunity to provide a personal demonstration. We can walk you through our system and even conduct a function-by-function comparison with Retail Express, allowing you to see precisely how each platform addresses your specific operational needs.

Your Needs Come First

Our goal is your success. From our sales consultants to our help desk, our entire team operates on a core principle: to put the needs of your business first. We won’t pressure you or deliver a hard sales pitch. If the Tower Systems POS software isn’t the right fit, we’ll be the first to say so and wish you the best in your search.

The right software should feel like a partnership. With features and enhancements driven by suggestions from the 3,000+ local businesses we serve, our software is constantly evolving to meet the real-world demands of retail.

The definitive way to know which system is better for you is to compare them side-by-side in the context of your own business. We are ready to facilitate that comparison with Retail Express or any other software whenever you are.

Good decisions are informed ones. We offer a personal, no-obligation demonstration where you can compare our software’s features directly against any competitor. This transparent, function-by-function review is the most effective way to determine which platform will best serve you.

If you are looking for an alternative to Retail Express, do your research, and we would be grateful for Tower Systems to be part of that.

A POS Software alternative to Univex

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If you are looking for an alternative POS Software solution top Univex, Tower Systems may be the answer. We’d love to find out. No pressure though.

We are happy for you to compare our software to Univex if that’s what you are using, to see how we stack up. If you ask for something of the software that we know we do not do, we will say so. We love serging happy customers and happiness starts with software that serves your needs.

We think our POS Software may be a good alternative to Univex. Our software is robust, built for specialty retailers, developed locally, supported locally and made to serve a range of specialty retail channels like garden centres, toy shops,  music shops, appliance shops, gift shops, fishing and outdoor shops and more. It’s interesting to see on checking today that Univex lists marketplaces similar to ours. It seems they think we may be a competitor.

If you are using Univex and are looking for a software alternative, take your time, do the research, look at difference software packages, especially in the areas you may want better covered than you experience today. Always be on control of the timing, accept no pressure. If a sales person claims the software does something that you want / need, ask them to show it to you so you can see it and assess it for yourself.

We back our specialty retail POS Software with personal training and support. We love helping retailers get the most from their POS Software. That’s our own retail experience shining through.

Tower Systems is grateful to help Univex POS Software users consider an alternative, to see if this move could be good for the business and those who rely on the business.

We serve specific niche markets, from garden centres and jewellers to bike shops and newsagents. This focus allows us to build features that genuinely matter to each unique retail environment.

We believe in empowering local, independent businesses to thrive.

Our development and support teams are here to understand your specific opportunities, offering a level of personalised service that can make a real difference to your daily operations and long-term success.

POS software Empowering Independent Bookshops Across Australia and New Zealand

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Our specialised POS software for bookshops is thoughtfully designed for the unique needs of local, independent bookshops throughout Australia and New Zealand.

Developed and supported locally in consultation with experienced bookshop owners and their teams, it offers a comprehensive suite of tools to streamline your operations and enrich your customers’ experience.

The bookshop software is dynamic and continues to evolve, adapting to the changing needs and opportunities within the local bookshop community. The AI facilities delivered in the software are a good example of this. Here is a look at its current capabilities:

Key Features:

  • AI-Powered Efficiency: Leverage integrated AI tools, including Google Gemini and ChatGPT, to: generate compelling product descriptions that can improve your search results and save valuable time, easily import just about any invoice, write and publish blog posts and price compare easily and quickly.
  • Book Club Management: Effortlessly manage your book club memberships, offer rewards, and simplify fundraising initiatives. This feature helps you connect with your reading community, cater to their interests, and foster loyalty.
  • Efficient Special Order Handling: Seamlessly process and track special orders from placement to customer notification upon arrival.
  • Advanced Inventory Search: Quickly locate books by searching for an author’s full or partial name, or by title.
  • International Barcode Integration: Connect directly to international barcode databases for efficient and accurate product lookups.
  • Intelligent Returns Management: Identify slow-moving titles to streamline your returns process, helping you optimise inventory and maximise your return on investment.
  • PacStream and TitlePage Connectivity: Access the powerful PacStream platform and TitlePage directly from our software for simplified supply chain management and potential cost savings.

Flexible and Supportive:

Designed to empower independent booksellers, our software offers the flexibility of cloud-based or desktop deployment. Our expert local support team is here to ensure a smooth transition and provide ongoing assistance.

Expand Your Reach Online:

Sell online with the platform that best suits your business, whether it be Shopify, BigCommerce, or WooCommerce. We provide the flexibility to choose, ensuring you are never locked into a single solution. Our software also offers free integration with the FindIt local marketplace.

A System You Can Rely On:

  • Easy and accurate selling processes
  • Advanced search functionality by title or author
  • Streamlined special orders for customers
  • Club and group pricing to help secure more sales
  • Locally developed software with a local help desk
  • Comprehensive training resources

We are committed to the success of local independent bookshops and are grateful to our customers who collaborate with us to ensure our software remains relevant in this rapidly changing market. This system is exclusively crafted for independent businesses, not for chains or large corporations.

By choosing our bookshop POS software, you are investing in a tool that supports your community and strengthens your business, helping you create a vibrant and engaging space for book lovers.

Check out our AI enabled POS software for local independent toy shops

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Here’s a new quick demo of our Aussie made and supported POS software for toy shops:

Specialisation is what makes local toy shops unique, and it’s what sets our software apart too. From managing seasonal sales and respecting product care instructions to offering creative gift packs with multiple items, our specialty toy shop software helps you serve your customers in valuable and appreciated ways.

We help you maximise sales through smart shopper engagement. Our software makes it easy to leverage your customer data, allowing you to reach out with personal reminders that bring customers back to your store again and again.

Five Reasons to Love Our Software for Toy Shops

  1. Local Matters. Local toy shops are a vital part of our communities and families. Our software helps you leverage your localness, providing genuine points of difference that big competitors simply can’t replicate.
  2. You Are a Key Asset. Only your business has you and your dedicated team. Our software is a platform for your expertise, enabling you to easily share your knowledge in ways that big-box stores cannot match.
  3. You Can Bank on Loyalty. Forget generic points systems. What is a point worth, anyway? Our software provides fresh, innovative loyalty tools you can bank on to drive a deeper visit value and encourage shoppers to return sooner.
  4. The Unseen Can Reveal Opportunities. Knowledge is power. Understand for certain what sells with what, compare supplier performance, and know your true return on investment and floorspace. These insights can reveal powerful opportunities.
  5. Reach Beyond Your Doorstep. Not every shopper will walk past your store. A smart and seamless connection between our software and a beautiful website can help you easily and with low overheads sell to people you may never meet in person.

A Suite of Tools Designed for Success

Our commitment to helping you run a more enjoyable and successful business is reflected in the comprehensive features of our software:

  • Save time with electronic invoices from suppliers.
  • Easily manage special customer orders with smart tracking and automated notifications.
  • Make money from pre-orders by easily pre-selling products before their release date.
  • Set community group pricing rules based on customer type.
  • Simplify record keeping with serial number tracking for relevant items.
  • Ensure compliance where required with structured age-checking prompts.
  • Differentiate your business with a loyalty program that stands out from the crowd and drives sales.
  • Create unique bundles to make price comparison difficult and offer greater value.
  • Say goodbye to LayBy with integrated buy now, pay later options.
  • Market effectively to customers based on their past purchases.
  • Cut accounting and bookkeeping fees with seamless integration to Xero and other platforms.
  • Sell online with ease through a direct link from your POS software to Shopify.

Local toy shops are vital. As a small business-focused POS software company, Tower Systems is dedicated to developing and supporting software that empowers niche specialty retailers like you to succeed.

Our customers often share the most wonderful stories about how our toy shop software has helped their businesses thrive. These aren’t just anecdotes about sales figures; they’re stories of genuine connection and memorable experiences, powered by tools designed specifically for the specialist needs of Australian toy retailers.

Take Frank, for instance. He was thrilled when the receipt for his granddaughter’s birthday gift included a link to advice that made him an expert in her eyes. The joy on her face was priceless, and Frank is still smiling about being the hero of the day.

Then there’s Kath, who gave us a shout-out on Facebook. She loves the thoughtful care instructions we help her favourite store provide for her jigsaw puzzles and the rewarding loyalty program that keeps her coming back.

Working mum Clare found a lifeline in the convenience of online ordering. She was able to get awesome, fun birthday gifts for her twins, beautifully wrapped and ready for collection on her way home from work. The little surprise her local toy shop included was the cherry on top.

And we can’t forget Mick. He loves the simple text message that lets him know the next release in his collection is ready for pick-up, and he appreciates the rewards that recognise his loyalty as a dedicated collector.

Every day, local independent toy shops across Australia are creating these moments for customers like Frank, Kath, Clare, and Mick. This level of personal, local service is what sets them apart. To deliver it, specialist indie toy businesses need specialist software that understands and serves these unique needs.

Looking behind the scenes at POS software training at Tower Systems

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In this insightful interview, Michael, a full-time trainer for Tower Systems’ retail software, shares his expertise on the crucial aspects of training new customers for a smooth transition. Drawing on his retail background, Michael highlights key software functionalities that retailers often prioritize, such as supplier ordering and managing product variants for online sales. He also discusses how his experience in the Army Cadets helped shape his effective training methods. Michael touches on the software’s capabilities for specialized businesses like jewelers and firearms dealers, and expresses excitement about the embedded AI tools designed for data analysis. He concludes with valuable advice for new customers on how to best prepare for training sessions.

This is another in our series about who we are, what we do and what we stand for at Tower Systems.

Small business POS system with Xero integration

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Tower Systems is proud to have offered Xero integration with its POS software for many years. Our partnership with Xero is long-standing and mutually beneficial. Our local retail business customers love that the integration is direct without the need for third-party software.

Our Small business POS system with Xero integration is proven for jewellers, garden centres, bike shops, toy shops, pet shops, camping shops, bookshops, newsagents, firearms dealers, music shops, gift shops, haberdashery shops and plenty more niche and specialty retail businesses for which we have vertical market POS software.

A Xero integrated POS software is a time saver for local retail businesses. It reduces mistakes too since it eliminates keystrokes – every keystroke eliminated is time saved and a mistake eliminated – this is money in the bank.

What is Transferred to Xero via our POS system with Xero integration?

Sales

End of Shift based department-level sales are transferred to Xero via a sales invoice. Each department can be assigned its own Xero account.

Invoices

Invoices received into Retailer are transferred to Xero at department level. No individual stock items are transferred.

Write Offs & No Sales

These are transferred to individual expense accounts depending on the transaction reason chosen.

Cost Of Sales

An option on sales exporting is to export Cost of Sales. While not a full implementation of COGS it does transfer over the cost price of items sold each day to reduce the value of Stock On Hand in Xero. If you use this option you will export Write offs, not as expenses, but as adjustment to your Stock on Hand. This makes processing stock adjustments for the End Of Month much easier.

Linking our small business POS system to Xero saves precious time by completing the majority of your day-to-day accounting for you. We are experts at bringing independent retail businesses and Xero together and pride ourselves on connecting business owners with such an innovative, useful service.

While we offer connectivity with other accounting software, it is our POS system link with Xero that is the most popular and we’re happy with that.

Tower Systems serves local small business retailers across a range of channels.

Our POS system integration with Xero is a prime example of our commitment to the specific needs of specialty retailers. We believe your passion should be focused on your unique products and your customers, not on tedious bookkeeping or worrying about data entry errors. By providing a reliable, direct, and expertly supported link between your sales counter and your accounting, we help you build a more efficient, secure, and profitable business. Let us handle the technical complexities so you can concentrate on what you do best.

How can I keep my staff trained in the POS software we use in the shop?

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It’s vital all staff in a retail business know how to use the POS software the business operates. The business benefits, customers benefit, the staff benefit. It really is a win, win, win – to be cliché.

So, How can I keep my staff trained in the POS software we use in the shop? If you are a Tower Systems POS software customer there are several ways your staff can be up to date and knowledgable in using ur POS software:

Training videos. All of our customers have free access to a comprehensive library of training videos. these are what we call stackable videos, short, single topic. They run for under ten minutes each. We have them organised in a curriculum so you can go down a path of learning for each part of the software. There is no limit to how many times you watch a video. You don’t need to have our software running on a PC to access a video.  Also, our videos are regularly updated – to make the currency of the software. We also make videos based on customer requests.

Knowledge base. This is a library of 700+ articles on how to use the software, organised by topic, accessible from anywhere and easily read by anyone regardless of technical knowledge.  Our Tower Systems POS software knowledge base is our user manual. It goes where you go. It is maintained as the software evolves.

User meetings. we host online forums where customers can learn from our POS software experts. Anyone is welcome to attend. They are recorded, too, and the recordings shared with all of our customers.

One-on-one training. Every one of our customers has access to this. It’s a paid-for service with training tailored to your specific business needs.

Help desk support. Live. Human delivered. Answering queries and pointing you to the best resources for your needs.

AI chatbot. This has been trained in our software and only our software. It’s success rate is excellent.

Here at Tower Systems we make it easy for staff in a retail business in which our software is used to tap into resources for learning how to use the software and through this how the business can thrive.

Good knowledge of the current software is vital to the success of the business. If you have a need outside of what we do, please reach out and we will do our best to help.

How does POS software help a retail business grow?

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Not all POS software helps a retail business grow, let’s put that out there right at the start. Our Tower Systems POS software is focussed on helping retail businesses grow. It has facilities embedded in the software that play into business turnover growth and net profitability that you’ll see in the business profit and loss statement.

Oh, and by growth here we are not talking about chasing scale. rather, we are talking about profitability and growth in the context of a local small retail business. For many, staying small is far more profitable than spending up chasing scale (growth).

Here are some of the ways our Tower Systems POS software helps businesses grow:

Smart loyalty. Our loyalty tools are engaging, easily understood and proven to bring shoppers back more often and nurturing them to spend more. This approach to loyalty makes shopper visits more valuable and therefore more profitable.

Time saved. Our integrated AI tools help retailers reduce rostered hours by eliminating some manual tasks. Our AI innovation has already proven to be bottom-line beneficial in plenty of local retail businesses. Using our Ai tools you can import just about any invoice, generate marketing blog posts and price compare.

Early theft detection. The smart theft mitigation tools in our software have helped many retailers capture irrefutable evidence of theft that has been used to resolve the situation through police or other means. Through data tracking and other security smarts, our software provides business owners secret insights on theft.

Cutting out of stocks. Being out of stock of a product typically costs a shop thousands of dollars a year. We have seen more than half the out of stocks caused by poor oversight on stock ordering. Our software shows the out of stocks and puts a value pin lost revenue. This focusses the attention of the business owner, which leads to resolving the problem.

Better business decisions sooner. Thanks to smart insights in our constantly curated insights dashboard retail business managers are able to make evidence-based business decisions faster than through old processes. Evidence-based business decisions tend to be better decisions for a retail business.

Targeted marketing. By reaching out to customers based on past purchases allows a business to finely target customers and this can bring them min sooner for more purchases.

Cutting keystrokes. Our POS software is tuned to eliminate some manual processes and with them unnecessary keystrokes. Every keystroke we eliminate is a possible mistake eliminated as well as a millisecond of time saved.

This is not a complete list. rather, it is a snapshot of how our Tower systems POS software can help a local small retail business grow revenue and improve net profit.

Can we help you?

How important is the help desk to what you achieve with POS software?

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How important is the help desk to what you achieve with POS software? This is a good question to ask when you are considering new POS software for your retail business. No matter how knowledgable you are, how confident you are, the help desk for your POS software supplier will likely play a vital role in the benefits you achieve using the software.

Good help desk people understand your type of business and will provide context beyond do this or that. Contact can be everything in your getting more value from your POS software in your business. Context and help you make better business decisions.

Here at Tower Systems our POS software help desk people have retail experience, they can provide useful and appreciated context when helping retailers use our software. We think our help desk colleagues can help you get more from using our Tower Systems POS software.

Being locally based, our help desk team members understand local retail settings and needs, this plays into the context piece we are talking about here. They don’t use scripts. A call to the help desk is a conversation. being local means we can be more aware of local situations impacting software use, such as local payments problems or other tech factors that can impact using any software.

Help desks located off shore don’t have some of the local insights.

Too often, we see help desk staff in other businesses use rigid scripts that can cause a call take way too long to resolve. You only have to call an internet service provider or a bank to experience this.

So, when it comes to the Tower Systems POS software help desks – no scripts used or allowed. let’s talk!

By having a conversation we can often understand the query and provide the appropriate advice. The customer feels better and we feel better.

A good POS software help desk person will also look beyond the question, in case there is something they can see that you are not seeing, something from which your business can benefit if you act early. We have one customer we advised of a possible theft situation based on data we saw, this early intervention could have saved them thousands. In another business we identified thousands of dollars in dead stock they were missing and not acting on.

A good POS software help desk team will be vital to the benefits you achieve in your retail business. Consider help desk services when considering new POS software.

I want to switch POS software but want to keep my current data

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You can switch POS software and keep your current data in most situations. It does, however, depend on a couple of things: that your current software permits access to  data it manages and that the software you are switching to can import this data so that it is meaning full for you.

Here at Tower Systems our approach to data conversion from other software is thorough. We only commit to data conversion where we know we can get the data out of other software and that it can be imported into our software. If you have any doubts or questions about data conversion, please raise it early in the sales process. It could be a mistake to assume.

We will do a trial conversion for customers concerned, to prove whether we can successfully export data and then import data, or not. This is an obligation-free service. So, for retailers with the question, I want to switch POS software but want to keep my current data, Tower Systems can help – if our POS software looks like it is good software for your business. Please let us know early if you want a trial conversion done.

Data conversion between POS software solutions is not always easy, fast and straightforward. Different software stores data in different ways. Sometimes it takes time to cross match fields or even take, for example, two files and merge them as the new software has only one file with data the old system has cross two files.

We have data conversion specialists here at Tower Systems who have done data conversion from other POS software solutions many times. We have lost count of the number of software products from which we have successfully converted data.

Sometimes, data conversion is not a good idea. Typically, this is when the data in your old software has not been respected, not well looked after. Starting fresh cold be what the business needs. We think it is helpful to assess your data and consider the quality of this before pushing ahead with data conversion. There is a rule in tech: garbage in, garbage out. Be sure to only request data conversion of the data you have is good, not garbage.

How much should software for my shop cost?

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There is a big difference in the cost of software for retail businesses when comparing software companies. It can be challenging to understand, too. There is the cost of the software itself, which is usually a monthly rental cost and there can be other costs for additional components required and some software companies have a mandatory cost associated with the value off each transaction you process.

Here at Tower Systems, our pricing is transparent and easy to understand. There is a single monthly rental cost, which can be cancelled at any time. There is no cost per transaction, no requirement for you to use any specific payments platform. The software itself is loaded with facilities for which some others charge extra.

How much should software for your shop cost? If your retail business us one of the ones we serve: jeweller, garden centre, bike shop, bookshop, toy shop, product business stockfeed, newsagent, music shop, mobility scooter business, gift shop, charity shop, antique business, computer shop, homewares shop, repairs shop, cleaning supplies, clothing shop, your price will range between $220.00 and $275.00 inc. GST) per month from Tower Systems. This is one price, the only price inclusive of as many registers as you want at one location.

So, a big garden centre with five register points will pay $275.00 inc. GST all up. That’s the price, the one price. That’s what you compare against.

Of course, it is vital you research POS software thoroughly and choose software that does serve your needs. Making the wrong choice can be expensive, especially through lost time and opportunity.

As part of your software assessment process, look at the pricing, be sure to fully research and understand the cost of ownership. This research should also include you understanding the contract lock-in period. Make sure you do truly understand the cost of the software for the business over one, two and three years. be sure to ask about any extra costs, add-ons, and more.

Understanding the cost of POS software for any retail business starts with you creating a shortlist of possible software to use and you then thoroughly researching the cost of the software, getting the figures in writing to be sure you know all you need to know to make an informed decision.

Too many software companies hide their price. Some even mask the actual software cost by charging a payments fee or similar. These are all costs and need to be considered.

How much should software for my shop cost? Only go with software you know will serve your needs and for which the pricing is transparent.

Our newsagent software helps local Aussie newsagencies thrive

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2025 is proving to be a good year for Aussie newsagency businesses, the newsagent as some refer to these shops.

The local Aussie newsagent started in the 1880s, on the goldfields of Victoria. In 2025 we have around 2,800 newsagency businesses. Plenty of these are thriving businesses. As the supplier of software to 1,800+ of these businesses Tower systems his grateful to be playing a role in helping these local businesses do well in their local communities.

The thriving local newsagency today is not the newsagent of yesterday.

The purpose of every newsagency business is different. The notion of them all being the same and having the same focus is old-school. Years ago, when newsagents were primarily agents, being a hub in the community made sense. Following deregulation and the dilution of the value of being an agent, the commercial value of being a community hub, too, diluted.

Our software is helping newsagents navigate these and related matters.

An Australian newsagency, regardless of location, can specialise in higher-margin product categories. While this requires research and investment, the payoff can be considerable, as many have already discovered. We are seeing this trend frequently. This shift towards specialisation is a key factor in the success of modern newsagencies, allowing them to move beyond traditional offerings and cater to niche markets with more profitable products.We are seeing this often.

Online, too is presenting opportunities for change – and our POS software for newsagents is helping here.

Tower Systems helps newsagency businesses beyond just software, providing valuable data insights and AI tools. These resources empower local and independent retailers to look beyond the traditional boundaries of their businesses. By leveraging these advanced tools, newsagents can make more informed decisions, identify emerging trends, and discover new avenues for growth, ensuring their continued success in the evolving retail landscape.

Our advice to newsagents is to not be constrained by the community expectations your shingle. Find a need and fill it, no matter how far away that may take you from what people see as a newsagency business. There are opportunities far away and our software and business support can help you on this path to an even brighter future.

Who is our target customer here at Tower Systems, the ideal customer for our POS software?

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Here at Tower Systems we are focussed on serving small, independently locally owned and run retail businesses, primarily in Australia and New Zealand.

Our purpose is to empower local, independent, and specialty retailers to truly thrive. We do this by providing them with powerful Aussie-made and supported POS software, along with the essential training and ongoing support they need to succeed.

A local independent retail business is one with, usually, no more than ten shops – most of our customers have one shop.

We believe in the power of local businesses. They are the heart of communities, fostering connection and contributing to local prosperity. When a local business is profitable, everyone benefits—from the owners and their staff to their customers and the wider community. And when they’re profitable, they’re happy too!

Our software is specifically designed for a diverse range of specialty retailers, including:

  • Jewellers
  • Garden Centres
  • Bookshops
  • Charity shops / op. shops
  • Gift shops
  • Homewares shops
  • Bike Shops
  • Toy Shops
  • Newsagents
  • Pet Shops
  • Music Shops
  • Sewing Shops
  • Clothing Shops
  • Pool Maintenance Shops
  • Garden Landscape Businesses
  • Produce Businesses
  • Stockfeed Businesses
  • Fishing and Outdoor Shops

We are passionate about working with local small businesses, whether they’re in rural areas, regional towns, or on the high street. We excel at providing personalized, one-on-one engagement within these niche retail channels.

We’re proud to say we make what we sell. We don’t just provide the tools; we also train our customers in their use and offer comprehensive support through our help desk and online knowledge base. We know our software, training, and support can make a real difference in helping these businesses flourish.

If you own or working a local small retail business, we might as well good and valuable fit for you. Check us out. If were discover we are not the right fit for you we will absolutely say so. We want you to thrive and will never get 9in the way of that.

We are dedicated to helping local retailers truly thrive. By providing our specialised Aussie-made software, comprehensive training, and ongoing support, we empower these vital small businesses to achieve profitability and happiness, knowing that their success strengthens the entire community.

Please, let us know if we can help you.

Tower Systems helps small business retailers navigate change with confidence

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In 2025, local small business retail is changing rapidly. Customer expectations are shifting, in-store management practices are evolving, supplier requirements are adapting, and the very nature of commerce—how, when, and where people buy—is different from even a year ago. If you’re in retail, you’re experiencing these shifts daily.

A key concept in this evolving environment is “omnichannel,” which simply means meeting your customers wherever they are: in-store, online, or a combination of both. Here at Tower Systems, we understand this need deeply. We provide local small business retailers with a comprehensive solution that supports your operations in-store, online, on the road, and at pop-ups. Our goal is to empower you to retail wherever you need to retail.

The shift towards all-in-one Point of Sale (POS) systems is driven by the need for small businesses to manage various facets of their operations—such as payments, inventory, and customer engagement—from a single, cohesive platform. By integrating these essential tools, businesses can eliminate the inefficiencies that often arise from managing separate, disconnected technologies.

The benefits of integrated POS systems are clear. Small business retailers have reported a 50% reduction in transaction times after adopting advanced POS systems. This not only speeds up sales but also significantly cuts down on customer waiting times, leading to higher customer satisfaction and increased productivity.

Advanced POS systems, like our Tower Systems POS software capture valuable data, such as purchase history and preferences, enabling small business retailers to create tailored promotions and offers. Integrated loyalty programs further encourage repeat business by offering personalised rewards, ensuring a seamless experience for customers whether they’re shopping online, in-store, or through mobile channels.

To thrive in this competitive landscape, small business retailers are looking for specific features in their POS systems beyond basic payment processing:

  • Ease of use: Intuitive, user-friendly interfaces are a priority. Easy onboarding allows businesses to get up and running quickly, letting employees focus on serving customers rather than grappling with complex technology.
  • Scalability: As businesses grow, so do their needs. A scalable POS system can accommodate new features like loyalty programs, online ordering, or advanced reporting, meaning you won’t need to completely replace your system as your business expands.
  • Security and compliance: In an era of increasing cybercrime, security is paramount. Integrated systems offer built-in tools to protect sensitive data and ensure compliance with regulations like PCI-DSS, safeguarding your business from costly breaches.
  • Support when you need / want it: Downtime can be detrimental. Round-the-clock support, whether for technical issues or guidance on system features, ensures uninterrupted business operations.

As the POS landscape continues to evolve, the expectation is for solutions that go beyond simple payment processing. Comprehensive systems, like Clover’s all-in-one system, manage transactions while also supporting vital business functions such as inventory management, employee scheduling, and customer engagement. This holistic approach streamlines operations and provides tools that foster growth and efficiency, particularly for businesses looking to scale or optimise their workflows.

By partnering with a provider like Tower Systems, local small business retailers can find comfort in a suite of tools specifically calibrated for their unique businesses, helping them to compete effectively, both locally and beyond.

An alternative to Lightspeed POS software payments costs

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We have been told that Lightspeed has written to its customers in Australia announcing a date by which they must switch to using the Lightspeed Payments platform for what payments taken from customers for their purchases.

Here at Tower Systems we do not charge a fee for payments, we do not charge a fee per transactions. We believe our customers are better served negotiating the lowest payment fee possible with their bank or any other provider. We have a couple of relationships offering payments fees at 1%. We know of customers getting fees lower than this.

Our view is that a POS software company is best at creating, maintaining and supporting POS software. Taking a percentage of each transaction a retailer makes is like a tax in our view, a tax on the success of the local retailer growing their business. It does to make sense to us to see a POS software company take a percentage of the value of each transaction.

If you are a Lightspeed POS software customer for your real business and you want a POS software solution that does not place payments demands and costs of your business, Tower Systems may be a solution for your Call is on 1300 662 957 or email sales@towersystems.com.au. Let’s see if our POS software is a good fit for you.

We are a no pressure business. if we’re not a good fit for your needs, we will say so. If we are a good fit we will offer a competitive solution.

Our Tower Systems POS software is a viable Lightspeed alternative. We have businesses that have switched form Lightspeed confirming this.

Tower Systems develops software locally for local retailers in Australia and New Zealand. Our customer service is local too.

Our focus is solely on local small business retailers.

We have no requirement as to the payments platform you use. We don’t charge a percentage of each transaction.

We’re not chasing big businesses. We’re not chasing massive franchise networks.

Every customer matters.

No business is too small.

We believe in human-to-human contact. You can easy call us, or email. Humans respond.

Every one of our POS software customers gets to vote of software enhancement suggestions. Our consideration process is transparent and accessible to those who care about this.

EDI is dead, you can import just about any invoice into our POS software thanks to our AI tools

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For years, retailers needed EDI (electronic data interchange) told to import supplier invoices. These were specialist tools that helped POS software read unique supplier invoices that were presented in a specific format. Those days are pretty much over thanks to the AI tools now embedded in the POS software from Tower Systems. Now tested on 500+ supplier invoices, the POS software from Tower Systems assesses a supplier invoice and imports it accurately and quickly – saving time, cutting mistakes and setting the retail business up for data based success.

Yes, EDI is a thing of the past thanks to the AI tools in the Tower Systems POS software.

Jewellers, garden centres, bike shops, newsagents, pet shops, music shop0s, produce businesses, stockfeed businesses, toy shops, computer shops, homewares shops, bookshops and plenty of other retailers are able to use these POS software embedded AI tools to accurately and easily import supplier invoice.

We have retailers telling us of savings of three and more hours a week. That’s actual labour cost saved. It’s money back into the business for more valuable use elsewhere. It is also a chunk of mistakes eliminated.

The power of this embedded AI lies in its ability to learn and adapt to the nuances of various invoice layouts, eliminating the rigid formatting requirements of old EDI systems. This means less time spent manually correcting entries or wrestling with incompatible file types. Instead, your team can focus on higher-value tasks, confident that your inventory and financial data are accurate and up-to-date. It’s a leap forward in efficiency, transforming a historically tedious task into a seamless, automated process that directly contributes to your bottom line and improves overall operational flow.

If you have questions about data security and privacy in the use of our POS software integrated AI tools:  the AI tools aren’t “learning” from your sensitive customer data in a way that exposes it to the public internet or shares it inappropriately. Instead, they are designed to process your supplier invoices locally and securely, within the confines of your existing software, much like how your current accounting software handles sensitive financial data.

AI is trained to recognise patterns in invoice layouts and data points, not to extract or store personal customer information for external use. It’s about enhancing efficiency through intelligent automation of a specific task, not about intrusive data collection. Tower Systems understands the critical importance of trust in retail, and our AI integration prioritises robust data protection measures, ensuring your business operates not only smarter but also with complete peace of mind.

What is scanned based trading and how does it help retailers, especially small business retailers?

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Scanned based trading in retail is where a supplier supplies product to a shop based on sales of the product in the shop. The POS software in the retail shop feeds sales to the supplier and the supplier triggers a top-up order based on settings agreed with the retailer.

Scanned based trading is a time saver for retailers. This is useful in today’s retail settings where retailers are time-poor.

With popular items being out of stock too often, scanned based trading can help retailers to not be out of stock of items they need.

Our Tower Systems POS software has the data feed necessary to supply suppliers with sales per store, thereby feeding into suppliers ready themselves to engage in scanned based trading with local small business retailers.

In some scanned based trading models, retailers only pay for inventory they sell.

  • Reduced inventory costs: Retailers don’t have to tie up capital in inventory that might not sell.
  • Lower financial risk: They are not stuck with unsold or expired products.
  • Increased product variety: Retailers can experiment with new products without significant upfront investment.
  • Reduced shrink (loss of inventory): While the exact split of shrink liability is negotiated, SBT can reduce losses from operational errors as suppliers have more incentive to manage their inventory effectively.
  • Improved cash flow: Payments are made only when sales occur.

These are just some of the benefits that POS software facilitates scanned based trading has delivered from our experiences in retail.

While the benefits for retailers are clear, scan-based trading offers significant advantages to suppliers, fostering a closer and more aligned relationship.

Suppliers gain real-time visibility into sales data, enabling more accurate forecasting, optimised production, and efficient inventory management. This direct insight allows them to better understand consumer demand and tailor their offerings accordingly, ultimately leading to increased sales and reduced waste from overproduction.

By taking on the inventory risk, suppliers often secure broader distribution channels as retailers become more willing to stock a wider variety of their products, even new or niche items. This collaborative approach, where both parties benefit from shared data and aligned incentives, transforms the traditional buyer-seller dynamic into a more strategic partnership focused on mutual growth and efficiency.

Retailers love scanned based trading because of less out of stocks, increased revenue and time saves.

Suppliers love scanned based trading because of increased sales and more value from retailer relationships.

How do I choose the right software for my small retail business?

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Choosing the right software for your retail business depends on you, since it is your business and you know now what you need. based on decades of helping small business retailers, local retailers, we have advice on how to go about choosing the right software.

Take your time. This is an important decision so treat it as such. Move at your pace and not some pace set by someone else, maybe a sales person who is chasing a monthly target. The right decision could add thousands of dollars to your bottom line every year.

Start by being clear about what you want, what you need. Create this in writing. Don’t start looking at any software until you have your list. Take your time on the list. Ensure everything on the list is a must have as this is where it best you focus your attention. This list should be with you all through the process. Share with those you engage with through the process.

Research online based on your list of needs. Again, take your timer. Doing this research yourself sees you owning the results. If you ask someone else do the work you may have to settle for something you ultimately are not happy with. Good software companies make it easy for you to compare functionality, get pricing and see a list of features without having to talk with someone. Note: companies that are not public about price are more likely to want to sell you to maximise their revenue.

Create a shortlist. For local small business retailers, a good shortlist of POS software companies to consider will be no more than 3. These three should be companies that your research indicates can serve your needs and are within your price point.

Book a demonstration. reach out to the three companies and book a demonstration with each. tell them you will give them 30 minutes. tell them the main requirements you want covered. Typically, software sales people will want longer so they can get you to like them and they can use techniques to close you. You set the time, focus on the software functions that matter most. Ask for it to be recorded with a copy of the recording provided to you. Try and do the demonstrations back to back as this makes comparison easier. Take notes too – especially of every claim made or promise given.

Review. Consider the demonstrations and the information you have gathered. By yourself, in a quiet space, consider everything. If a clear preference does not emerge, ask for another meeting. Ask that they include one of their local support people. Have questions for them as it is the local support people who will play a big role in the success you have with the software.

Make your decision. Consider everything and make the decision that feels right to you and that is backed by the evidence you have gathered. If no company feels right, that’s your decision right there. It’s okay if this is the case. You may need to go deeper with one or more of the candidate companies to consider the further.

If this process that we have outlined for choosing the right software for your small retail business seems too big or that it will take too long. Remember, the right software choice could add trees of thousands of dollars of net provide to your business each year. That right there is the return on your time investment.

Take your time, invest your time, and make the decision that feels right to you, for you, and for your business.

Once you have made your decision, get to it, follow the advice, learn how to use the software and work it hard to ensure it delivers the value you need from it in your business.

Tower Systems makes and supports POS software for local small business retailers. We are grateful to any who consider our software. If we think we are not a good fit, we will say so. Our POS software pricing is transparent as is the functionality in our POS software.

Software for fishing and outdoor shops helps these loved local retail businesses shine

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Local fishing and outdoors shops are key to people loving being outdoors and exploring local sights and feeding the family with a good catch. often, the businesses are started by people who enjoy these activities.

Here at Tower Systems we make software to help local fishing and outdoors businesses thrive. This is specialty retail software because, after all, these shops are specialty retail shops.

We are grateful to our fishing and outdoor shop community for advice and support. The latest software is out now, and it is packed with treats.

Handling subscriptions or recurring billing is easy. If you rent something, this handles it for you.

Selling by weight (yes, it’s scale integrated) and fractions is easy too, as is selling bundle packs like a rod, reel and net, for example.

Selling to club members at a special price is easy. You can also easily use the software to raise funds for the club, attracting members of the club to shop with your business.

Here are common questions we get about our software for fishing and outdoors shops:

  • Can I connect the software to a scale to sell bait by weight? Yes.
  • Can I sell products in fraction units, like 1.25? Yes.
  • Do I have to pay extra to run it on more terminals? No.
  • Do I have to pay more if my sales increase? No.
  • Can I share local fishing maps and information? Yes, you can load files, images, documents and include them on receipts.
  • Can I bundle items together like a rod, reel and line? Yes.
  • I sell at events away from the shop sometimes, can I do this with the software? Yes, using our Retailer Roam.
  • Does the software handle club member pricing? Yes, this can be a great marketing, connecting with and supporting clubs and your business.
  • Can I share local fishing and camping tips on receipts? Yes.
  • Can I set an age check on age restricted items? Yes.

This truly is specialty retail POS software made for these businesses, tuned to their needs, in service of them serving local campers and locals who love fishing.

Our Tower Systems software for fishing, Outdoors and camping businesses is Aussie made and supported. This is an ideal solution for these local businesses.

In thinking about the software you want, think about your business. Here are some headline level thoughts and suggestions.

  • If you see your business as specialist in nature, the software you choose should be specialist.
  • If part of your business pitch is to shop local, choosing locally made and supported software supports your pitch. Local software is software made and supported in Australia.
  • If you want to be known as the local specialist, you need software that helps you do this consistently and effectively.
  • If you do repairs or maintenance of any sort, you need software that can handle this.
  • If you sell items bundled such as a rod, reel and line pack, you need software that can handle this.
  • If you are in a tourist area and sell to people once, or once a year, you need software with loyalty facilities to maximise their rare visits to your shop.
  • If you sell products by weight, you need software that can do this.

Think about these things and think about what you want in software in your business to help you stand out.

Here at Tower Systems we love serving local businesses. If you think we could help you, please reach out.

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