The POS Software Blog

The POS Software Blog

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

ArchiveFebruary 2015

Tower Systems on the XchangeIT sticky label project

February 11, 2015
2 Min read
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Tower Systems was approached by XchangeIT last year for its opinion on what has been called the Sticky Label project, a project which contemplates newsagents using technology to manage magazines on the shop floor rather than printed labels.

We explained to XchangeIT that newsagents usually did not label weeklies or high volume monthlies and that the use of labels is considerably down from some years ago. We also explained the need for labels for time-efficient management of oversupply on the shop floor.

XchangeIT made it clear their project, if it proceeded, would not block newsagents from labelling magazines.

The official Tower position is that we think it would be a waste of XchangeIT funds to undertake the Sticky Label project while newsagents continue to be oversupplied. XchangeIT was supposed to lead to more equitable supply of magazines to newsagents – among other benefits. This has not happened. Magazine supply is as bloated and inefficient as ever. Newsagents are disadvantaged.

We think XchangeIT ought to invest its considerable resources in serving the need for efficiency ins supply rather than playing at the edges on an issue of no concern to newsagents.

Our advocacy on this matter is another way we support small business newsagents.

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POS software company supports your local garden centre

February 11, 2015
2 Min read
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Local garden centres matter.

While the mass merchants like Bunnings, Masters, K-Mart and others have a bigger budget, local garden centres have a bigger, deeper and more valuable connection with the local community.

When it really matters, the local specialist services of a good local garden centre beat big business every time.

Your local garden centre employs local people. Those people have local knowledge. You can build a relationship with them. You can trust their advice. You’re a friend, not another shopping basket through the door.

Buying from a local garden expert, someone whom you can trust, is better for the customer, better for the community and better for your garden. This is why local garden shops matter.

There is an authenticity you get from shopping in your local garden centre. The friendly service is because they are friendly and not because a manager somewhere is watching and rating them.

Buy from a big business and you are just a number with profits likely to land a long way from the local community.

Local garden centres employ people who love plants and the outdoors. They can enhance the experience with advice and other services. They share your passion. Your purchase is part of their passion.

Big businesses probably don’t know who you are. Your local garden centre staff will know you and your area. They can tell you where they source plants and other products from.

At your local garden centre you are greeted with a smile and a handshake. Personal service means a lot, especially if your purchase is important to you.

Here at Tower Systems we are proud to support local garden centres with local Australian software designed for them to help them provide a more valuable shopper experience. We encourage you to shop local when buying your for your garden.

The Tower Systems garden centre software is the most widely used garden centre specific software in Australia.

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Our pet shop software co. on why pet shops matter

February 10, 2015
2 Min read
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Independent local Pet shops matter.

While people can buy pet food, gifts, treatments and toys from supermarkets, online and large chains, it is local service that really matters to local shoppers.

Buying from real shop from a real person, a pet expert, someone to whom you can speak, is better for the customer, better for the community and better for your pets. This is why local pet shops matter.

Your local pet shop employs local people. Those people have local knowledge. You can build a relationship with them. You can trust their advice.

Buy online and sure you might have a name but is it real? Sure you might save money but does anything you spend get invested in your country or your local community.

Buy from a big business and you are just a number with profits likely to land a long way from the local community.

Local pet shops employ people who love pets. They can enhance the experience with advice and other services. They share your passion. Your purchase is part of their passion.

Big businesses probably don’t know who you are. Your local pet shop staff will know you and your pets.

In a real shop you can touch the product, see it first-hand. You can be certain of what you are purchasing. You can get advice form an expert. No so from an online or big business.

At your local pet shop you are greeted with a smile and a handshake. Personal service means a lot, especially if your purchase is important to you.

Local pet shops provide local services. Most have people who are passionate about what they sell. Try and get this experience online.

Here at Tower Systems we are proud to support local pet shops and encourage you to shop local when buying your for your pets.

The Tower Systems pet shop software is the most widely used pet shop specific software in Australia.

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Why retail bike shops matter – POS software co. joins the shop versus online debate

February 9, 2015
2 Min read
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Bike shops matter.

While people can buy bikes online, buying a bike from a real shop from a real person, someone to whom you can speak, it better for you, better for the future of bikes and better for the community.

Your local bike shop employs local people. Those people have local knowledge. You can build a relationship with them.

Buy online and sure you might have a name but is it real? Sure you might save money but does anything you spend get invested in your country or your local community.

Local bike shops employ people who love bikes and love riding. They share your passion. Your purchase is part of their passion.

An online bike shop cares about shipping packages. That’s all. It could be they have a bunch of online shops selling a bunch of categories of products. Where are you in that situation.

Local bike shops provide local services. Most have experienced mechanics servicing your bikes. Try and do this online.

Here at Tower Systems we are proud to support local bike shops and encourage you to shop local when buying your next bike.

The Tower Systems bike shop software is the most widely used bike shop specific software in Australia.

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Sunday retail management advice: cut employee theft in your shop

February 8, 2015
1 Min read
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Through its Point of Sale software and retail business support services, Tower Systems helps small and independent retailers cut employee theft. In the last week, the company has helped with another free training workshop offered to retail business owners. We showed how employees steal, when and explored why. This information will help cut theft in businesses.

Our advice today is for retailers: use your POS software to cut employee theft. If you are not sure what tools are available to you – ask. Such advice should be free and confidential.

Employee theft can cost between 3% and 5% of sales. Tower Systems has a track record of helping retailers to cut theft using extensive and valuable tools in its POS software.

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The high cost of a poor choice in POS software vendor on small & independent retailers

February 7, 2015
1 Min read
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We have been helping another retailer switch from another POS solution to POS software from Tower Systems. In helping with the transition we have got to hear stories about their previous experience. The most damning is the having to wait two days to get a call back on a software issue which was harming their business.

The issue was a financial error made in the software which was not enabling them to complete their financials and thereby settle on the sale of the business.

The POS company they were using was not responding ofr the times they did respond the help was not of use, the help desk people seemed to not care about the financial cost of what appeared to be a bug in the software.

The owner of the business estimates that the software they switched from had cost them tens of thousands of dollars.

Using our software now they have accurate financial data and are able to move forward on their business plans. They were happy to throw away their other POS software and pay for our software because of the resolution it brought to the issues the other company was ot resolving.

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POS software co. helps small business newsagents with Disney promotion

February 7, 2015
1 Min read
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Screen Shot 2015-02-06 at 9.24.33 pmNewsagency software company Tower Systems has provided excellent support for newsagents in the run up to the launch of the disney read to me promotion with its major newspapers around the counter. This help from Tower has included publishing specialist advice, working directly with News Corp on data and information, publishing a tested and proven stock file, taking many calls with newsagents and testing advice and help in our own live newsagencies.

This is another example of extraordinary support for Australia’s small business newsagents by the Tower Systems team.

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POS software from Tower Systems helps newsagents with newspaper price changes

February 6, 2015
1 Min read
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Newsagency software company Tower Systems has provided advice and help for newsagents to be ready for the price changes coming next week for price changes to some News Corp. newspapers. Newsagents tell us they like that they can control when the changes are applied as this allows them to have more control over the management of their business.

Our advice is easy to follow, peer-reviewed and shared with the publisher.

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How one POS software company shows it understands that retail is a personal business

February 6, 2015
1 Min read
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Talk to any independent retailer and they will tell you that the success of their business often depends on the personal service they provide. The more engaged and personal service provided the more enjoyable and memorable the experience. This is how independent retail businesses grow – sale by sale, engagement by engagement.

Tower Systems provides in its POS software facilities through which a retail business can drive better personalisation and deeper engagement.

From a personal note based on a specific purchase to a recognition of a birthday to advice for a specific product purchased, retailers using the smart POS software from Tower are able to enjoy facilities that enable more attuned focus on the personal.

While general POS software programs transact sales and do the basics, it is software like that from Tower Systems that is designed for selected independent retail channels that delivers a deeper engagement for shoppers and retailers.

Retail is personal. Smart software should help retailers leverage the personal for the benefit of the business.

This is another example of the Tower AdvantageTM.

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Smart newsagency software helps newsagents restructure their businesses

February 5, 2015
1 Min read
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The latest newsagency sales benchmark study shows Tower Newsagents embracing change in their businesses. Of the 1,850 newsagents partnered with Tower Systems and its newsagency software, many who participated in the latest newsagency sales benchmark study show in their data the transition of their businesses, they show they are using the facilities of the software to drive change and make the most of the opportunities presented in the specialist newsagency management software.

Tower Systems helps newsagents get more form the software through weekly free online training workshops, free one on one training, a professional help desk and experienced newsagency business management advice.

Owning and operating newsagencies helps Tower Systems speak from experience in a way no other POS software company can. This is another example of the Tower AdvantageTM.

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Toy shop software helps Australian toy retailers compete

February 4, 2015
1 Min read
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Screen Shot 2015-02-04 at 8.21.27 amIndependent toy retailers can rely on the toy shop software from Australian software company Tower Systems to help them more successfully compete. Our software helps drive traffic, increase sales and improve business health.

More than 2,850 retailers have already embraced software from Tower in specialist retail niches.

You can expect business management, business growth and business enjoyment. The software is developed with Australian retailers for Australian conditions.

We provide personal service supporting personal software = business growth & enjoyment.

This is all part of the Tower AdvantageTM.

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How deeper engagement in Pet shop software helps pet retailers compete with warehouse stores

February 4, 2015
1 Min read
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There is software pet shops can use and then there is specialist pet shop software. Here at Tower Systems we develop specialist pet shop software. We work with pet shop suppliers, pet shop groups, the pet industry association and other leaders in the field at a level at which no other software company does.

While anyone can say they sell pet shop software, it takes hard work and dedication to deliver genuinely specialist software and to back this with knowledgeable specialist support.

How are we different: we have a position in our company that manages pet supplier relationships, we partner exclusive with one of the largest retail buying groups, we sponsor the peak industry association. These alone separate us from others. Then there is our software itself – the latest release just a few weeks old has more specialist facilities for pet retailers, facilities developed in consultation with pet retailers – helping pet retailers themselves specialise in what they offer through their businesses.

We offer what no other POS software company can offer pet retailers: the Tower AdvantageTM.

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POS software got gift shops helps independent retailers compete

February 3, 2015
1 Min read
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Screen Shot 2015-02-03 at 7.35.16 amThe Tower Systems software for gift shops is helping more independent and small retail businesses in the gift and homewares channels to compete with bigger businesses.

The latest software offers fresh facilities for business management, business growth and business enjoyment. These are facilities developed with Australian retailers for Australian conditions. They are backed with tailored training.

This is our gift to you: personal service supporting personal software = business growth & enjoyment.

This is all part of the Tower AdvantageTM.

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POS software customers love training

February 3, 2015
1 Min read
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Retailers using the Tower Systems Point of Sale software have snapped up the second outing of our free training workshop: POS software settings you will be shocked you have access to. We are scheduling another and this will be followed by another if it fills up.

We have been running free online training consistently for years and will continue as long as our customers want.

This training is more about achieving business outcomes than the traditional how-to of software training. Small business retailers love it.

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Out with the old and in with the new – how smart loyalty facilities on POS software help independent retailers compete

February 3, 2015
2 Min read
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Loyalty facilities are as old as the ills in POS software. Too often, the differences are not that great. The most popular offer is that of points accrual based on purchase.

While the POS software we offer here at Tower Systems provides loyalty facilities with points accrual and redemption, it is our other loyalty facility that is helping retailers break free from competition.

In a recent sales study we saw the best year on year growth achieved by retailers using our software and using our front-end approach to loyalty – discount vouchers.

Case after case the results are extraordinary – double digit sales growth being driven by greater existing shopper engagement, word of mouth driving new traffic and an allied pricing policy that helps the retailer fund the loyalty program with no net cost to the business.

The discount vouchers in the Tower software are 100% unique, developed by us in a way that is impossible to copy unless you have access to our programming source code.

While some have tried to copy our discount vouchers, retailers soon find that a copy is not the same as the real thing, a copy will not produce the stellar results we are producing in our Tower POS software.

We have independent retailers telling us that they are feeling reinvigorated for their business thanks to the results of the discount vouchers, that they are making more money now thanks to using this unique software facility.

This is what we are in business for – to help independent retailers make more money and enjoy their businesses more.

Every new business that takes on discount vouchers is a new opportunity for excitement for us. As they tell their colleagues it is a new opportunity for us to win more business too.

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Good POS software can drive the relevance of your small or independent retail business

February 2, 2015
2 Min read
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Choosing the right POS software for your business can re-energise, refocus and redefine your retail business.

Choosing the wrong software can hold you back.

The challenge for small and independent retailers is: which POS software is the right POS software.

Leading Australian POS software developer Tower Systems is clear that its software is not right for all retail businesses. Indeed, the company focuses on a select group of retail niches, vertical markets as they are called, in which it refines software to specific needs of teach of the markets.

This specialisation sees Tower Systems become deeply involved in and knowledgeable about each of the retail channels in which it serves. It’s deep specialisation results in offering software functions through which specialist niche retailers can reinforce their relevance.

For example, a pet shop using the specialist pet shop software from Tower Systems has pet shop management facilities that are unique and tailored to their needs whereas a generic POS software package only offers generic facilities that are offered to all retailers. These generic facilities are less likely to enable the pet retailer to reinforce their specialisation compared to a general retailer.

Specialist software in retail niches helps specialist retailers embrace their specialisation.

This is the Tower AdvantageTM in action. A suite of specialist tools that are constantly evolving thanks to the engagement of its 2,850+ customers.

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Sunday retail management advice: use your POS software to tell your stories

February 1, 2015
1 Min read
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One way independent retailers can compete with big businesses is by telling stories about products – how to use them, how to care for them, where they come from, who made them, why the products matter.

Using the Tower Systems POS software retailers are able to share these stories in a consistent and professional way – on receipts and other document communications with customers.

This is our management advice for today – use the ability to personalise receipts and other documents for sharing stories with customers – to enhance their experience with what they purchase from you.

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