The POS Software Blog

The POS Software Blog

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

ArchiveMarch 2019

The best EFTPOS solution for Aussie small business retailers

March 31, 2019
2 Min read
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Tower Systems recommends Tyro broadband EFTPOS as the best EFTPOS solution for small business retailers. We have been Tyro customers ourselves in our own retail businesses for many years. We have partnered with Tyro with an integration to our POS software for many years.

Here is what we like about Tyro:

  1. It’s fast.
  2. It is seamlessly integrated.
  3. It eliminated data entry.
  4. It cuts mistakes.
  5. Settlement is swift.
  6. Queries are handled quickly.
  7. Back end tech makes management easy.
  8. It does not complicate the overall business banking relationship.
  9. Fees are competitive.

Tyro is terrific as our years of experience using it in our own shops has shown us. This is why we happily recommend it to our small business retail customers.

Being fully integrated with the Tower Systems Point of sale software, Tyro is a fast and easy method of payment for 0ur customers. Setup is fast and easy and use is stable.

Speed is critical in high traffic businesses and this is where Tyro shines. We see it handle hundreds of transactions a day without a blip, with pinpoint accuracy. This is done with tap and go as well as with PIN security. The integration makes the process simple and easy and valuable for retail businesses thanks to terrific throughput.

Data accuracy is important too. The Tyro POS software integration eliminates keystrokes and every keystroke eliminated is a potential mistake eliminated. This is good news for retailers and good news for shoppers as both parties to a transaction want transactional accuracy.

As a tech partner with tyro, Tower Systems is at the forefront of development of integration opportunities and this is a terrific benefit to our small business retailer community. Leading with innovation, time saving and new revenue opportunities is important to us as we help our small business retail customers to grow stronger and more valuable retail businesses.

The Tyro EFTPOS POS software integration developer and supported by Tower Systems is a valuable piece for any retail business keen on accurate payments handling at the counter and elsewhere in the business.

Tower Systems is proud to serve small business retailers in many different specialty re6ail channels.

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A POS software alternative for Neto POS software customers

March 28, 2019
3 Min read
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Neto POS software was in the news recently with Neto customers complaining about unexpected price hikes from Neto that were impacting their businesses. This could be a challenge for small business retailers on tight budgets and now having to find additional funds to support their use of the Neto POS software.

Daniel Kofoed, owner of Golfers HQ, says his monthly bill will increase by 218% from $88 a month to US$199 ($280), not including currency conversion costs. “As a small business owner, it’s just not something I can absorb,” Kofoed, who has been a Neto client for six years, tells SmartCompany. “An increase in costs in an ever-competitive market where customers are demanding lower pricing is discouraging your average small-business owner from going into business,” he says. “It’s price gouging their loyal Aussie clients.”

We don’t know if our specialty retail business Point of Sale software is better than the Neto POS as we have not used Neto, nor have we seen the software functioning. So, this post is not about whether Neto is good or not. What we do know is our approach to pricing, customer service and customer communication.

We know where we stand and what we do.

We are proud to be available when our customers need us. We are proud to be transparent on any pricing change.

For example, when we last increased our support fees, a less than CPI increase and our first in two years, we provided several months notice and the opportunity for customers to lock in support coverage for the next year and the pre-increase price. Tower Systems can help Neto POS software customers with an alternative POS software solution that is available for a fixed price, a certain price, that businesses can budget for and count on.

While the best outcome here would be for Neto to reconsider their pricing situation, to provide its Neto POS software customer price certainty in the context of that whey had already budgeted.

Tower Systems has delivered price consistency to its customers for many years.

Retailers choosing the Tower small business specialty retail POS software can rent, purchase outright or lease the software. Annual software support coverage is optional. Customers can pause software support coverage and restart at a later date. These cash flow management options are appreciated by customers. Anyone interested is considering the Tower Systems solutions can see the software in-store.

Tower has retail professionals who will come to the shop and demonstrate the software, comparing it function for function. If we do not think our software is a good fit for you, we will say so.

Talk to one of our experts about an obligation free personal demonstration of our POS software to see if we could be a fit for your business. Please call our sales team on 1300 662 957 or email them at sales@towersystems.com.au.

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Small business retail advice: understanding the cloud

March 27, 2019
4 Min read
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What is the cloud and why is it important?

The cloud is a marketing term used by technology companies to describe the accessing of software through a browser in one location where the actual software and data are stored in another location.

The cloud is not new. The first versions of this were running in the 1970s in the early days of computing.

In a small business retail sense, there were retailers in the 1990s operating this way. Indeed, Tower Systems had customers as early 1999 running in the cloud.

While technology has refined, the principles have not.

On a server runs your software with your data. From your retail location you access this through a web browser. Around ten years ago, in 2005, we ran four of our own shops in the cloud – none of the shops had retailer or data on their computers. This was before the term cloud became a marketing term.

While the marketing of the cloud has been excellent, the business benefits have not been so great, especially for small business.

The cloud seems cheaper because there usually is no up front cost. Add up all costs over three years and a cloud based solution will in almost every case cost you more.

In terms of business commercial outcomes, a cloud based solution may not deliver you better business outcomes. Business outcomes depend on your engagement with the data collected and managed by your software. This is on you and has nothing to do with where your software and data are hosted.

To run in the cloud, you need a good and reliable host with quality data backup, speedy access and 24/7 support from your country of location. Too often this is not the case.

Does the Tower Systems POS software run in the cloud?

Yes. We have customers today running in the cloud. In fact, we have plenty from single store locations through to retail groups with all stores running in the cloud.

We can help you establish your own cloud setup or provide one for you.

Running the Retailer POS software in the cloud starts with us understanding the business outcomes you want to achieve. Once we understand these we can guide you to the solution we recommend.

We have relationships with several hosting partners that we use in our own retail and technology businesses. We can connect you with them if you want to set this up for yourself or we can manage this for you.

The extent to which the Retailer small business POS software runs in the cloud is up to you. However, what you do and what you spend is a function of the business outcomes you want.

Our most popular cloud offerings today are our cloud based backup service and our cloud based link to Xero, the best-practice cloud based accounting solution.

How can I run my business in the cloud?

Running your business, your business software, in the cloud requires you to have business grade internet access. This is vital.

Next, you need to partner with a host. This is best organised through your software company.

It is vital your cloud provider offers the level of backup and redundancy you require for your type of business and you are prepared to pay for.

Tower Systems can help you through these steps, providing from our own experience running our own retail businesses in the cloud.

The best point for advice on what is appropriate to your needs is your local Tower Systems sales person. They will want to understand your business needs and from there they will provide practical advice on which you can rely.

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Small business retail advice: how to quit stock

March 26, 2019
5 Min read
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How do you identify product that is not working? When do you quit a product that is not working? Why should you quit stock? How do you quit the stock? How long should quitting stock take? What if the item does not sell no matter what you do?

These are all questions we will answer here for you in the form of suggestions. What you ultimately do is 100% up to you. Your choices need to reflect your own situation and circumstances. Our small business POS software can help.

Identifying product that is not working.

A product is not working if it is not paying its way – paying for the floor space it takes and the time you spend on it. Check your sales, rank all your stock based on sales – look at the bottom performing stock.  Your software should have a ranked Sales Report that lets you list all your stock ranked by unit or $$ sales. Use this to create your list of items to consider.

The other way to identify stock that’s not working for you is to check your back room or other storage facility. Stock that is not generating cash regularly has to be considered dead in our view.

When do you quit a product?

You quit, exit, products when they are not paying their way, when a season is done or when you want to exit that category for some other reason.

Let’s say your rent is $1,250 per square metre per year. If your gross profit averages, say, 50%, you will need to sell $2,500 worth of product to pay for a metre of space. However, this is not the complete consideration as you have labour, power and other costs to cover. The suggested rule of thumb is that your retail sales need to be at least three times that necessary to cover the cost of the space. In the scenario covered here, you should be earning at least $7,500 from a square metre of space. If stock is not delivering this, quitting it could be necessary.

Why quit stock?

To keep your shop fresh, to not be weighed down by dead stock to make your shop look more relevant, to stop hoarding.

How to quit stock.

Here is how we quit stock in retail businesses we operate. These businesses are in shopping centres where retail space is limited and expensive. We are necessarily aggressive.

  1. Set a deadline.We’d suggest two weeks for quitting a product or range of products.
  2. Choose your timing.The best time to quit stock quickly is on your busiest trading days. For many this will be the weekend. Consider structuring your quitting program to run from Thursday through Sunday.
  3. Set your initial price.The discount must be compelling. We’d suggest 50% off. A smaller discount in this marketplace will not get noticed. Think about your discount words: in some areas, HALF PRICE works better than 50% OFF. Sometimes, 2 FOR 1 can be even more effective. A $$ price can work better – for example a dump bin with everything priced at $1. People then don’t have to work anything out.
  4. Move the product to a high traffic location.Display it as a line you are quitting – in a dump bin or in open boxes. This must be in a location away from where the product is usually located. Do not make an attractive display. Consider placing the stock somewhere that people almost stumble over it.
  5. Put up a signthat is either black on white or white on read. Nothing fancy. Even a hand written sign is good. Do not make a complex or attractive sign.
  6. Adjust your price. If sales are not strong enough, go harder with your discount. From 50% off we suggest a drop to a $$ price point. It can be challenging selling something you would have sold for $20.00 at $1 but that $1 is better than getting nothing for the product at all.
  7. Give it away.If the products are not selling, consider giving the stock away to a local charity. Getting it out of your shop for no compensation can be better than it taking space and giving off the wrong message about your business.
  8. Keep track of time.If you decide to be out of the stock within two weeks, stick to that and make it happen with your pricing and placement decisions.
  9. Use the bin.If you can’t sell the item and you can’t give it away, use the bin.
  10. An alternative:If you have a large amount of stock to quit, consider hiring a local hall and running an off site sale. Talk to your suppliers about getting extra stock in for this. You could even plan to do this as an annual event. Consider, too, linking with a local charity to drive interest and create a fund raising opportunity for them.

Quitting stock takes strength and commitment. We urge you to do it to keep your business fresh. Product not selling gives shoppers a bad impression of your business.

Take a look at your shop floor and in your back room. Look at what you can get rid of right away to reduce the anchor of dead stock on your business.

Too many retail businesses have old stock gathering dust. One of the best ways to separate your business is to regularly quit stock that is not performing as it should.

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Small business retail advice: how to be local for local shoppers

March 25, 2019
3 Min read
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Being genuinely local for any local business sounds easy, right? It can be challenging because of different expectations and experiences.

As a POS software company that only developed software and sells to small business retailers, we have plenty opt experience with retailers on thinking, living and acting local. We share this advice with our customers. Here in this post we share some of that advice, to provide a taste for the extent of business inspiration and management we provide our customers.

Being local in retail is more important than ever.

Yes, even with online, being local really does matter.

Local can mean different things to different people – it does not necessarily mean geographic proximity. Being local could be about the level of care and attention you provide customers, the additional advice you provide, that you live locally, that you source locally or that you serve the local community personally.

Locally sourced products could be products made in Australia. For example, detailing where a product is made and the family behind it pitches local compared to a similar product imported from overseas.

You can use your Tower Systems POS software to pitch local in a range of ways:

  1. Shop local yourself. Be seen doing this.
  2. Hire local. This shows you adding local economic value.
  3. Talk local. Know local news. Share it on your business social media pages.
  4. Include notes on receipts.Add product care instructions, use instructions or other useful information automatically on receipts – making your receipt a useful information platform.
  5. Tell people where you source products. For a product made by a family or small business in Australia, include details on the receipt. Shine a light on this local product – provide extra information so your shoppers can feel more locally connected.
  6. Include a SHOP LOCAL pitch. Add an image of a poster or some other promotion of the benefits of shop local to every receipt, reinforcing the value of shopping local. Tower Systems has images you can use for free – in the downloads section of our website.
  7. Thank your customers.Include text personally thanking customers shopping with you. Put our name to the message. Include your mobile. Big businesses do not do this.
  8. Track local product sales.Be aware of suppliers of locally made products and report on the performance of these through various reporting tools.
  9. Thanks for shopping local vouchers.You can use the discount voucher facilities in the software and call them Thanks for shopping localorLocal shopping reward. This reinforces a value for shopping with a local business – offering $$ discount off the next purchase based on rules you establish.

It is not enough to tell people to shop local, you need to demonstrate the value of this, you need to live it transactionally in your retail business. The best way to do this is through systems and processes in your POS software.

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Tower Systems acquires newsagency marketing group newsXpress

March 24, 2019
3 Min read
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This announcement was shared with newsXpress members and newsagent and gift suppliers earlier this month.

NEWSXPRESS OWNERSHIP ANNOUNCEMENT.

newsXpress founding director Graham Randall has agreed to sell his shares in the newsXpress business to Mark Fletcher, his partner since 2005 in newsXpress. The transaction will be completed in the next few days.

Having founded the business in 2001, Graham played a key role in its formation and early development. He saw the need for a group for proactive newsagents as well as the need to move the group from its Queensland base and in 205 invited Mark Fletcher to acquire an initial share in the business.

The years since 2005 have seen considerable growth in terms of rooftops and in terms of services delivered to its small business retailer community.

newsXpress today is considerably more diverse than the group of even ten years ago. The company has plans for considerable evolution through 2019 and beyond.

The sale and acquisition transaction has been negotiated between the two and with a focus on ensuring operating stability and commercial opportunity for newsXpress members.

Graham Randall’s own newsXpress businesses will continue to be trade under the newsXpress name and be part of group.

Graham Randall commented … “The time feels right for me to step away from an ownership role in newsXpress. I know it is in good hands and have every faith in the whole team to continue to develop and evolve the group. This move frees me to explore some other opportunities in addition to my existing retail businesses. I wish newsXpress, its employees and its member businesses every success in the years ahead.”

Mark Fletcher commented … “Graham Randall had the vision to create newsXpress and through it to provide many newsagents a pathway away from the traditional and into a brighter future. I am grateful to Graham for the thirteen years of business partnership and look forward to plenty more years of friendship. While this is a change to the ownership of newsXpress, it will not result in dramatic change in what we do.”

Given the stable management and operating structure of the business, it will be business as usual for newsXpress, its supplier relationships and its members. The company has a skilled teal of merchandise, marketing, sales and creative professionals who work enthusiastically and diligently every day for the benefit of the newsXpress member community.

newsXpress today serves in excess of 240 locally owned retail businesses located in all Australian states and territories. It also operates a network of websites that acquire online orders on behalf of newsXpress member businesses as well as running a network of social media accounts with a combined reach of in excess of 100,000 people.

—END–

As the Australian newsagency channel continues to evolve, so will businesses that serve the channel. I am energised and focussed on presenting to newsagents through my businesses commercially valuable opportunities and through this place freely accessible ideas and encouragements for embracing valuable change.

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Shopify connected POS software help small business retailers win new customers

March 23, 2019
2 Min read
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More and more retailers and discovering the value of Shopify connects POS software thanks to the work by Tower Systems in this area.

With plenty of Shopify sites already under its belt, the web team at Tower systems has proven skills in delivering commercially valuable Shopify sites. The bonus is the seamless POS software connection that enables easy delivery of data in both directions, helloing retailers achieve beneficial gains.

All Tower Systems Shopify e-commerce development is done out of the company’s Melbourne office. This is uncommon as many Aussie web companies offshore their work.

By being developed in Melbourne Australia, our small business retail customers have easy, same time zone access to skilled developers who genuinely understand local retail commerce needs. The Tower Systems web development team, our Shopify experts, are readily available for direct customer contact. There is no barrier to this. We think this is important as there is no filtering of customer needs to serve language or socio-economic differences.

Tower Systems has deployed POS software connected Shopify e-commerce sites for many different small business retailers including those in high volume consumer sales through to those keen to serve a local and discrete geographic area. Our specialists can provide live examples as inspiration as well as drawing on overseas experience, where foreign currency handling and shipping are two factors of interest to retailers.

Our process for considering the development of a Shopify connected POS software solution is comprehensive, structured, transparent and fixed price. We think these focus pints tick the boxes for our customers. In fact, they tell us they do. We deliver each time and fine tune based on real world experience.

Being a partner of Shopify of many years standing places us well in terms of knowledge and experience. It also provides our customers with an easy to use and trusted platform for their e-commerce business. We have runs on the board, and we are proud of this.

Small business retailers can rely on their Shopify connected POS software solution to help them find new shoppers for online as well as for in-store purchases. Tower systems is committees to facilitating these outcomes.

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Why specialty Point of Sale software matters to specialty retailers.

March 22, 2019
3 Min read
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What is unique about your retail business? What sets you apart from your competitors? What makes you a specialty retailer rather than another shop with products similar to what you sell?

Tower Systems only develops, sells and supports software for specialty retailers in specific retail channels: garden centres, jewellers, bike shops, pet shops, fishing and outdoors shops, firearms businesses, produce and farm supply businesses, games shops, newsagents and adult shops. This is what is unique about us, and we are proud of it.

Now more than ever, specialisation matters.

Standing out from the crowd is what bets people through your door and back for repeat business. Embedded in our specialty retail POS software are opportunities that you can leverage to help you stand out, through which you can be your authentic self. Our POS software can help separate you from the crowd.

Does the software specialise?

Beyond safe, secure, fast and accurate selling, we help you trade efficiently with suppliers, be flexible with shoppers and, best of all, spot trends and opportunities for a brighter future. Our software does this in the context of your specific type of business. Whereas general POS software is general in function, our software is specialist, helping you be specialist at every touchpoint.

And beyond the software?

POS software should help you beyond the traditional, it should make your life easier and your decisions more confident. It should shine a light on opportunities. Through unlimited training, human support, real life retail knowledge and a commitment to your success, Tower Systems helps. We love helping indie retailers evolve their businesses.

What if I want to know more?

We could tell you to go to our website, to research us for yourself. What we prefer, however, is to talk with you. We want to know about your business, what you do, how you do it, what is unique, what matters to you. We always have many questions … because, our software is not always a good fit. We have retail experts who talk with you, listen and can, if you want, show you our software, please call 1300 662 957 or email sales@towersystems.com.au.

And my business website?

Online is a vital part of retail today, especially indie retail. This is where you can find new customers, some of whom will never set foot in your shop. Through our Shopify / Magento / WooCommerce POS software integrations, our web development team can provide you with a beautifully integrated solution for your shop and for online.

About us.

We are an Australian owned POS software company serving ex excess of 3,000 small business retailers. We are well established and debt free. Investing in our current and future products is important to us as is listening to our customers to develop software to their needs. Our CEO is Mark Fletcher. His direct mobile is 0418 321 338. We share this as a demonstration of transparency and accessibility.

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Smart POS software helps Aussie newsagents create more successful businesses

March 19, 2019
2 Min read
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The Tower Systems newsagency software today is very different to a few years ago,. Just as Aussie newsagency businesses have had to navigate change, so has our software. Indeed, our software has led changes in many ways.

Our software has helped newsagents stock new products and through thee find new customers. We have changed the conversation about loyalty. We have connected retail newsagents with completely new suppliers. We have helped them cut costs. we have helped them attract shoppers back more often. We have helped them lift the average purchase value.

These are just some of the benefits our new, fresh and ever evolving newsagency software have delivered to newsagents, helping them run more successful and enjoyable businesses that better serve their local shoppers.

With change all around, in the newsagency channel and in retail mikron broadly, Tower Systems has been the leader in the field of service of newsagents with newsagency software and with leadership advice to guide change, embrace it and leverage greater success.

Through working with newsagents like yours our software has been perfected to help you compete in a business environment increasingly dominated by national and international retailers, save you the most time and achieve your business goals sooner.

Our system integrates with suppliers, e-commerce, accounting and other solutions and is underpinned by the Tower Advantage, offering you 24/7 phone support, video training through the Tower Academy, software updates, the Knowledge Base directory and more.

Our newsagency software solution is whole of business. Comprehensive yet flexible to facilitate their engagement in new product categories. This matters given the amount of change they are going through in their channel and in many newsagency businesses. This is why newsagency software needs to be flexible … functional for today and flexible for tomorrow.

Serving in excess of 1,700 newsagents, Tower remains the largest software supplier to Aussie newsagencies. We carry this position in appreciation and with respect, serving newsagents thoughtfully and with consideration to the needs of the channel as well as the needs of each of our newsagency software customers.

While we continue to offer home delivery software services, it is in the newsagent retail space where there is considerable change. As we own newsagencies ourselves, we have intimate personal knowledge that we leverage for competitive advantage.

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SHopify and Magento website development small business retailers can trust

March 18, 2019
2 Min read
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Tower Systems partners with Magento and Shopping to offer POS software connected SHopify e-commerce sites and POS software connected Magento e-commerce sites that are finely tuned for the success of independent small business retailers.

We bring to our web development work years of expertise in retail management and POS software development and leverage with with our awesome web team to create beautiful and functional websites, to win business for local retailers.

We are grateful to have two software development teams in our business, one continually enhancing our awesome small business POS software and the other developing beautiful and valuable websites for small business retailers.

All our retail business websites are developed from scratch by us in Australia, using tools well respected around the world, tools such as Magento and Shopify. This is important because too often we see web developers use half-assed tools that cannot be maintained by an0one else.

Our small business website development starts with a comprehensive consultation process, to ensure we understand all of the needs of a retail business and agree these with our customers. Too often with offshore web development this is not done and fixing a site from afar is problematic.

The Tower web team is also skilled at SEO and SEM services that help raise the website rankings in key search engines, ensuring the site is found ahead of others.

Best of all, Tower Systems provides professional advice and guidance to small business retailers keen to build their online presence. Our commitment is honest transparent advice on which any small business retailer can rely.

The Tower Systems web development team is Australian based, working out of the company’s head office in Hawthorn. This is important as many web development businesses are overseas. While you might have a locally based contact person development too often is done overseas, leading to challenges with delivery and usefulness.

Professional web development takes time. Time has a per hour cost. IT professionals are paid well. Going for the cheapest price for website development could mean that you have gone with a business that cuts corners or has most of the work done offshore.

Since your website is your business calling card to the world it is not something to cut corners with, it is not something to take offshore for a saving today. A good source of business for us is replacing offshore developed sites.

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Advice for small business retailers on getting the most from their POS software

March 17, 2019
2 Min read
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This is a million dollar question…

How do you get the most from your POS software?

Many POS software companies leave this up to you. They may offer training and support, but outcomes you achieve are left for you to gain for yourself.

Here at Tower Systems we offer to be as engaged as you would like. If you want guidance, support, encouragement, training, hand-holding to achieve the best from the Tower Systems POS software then all of those things, and more, are available to you.

We want 0ur customers to run successful retail businesses. We want them to enjoy using our software. We want their investment with us to deliver for them valuable rewards. We want them to enjoy their retail businesses.

As retailers ourselves and using our POS software in our retail businesses we know what can be achieved, we know first-hand the rewards available. So, when help retailers it is as a retailer first. This changes the conversation. Were think it helps our retail customers get more from the opportunity. It sets us apart from other POS software companies. We like it.

That every one of our POS software customers has access to unlimited training is an excellent and appreciated differentiator. That this training is personal, on–on-one is appreciated, is live is a bonus and is based on the data in the customer’s business is real gold. This is just one way we help our customers get more from their POS software, just one way we unlock potential that may not be unlocked if we left them to themselves without encouragement and nurturing.

Tower Systems is an actively engaged POS software company, delivering personal service, tuned encouragement and small business targeted education … to show what can be achieved, to help our customers reach their potential through good use of the software, to be more valuable beyond what they hoped for.

We take this seriously, delivering outcomes for our customers that are commercial as well as personal. We take it seriously because what our customers want for their businesses we want for them too. Our energy and focus are absolute and consistent.

This is another example of the Tower Advantage.

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Why choose POS software from Tower Systems? … advice for small business retailers

March 16, 2019
2 Min read
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This is an important question for local indie small business retailers, specialty retailers in niche retail channels.

Why choose the Tower systems POS software?

Why choose it over other software? What makes it special?

We think the question best put is What makes Tower Systems special?

here is a list. We love lists. So, here is a list of what we thin makes us special for small business retailers in niche retail channels:

  1. We specialise. We do not sell general POS software that seeks to work for everyone. Being specialist means that our bike shop software is for bike retailers, our jeweller software is for jewellers, our pet shop software is for pet shops. our toy shop software is for toy shops. yes, we specialise for the retailers, their suppliers and their customers, leveraging what is different about these specialist retail businesses.
  2. Our service is personal. It is based out of our Melbourne head office. You deal with humans, who get to know you. There is no computerised phone system. No mechanical processes. Each interaction is real, genuine and personal.
  3. We make what we sell. We are not agents for other software.
  4. There are no limits on support services.
  5. There is no limit on how much training you get.
  6. Our customers suggest and vote on software enhancements. This is a transparent customer-driven process.
  7. We are strong. Financially, operationally, organisationally, technically.
  8. We are fun.
  9. We are honest. If we think our software is not a good fit for you, we say so during the sales process.
  10. We communicate well. We have a weekly customer email, a print newsletter, a private user forum, face to face catch-up opportunities and more.
  11. We are accessible. Through to the leadership team and owner, our customers have easy access.

Choosing POS software is really about choosing your software company. Here are Tower Systems we are proud to be accessible to enable informed decisions to be made in that choice. We understand we are not for everyone. However, we believe in transparency and engagement, so that any decision made involving us is informed and thorough.

Choosing POS software is a long term business decision, which can turn a business around.

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How the Tower Systems Toy Shop Software helps local toy shops compete

March 15, 2019
3 Min read
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Local toy shops play an important role in their local community. beyond bringing terrific products in for local shopping, they are places of knowledge and fun, places where people can learn, connect and engage. Local toy shops are often more than shops, more than a place where there is a commercial transaction. Local toy shops are usually na appreciated part of the local community, adding value, nurturing creativity and, best of all, nurturing fun. Fun matters!

Tower Systems offers POS software for Toy shops. That is, software developed specifically for local Toy shops. This is not big business software as Tower only sells to local indie retailers. This sets us apart. We love serving 3,000+ local indie retailers rather than a few big and fat retailers. Our approach is more inclusive of all, fairer and less reliant on a couple of big loud voices.

Using our Toy shop software developed specifically for local Toy shops, you can bring new customers who shopped with you already back again and again.

Imagine easily reaching out to those who purchased Cards Against Humanity, Lego products, new Beanie Boos or Monopoly and inviting them to purchase a product extension?

This is easy with our Toy Shop software.

We know from our work in other retail marketplaces that recalling shoppers based on identified interests works.

You can enhance the success of such a campaign by using a smart and tailored discount voucher, with an expiry date, on receipts. The key is to time your reminder email, text message or flyer to arrive in time for customers to use the discount voucher they got with Christmas purchases.

Combining these two tools, which are embedded in our Toy Shop Software, is one way to drive success from major seasons.  

This is one example of how Tower Systems leverages its toy shop specific software for you – with training and assistance specific to your type of business, to ensure that you maximise the benefits for your business.

Another way to use the software is through our Oxipay / ZipPay or AfterPay interfaces. These buy now pay later services settles immediately to you. It is integrated with the Tower software as a method of payment. This makes it easier for you.

Our Toy Shop Software also offers:

  1. Catalogue management – where pricing for catalogue items runs for the duration of the promotion, under your control.
  2. Easy loading of electronic invoices from your suppliers.
  3. Linking to a website for online sales.
  4. Easily handling BOGO (buy 1 get 1 free) or other up-sell offers.
  5. Linking to Xero to cut bookkeeping and external accounting costs.
  6. Rewarding loyal shoppers with points, cash off their next purchase or a mixture – with you having complete control over the rules.
  7. Easy to use LayBy.
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Farm supply business software and produce business software help rural businesses serve farmers

March 14, 2019
2 Min read
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The latest release Farm Supply Business software from Tower Systems and the Produce Business software from Tower Systems provide these often rural b businesses with cities that serve farm based customers.

Using the specialty software, Tower Systems customers can rely on software designed for their specific niche business needs.

The produce / farm supply business specialty software we offer today is advanced on what we offered last year. Today’s software has new features, plenty created just for your type of business.

Produce / farm supply businesses need specialist software.

  1. Produce / farm supply store specialty POS software does more.
  2. Produce / farm supply store specialty POS software delivers more benefits.
  3. Produce / farm supply store specialty POS software saves more time.
  4. Produce / farm supply store specialty POS software cuts more mistakes.
  5. Produce / farm supply store specialty POS software supports what is differentin your business compared to everyday retail.

In the last few months we have updated out software to include: Pending Invoice Processing – allowing stock to be invoiced in prior to physical invoice being received from the supplier; Extensive Freight Processing– allowing Freight Invoices to be processed with much great clarity and control; Variants (Colour, Size & Style); Supplier Ordering Improvementsto better handle Order Numbers from suppliers and back order processing; Bulk Price Changesexpanded for more control and ease of use.

Next month, we release new Accounts Management tools, a complete reengineering of our customer accounts facilities – easier to use, more flexible, an accounting solution accountants and bookkeepers will love. These new tools go way beyond everyday POS software. They will be a real treat for produce businesses that run customer accounts.

These produce business specific enhancements have been delivered to customers as part of our structured, texted, software update process.

Plus, we actively work with suppliers to facilitate electronic invoicesto cut mistakes and save time.

Tower Systems developer what it sells. Our Farm Supply Business software from Tower Systems and the Produce Business software are our ow products, created by us, for our customers, by working with our customers and their suppliers. Our level of engagement in the farm supply and produce channels adds to the specialisation in our software and ensures that we deliver on a level of service that reinforces their local specialisation.

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A specialty retailer POS software alternative to Neto POS

March 13, 2019
3 Min read
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With the reports last week at Smart Company about Neto POS software, Tower Systems reminds small business indie retailers that it is a well-established, debt-free POS software company offering solutions in specific retail channels.

Software user frustration with Neto was expressed following a reported significant price increase for users of the software, imposed on them by Neto. In the same article, there is also information about the financial status of the company:

In an email sent to Neto clients on February 28, seen by SmartCompany, Neto chief executive Ryan Murtagh said the business needed the extra money.

“We have to balance our current costs while investing in our future,” he said.

Murtagh separately told Kofoed over social media that Neto, which is majority-owned by Telstra, could “no longer endure significant losses” associated with its legacy pricing model.

Three separate clients said they weren’t consulted about the change prior to the February 28 email informing them of the restructuring.

However, the company has been considering the move for several months.

Select clients were informed and asked for feedback on the prospective changes earlier this year, while clients informed last week have just a month to prepare for the hike if they are billed monthly.

Asked whether Telstra pressured Neto into changing its pricing structure, Murtagh said the telecommunications giant holds various board positions as the majority owner of the business and is “party to all decisions the company makes”.

Here at Tower Systems, our view on POS software companies that rely predominantly on a low-price subscription model is that the cashflow from such models will not be sufficient to fund the necessary and expensive software development and support infrastructure that retailers require in the proper and successful use of POS software.

The Tower Systems model is a mixture, where customers can choose what works best for them: purchase, lease or rent, or a mixture of all three if they wish.

Tower Systems invests heavily in its future. This is evident already in 2019 with a major software update already released, delivering access to new facilities along with the announcement of the imminent release of Retailer Roam, a new product for pop-up, outpost, mobile and queues-busting retail. Retailer Roam is already in preview and feedback has been terrific.

The result of long-term investment, Retailer Roam will be a valuable opportunity step for indie retailers who want to themselves evolve what retail means in their businesses.

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Magento POS software connection helps indie retailers sell in-store and online

March 12, 2019
2 Min read
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Tower Systems has partnered with Magento e-commerce for years, delivering seamless connectivity between Magento and the Tower Systems Point of Sale software for independent specialty retailers.

Our Magento skills are broad and mature, having started with the product back in the days of Magento 1. Today, we with with the latest release, developing stand alone websites for retailers as well as Point of Sale connected websites for retailers, primarily small business retailers.

We have websites that connect to a single shop as well as sites that connect to many shops, representing online as a single face for these multi location businesses. The solutions are varied, strong and commercially focussed, delivering strong solutions in the e-commerce area, helping small business retailers attract and serve shoppers who otherwise may never set foot inside these businesses.

Connecting small business POS software to magento delivers to the businesses useful and robust solutions, solutions that serve them well, enabling business worth and focus as the find new customers and explore new online approaches to retail.

The Tower Systems Magento development is done 100% within Australia. This matters as it ensures that a more locally focussed and appropriate solution is provided to local retailers.

We think local Australian development of POS connected Magento websites matters to local Australian small business retailers.

Tower Systems is committed to local development for local businesses. Our developers understand retail in Australia and New Zealand. We leverage that to deliver practical and valuable business outcomes.

From simple websites to complex multi business solutions, the Tower Systems web development team for retailers is skilled and capable of delivering valuable solutions.

To find our more about our web development services, speak with a local Tower Systems sales person. They can point you to successful sites from us that are live and transacting today.

Here are some of the store linked websites we have developed:

  1. www.beanieboosaustralia.com
  2. www.popvinylsinaustralia.com
  3. www.willowbears.com.au
  4. www.willowbearsworldwide.com
  5. www.ittybittysinaustralia.com
  6. www.charliebearsinaustralia.com
  7. www.ezitask.com
  8. www.sendmytask.com

This is a small selection of websites created by Tower Systems. Our web development skills are diverse. Our SEO and SEM skills are fine-tuned, to help you get the notice for your website.

To find out more about our POS software connected websites, please reach out to us.

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POS software connected Shopify e-commerce for small business retail

March 12, 2019
2 Min read
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Tower Systems offers Shopify e-commerce solutions for small business retailers, connected to its specialty retail Point of Sale software.

Developed in-house using Shopify developer experts, Tower Systems is able to deliver a seamless Shopify POS software integration, serving the needs of the physical retail shop as well as serving the online shopper opportunity.

Our Shopify website solutions for retailers include those pitching services, selling online, answering shopper queries, making appointments and more.

Developed 100% in Australia, our website solutions are fit for purpose for Aussie retailers. There is no translation issue. No wait for overnight offshore development. No language barrier. No design aesthetic challenge. Being Australian designed and developed matters for small business retailers who want to connect with Australian retail shoppers through Australian retail businesses.

In terms of online shopping, local really does matter.

This is the Tower Systems difference: locally developed POS software and locally developed Shopify websites, to help local retailers, leveraging our own retail business management experience along with our comprehensive tech skills including web development skills.

Our POS software integrated websites serve a single inventory database between physical store and online store.

The Tower Systems web development team is skilled in WooCommerce, Magento and Shopify. The company has plenty of sites it can show in a live portfolio of successful e-commerce sites, serving shoppers in Australia and internationally.

Small business retailers can benefit from the retail management experience at Tower Systems experience that helps deliver a more retail focussed solution.

The Tower web team is also skilled at SEO and SEM services that help raise the website rankings in key search engines, ensuring the site is found ahead of others.

But best of all, Tower Systems provides professional advice and guidance to small business retailers keen to build their online presence. Our commitment is honest transparent advice on which any small business retailer can rely.

The Tower Systems web development team is Australian based, working out of the company’s head office in Hawthorn. This is important as many web development businesses are overseas. While you might have a locally based contact person development too often is done overseas, leading to challenges with delivery and usefulness.

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Suggested mental health plan to help small business retailers and their team members

March 12, 2019
3 Min read
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As employers, as retailers and as small business owners, mental health issues are often not far away from any small business retailer. The challenges confronting retail businesses today add to the challenges already there.

Sometimes, we don’t know we are experiencing a mental health challenge while other times it’s obvious and on show for all to see.

How we confront mental health challenges is important for us, our business and those presenting with issues.

While we are not trained professionals in the area, our years of working with small business owners confronted by challenges to their mental health have helped us develop some guiding principles.

  1. Mental health is not easily measured or understood. One’s health is not outwardly obvious.
  2. Judgement cannot be part of how mental health is viewed or dealt with.
  3. Action is essential to improve your situation for doing nothing will achieve nothing.
  4. While taking the first step to confront mental health challenges can be difficult, it is relieving and rewarding.

Your GP is an excellent person to speak with. Explain to them how you feel and how this impacts on your life. Ask them to prepare a Mental Health Treatment Plan. This is a government recognised plan. It can usually be prepared in a single double visit to the GP. This plan is the trigger to you gaining Medicare supported access to a psychologist for an initial number of visits, which can be extended depending on your situation.

Some people can feel a visit to a GP or psychologist is not warranted in their situation. While the medical professionals are the best to determine this, there are other resources you could explore:

Beyond Blue has published Business In Mind, a useful resource for small businesses on issues relating to mental health in the workplace. This is a good starting point for learning more. In the resource there are links to other resources that can help.

Finding mental health resources for small business owners dealing with mental health issues is not as easy as it is finding resources for managing the workplace for better mental health. It’s tough running any business and sometimes things can feel overwhelming. This is where networking can help as a first step, talking with others.

Small business owners feeling challenges within themselves need to treat themselves as employees and use the resources available such as:

We will help and support in any way possible. We would be glad to talk confidentially about individual situations.

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Public holiday today

March 11, 2019
1 Min read
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Our head office is on minimal staff today as it is Labour Day in Victoria. We are open 8:30 through 5pm AEST and our after hours phone network is live for urgent calls.

Labour Day is an annual public holiday that celebrates the eight-hour working day, a victory for workers achieved in the mid-late 19th century. The argument for the eight-hour day was based on the need for each person to have eight hours labour, eight hours recreation and eight hours rest.

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