How we came to be supplying POS software to computer shops
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Advice for Small Business Retailers: Here’s Why Vibe Coding Your Own POS Software Probably a Mistake
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Let’s talk about vibe coding and vertical market software.
Hi, I’m Mark Fletcher. I founded Tower Systems back in 1981. Back then I was a programmer. My languages of choice were Fortran (for more technical application) and PL/1 (for more commercial coding). The last programming I did was in the very early 1990s.
I also have owned retail shops for decades. Today, I have one physical shop and four online retail businesses. That retail experience is relevant to this. You can check me out on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/mark-fletcher-tower/
Early this year, I vibe coded a couple of applications. It was exciting, fun. One was a possible commercial project. I deployed a test version. It was very cool. But, it wasn’t commercial, certainly not to a standard I’d want money for.
I mention all that for perspective for what I want to say in this comparison of vibe coding versus buying commercial software. I should also note that I sold Tower Systems to Vela APX, a Constellation Software company. I’m still in the business and loving it by the way.
How does vibe coding compare commercial vertical market software?
Vibe Coding is a mainstream topic thanks to social media content pitching it. Plenty of people are making money selling courses and workshops about vibe coding and while vibe coding is cool, there are reasons that businesses need to be careful in approaching it.
Retailers read about vibe coding, about anyone being able to spin up an app in a weekend, and they start wondering: why am I paying for software when I could just build it myself?
It’s a fair question. But most of the time, the answer is: don’t.
Here’s the thing about commercially released software: it’s been through a process. Think of it like food from a licensed kitchen. Before it reaches you, someone has checked it, tested it, made sure it does what it claims. When you vibe code something yourself, you might end up with something that looks right and feels right. But unless you’re a developer, it probably has gaps.
Where does commercially released vertical market software differ to vibe coded software?
I spoke recently with a retailer who’d done exactly this. They’d built their own tool, and it handled some of what they needed. But not all of it. There were steps at the end of key processes that the software couldn’t complete, and so they completed them manually. Two to three hours a week, every week. When we looked at Tower Systems software covering the same ground, it handled the whole process end to end. Our software costs a few dollars a day. Their manual workaround was costing them hours.
There’s another reason to go commercial that doesn’t get talked about enough: collective knowledge. Software used across hundreds of businesses accumulates feedback that a single-user build never can. Every retailer using Tower Systems is, in a sense, contributing to the product. Their experience, their edge cases, their suggestions, that all feeds back into what gets built next. Retailers benefit from that even if they never submit a single support ticket.
The latest Tower Systems release is a good example. A meaningful chunk of the enhancements came directly from retailers. Not from our team guessing what might be useful, from people actually running shops telling us what they needed.
What is the value difference between commercial and vibe coded software?
When you’re weighing up vibe coding versus commercial software, think about what you’re actually comparing. On one side: something built quickly, for free, by someone who isn’t a software developer, with no QA process and no community behind it. But, since it’s personal you may feel more love for it. On the other: software built over decades, tested before release, shaped by hundreds of retailers across Australia and New Zealand, and updated regularly. But, since it is commercial it has a cost.
The food analogy I shared earlier holds. You wouldn’t buy a meal from a home kitchen that hasn’t met basic health standards. The same logic applies to software running your business.
Tower Systems builds specifically for specialty retail: bookshops, farm supply businesses, gift shops, bike shops, pet shops, jewellers, newsagencies, garden centres, toy shops, music shops, and more.
If you want to talk through whether it’s right for your business, reach out: towersystems.com.au, sales@towersystems.com.au, or call 1300 662 957.
Yes, this post is a sales pitch. It’s also true. And, it’s written by me: Mark Fletcher. Someone with decades of experience in software development and decades of experience owning and running retail businesses.
Oh, and, yes, these are all my own words.
Beyond Generic: Why Vertical Market Software and AI Define a Bright Future for Specialty Retail
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Local independent retailers in Australia and New Zealand face a unique challenges. It’s always been thus. Small vs big. Main Street vs shopping centre. Physical vs online. Capital poor vs capital rich. tenants vs landlords. We could go on.
Whether you manage a garden centre, a bookshop, a sewing shop, a produce business a jewellery store, a bike shop, or a newsagency, your business does not operate like a supermarket or a big business. You have specific supplier relationships, unique inventory requirements, and specialized customer service workflows. Using generic, off-the-shelf point of sale software often forces you to “dumb down” your operations to fit a one-size-fits-all model.
Vertical market software is designed to solve this problem. It is built specifically for your industry, embedding best-practice workflows and features that generic systems simply do not offer. At Tower Systems, we have spent over 40 years developing software that serves the distinct needs of specialty marketplaces.
The Power of Specialisation
A vertical market system understands the nuances of your trade. For a jeweller, this means the ability to print specialised labels with multiple sections—parts for the ring itself that will not cause damage, and sections for the packaging. For a garden centre, it means weatherproof labels that can withstand the elements outdoors.
Specialisation also extends to how you sell your products. Many specialty retailers do not just sell by the unit. Our software allows for selling by fractions, such as length or weight. Integrated scale functionality, which is NMI approved, is essential for spice shops, butchers, and health food stores. These are not “add-ons” but core components of a system built for your specific type of business. When your software handles these industry complexities, you are free to focus on what makes your shop different from the average retailer.
Practical AI for Small Business
While large corporations talk about artificial intelligence in abstract terms, here at Tower Systems we have integrated practical AI tools directly into our specialty retail POS software. This is not about futuristic theories; it is about saving time and improving your bottom line today.
We have made AI tools accessible and understandable.
One of the most significant advancements is AI-driven invoice processing. In the past, a retailer receiving a large shipment—such as a fishing tackle shop with an invoice of 200 items—would spend hours, or even a full day, manually entering data. Our embedded AI tools can now process that same invoice in a few minutes.
Unlike some systems where you must export data to an external spreadsheet or a tool like ChatGPT and then re-import it, our solution is seamless. It happens within the software. One retailer reported saving between seven and eight hours of costed labour per week just by using these tools. This represents a weekly saving of $250 to $300, which often exceeds the cost of the software itself.
Better Data, Better Decisions
The phrase “what gets measured gets managed” is a cornerstone of retail. However, many retailers avoid complex reporting because it is time-consuming or difficult to interpret. Our software now includes AI analysis for end-of-shift and inventory reports.
Instead of scrolling through pages of raw data, you can receive a concise AI summary. This summary analyses sales trends, looks for potential theft patterns, and even considers local weather impacts on your performance. It provides an “at-a-glance” understanding of your business health, allowing you to make informed decisions without needing to be a data scientist.
Protecting Your Business Asset
Choosing professionally developed, peer-reviewed software is also an investment in your business’s future value. Some retailers attempt to build their own tools using basic bot technology. While this might serve a temporary need, it creates a liability when it comes time to sell the business.
A new owner needs a system that is supported, documented, and maintained by a professional team. By using a vertical market system with built-in AI, you are building a scalable asset. We provide the help desk support and online resources to ensure that as your business evolves or changes hands, the technology remains a source of strength rather than a point of failure.
The retail landscape is changing rapidly. By leveraging software that is built for your specific industry and enhanced with integrated AI, you can move away from manual admin and spend more time on the shop floor where it matters most.
The insights dashboard: Finding time to grow your business in POS software
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For many small business retailers, the daily grind can be all-consuming. There is a significant difference between being busy and being profitable, yet finding the time to bridge that gap often feels impossible when you are managing a lean roster and a physical shop floor.
At Tower Systems, we understand this challenge because our team includes people with lived, current retail experience. We know you don’t always have an hour to walk the aisles looking for gaps or analyzing spreadsheets. That is why we developed the Insights Dashboard – a free facility built directly into our POS software that constantly monitors your business performance in the background.
Turning data into actionable steps
The Insights Dashboard is designed to provide immediate value, even if you only have thirty minutes to spare. It curates data and translates it into plain-speaking insights that help you make informed decisions quickly.
Two of the most impactful features within the dashboard include:
“What am I missing out on?” This tab identifies specific, actionable steps you can take to improve sales and boost profit based on your current data.
“What’s not working?” This provides a direct look at underperforming areas of your business, allowing you to address issues without having to manually hunt for them.
More than just a cash register
It is one thing to use POS software as a replacement for a cash register to process payments and work out change. It is another thing entirely to use that software as a tool for success. The Insights Dashboard acts as a starting point for your daily operations, offering a clear view of how to improve your business performance right now.
Because we build, support, and train our users on this software ourselves, we are personally invested in ensuring these tools work for the local, independent retailers we serve. Our goal is to help you run a more efficient and successful business by making your data work for you.
If you have a spare window in your day, we encourage you to explore the dashboard. It is a powerful resource for any retailer looking to move beyond “busy” and toward genuine growth.
At the heart of Tower Systems is a commitment to the success of local, independent, specialty retailers. We recognise that your time is your most valuable asset, which is why our Australian-based team focuses on creating tools that provide clarity instead of complexity. Whether we are helping you bridge the gap between your shop floor and a Shopify store or providing the data-driven insights needed to make 2026 your best year yet, our goal remains the same: to empower your business to thrive.
We are grateful for the opportunity to serve the shops that anchor our communities and look forward to continuing that partnership through innovation and honest, local support.
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The right POS system for any retail business depends on the specific needs of the retail business. Tower offers POS software made specifically for local small business retailers in a selection of retail channels. To see if we might help you…, request a free, no-obligation demo today.
Call 1300 662 957 in Australia or 0800 444 367 in New Zealand. Or, email sales@towersystems.com.au.
The question small business retailers ask online: “How can I reduce operating costs without losing customers?”
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Many retailers are working harder for less profit because they are trapped by old pricing habits and manual labor. We’ve worked with thousands of specialty businesses and found that the path to lower operating costs is about optimisation. This post covers how to reclaim 3–5% of your revenue from theft, how to automate your way out of manual data entry, and why your shop’s convenience might be worth more than you’re currently charging.
How can I reduce operating costs without losing customers? This is a common question small business retailers are asking. It’s a question rooted in higher power prices, rising rent, rising labour costs and increases in the cost of products they sell.
Before we get to talking about opportunities for reducing costs, it’s useful to consider opportunities for increasing prices. In our experience serving thousands of small business retailers in Australia and New Zealand for decades, they tend to hold back on price increased that, if done, would not impact sales.
We were working with a group of retailers in a specially retail channel a couple of years ago. We compared priced for products in a popular product category for their type of business. The diversity in pricing was considerable. While some applied a 100% mark-up on wholesale cost, some were as low as 80% and some as high as 125%.
We recommended everyone move to 125% mark-up. Two thirds of the retailers we were working with increased their mark-up. A year later we checked in and found what we expected, sales volume had not fallen. As a result, these retailers were banking more gross profit from each sale.
Our advice, based on this experience and years of experience helping small business retailers is: review your mark-up approach. Charge what you can. Do this based on why people shop with you. If it is for their convenience, you are likely able to charge more than is common for the same product.
Now, let’s get on to answering How can I reduce operating costs without losing customers?
Leveraging our experience helping small business retailers across many retail channels through supporting our Australian made POS software for jewellers, garden centres, bike shops, newsagents, bookshops, pet shops, music shops, toy stores, produce businesses, fashion shop, fishing bait and tackle businesses, firearms dealers, Christmas shops, sewing shops, repairs businesses, haberdashers businesses, Asian supermarkets, here are 5 ways small business retailers can cut costs without losing customers.
- Save time = lower labour costs. Stop entering supplier invoices manually. Import them direct. AI tools in our POS software make this easy, fast and accurate. Use auto replenishment tools, based on Agentic AI tech, to have orders created ready for your approval – bypassing multiple labour steps.
- Reduce dead stock = less money wasted on what’s not selling. In a typical local independent shop around 25% of stock underperforms. That’s dead money, a cost to the business. Use your POS software properly and well to stop loading your shop with stock that won’t sell.
- Automate everyday bookkeeping tasks. Turn on the flow of data between our POS software and Xero. Shift from regular paid bookkeeping work to less frequent and less expensive work.
- Stop paying for analysis at your fingertips. Use your POS software business performance insights that you can access any time and at no additional cost instead of hiring a consultant or paying your accountant to do this.
- Cut theft. Theft cost a typical local retail business an amount annually equal to between 3% and 5% of revenue. Use the theft tracking and mitigation tools in your POS software to attack the cost of theft.
You can do these five things today without having to spend more money. Each of them saves money. The thing is though, plenty of business experts don’t talk about these things because when they do talk about ways you can cut costs they are pitching for you to spend money with them.
Here at Tower Systems we are not trying to get you to spend more money with us. The facilities in our software covered in this list of five things are there in the software today, accessible for no extra cost. Use them and you will cut costs in your retail business.
Reducing your operating costs starts by making your business smarter. The tools we’ve discussed are likely sitting in your POS system right now, waiting to be used.
Take a moment this week to audit your mark-ups and look for one manual task you can automate. You don’t need a high-priced consultant to find more profit, you just need to leverage the technology already at your fingertips. If you’re a Tower Systems customer and aren’t sure how to switch these features on, give our team a call. We’re here to help you keep more of what you earn.
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The right POS system for any retail business depends on the specific needs of the retail business. Tower offers POS software made specifically for local small business retailers in a selection of retail channels. To see if we might help you…, request a free, no-obligation demo today.
Call 1300 662 957 in Australia or 0800 444 367 in New Zealand. Or, email sales@towersystems.com.au.
Retail Automation: Why the Tower Systems & Xero Link is a “No-Brainer” for Business Owners
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Okay, yes, for sure, we are biased. This is a blog post pitting our POS software Xero integration. We think it’s awesome. We made it to be awesome, for local small business retailers. We first made it back when we had our own shops and used our POS software ourselves and our in-house CFO needed to save time and gain access to accurate data. That was years ago. The Xero POS software link we have today are as good, as useful – and solely made for local small business retailers.
Running a retail business often means wearing multiple hats. One moment you are on the floor serving customers, and the next you are in the back office trying to make sense of spreadsheets. In a recent discussion between Mark and Michael from Tower Systems, they explored how the Tower Systems POS integration with Xero is changing the game for retailers—specifically by removing the headache of manual bookkeeping.
Here is why this integration is rated an “11 out of 10” by the experts.
1. Tested in the Real World
Michael isn’t just a software trainer; he’s a former retail business owner who managed his shop remotely from another state. He relied entirely on the data flowing from his POS to his accounting software to run the business.
For Michael, the integration wasn’t just a feature; it was a necessity. It allowed him to trust that the financial data being used for BAS and tax reporting was 100% accurate without him needing to be physically present to check the till every day.
2. Accuracy Over Manual Entry
The biggest takeaway from their conversation is the elimination of human error. When you manually enter daily sales figures, mistakes happen. By automating the flow of data between Tower Systems and Xero, you ensure that your books are pristine.
As Michael notes, “We didn’t have to pay someone else to input any of our data manually… it was just there”. This automation frees up business owners to make better decisions based on accurate, real-time data rather than fixing data entry errors.
3. It’s Included (Yes, Free)
A common pain point in the software industry is the “hidden cost” model, where essential features like loyalty programs or accounting integrations cost extra.
Mark highlights a key advantage of the Tower Systems approach: the Xero link is included at no extra cost. Whether you are a small startup or an established store, you get the same professional-grade integration without paying for an additional module.
4. The “Golden Rule” of Setup
If you are ready to set this up, Michael offers one crucial piece of advice: Wait until you have been trading for a week or two.
It might seem counter-intuitive, but it is impossible to test a data link if there is no data to export. By waiting a short period, you can perform a “catch-up” export for those first few weeks, ensuring everything lines up perfectly.
Furthermore, always bring your bookkeeper or accountant to the setup meeting. While the software is easy to use, having a financial professional present ensures that your tax codes, liability accounts, and ledger mappings are compliant from day one. As Michael explains, he can translate the “software speak” into “bookkeeper speak,” bridging the gap so you don’t have to.
Summary
If you are still doing your retail books manually, you are losing time and risking accuracy. As Michael puts it, why wouldn’t you use a tool that saves you hours of work and helps you sleep better at night knowing your data is correct?
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The right POS system for any retail business depends on the specific needs of the retail business. Tower offers specialty retail business software made for local small business retailers. To see if we might help you…, request a free, no-obligation demo today.
Call 1300 662 957 in Australia or 0800 444 367 in New Zealand. Or, email sales@towersystems.com.au.
AI: Levelling the Playing Field for Small Business Retailers
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You might have seen the news this past week that Coles is rolling out an enterprise-wide partnership with OpenAI. When we saw that story at Tower Systems, our first thought wasn’t about the competition. It was: “This is fantastic news.”
This move by a retail giant validates what Tower Systems has been focused on for some time: AI isn’t just a gimmick for the big end of town; it’s a genuine “competitive game-changer” for independent, local retailers, including jewellers, bike shops, gift shops, produce businesses, newsagents and other small businesses we serve. It’s leveling the playing field. And the best part? You don’t have to wait. While Coles is just announcing their plans, local, independent retailers are already using powerful AI tools every single day.
We recently made a video discussing this, where we highlighted how Tower Systems has been embedding AI tools from OpenAI, Google Gemini, and others directly into our point-of-sale software for a long time now. It’s not about “future tech”; it’s about practical tools that solve real problems for small business owners.
In the video, we discuss how our customers are already using AI to:
- Save hours of admin by automatically analyzing and importing virtually any supplier invoice, with no special setup required.
- Market smarter by generating unique product descriptions and blog posts that speak in their business’s authentic voice.
- Boost profitability with plain-English reports that identify what’s not selling, what’s overstocked, and even potential theft, long before it becomes a major issue.
- Prevent lost sales by getting alerts on popular items you’re about to run out of.
As mentioned in the video, we rely on these and more AI tools in our own retail shop – to save time, make better-informed decisions, and run a smarter, more efficient shop.
This technology is here, it’s accessible, and it’s already making a fundamental difference for local businesses. The Coles announcement is a great signal for the entire retail sector and all who serve it that AI is no longer an option; AI is an essential part of modern retail.
We encourage you to watch the video to see a full breakdown of what this means for local small business retail and how you can leverage this power in your own independent business today: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hwRHiHlWcVg
As you can probably tell, we’re excited about AI. It makes accessible to small business retailers opportunities for more effectively competing – as plenty are already finding. It’s a terrific opportunity for efficiency and growth.
And, when you’re researching AI, get to the facts. Some software companies say they have AI tools, when they don’t. It’s important you see for yourself what’s available today as this matters
Unlock Predictable Revenue: Mastering Subscriptions and Recurring Invoices in Your POS
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In today’s evolving retail landscape, customers are increasingly looking for convenience and flexibility. The subscription model, once seen as exclusive to software or media companies, has now found a powerful place in mainstream retail. Are you equipped to meet this demand?
Offering recurring services or product subscriptions can create a predictable revenue stream and build lasting customer loyalty. That’s why we’ve integrated a robust, easy-to-use recurring invoice and subscription feature directly into our Point of Sale (POS) software, developed directly from the ideas and feedback of business owners like you.
More Than Just a Transaction: A Tool for Growth
Our POS system has grown far beyond simple sales processing. Recognising the shift towards service-based and automated purchasing, we’ve built comprehensive tools to handle everything from initial quotes to ongoing invoices. This allows you to effortlessly manage subscriptions and recurring payments, making your business more efficient and customer-friendly.
Who is This For? Real-World Applications
This versatile feature is already making a significant impact across a diverse range of industries. Here are just a few examples of how our clients are using it:
- Firearms Stores: For secure locker storage rentals, recurring invoices provide a simple, automated billing solution.
- Bike Shops: Managing long-term bike rentals or customer bike storage becomes effortless with automated monthly or weekly payments.
- Pet and Produce Businesses: Simplify life for your customers with subscriptions for monthly stock feed, pet food,or scheduled deliveries of worming medication every few months.
How It Works: A Simple, Intuitive Setup
We designed the setup process to be as straightforward as possible. When creating a new recurring invoice, you are guided through a few key options:
- Customer Selection: Easily assign the recurring charge to the correct customer profile.
- Frequency: Define the billing cycle that suits the service—weekly, monthly, quarterly, or even annually.
- Start and End Dates: Set a specific duration for the service, or leave it as an ongoing arrangement that you can stop manually when needed.
- Invoice Notes: Add general notes to the overall invoice for clear communication.
- Product-Specific Notes: Attach detailed notes to individual line items. For example, you could include a firearm’s serial number for a storage invoice, ensuring perfect record-keeping.
Stay in Control with Comprehensive Tracking
Our system provides complete visibility over your recurring services. A meticulous record of all previous invoices for each subscription is kept right at your fingertips, giving you unparalleled control and making account management a breeze.
By embracing recurring billing, you can revolutionise your point of sale experience, enhance customer satisfaction, and create a more stable, predictable financial future for your business.
To see a live demonstration of how to set up and manage recurring invoices and subscriptions within our POS program, watch the video below.
If you have any questions about integrating these powerful tools into your business, please don’t hesitate to reach out.We’re always happy to help!
Unlock Recurring Revenue with Tower Systems POS Subscription Management
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In today’s retail landscape, subscription-based selling is a powerful way to build stable revenue and foster deep customer loyalty. Whether you’re offering monthly gift boxes, annual software licenses, or regular shipments of pet supplies, managing these recurring sales can be an operational headache—but it doesn’t have to be.
Our Tower Systems POS software is equipped with robust features to efficiently manage subscriptions and recurring billing, integrated right into your existing system. We released this a while back and customers are loving it.
Flexible and configurable recurring billing for small business retailers
Our system is designed to handle a wide variety of subscription models with ease:
- Flexible scheduling: Set billing and fulfillment schedules on a daily, weekly, monthly, or yearly basis. This is configurable per individual stock item and customer, giving you granular control over your offerings.
- Customer-specific pricing: Maintain flexibility by establishing varied subscription prices for a single product, tailored to individual customer agreements. This integrated pricing flexibility offers a significant advantage for managing corporate clients or loyalty tiers.
- Multiple concurrent subscriptions: Your customers can hold multiple subscriptions concurrently, all managed simply within the same POS transaction.
No extra cost for essential tools
A key benefit for local small business retailers is that there is no extra charge for our customers to access the powerful subscription management tools in the Tower Systems POS software. This functionality was introduced as part of a standard software update in early 2024, meaning you can manage your recurring revenue without incurring extra fees for supplementary software.
Who benefits from integrated subscription management?
The new features are designed to support a wide range of specialist retailers, including:
- Computer retailers: Easily bill for software licenses like Microsoft products, anti-virus, or Office 365subscriptions.
- Gift shops: Manage the billing and fulfillment of monthly or quarterly curated gift subscription boxes.
- Pet shops: Schedule regular shipments of flea, worm, or other treatment products.
- Produce supply businesses & garden centres: Handle committed, regular deliveries for customers.
- Firearms dealers and any business engaged in regular, committed customer billing.
Expand your market reach
For retailers looking to tap into popular subscription models, such as the sale of samples and curated boxes, Tower Systems simplifies the process. This allows you to easily offer these services and expand your market reach by establishing stable, recurring customer relationships.
The subscription tools in our POS software build on Tower Systems’ extensive history of managing regular customer orders, offering enhanced capabilities that reflect the growth of our user community into new specialist retail sectors. By streamlining your processes, our POS helps you control associated labour expenses and focus on what you do best: serving your customers.
Tower Systems specialises in POS solutions for small and independent retail businesses across Australia and New Zealand. With decades of experience, we provide comprehensive on-premise and cloud-based POS software solutions designed to streamline everything from sales and inventory to customer relationship management. Local support, regular updates, and listening to our customers are the cornerstones of our service.
Ready to simplify your recurring billing and unlock a new revenue stream?
The power of a $2 Discount: Unlocking bonus revenue you didn’t know you had
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In a shop using our Tower Systems POS software the other day, we saw first-hand the valuable difference $2 can make. A customer completed their planned purchase and received a discount voucher on their receipt offering $2.00 off their next purchase. They glanced at the voucher, paused, turned around, and picked up a leather purse for $99.95.
“Why not treat yourself,” they said almost to themselves.
This single, small moment perfectly illustrates the powerful psychology of a simple, tangible reward. The $2.00 wasn’t just a discount; it was the permission the customer needed to indulge. It transformed a completed transaction into a brand-new, high-value sale.
This is something we have seen and heard about from retailers since we first launched discount vouchers in our POS software twelve years ago.
This powerful sales-driving tool isn’t a future feature or a costly add-on. Discount Voucher facilities are built into our Tower Systems POS software right now. They are easy to set up, effortless to manage, and continue to deliver bonus revenue for a minimal, often zero, cost.
Why these simple vouchers work so well
The effectiveness of this feature lies in its straightforward and honest approach. In a world of complex loyalty schemes, the direct discount voucher cuts through the noise.
- Transparency is key: We all know what a dollar is worth. When you offer
$5.00off, the value is immediate and universally understood. This clarity is more compelling than abstract points systems. Who knows how much a point is worth? The customer has to do mental gymnastics, recall the rules of the program, and wonder about the true value. A dollar discount is instant gratification. - It feels like ‘found money’: A voucher printed on a receipt feels like an unexpected gift. This positive emotional response creates goodwill and encourages the customer to spend their newfound “cash” immediately, just as our purse-buyer did.
- It drives immediate action: The voucher creates a compelling reason for a customer to either return to your store soon or, even better, to continue shopping right there and then. It turns a single purchase mission into a browsing and discovery session.
Putting vouchers to work in your business
Your Tower Systems software provides the flexibility to tailor voucher campaigns to your specific business goals. You can set them up in minutes to:
- Reward every customer: Set up a simple “catch-all” voucher that prints on every eligible receipt, offering a small discount on their next purchase. This is a brilliant way to encourage repeat business.
- Drive larger sales (spend & get): Configure vouchers to be issued only when a customer spends over a certain amount. For example, “Spend
$100and get a$10voucher for your next visit.” This incentivises customers to increase their basket size. - Move specific stock: Need to clear out last season’s items or promote a new product line? Create vouchers that are only valid for specific departments or categories (e.g., “
$5.00off any purchase from our new giftware range”). - Re-engage lost customers: Use your customer data to identify shoppers who haven’t been in for a while and send them a targeted “We Miss You” email.
The setup is simple, the impact is real
Activating this feature is straightforward. Within your Tower Systems POS software, you can easily define the voucher’s value, set an expiry date to create urgency, specify a minimum spend for redemption, and control when and how it is issued. The POS automates the entire process—from printing the offer on the receipt to tracking and redeeming it—ensuring it’s a seamless experience for both your staff and your customers.
Don’t underestimate the power of a small incentive. The story of the $2.00 voucher and the $99.95 purse is not an anomaly; it’s a repeatable strategy. We have seen this ourselves.
Explore the discount voucher facilities in your Tower Systems software today. Start turning every transaction into a compelling opportunity for your next sale.
Are you looking for an alternative to Shopify POS?
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If you are looking for an alternative to Shopify POS for your shop, our Tower Systems POS software could be worth considering.
Now, to be clear, what we are talking about there is POS software for a physical shop.
Shopify started life as an e-commerce platform and that remains the core focus of their business. The Shopify POS app or service is an add-on for the physical shop.
Like many POS software companies, years ago we went through an approval process with Shopify to be an approved integrated POS software solution for Shopify – to offer in-store POS that’s integrated with their e-commerce platform. we continue to offer this today with many of our POS software customers using this.
What’s different about our POS software offering and how we compare to Shopify POS is that we are an in-store first solution, a physical retail first solution. That’s our specialty. In our software we go deep into serving the needs of retail businesses, workflow needs, operational needs, business growth needs. We also go deep into the needs of specific vertical retail channels: jewellers, bike shops, music shops, bookshops, pet shops, firearms dealers, camping shops, gift shops, newsagents, produce businesses, farm supply businesses, garden centres and many more.
This deep specialisation in our POS software matters because it addresses unique, real-world workflows that generic systems cannot. For a bike shop, it means seamlessly tracking serialised inventory from purchase to sale and managing workshop repairs. For a jeweller, it involves handling intricate repairs, managing consignment stock, and tracking precious metals. For a garden centre, it could be integrating scales to sell bulk landscape supplies by weight or it could be managing price changes to products when repotting or it could relate to producing product labels on weatherproof labels. These are not edge cases; they are the core, daily operations for these businesses, and our software is built from the ground up to make them efficient and profitable.
The needs of a physical shop are different to online, especially a retail business in an area of specialisation.
We think that a physical shop will be better served by something made first for their type of business and that any online business they have will be better serves by software made for the online business. That’s why we see our Tower Systems POS software as a viable alternative to Shopify POS for a physical store.
Make your own decision though. Do your research. Be sure to test all of your business specific needs against any POS software you are considering, including Shopify POS. And when you are dong the research, talk to the company, see how they handle your queries – some POS software companies are hard to talk to, you can’t pick up the phone and speak to someone. If personal contact will matter to your and your business, the availability of it should be a factor in your consideration as to the best POS software for your business.
When looking for an alternative to Shopify POS be clear about any doubts you have re Shopify POS (if any) and ensure the software alternatives you are considering do adequately address these doubts.
If you are looking for an alternative to Shopify POS for your retail business, consider Tower Systems. Our POS software might fit your needs. We’d be grateful for an opportunity to do this.
Now, here are some features and benefits with our Tower Systems POS software that customers tell us they love:
- The transparent approach to suggesting software enhancements.
- Easy access to support.
- Easy sales processing.
- Smooth counter workflow.
- Specialty retail functions for a range of specialty business types.
- Built-in AI tools.
- Loyalty tools customers love.
- Easy customisation options.
- The ability to sell anywhere, including on the road.
- Theft mitigation tools.
- Built in business insights.
- Scale integration.
- Selling by fractions.
- Selling products in kits.
- Comprehensive local delivery / dispatch tools.
- Roster integration.
- The ability to suspend sales.
- Easy import of supplier invoices without needing to use some EDI tool.
- Tracking and leveraging customer events.
- Integrated with Xero for accounting.
- No locked-in payment platform requirement.
- No cost based on each transaction.
- No lock-in contract.
Our POS software is about much more than this list.
Our extensive feature set is a direct result of our ‘in-store first’ philosophy. Functionality like direct scale integration for selling by weight, tools to handle fractional quantities for items sold by length, or the ability to seamlessly suspend a sale to serve another customer are born from decades of working directly with retailers on their shop floors. These are not just items on a checklist; they are robust solutions to real-world, physical retail challenges. While an e-commerce platform may eventually add such features as an afterthought, for us, they are foundational because the success of your physical shop is our foundational purpose.
Tower Systems in-store POS software solution integrated with Shopify for e-commerce gives you the best of both worlds with a single source of truth as to inventory and all transactions. While we integrate with Big Commerce, Woo Commerce and Magento, the majority of our online retail businesses integrate through our PSO software with Shopify for e-commerce.
We’d be happy to connect you with existing customers so you can talk retailer to retailer about the Shopify integration. We can also connect you with retailers who have switched from SHopify POS to our Tower Systems POS software. They can speak for themselves as to why and how it has gone for them.
If you are looking for an alternative to Shopify POS, Tower Systems might be a good choice. Let’s talk to explore that for you. No pressure. If there is anything you need that we don’t cover, we will tell you.
Before we go, here’s what we don’t have that Shopify does have when it comes Shopify POS – a huge marketing budget. We’re not paying to come first in search listings or to run billboard ads on social media. Most of our business is won by word of mouth – local small business retailers pitching us to their fellow retailers, for which we are sincerely grateful.
When we see someone ask the question what’s the best POS software for my business? or the question what’s a good alternative to Shopify POS?, we say: hey consider us here at Tower Systems. We will gladly show you what our software offers and let you experience the personal service we provide.
We’re not right for everyone, we know that. We might be right for your business. Let’s find out.
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While the right POS system for any retail business depends on the specific needs of the retail business, Tower Systems was built to serve Australian and New Zealand local small business specialty retailers. To see how we can help you…, request a free, no-obligation demo today.
Call 1300 662 957 in Australia or 0800 444 367 in New Zealand. Or, email sales@towersystems.com.au.
#SmallBusiness #Retail #POSsoftware
Your business, your POS, your way: flexible software for Aussie small business retailers
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In the diverse landscape of Australian local small business retail, a one-size-fits-all approach rarely works. A boutique on a bustling city laneway has different needs and technical realities than a hardware store in a regional town, and different needs to a produce business in a rural setting. At Tower Systems, we understand this. That’s why our Point of Sale software offers genuine flexibility, putting you in complete control of how you run your business.
We believe your POS system should adapt to your business, not the other way around. Ask any of our thousands of local small business retail customers. They can speak to flexibility, the ability to conduct retail their way.
Love the Cloud? We’ve got you covered.
If you want the freedom to access your business data from anywhere, at any time, you can choose to run your Tower Systems POS software 100% in the cloud. This setup is perfect for the modern retailer on the move, allowing you to manage stock, run reports, and keep an eye on sales whether you’re at a trade show, at home, or on holiday.
Prefer to keep it local? No worries.
For many retailers, the top priority is rock-solid stability at the counter. If the internet goes down, you still need to serve your customers. We get it. That’s why you can run our POS software entirely on local computers in your shop. Your sales, stock management, and day-to-day operations continue seamlessly, completely independent of your internet connection.
Got sketchy Internet? We’ve built for it.
This is where our commitment to Australian small business shines. We know that internet reliability can be a challenge, especially outside of major metro areas. If your business operates with a less-than-perfect internet connection, our software provides the perfect solution.
You can run your core POS functions locally, ensuring the till is always operational, and have the software sync your data to the cloud, if thats’s what you want, whenever a stable connection is available. It’s the ultimate safety net, offering the resilience of a local system with the convenient backup and remote access benefits of the cloud. No more stressing when the internet drops out during a busy Saturday rush.
You choose.
Your business is unique, and your POS software should reflect that. Whether you want a pure cloud, strictly local, or a hybrid setup that gives you peace of mind, Tower Systems provides a flexible solution that is appropriate for your specific needs.
We empower you to run your business, your way.
Now, if all this sounds a bit shiny, let us show you. We love talking one-on-one with local small business retailers. We’d also love to connect you with some of our customers.
Your voice, our code: how our small business retail customers shape our POS software
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Having the right tools is crucial for success, especially in local small business retail. At Tower Systems, we believe that the best people to help us shape our Point of Sale (POS) software are the ones who use it every day: our customers. That’s why we’re proud to showcase our groundbreaking Software Ideas platform, a revolutionary tool that puts you in the driver’s seat of our software development.
Back in 2009, inspired by Jeff Jarvis’ book What Would Google Do?, we embarked on a mission to open up our software development process. The result was the launch of Software Ideas, a proprietary platform we created that empowers our Tower Systems POS software customers to suggest and vote on software changes. This world-first in the POS software space continues today in 2025 to be a cornerstone of our commitment to genuine and transparent cooperation with our small business retail customer community.
The Software Ideas platform is a simple yet powerful tool for collaboration. Here’s how it works:
- Suggest: Have an idea for a new feature, function, or report in our Retailer software? Submit it through the Software Ideas platform.
- Vote: Browse the ideas submitted by other users and vote for the ones you’d like to see implemented. Each customer has one vote, making every voice heard.
- Collaborate: Add your own notes and comments to existing ideas, fostering a community of innovation.
Our software development manager reviews every submission, combining similar ideas, contacting customers for further input, and putting them up for public voting. This transparent process allows us to prioritise the features and functions that are most requested by you, our valued customers.
We are proud to say that every update to our POS software includes enhancements suggested by our customers through the Software Ideas platform. In fact, our latest update, currently in the final stages of quality assurance, contains eight enhancements that originated from this very process. We make sure to identify these user-suggested enhancements in our update notes to demonstrate the power of your engagement.
Every idea is thoroughly costed and evaluated, and the list of live ideas is considered for each software update package we create. This is not just a suggestion box; it’s a dynamic and influential part of our development cycle.
The Software Ideas platform is more than just a feature; it’s a testament to our belief in a two-way partnership with our customers. It’s a unique service that encourages retailers to join our community, knowing that their voices will be heard and their needs will be met.
We are committed to acting on the will of our customer community, within the development budget funded from support fees and sales revenue. We are also committed to complete transparency. If a change request is not feasible for technical reasons, we will explain why.
Sixteen years on from its launch, we are proud to point to the valuable success of Software Ideas. It has not only enriched our POS software but has also strengthened our relationship with the retailers we serve. We want our customers to tell us what to do, to help us make our software better. The launch of Tower Systems Software Ideas is a direct result of trusting our customers to help us innovate and grow.
If you have an idea for how we can improve our software, we encourage you to visit our website and become a part of the conversation. Together, we can continue to build a POS system that is truly by retailers, for retailers.
Thank you to our customers for their ideas and encouragement – their engagement is the heart of Software Ideas.
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.
While plenty preach you to pursue scale, staying small may be more profitable
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Everywhere you look, the message for small business owners is the same: bigger is better. Business gurus applaud “scalable” and “replicable” models. Influencers celebrate follower milestones and encourage everyone to join the race for numbers.
It’s as if size is the only yardstick of success.
It’s not.
Sure there are the headline stories of small business owners who have made it big. The thing is, for each one of those there are hundreds, thousands, who did not make it, and not for lack of trying.
Who benefits most when you chase this endless pursuit of “more”? Often, it’s the very people telling you to do it – consultants, gurus, and influencers who profit from your participation in the game. Their goals might not align with yours, and their interests might be served far more than your own.
This pressure to chase size feels a lot like the relentless societal push to be slim, have perfect white teeth, or a full head of hair. It’s as if being content with what you have simply isn’t an option.
But what if the true goal isn’t endless expansion, but happiness? Happiness for you, the business owner; happiness for those who rely on your business for their income; and happiness for your customers.
A profitable small business can often generate more money for its owners than a business relentlessly pursuing scale, especially if that pursuit involves significant financial risk. Think about the emotional toll of taking on a hefty loan to fund growth. Compare that to the peace of mind that comes with a small, debt-free, self-sustaining business. It’s a different kind of wealth, one measured in peace of mind rather than balance sheet zeroes.
In our experience, small businesses are inherently more nimble, innovative, and efficient than their larger counterparts. They’re often more profitable too.We suspect this is because in a small business, everything matters, and nothing goes unnoticed. Inefficiency simply can’t hide. In big businesses, it can easily get lost in the noise.
Today, technology makes it easier than ever for us to achieve more with less in our small businesses, and with less risk.
Another significant benefit of being small is easy differentiation. Your people, their knowledge, and their personal approach to transacting business are your unique selling points. In a big business, this kind of personalisation is often systemised into something average and, ultimately, lost.
If you genuinely value your independence and understand the power of differentiation through personal service, you’re likely to find more happiness and fulfillment running a small to mid-size business than perpetually chasing scale.
So, don’t let anyone dictate your path or your definition of success. Reach your own conclusion about what’s truly right for you and your business.
Here at Tower Systems we serve local small business retailers, independent retailers. We made that decision long ago. It keeps us close to our customers, focussed on their needs and not beholden to one huge customer. Local matters to local communities. As cliche as that sounds, it’s what we believe. We are grateful to serve local small business retailers.
We are grateful for mums in local small business retail
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As you’re out shopping for Mother’s Day, it’s likely you’ll encounter a mum working in or running a shop, juggling work, the business, family, home and more. Plenty of mums we see in local retail are mentors to others in their business. Plenty are champions in their local community. See them. Celebrate them. Appreciate them. #Local #SmallBusiness #retail #grateful
Small business retail advice: specialty software matters to specialty retailers
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One thing to love about local small retail businesses is their focus on being specialists, being focussed on a product or service niche. People are more likely to trust a specialty retailer for ethic rout, their uniqueness, their specialisation.
It stands to reason that the needs of specialty retailers are best met by software designed for eerie area of expertise.
Jewellers benefit from software designed for jewellers. Big shop businesses benefit from software made for bike shops. Bookshops benefit from software made for bookshops. Produce businesses benefit from software made for produce businesses. Garden centres benefit from software made for garden centres.
You can see where we are going with this.
If you want plants for your local garden a local garden centre will be more helpful than a general retail shop that sells all manner of things.
We understand and appreciate the value of the specialist.
The same is true of software.
Anyone can say they have software for this or that type of business. Only some software companies actually make software for some specialty retail channels. Take jewellers. Right now, at the time of writing this post, Tower Systems is the only company developing software in Australia for Aussie jewellers. And, yes, Aussie jewellers have unique needs, needs serves by our specialty jeweller POS software.
Specialist retail software made for your type of business is more likely to help more in the running of your business, assisting productivity and nurturing profitability.
Generic software can only go so far. It is certainly unlikely to help you shine a light on the specialty nature of your business, what makes you unique.
If being a specialty retailer matters to you, taker a moment to consider software made for your type of business.
This laser focus on specific industries allows Tower Systems to build in features and functionalities that directly address the unique challenges and opportunities within each of the retail channels we serve. For instance, a point-of-sale system designed for a jeweller might include features for managing valuations, custom orders, and intricate inventory tracking of precious metals and gemstones – functionalities that would be irrelevant and cumbersome in software designed for a bookstore. By catering to these niche requirements, specialist software empowers small retail businesses to operate more efficiently, serve their customers better, and ultimately leverage their unique expertise for greater success.
If you are a specialty retailer, we’d love to see if we can serve your needs.
Retailers can easily manage subscriptions and recurring billing with POS software from Tower Systems
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Our Tower Systems POS software efficiently manages subscriptions and recurring billing. The system can handle subscription schedules on a daily, weekly, monthly, or yearly basis, configurable per individual stock item and customer.
Retailers can use this for rental of software licences like Microsoft products in a computer shop or the billing or a monthly gift subscription box in a gift shop or the regular shipment of flea or other treatment products in a pet store.
There is no extra charge for our customers to access the subscription tools in the Tower Systems POS software.
Customers can hold multiple subscriptions concurrently. The software allows for the establishment of varied subscription prices for a single product, tailored to individual customers. This pricing flexibility within our integrated POS subscription solution offers significant advantages.
The subscription management features in the Tower Systems POS software are beneficial for firearms dealers, pet shops, gift shops, produce supply businesses, garden centres, computer retailers offering anti-virus, Office 365, and similar subscriptions, as well as any business engaged in regular, committed customer billing.
Subscription management software assists businesses in tracking and managing the sale of subscription-based products. While Software as a Service (SaaS) is a prevalent subscription model, numerous businesses also offer digital and physical goods via subscription. The new subscription sale functionalities within Tower Systems support retailers in this domain.
A common subscription model involves the sale of samples and curated boxes dispatched to customers monthly or quarterly. Tower Systems can accommodate this, simplifying the process for businesses to offer such services and thereby expand their market reach.
The subscription functionalities within the Tower Systems POS software are included at no additional cost.
Building on the company’s extensive history of managing regular customer orders through its POS software, these new subscription management tools offer enhanced capabilities for unique products. Their development has been driven by the growth of the Tower Systems user community into new specialist retail sectors.
Managing subscriptions and various forms of recurring billing can present operational challenges for retail businesses seeking to streamline processes and control associated labour expenses. These new subscription management features in the Tower Systems POS software have undergone testing with retailers in this sector, receiving strong positive feedback.
The ability to manage subscriptions using POS software without incurring extra charges for supplementary software features represents a considerable benefit for local small business retailers. Tower Systems is pleased to support these retailers.
The new subscription management functionalities were introduced as part of a standard software update in early 2024, following thorough in-house testing and comprehensive beta trials.
We are grateful to help local small business retailers more easily manage subscriptions and recurring billing.
Tower Systems specialises in point-of-sale (POS) solutions for small and independent retail businesses. With decades of experience in the Australian and New Zealand markets, we have developed comprehensive on premise and cloud based POS software solutions designed to streamline retail operations, from sales and inventory management to customer relationship management and reporting. Our software is known for its user-friendly interface and tailored features that cater to the specific needs of various retail industries across Australia.
Local support, regular updates and listening to our customers are cornerstones of our ever evolving Tower Systems story.
The benefits of the Best POS Software for any retail business will be more beneficial than any price difference
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There’s POS software, and then there’s the right POS software for your business. The difference between the two can be huge.
Writing POS software is easy. Writing POS software that delivers on specialty retail needs is more complex.
It’s not about price you pay for the software, it’s about the commercial benefits to your business.
Even though plenty of companies want you to think it is about price of the software. They want you to believe it’s all about price because that’s how they compete. Competing on price is easy – and lazy – as any retailer knows.
People who buy based on price aren’t loyal. And loyalty matters when it comes to POS software.
- You want your POS software company to invest in their software – the software you’re using.
- You want them to focus on serving you, not chasing customers who only want the cheapest option.
- You want more from the software for your business than just a quick dopamine hit from a low price.
It’s not about price because that’s the least of the costs of POS software.
The best POS software saves you time. It helps you make better decisions. It helps you stand out from the competition and attract loyal customers. It helps you nurture better employees and reduce your stress levels. Ultimately, the best POS software is about money because of all these things. It will help you run a more enjoyable and valuable retail business.
Take your time. Make the right decision.
Too often, POS software companies pressure small business retailers into making a quick decision. They chase sales and apply unnecessary pressure. Don’t succumb to this. Make the decision you feel best about, when you’re ready.
Get this right, and you can tap into some awesome benefits from the right POS software for your retail business. Here are some of the benefits we offer retailers we partner with:
- Save time with electronic invoices from suppliers.
- Offer personal customer service by tracking dates that are important to your customers.
- Use tags to get a fresh perspective on stock performance.
- Leverage your knowledge. If you believe your expertise is a differentiator, offer it through structured opportunities in the software.
- Easily handle special customer orders. Bring product in for a specific customer and have them notified automatically by email or text when the goods arrive.
- Build business-differentiating loyalty. Stand out from the crowd and have customers coming back to you for this. We’re told it’s a game-changer.
- Maximise the basket with easy-to-use one-time shopper loyalty tools.
- Trade and club pricing profiles. Set pricing rules based on customer type.
- Leverage your local community with an awesome two-way benefits package.
- Make money from pre-orders. Easily pre-sell a delivery so that when the stock arrives, you can manage distribution and billing efficiently.
- Differentiate with informative receipts. These can include product care, use and safety information based on what customers buy.
- Differentiate with bundles. Selling items bundled together makes price comparison difficult.
- Track who sold what.
- Say goodbye to LayBy (if you want) with buy now, pay later options.
- Market to customers based on past purchases.
- Save time by importing electronic invoices.
- Sell more with a direct connection to buy now, pay later services.
- Cut mistakes with integrated EFTPOS.
- Cut accounting and bookkeeping fees with integration to Xero and others.
- Easily sell online with a direct link to Shopify, Magento or WooCommerce from your POS software.
These are tangible deliverables, and the list is incomplete. Using our POS software, you can expect even more benefits than these.
Remember: Choosing the right POS software is an investment in your business’s future. Take your time, research your options, and select the system that best meets your needs and supports your growth.
How does Tower Systems POS software compare to EPOS Now?
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If you are considering the EPOS Now POS software for your retail business, we’d love the opportunity to show you our Tower Systems POS software. We’d be grateful for an opportunity to put our POS software on the counter next to EPOS Now so you can compare function by function.
We welcome an opportunity for a direct comparison with EPOS Now.
It’s possible you’ll find EPOS Now software is better for your needs. We’re thank you for considering Tower Systems and cheerfully wish you all the best.
You can only decide how Tower Systems compares to EPOS Now by putting the two software products side by side, on the counter, comparing function for function.
Deeper than the software itself is a comparison of doing business. Here at Tower Systems:
- There is no lock-in contract. You can cancel at any time and your payments end that month.
- Customer service is local in Australia. There is no offshore call centre.
- Most customer service staff at Tower Systems have worked in retail and they have themselves used the Tower Systems POS software in retail.
- You can call, and a human answers the phone. They are locally based.
- Our software training people are local.
- You get to vote on software enhancement suggestions.
- You get to suggest software enhancements.
- You can easily escalate any query to the leadership team of Tower Systems.
- When you call for support you get to set your own call priority.
Tower Systems is a unique POS software company.
If you are considering EPOS Now POS software for your retail business, consider Tower Systems. We’re a very different company, with different software.
Choosing the right POS software is a critical decision for any retail business. It’s about more than just the features; it’s about the partnership you build with your software provider.
At Tower Systems, we believe in providing a truly different experience.
We’re proud of our flexible, no lock-in contracts, our locally-based Australian customer service team, and our commitment to putting the customer first. From local support and training to a direct line to our leadership team, we’re dedicated to helping your business thrive.
If you’re exploring POS options like EPOS Now, we encourage you to consider Tower Systems. We’d be delighted to offer a side-by-side comparison, demonstrating how our software and our approach can make a real difference for your business.
New Year, New Business: Resolutions for small business retailers for 2025
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As we prepare for the new year, it’s an ideal time to reflect on your business and set goals for the future. Here are some actionable resolutions to help local small business retailers leverage technology and data to improve your business and make it more profitable:
Data-driven decision making
- Prioritise data quality: Ensure your business data is accurate and up-to-date. High-quality data is the foundation for informed decision-making. A common attribute of businesses that fail is poor data management.
- Sales-driven inventory: Use sales data to guide your inventory decisions. Avoid unnecessary stock purchases by analysing past performance and future trends.
- Remote management: Utilise technology to manage your business remotely. This allows you to spend more time away from the shop floor while staying connected to your operations.
Streamline operations
- Automate processes: Identify manual tasks that can be automated to save time and reduce errors.
- Combat theft: Implement security measures and utilise technology to deter and detect theft. Our software can help.
- Declutter your space: Organise your shop floor based on data-driven insights to optimise layout and improve customer experience.
Delegate and learn
- Empower your team: Delegate tasks to your team members and use software to streamline workflows.
- Set SMART Goals: Establish specific, measurable, achievable, relevant, and time-bound goals to track progress and measure success.
- Continuous Learning: Dedicate time to learning new features and functionalities of your POS software to maximise its potential. We offer free training resources.
Strengthen supplier relationships
- Strategic partnerships: Focus on building relationships with suppliers who offer efficient and reliable services.
- Leverage free resources: Take advantage of free training and support offered by us.
- Data-driven insights: Use the business insights our POS software serves you.
A shared commitment to success At Tower Systems, we’re more than just a POS software provider. We are committed to helping our customers achieve their business goals. By implementing these resolutions and leveraging the power of our software, you can elevate your retail business to new heights.
We do hope your 2025 is wonderful and profitable. Our software can help and we can help. Together, let’s make your 2025 a terrific year for your business and all who rely on it.
POS software integrated EFTPOS helps local small business retailers
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In today’s fast-paced retail landscape, efficiency and accuracy are paramount. Tower Systems, a provider of point-of-sale (POS) solutions for a range of small business specialty retail markets, offers a powerful integrated EFTPOS software solution designed to help small business retailers save time, reduce errors, and boost their bottom line.
First released many years ago, the integrated EFTPOS solution in the Tower Systems POS software suite helps local small business in plenty of practical and valuable ways.
By seamlessly integrating with a wide range of EFTPOS providers, including Tyro, MX51, Linkly, Linkly Cloud, Quest, and more, Tower Systems eliminates the need for manual data entry and reduces the risk of human error. This streamlined approach not only saves valuable time but also ensures accurate and reliable transactions.
You scan purchases by a customer and they pay on the terminal integrated with the POS. There is no double entry of data, no delay, no risk of mistakes, no opportunity for fraud. It’s faster, more accurate and easier. Customers love it. Plus, with the Tower Systems POS software you can surcharge if you wish and do so with 100% accuracy reflecting your actual business cost.
Here are some of the benefits of our Tower Systems Integrated EFTPOS POS software solution:
- Enhanced Efficiency: Streamline sales processes and reduce wait times at the counter with efficient payment processing.
- Improved Accuracy: Minimise errors and discrepancies by automating data entry and reconciliation.
- Faster Access to Insights: Gain real-time insights into business performance and make informed decisions.
- Reduced Fraud Risk: Strengthen security measures and protect your business from potential fraudulent activities. Employee theft can account for 75% and more of theft in small business retail.
By choosing Tower Systems, you’re investing in a solution that empowers your business to thrive. Experience the difference a powerful integrated EFTPOS solution can make.
Take the next step towards a more efficient and profitable retail business. Contact us today to schedule a personalised demo. Call 1300 6621 957 or email sales@towersystems.com.au If you are in New Zealand, please call 0800 444 367.
Simplify your operations, boost sales, and delight your customers with Tower Systems. Our genuinely user-friendly interface and comprehensive features are designed to make your day-to-day tasks a breeze, and to put more money in the business bank account.
Free POS software commented marketplace find.com.au helps local retailers attract local shoppers
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FindIt is a free marketplace made for local independent retailers. It helps then be found by local shoppers.
This free platform, made here in Australia by Tower Systems, seamlessly connects local businesses with consumers seeking a unique and personalised shopping experience. It links with the Tower Systems POS software for a data feed.
Already local retailers are grateful for new shoppers arriving in their shops thanks to a free listing of their products on FindIt.com.au.
- Retailers can effortlessly showcase products to a wider audience through a user-friendly online platform.
- No website development or management required – FindIt takes care of everything. Linking is easy and fast.
- Leverage the power of SEO expertise to ensure your products rank prominently in Google searches.
Streamlined local shopping for local customers:
- FindIt acts as a comprehensive online catalogue, allowing customers to discover from their phone, tablet or computer a diverse range of products from local retailers.
- Enjoy the convenience of adding items from multiple stores to a single basket for a seamless research.
- FindIt facilitates a direct connection between customers and retailers, fostering a sense of community and personalised service.
A free and sweet fit for Tower Systems POS software customers:
- Retailers who utilise the Tower Systems POS software, automatically gain access to FindIt, extending your reach at no cost.
- FindIt seamlessly integrates with your existing Tower Systems POS solution, streamlining your operations.
Supporting local Aussie retail businesses:
- FindIt is a proud advocate for independent Australian retailers, empowering them to compete in the digital landscape. It was built to serve this purpose.
- Together, we champion the values of local businesses – community engagement, personalised service, and unique product offerings.
FindIt is unique in that it is not about making money for Tower. Retailers can list products at no cost whatsoever. The goal is to encourage shoppers to find shops near them that have products being sought out. This really is all about nurturing local in-store shopper traffic. We think we’re pretty unique in that regard.
Learn More:
- Explore the capabilities of Tower Systems POS software at https://www.towersystems.com.au/.
- See FindIt here: www.findit.com.au.
- Witness the user-friendly interface and comprehensive features through readily available online demonstrations.
- Tower Systems exclusively caters to local independent retailers in a range of specialty retail , fostering a strong partnership with the local business community.
FindIt is evidence of the practical support Tower systems offers local independent retailers in Australia and New Zealand. We are grateful to have the resources to deliver this for our customers.
Business performance insights from POS software helping local small business retailers shine
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Local small business retailers are often time poor and struggle to wade through reports looking for data needed to guide business decisions. Tower Systems has made it much easier for them.
The Visual Deck with our POS software sends an email weekly and monthly outlining business performance across a range of key performance indicators for the business. The visual representation of performance makes understand the health of the business easy and the decision opportunities even easier.
We have dramatically cut the time needed by retailers to access data, understand it and make decisions based on it. The emails weekly and monthly is another way our Tower Systems POS software is helping small business retailers run more enjoyable and valuable local retail businesses.
How is Australian made POS software better for Australian retail businesses than overseas POS software?
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We were asked recently How is Australian made POS software better for Australian retail businesses than overseas POS software? Here’s our answer.
Australian made means local and local matters to local small retail businesses. The software is more likely to serve local business needs, to use terminology that is local, handle local regulatory requirements and have a local aesthetic. Offshore businesses can’t be local no matter how much money they spend trying to look, feel and sound local. Each of these points matter for ease of use, relevance and enjoyment in using the POS software.
Australian made means local access. You are more likely able to talk to someone local about the software any queries you may have about its use in your business. Offshore software companies push you to a call centre tens of thousands of kms from your business. In these call centres they follow a rigid script. Calling a local Aussie call centre means you are likely to start with a conversation. Small business retailers understand conversations.
Australian made means more competitive. A small local competitor will be more agile, smarter and capable than a large and maybe bloated offshore software company where you are barely noticed. You will be far more important to a local POS software company. Pick up the phone and ask to speak to someone from the senior management team and see for yourself. Offshore, you will struggle to get a human to answer. Locally, you can get to someone immediately. (0418 321 338 by the way)
Australian made means local economic benefit. All of us in local Aussie businesses rely on the local economy and the local economy benefits when more money is spent locally – in our businesses and local businesses like ours. Sure, a business can donate to a local charity to feel local. A local business itself, however, hires local and contributes local and this is what makes for better education, health care and infrastructure locally.
The software you choose for your retail business should be the software that best serves your specific business needs. Take your time. Consider not only functionality, consider support, ability to engage with software enhancements and how the software company helps you achieve with the software in and for your retail business.
In local small retail businesses every day local matters. Locally made and supported POS software has this advantage over offshoot POS software. It’s an easy win for the retailers.
Disclaimer: Of course we are biased. We are an Australian POS software company serving retailers in Australia and nearby.
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