Transparent POS pricing from Tower Systems
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Getting the most out of a call to our POS software help desk
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Our help desk is human, and it’s local: people in Australia and New Zealand, not an offshore call centre reading from a script. That matters because retail is personal, and so is fixing it when something goes wrong.
But even a good help desk can only work as fast as the conversation allows. A lot of what determines how quickly a problem gets solved isn’t the technician, it’s how the call itself goes.
Retail interrupts everything, including the fix
Support calls usually happen while the shop is open, which means a customer at the counter, and the customer always comes first. Fair enough. But every time a call gets put down mid-troubleshooting, the technician loses the thread. Getting back to where you were takes longer than the interruption itself did. A five-minute pause can turn a ten-minute call into thirty.
Nobody’s fault. It’s just what happens when technical support runs into a trading floor.
What actually speeds things up
A few habits make a real difference to how fast a fix comes through:
- Start with email where you can. It’s often faster than a phone call, not slower.
- Include a screenshot and a proper description in that email. No pressure of a live call, so you can properly explain what’s happening.
- With the details in hand, our help desk can sometimes solve it before anyone picks up the phone.
- If you do need to call, try to call when you can give it your full attention.
- If the shop gets busy mid-call, say so. Offering to call back later is usually faster than trying to push through.
Just tell us
If you’re short-staffed and it’s not a good time, say that. It costs nothing, it lets us manage the queue properly, and when you do call back, you get someone’s full attention instead of a rushed half-conversation.
None of this is about making things easier for us at your expense. A call that isn’t interrupted gets solved faster. That means less time away from your counter. Everybody’s better off.
That’s the kind of help desk we’re trying to run: local, human, and worth your time.
The Real Cost of Transaction Fees in Your POS Software
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Here’s a number most retailers don’t calculate until it’s too late: the total cost of transaction fees in their POS software every year. The cost of transactions is part of the total cost of ownership of your POS software when it is a mandatory cost imposed by the POS software supplier.
What transaction fees actually cost
Some POS platforms charge a percentage of every EFTPOS transaction. A common rate is 1.4%. Some charge 1.75%. Some charge 2–3%.
If your shop takes $400,000 a year in card payments:
- At 1.4%: $5,600 per year in fees
- At 1.75%: $7,000 per year in fees
- At 2.5%: $10,000 per year in fees
That’s on top of your monthly software subscription. On top of your merchant facility fees. On top of your hardware costs. It’s best to calculate these costs before you sign up to use POS software as some POS software companies can value customers by their transaction value rather than value them as a POS software customer, a retailer. There is a difference.
The payment processor lock-in problem
Some platforms require you to use their own payment processing system. If you choose a different EFTPOS provider — your bank, Tyro, whoever you prefer — they add a significant monthly penalty fee. This is effectively the same cost, structured differently. And it removes your choice about who processes your payments.
What to look for
- Are there transaction fees on EFTPOS payments? At what percentage?
- Are there fees if I choose my own payment processor?
- Are there monthly fees per terminal or per location?
- What is the all-in monthly cost, including everything?
Get the answers in writing and compare on the same basis — not advertised prices, but actual all-in costs for your transaction volume.
How Tower Systems handles this
Tower Systems charges a flat monthly subscription: $220, $246, or $275 per month (as at May 2026) depending on your plan (GST inclusive). That is the cost.
No transaction fees. No EFTPOS penalty fees. No per-terminal charges. No turnover limits. Your EFTPOS provider is your choice — we work with Tyro, Linkly, and others.
We also don’t lock you in. No minimum term. Cancel any time.
Transparent pricing shouldn’t be a differentiator. But in this market, it is.
Master Your Inventory: How Smart POS Technology Empowers Australian Specialty Retailers
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The difference between a retail business that survives and one that thrives often rests on the quality of its inventory management.
For many independent retailers, stock is both their greatest asset and their most significant source of stress. The challenge is ensuring that every dollar invested in inventory is working as hard as possible.
Tower Systems has developed a suite of sophisticated tools designed specifically for local small business specialty retailers to master this balance. By moving beyond traditional, dense computer reports, business owners can gain the clarity needed to make strategic decisions.
Streamlined Operations from the Counter to the Where It Matters
A seamless customer experience begins with easy scanning at the counter. The power lies in what happens behind the scenes. With a Shopify integration that sees the Tower software act as a single source of truth, inventory levels are automatically synchronised across both physical shop and online store. This eliminates the risk of overselling and ensures that your digital “aisles” are just as accurate as your physical ones.
Data-Driven Efficiency with Automated Tools
Efficiency is further enhanced through the AI-driven importing of supplier invoices. This technology removes the heavy lifting and human error associated with manual data entry, ensuring your costs and margins are always current. This accurate data feeds directly into auto-replenishment cycles, which transform reordering from a multi-hour chore into a streamlined verification task. By analysing sales trends and current stock levels, the system ensures that your best-sellers never go out of stock.
Eliminating the “Drag” of Dead Stock
One of the most significant hurdles for any retailer is capital tied up in non-performing inventory. The Insights Dashboard provides immediate visibility into your “dead stock”—items that have not moved in months and are effectively costing you money in shelf space and lost opportunity. By identifying and eliminating this drag, you can clear the way for fresh, more profitable lines that resonate with your customers.
Empowering Success Through Free Training
At Tower Systems, we believe that software is most effective when the user feels confident and empowered. To support this, we provide free training for small business retailers to help enhance their stock management skills. Whether you are learning the foundations of a rolling stocktake or diving deep into advanced analytics, this ongoing support ensures you are getting the maximum value out of your investment.
Optimising inventory is not merely about counting items; it is about gaining the confidence to make decisions that secure a more profitable future. By integrating these high-level tools into a user-friendly platform, Australian retailers can reclaim their time and focus on what they do best: serving their local community.
Software for Camera & Photography Specialist Stores
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Camera & Photography Specialist Stores often have needs beyond what traditional basic POS software handles. The specialty retail software we offer at Tower Systems could be a good fit for these businesses. Here are some areas where we can help:
- Special orders. Manage special orders for individual customers, ensuring they are managed appropriately.
- Tracking repairs. Whether you service equipment in-house or externally, our repairs management tools can help from within the POS software, tracking parts and labour.
- Club pricing. You can offer members of a local photography club access to club pricing, and track purchases club members make so you can see the value to the business.
- Infrequent shopper loyalty. Since you’re not seeing customers in your Camera & Photography Specialist Store daily or even weekly, a traditional approach to loyalty may not be ideal. The flexible loyalty tools in our Tower Systems POS software serve businesses with infrequent shopper visits well.
- Auto inventory replenishment. Keeping on top of parts and products in-store can be challenging. The auto replenishment tools in our software make it easy while you hold final say as to whether to proceed with an order.
- Import supplier invoices with AI. The AI tools in our software make it easy to import almost any supplier invoice quickly and accurately.
- Compete thanks to AI price checking. The AI competitor price comparison tools in our software give you more information when you are working on the pricing settings for product in your Camera & Photography Specialist Store.
- Offsite management. If your business is managed from another location, easily see what’s working and what’s not, efficiently, accurately and supported by AI insights inside the software.
This is not generic retail software. Rather, it is a version of our jeweller software that can see will serve Camera & Photography Specialist Stores well from our research on their needs.
Beyond the daily transactions, we understand that camera stores carry high-value, serialised inventory where precision is non-negotiable. Our software treats every professional body and lens as a unique asset, allowing you to track an item’s entire history, from the moment it arrives from the supplier to the specific customer who eventually takes it home. This level of granular tracking is essential for warranty management, trade-ins, and insurance purposes, providing a layer of security and professional oversight that basic “off-the-shelf” cloud systems simply cannot match.
Because we are a locally based, we understand local service.
Our POS system is designed to be intuitive, backed by easy to access training and support. We don’t just give you the tools to compete with the big-box retailers; we give you the data and the confidence to thrive as a local destination for photography enthusiasts, ensuring your business remains as sharp and focused as the lenses you sell.
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The right POS system or website for any retail business depends on the specific needs of the retail business. Tower offers POS software and websites 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.
Aussie made and supported POS software for Multi-Store retail businesses
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If you run a shop with multiple locations, our POS software may be a solution for you, especially if yours is a specialty retail businesses.
Our Multi store POS software pricing is simple with a single price per location.
Tower Systems specialises in serving jewellers, pet shops, gift shops, bookshops, produce businesses, stockfeed businesses, garden centres, bike shops, toy shops, charity shops (like op. shops), convenience stores, newsagents, fishing shops, outdoors shops, haberdashery businesses, fabric shops, sewing shops and more.
Using our POS software, you can manage multiple retail locations from one location, including being completely offsite from the retail businesses.
Our Multi-store POS software solution is cloud based. This offers the flexibility needed for multi-store operation.
Harnessing the power of consolidated data is a key advantage. Our software provides you with a single, comprehensive view of your retail operation. This allows you to make smarter, data-driven strategic decisions, from identifying best-selling products across all stores to understanding regional customer preferences. You can manage group-wide promotions, centralise your purchasing for better supplier terms, and implement a unified loyalty program, ensuring a consistent and rewarding customer experience no matter which location they visit.
We first expanded our software suite with multi-store functionality in 2007 and continue to install and support it for many small business retail clients, whether they have two shops or ten.
Developed initially out of our own lived retail experience running four gift shops many years ago, the software has evolved considerably thanks to advice from many different retailers.
Here are some examples of how our multi store POS software can help: if a customer asks for a product that is out of stock at their current retail location, our software will immediately check for stock in other stores and inform your customer service staff of its availability. If you have a warehouse location, your staff can provide estimates on how long it will take to restock your retail store, or to transfer stock across from another store.
Seamless connectivity is instantaneous, invisible to the customer and representative of the opportunities of a multi-store point of sale system.
Multi-store locations can also be managed remotely, from any device and at any time – all you need is an Internet connection.
You can easily do stock item maintenance for all your stores from home in the evening, or arrive invoices for some of your stores while you head to a café for lunch.
You can compare store sales data over breakfast, adjust rosters for each store’s employees from the backseat of a taxi and much more.
Multi-store POS software is this flexible: it’s small business retail management where and when you want, and need.
Our multi-store package has fixed, transparent pricing.
Our pricing is location based – not matter how many POS terminals you run. It’s also scalable – if you have one store now, you can easily add another later.
Tower Systems’ multi-store functionality has been built from the ground up to link your stores and give you the best possible control. We want to help you grow your business.
We don’t know if our POS software is right for you. We’ll start by seeking to fully understand your needs. If at any time in the sales process we think we may not fit what you’re looking for, we will say so.
Tower Systems is a no pressure POS software company. We know that sometimes making the right decision can take considerable time. We’re patient, and grateful for your interest.
Father’s Day connects people with local retail
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Father’s Day is one of those retail seasons that reminds shoppers of local retail. It’s a season for which people tend to buy in the last few days and buying last-minute sends more people local.
The thing is, many local retailers have changed so much in recent years that a Father’s Day shopping visit can reveal local retail to a standard not expected by local shoppers. That’s why so many local retailers shine for seasons like Father’s Day, it’s an opportunity to showcase what’s fresh and innovative about their local retail businesses.
From data we see, local real gets a traffic spike of 20-% and more in the lead up to Father’s Day. This traffic spike is one reason we urge our local retail business customers to present week for the day, to shine.
The Father’s Day (and other season) opportunity extends far beyond the weekend. A positive and surprising shopping experience plants a seed for future business. When these last-minute shoppers leave with a gift the want to give and a fresh view of the local shop, they are more likely to return.
A single, well-executed seasonal rush, like for Father’s Day, can reset a customer’s shopping habits, converting a visit of convenience into a deliberate choice for future needs and fostering a loyal base that will support the business year-round.
We care about this here at Tower Systems since we only service local independent retailers. We are small business focussed, local retail focussed, and have been since the day we began. In our software and in the advice were provide, we encourage local retailers to lean into opportunities to thrive.
This is why we see today not as a single sales event, but as a vital opportunity for community connection. Every thoughtfully curated display, every helpful recommendation, and every friendly interaction during this rush strengthens the bond between a shopper and their local high street. These personal touches are the irreplaceable advantage that local retailers hold over online giants and big-box stores, turning a simple transaction into a memorable experience that reinforces the unique and essential value of shopping local.
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If you’re a local retailer and keen for software made for your type of business, check us out at www.towersystems.com.au. We’d love to find out more about your business.
Serving New Zealand independent retailers with POS software
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At Tower Systems, we are grateful and proud to support local small business retailers right across New Zealand. We offer specialised point-of-sale (POS) software that’s been carefully tailored for a diverse range of specialty retail businesses. Whether you’re a jeweller, run a bike shop or bookshop, operate a dairy or gift shop, manage a homeware store or farm supply business, or perhaps you’re in toys, collectable coins, craft supplies, and more – we’ve got you covered.
With years of experience working alongside Kiwi businesses, we’ve built a strong network of happy customers throughout the country. Our software is designed specifically with the needs of small businesses in mind, offering a variety of features to help you save valuable time and improve your bottom line.
We understand how important local support is. Our dedicated customer service team is available toll-free, providing prompt and professional assistance. We do have some team members based in New Zealand. Our New Zealand POS software customers have access to a toll-free number to call.
Our POS software integrates seamlessly with popular e-commerce platforms like Shopify, Big Commerce, Magento, and WooCommerce, allowing you to manage both your online and in-store sales effortlessly. It also integrates smoothly with Xero accounting software for streamlined financial management.
Our years of hands-on experience within the retail sector give us a deep understanding of the unique challenges and exciting opportunities faced by local retailers. We develop our software with your specific needs front of mind, ensuring it provides the functionalities you require to truly succeed.
Tower Systems’ POS software offers a comprehensive suite of features designed to enhance your retail operations:
- Detailed Sales Tracking: Keep track of your sales by colour, size, style, or any other attribute that matters to your business.
- Age Checking: Easily manage the sale of age-restricted products.
- Club Pricing: Attract and retain loyal customers within your local community groups with targeted pricing.
- Repair Management: Simplify the process of tracking repairs, communicating with customers, and managing invoicing.
- Flexible Sales Options: Sell products by weight, fractions, or create your own custom units.
- Advanced Loyalty Programs: Go beyond standard points systems with our innovative loyalty solutions.
- Promotional Tools: Boost sales with effective buy-one-get-one-free (BOGO) offers and other engaging promotions.
- Warranty Tracking: Enhance your customer service by easily managing product warranties.
- Targeted Marketing: Re-engage your customers with personalised campaigns for birthdays, anniversaries, and other special occasions.
- Mobile Sales: Take your sales anywhere with our convenient Retailer Roam mobile app.
- Special Order Management: Manage customer special orders efficiently and effectively.
- Customisable Labels: Design product and receipt labels that perfectly reflect your brand identity.
Our trusted monthly rental fee provides you with a comprehensive POS solution, support and plenty more. This includes unlimited computer licences for your store location, ongoing software updates, access to valuable integrations and support resources, and personalised one-on-one training to get you started.
If you’re a local independent retailer in New Zealand looking for a reliable and feature-rich POS software solution, Tower Systems is here to be your trusted partner. We’re genuinely committed to helping your business thrive. Contact us today on 0800 444 367 or email sales@towersystems.com.au to discover more about how our software can benefit your unique operations. We’ll start by taking the time to understand your specific business needs.
Aussie made and supported POS software for Christmas shops
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Here at Tower Systems we are grateful to serve several local Christmas shops with POS software. Our software works well for the needs of Christmas shops.
Handling customer special orders is easy as is handling pre-orders and pre-sales. We also have a wonderful option for selling at a market or in a pop up shop situation.
Selling online is a dream too thanks to our Shopify integration as well as integrations to other online platforms.
With seasonal traffic peaks and troughs, our smart loyalty tools help Christmas shop retailers to maximise the less frequent shopper visit.
Our software for Christmas shops helps these local and niche retail businesses thrive, to play into their specialisation and to stand out against big business competitors.
Our smart tools help Christmas shop owners see opportunities way faster than manual processes. Our AI tools push actionable insights that can help these businesses act faster and more profitable. This matters in a Christmas shop in that they are on a tight schedule and have a shorter than usual for retail window for driving business success.
A seasonal business like a Christmas shop needs to be able to deal with sale opportunities quickly and efficiently. Our Tower Systems POS software helps with this. Boxing Day sales, for example, are a breeze.
Running on the desktop or in the cloud, this POS software from Tower Systems for Christmas shops is a good solution for these local small business retailers. Packed with benefits, this software helps local specialty retailers shine.
- A ChatGPT integration that generates product descriptions for your consideration. This can help create more compelling descriptions.
- An international barcode database lookup integration that makes adding new products faster and more accurate.
- Auto background removal of photos you load, making them more useful for links to websites: Shopify, Big Commerce and others.
- Free integration with the FindIt.com.au marketplace, designed to help drive local shopper traffic.
- Shopper self-checkout version.
- A portable sell from anywhere / anytime solution for large properties, local markets and pop-up retail.
Tower Systems offers benefits on which you can rely:
- Managing special orders for customers.
- Tracking repairs.
- Club / school / music teacher grouping pricing: easily attract and service group members.
- Bundle products to sell more.
- Record product serial numbers.
- Shopper loyalty tools tuned for your type of business.
- Helping you market to customers based on past purchases.
- Sell and manage services.
- Link to a Shopify, Big Commerce or Woo website.
- Low cost EFTPOS option.
- No cost EFTPOS option.
- Easily link to Xero for accounting.
If you are considering new software for your Christmas shop, call 1300 662 957 or email sales@towersystems.com.au.
Fast tracked POS software connected Shopify websites for small business retailers
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Tower Systems offers a fast-track Shopify website development solution for small business retailers. This expedited approach is designed to help businesses get online quickly, especially during times of urgency or rapid change.
We have developed this approach over years of creating and delivering POS software connected websites for small business retailers.
Our fast-track process is streamlined but structured. We introduced this option in early 2020 to address the surge of Shopify site requests from businesses impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic. We have continued the approach as it suits some retailers.
The key to a successful fast-track launch is having your data prepared. This includes product descriptions, pricing, and high-quality images. Our team will guide you through this process to ensure a smooth transition.
We provide advice on how to do this. Our POS software has tools for making data website ready quickly, time efficiently.
While the initial site may be functional, we encourage businesses to invest in a more polished design within the first year. This will enhance your brand’s visual appeal and provide a better overall customer experience.
Any website has to be considered a hungry beast: it is living, growing, changing. It needs attention to be the best version of itself. Tower Systems offers advice on doing this.
Our fast-track option can have your site live in days, depending on your readiness. However, we recommend a more deliberate approach for businesses seeking a comprehensive and integrated online presence. We’ll consult with you and recommend the approach that we think best serves your needs. The approach you choose is 100% up to you.
We’re committed to helping small business retailers achieve their commercial goals, whether through a rapid launch or a more considered development process.
Our Shopify websites, integrated with our POS software, are designed to drive sales and attract new customers. By partnering with Tower Systems, you’re investing in a powerful tool to grow your business.
We do more than Shopify websites though. Big Commerce is a terrific platform for some businesses. We also have plenty of customers with magenta and WooCommerce websites.
Building POS software connected websites is something we do for our customers with care and professionalism. We want to be proud of our work and we are keen for our customers to prosper from it.
Tower Systems helps small business retailers leverage lower EFTPOS fees
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When choosing an EFTPOS provider, retailers should make an informed decision based on their specific needs. They need to choose based on the financial and operational needs of their business.
Good POS software seamlessly integrates with a range of EFTPOS solutions, making it easy for retailers to select the best option. This flexibility allows retailers to choose an EFTPOS payments processor that aligns with their business requirements.
Tower Systems does not require retailers using its POS software to deal with any specific bank or EFTPOS payments processor. Tower Systems customers can freely choose the bank for EFTPOS that best suits their needs. There are no additional charges levied against customers for business transactions.
Processing EFTPOS payments through CBA, NAB, Westpac, ANZ, Suncorp, Tyro, and other providers is straightforward with the integrated EFTPOS solution available to retailers using Tower Systems POS software.
The integrated EFTPOS solution from Tower Systems offers a range of benefits:
- Few keystrokes = fast, fewer mistakes.
- Simplified accounting and transaction reconciliation.
- Retailers choose what’s right for their business.
When selecting POS software for your business, it’s crucial to inquire about integrated EFTPOS capabilities and whether there are any associated fees. It’s important that your POS software company generates revenue from the software itself,rather than from transaction fees. This ensures that your business growth and success are yours to enjoy.
When choosing an EFTPOS payments processor, consider the following factors:
- Specific needs and budget of your business.
- Business size and transaction volume.
- POS software compatibility.
Tower Systems offers excellent compatibility with its POS software when it comes to EFTPOS payments processing.
Tower Systems provides local small business retailers with many benefits including:
- Easy surcharging. Easily and accurately pass on EFTPOS costs to your customers.
- Fast checkout: Eliminates manual data entry, streamlining transactions and reducing queues.
- Reduced errors: No manual keying, minimizing human error and ensuring accurate transactions.
- Improved staff productivity: Staff can focus on customer service rather than manual payment entry.
- Seamless payment experience: Customers can tap, swipe, or insert their card directly at the EFTPOS terminal,providing a smooth and intuitive experience.
- Reduced contact: Minimizes physical contact between customers and staff, enhancing hygiene and potentially aiding social distancing efforts.
- Enhanced security: Data transfers directly between POS and EFTPOS, reducing the risk of data breaches and unauthorized access.
Tower Systems is committed to offering retailers choice and flexibility when it comes to EFTPOS payments processing,without any additional costs.
Do POS systems in Australia support omnichannel retailing, including online sales and in-store pickup?
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Aussie software company Tower Systems offers local retailers POS software serving the omnichannel need of retail businesses. Ours is a true omnichannel solution thanks to tight integrations with Shopify, Big Commerce, Magento and WooCommerce. Purchases can be dispatched, or set for easy click and collect.
Our POS software serves in-store sales, sales from a truck, van or similar on the road, sales from a pop up shop, and sales online. This is what omnichannel retail looks like today. And, inventory is managed across all shopper touchpoint back to a single view of inventory availability.
This is smart retail management for retailers in 2024. easy omnichannel retail for local small business retailers.
Whether you’re operating a brick-and-mortar store, a mobile sales team, or an online shop, Tower Systems offers a versatile POS solution that caters to all your retail needs. Easily manage in-store sales, mobile sales, pop-up shops, and online orders from a single platform. Our advanced inventory management system ensures accurate stock levels across all sales channels, providing a clear and up-to-date view of product availability.
We have one business with a fleet of trucks from which they sell, another customer who operates at lo9cal markets and hundreds with website integrated solutions connected to their physical shops.
Tower Systems offers:
- Seamless Omnichannel Integration: Connect your online and offline sales channels for a unified customer experience.
- Versatile POS Solution: Manage sales from various locations, including stores, mobile sales teams, and online platforms.
- Advanced Inventory Management: Maintain accurate stock levels across all channels to avoid stockouts and overstocking.
- Easy-to-Use Interface: Our intuitive software makes it simple for retailers of all sizes to manage their operations.
As a leading Australian software company, Tower Systems provides retailers with comprehensive Point of Sale (POS) software designed to meet the evolving needs of today’s omnichannel businesses. Evolving is the key word here. Retail is changing. Tech is changing. We lean into change every day. We are grateful for these opportunities.
So, to answer the question: Do POS systems in Australia support omnichannel retailing, including online sales and in-store pickup? POS software from Tower Systems is the POS solution to consider.
You can easily and accurately manage spare part sales with this software
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Retailers using the POS software from Tower Systems can easily track, sell and manage spare parts with the POS software from Tower Systems.
From tracking new goods from suppliers to recording sales to handling product returns, good POS software is key for spare parts retail businesses.
One headache for spare part businesses is keeping track of stock. POS software like that from Tower Systems eliminates this burden by offering a centralised inventory management system. Here’s how it simplifies things:
Real-time Updates: Every sale automatically deducts the sold part from your inventory, providing a constantly updated picture of what’s in stock. No more scrambling through spreadsheets or relying on memory – you’ll always know exactly how many of each part you have on hand.
Low Stock Alerts: Never get caught off guard by a sudden surge in demand. POS software can set customised alerts for parts reaching minimum stock levels. This allows you to pre-order and avoid those frustrating stockouts that leave customers waiting.
Location Tracking: Managing parts across multiple locations can be a nightmare. POS software with multi-location capabilities lets you track inventory at each store or warehouse, making transfers and restocking a breeze.
For businesses that deal in spare parts, keeping your inventory organised and sales running smoothly can feel like an endless juggling act. Countless parts, specific requirements, and fluctuating stock levels can quickly turn a simple sale into a time-consuming ordeal. It can be especially complex with products that are challenging to barcode. The Tower Systems POS software has a solution for this.
With POS software like what we offer, processing transactions becomes a smooth, easy and accurate. Here’s what you can expect:
Faster Sales: Forget manually searching for part information and entering data. POS software allows for quick part lookups with detailed descriptions, specifications, and pricing. Scanning barcodes further expedites the checkout process.
Reduced Errors: Manual data entry is a recipe for errors, leading to incorrect orders and frustrated customers. POS software eliminates this risk by automating calculations and ensuring accurate transactions every time.
Improved Customer Service: By freeing up your staff from tedious tasks, they can focus on delivering excellent customer service. POS software can even pull up customer purchase history, allowing for personalised recommendations and upselling opportunities.
The link to an international barcode database enables easy and consistent data management too.
Implementing POS software for spare part sales may seem like an initial investment, but the long-term benefits far outweigh the initial cost. Increased efficiency, reduced errors, and improved customer service all contribute to a thriving business.
Tower Systems is here to help you manage the sale of spare parts in your business.
What are the BEST Point of Sale systems in Australia?
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What are the best Point of Sale systems in Australia? Beware those who claim to have the answer!
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If you can measure or weigh it, our POS software can make it easy for you to sell it, accurately
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Fixed price POS software connected Shopify web development helps small business retailers land and stay online
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While we are a POS software company that makes, rents and supports POS software for a range of specialty retail businesses, we also develop POS software connected Shopify websites, and we have done this successfully for years.
Our approach is fixed price, and it’s full service.
Web development, good web development, is expensive. We price our work on a break even basis.
The websites we create are beautiful, functional and valuable. This takes time. Our web development expert, who would work with any local retailer customer, is patient and focussed on process to deliver a commercially useful website for you.
Companies that cost less tend to only be able to do this by having the work done offshore, despite what they may pitch in their marketing. All our work is done in Australia, by Christina. This has a higher cost, but it means you are working with someone more likely to properly understand your needs.
We accept there are people who choose to go elsewhere for a website. To be true to what we do and to ensure we compensate our colleagues here appropriately, we are unable to discount the price, sorry.
Tower Systems offers to create a Shopify website for which you receive:
- Pre development consultation. This is comprehensive phone call reviewing your needs to understand your requirements more completely.
- A checklist of work you complete, to provide assets such as text and images for the website.
- A live Shopify site as per everything outlined here.
- Shopify theme choice. Included in the quoted price is the selection of a paid-for theme available from the Shopify Theme Store at https://themes.shopify.com/themes. Themes are used to create the structure, look, and feel of your site so choose carefully.
- Shopify link. The Retailer POS software to link with Shopify. This link transfers to the Shopify site the following data points for each inventory item.
- A 2 hour Personal hand-over remote training session so you can manage the day to day running our your new live site.
- Three months of phone-based support assistance (not including changes) following delivery.
- A comprehensive pre-prep / handover document that provides support, written training and guidance on your next steps. This is the same for all our Shopify site customers. i.e. it is not document written especially for you.
Regardless of who you choose to create your website, here are tips we offer to help make setting up a Shopify site successful for you.
- Know why. Knowing why you want the website can answer plenty of other questions. For some it is to win new customers, for others it is revenue growth, while for ithers it is better service of existing customers.
- Keep it simple. If you are just beginning your journey into eCommerce our message is keep it simple. If you start simple you can get important learnings from which you can make informed changes. Remember where you start will not be where you finish. One of the key areas we see people over thinking is freight our advice is to keep freight an easy as possible by using the flat rate options provided by Shopify. Then, once you understand your customers change and adapt.
- Know your narrator. Every website has a narrator, the person behind the scenes writing the text, responding to queries. Think about that person, how they speak, words they use, their manner. Think of this person as a character you create.
- Look at competitor sites online locally and overseas as it is beneficial to see what someone else is doing and learn from that.
- Only use unique images. If you use supplier supplied images, they may be on other sites and Google will know this. Google likes fresh content.
- Write your own product name / title. Use search keywords in the name – that is, what people are searching for. Google likes fresh content.
- Write your own product description and think about what shoppers search for.
- Do not load everything. Too much stock makes a site hard to navigate.
- Consider using a website name that is different to your business name. Online can benefit from a different brand to your in-store situation.
- Be open to additional sites. You may make more money from having multiple.
- Support the site with active social media engagement.
- Promote the site with an email monthly at least, using Shopify’s marketing features.
POS software that helps local retailers track parts and labour used in making products
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Retail business cash flow advice: using POS software to improve your position
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Every day in local small business retail it is vital to focus on cash flow, vital to know where you are at, how you are tracking and what you are doing to maximise your position.
Poor cash flow = poor business performance and rocky roads ahead.
Too often, local small business retailers leave tracking business cash flow to accountants and others who may not be in the business on a day to day basis.
Managing cash flow in local small business retail is a day to day task.
Using the smart POS software from Tower Systems you have access to tools and facilities that help you navigate to a better cash flow performance for the retail business. You don’t need to be an accountant or someone with good financial skills. What do you need to be is an engaged retailer.
In our POS software we help you:
- Make better business decisions. Decisions like inventory purchasing, shop floor placement, trading hours, loyalty rewards and more.
- Identity poor performing inventory. Knowing what is not working can stop you reporting that mistake.
- Knowing when you are likely to sell out. Many retail businesses bmiss absolutely for certain revenue by not having in stock inventory when shoppers wish to purchase.
- Do more business with more valuable suppliers. Tracking suppliers by financial benefit helps you make more money with and from them./
- Motivate employees. Employees can make better decisions for your business if you empower them with knowledge.
- Calibrate business settings to benefit cash flow. When you open and close, who you roster, when you discount, when you price inventory at a higher price … these are all decisions that can be informed by data collected and curated by smart POS software.
These are just some of the ways the Tower Systems POS software can help a local small business retailer improve their cash flow position.
The real benefit when it comes to cash flow and our POS software is the business insights and advice we can provide to those interested. We have hands on retail experience and we will gladly engage this with and for any retailer in our community keen to improve their position, including their cash flow position. We will talk with and work with, one-on-one, with any retailer in our community to help them.
We’re a full service POS software company helping thousands of retailers, and we love it, every day!
7 Tips for Choosing Small Business POS Software
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When it comes to checkout, people really hate having to wait. Spending just one minute standing in line can feel like five. And heaven forbid you have to use a self-checkout system that everyone hates.
For a small business, you can’t afford to waste your customer’s time. Once they have what they need, they want to pay and get on with their day. A good portion of their wait comes down to the small business POS software you use.
Choosing a good POS software is easier said than done. The market is replete with dozens of competing options. There are dedicated cash registers, tablet systems, and hybrids that are somewhere between.
Keep reading as we discuss seven important tips for choosing your POS system.
1. Find Small Business POS Software That Makes Checkout Fast and Painless
You guessed it, the most important thing to look for in a POS is ease of use. If you’ve ever used an old cash register at just about any retail store, you know why this is so important.
Many cash registers still look like they’ve never left the ’90s. They have unintuitive features that make it near impossible for an associate to guess how to do something beyond a typical checkout.
It’s not just about pleasing impatient customers, such as if you cater to the retiree community. It’s about making training easier and avoiding costly mistakes. Employees won’t hate the register, either, when they have to count the drawer at night.
2. Get the Right Types of Software
Every POS system can ring up a customer for a product out of the box. But they might not be able to sign up a customer for a new in-store credit card.
Much of the additional functionality for a POS system comes in the form of apps that you download on the side. These apps may be crucial to some of the core functionality your business provides.
For example, many employers use the register as an employee time clock, too. They enable loyalty programs, and the ability to issue and redeem company gift cards. Sales reporting may be essential to determine which employees are performing best.
Further, choose a system that can adapt further down the line. If your business needs to change, you want to know if your register can as well.
3. Make Sure It Is Secure and Receives Regular Updates
There’s one thing that tech experts are telling others all the time: update your devices! Software updates don’t just provide new features and increase system stability. They also close off a lot of potential vulnerabilities.
In our internet-enabled world, hackers are getting more clever than ever. They can find sneaky ways to mess with or gain access to your system, even with devices that aren’t connected to any network.
Make sure your POS has stable software that gets updated as necessary. Further, get a POS that keeps all digital and card transactions secure.
In addition to this, ensure the physical assets are secure as well. A good cash drawer should lock easily and feel robust.
4. Make Sure it Supports All Needed Peripherals
Every business has different needs when it comes to peripherals. An ice cream shop might not have any need for a handheld scanner, but a clothes shop certainly does.
Troubleshooting non-functional peripherals can be a nightmare, especially if they stop working halfway through the day. Most of this comes down to conflicts in software compatibility.
Ensure with your supplier beforehand that the POS they’re selling you will work with the tools you need.
5. Get POS Software That Integrates with Inventory Management
Most POS business software options include some means of deducting inventory as you ring it up. This is invaluable for keeping track of all your SKUs when doing counts at the end of the day.
However, don’t spend too much on a POS that has more features than you’ll use. A POS with advanced inventory options may be overkill for a small shop.
6. Consider a POS That Allows for Remote Management
With a physical cash register, you often feel the need to remain onsite. You either have employees you don’t trust or new employees that are still learning the ropes. With modern POS systems, you can often keep track of things while you’re away from your business.
Software options vary, but some may even allow you to do so with a simple phone app. This will be crucial when you’re on the road for important business dealings. You can keep close track of sales, employee clock-ins, and other valuable data.
7. Find One that Fits into Your Budget
If you can afford it, you can certainly find a top-of-the-line POS with all the bells and whistles. Premium devices that look, feel, and work very well. But if money is tight, a tablet and card reader will always be an option for you.
As far as POS systems go, companies tend to spend less overall on this particular part of their business. As you can imagine, going cheap might not be worth it in the end. You get what you pay for, so buying the lowest-shelf POS system you can find create more problems than it’s worth.
Make sure the POS fits your business type, and choose a subscription type that is in the Goldilocks zone of value vs. needs.
Find the Right POS Today
Small business POS software is only a small part of your business, but often the most important. It’s a multi-purpose device for ringing up purchases, clocking in employees, and so much more. Choose a quality POS with the above criteria in mind to ensure your lines run as smoothly as possible.
At Tower Systems, we specialize in both the hardware and the software side of POS. You can try out the software yourself with a free personal demonstration. Book a demo today and see what you’re missing out on!
Best POS Systems for Retail
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In 2021, customers used cash for only 18% of POS transactions worldwide. People everywhere are using physical money less and less as technology advances.
To remain profitable, almost every business needs a method of accepting credit and debit card payments. A retail POS system is essential to avoid losing customers and sales.
However, choosing the best POS system can be difficult since you have so many options to choose from. There are many factors to consider when choosing retail POS software, like your business model and the volume of transactions.
If you’re not sure how to choose from all the newest retail technology on the market, we’ve got you covered. Read on to learn how to choose a POS system retail locations can rely on!
Retail POS: An Overview
POS stands for “point of sale.” POS systems for accepting card and mobile payments are often called EFTPOS, which stands for “electronic funds transfer at point of sale.”
The point of sale is the location where the actual transaction between customers and businesses takes place. Before digital payments, the POS was simply a cash register, but today the POS can be a mobile device or completely online.
The type of POS retail locations and restaurants use can vary, as restaurants often include a way to tip servers with your card payment. For retailers, this function is typically unnecessary for POS systems.
In addition to accepting card payments, POS systems can create receipts, and track sales and taxes. By keeping all this information together, you can make your accounting much simpler.
Different POS systems have options to help prevent retail theft and manage multi-store businesses.
Replacing point of sale technology can be overwhelming, so let’s look at some of the options on the market.
Tyro: Best Overall for Australian Retailers
Perhaps lesser known than POS giants like Square and Clover, this hidden gem is a great choice with several options to choose from.
Tyro has a monthly rental fee for equipment, which may initially be a turnoff. However, they charge a lower transaction fee than other retail POS systems, which can easily outweigh the rental fee with even a small number of transactions.
Tyro software also integrates with external POS hardware. If you already have a register and a card reader, you can use Tyro software without getting new equipment.
Tyro offers retail technology options for physical stores as well as e-commerce. Businesses also have a choice between mobile and tabletop POS hardware.
In particular, retail locations based in Australia should consider a Tyro POS system. Tyro is an Australian company that aims its services specifically toward Australian small businesses.
Square: Best Free Option
Square is possibly the biggest name in the POS industry. Known for its low-maintenance mobile readers, Square is a good choice for small business retail operations with a lower budget.
Businesses that want a simple and portable option will be pleased with a Square POS. Startups that can’t afford high upfront costs might also consider Square.
The simplest system is the magstripe reader, which is available for free and plugs right into a phone or tablet. For businesses needing more functionality, they also offer bigger POS hardware.
Square gives the option to buy POS equipment and doesn’t require a contract. The software can also help with tracking inventory and staff management.
What customers tend to like about Square is its simple pricing structure. Businesses know what they’re going to pay without a confusing combination of fees.
The biggest issue you may run into with Square is in the delivery of your funds. It can sometimes take days for funds to transfer to your bank.
Clover: Best for Large Shops
Clover is a good choice for larger stores that have a large number of monthly transactions. The software is user-friendly and it’s easy to get set up.
The biggest advantage of a Clover system is its functionality. Clover has many added features that can make businesses run more smoothly.
With this software, you can track payroll, customer reviews, and several other features that most POS systems don’t include.
While Clover has lots of perks, it doesn’t compare well to other systems in its contract structure and costs. Users have 60 days to cancel a subscription without additional fees.
In addition to the contract, Clover software doesn’t integrate with external systems, so you have to use their equipment. The transaction fees are also higher than Square and other systems.
Shopify: Best for Online Selling
Shopify is another good choice for retailers considering replacing POS system software. Specifically, Shopify works well for e-commerce.
While you can use your preferred payment processor, Shopify offers one on its platform called Shopify Payments. Users who process transactions on this payment processor don’t pay transaction fees.
The software is compatible with most smart devices and they offer mobile card readers.
The reason Shopify is good for online selling is because of how well it integrates with websites and social media. Customers can make partial payments, and you can embed the POS on Facebook and Instagram pages.
While there are many features available, users are often priced out of using a different payment processor. If you use a third-party processor, transaction fees can be as high as 2.9% plus a flat fee.
Another feature missing from Shopify is offline processing. If your system loses its internet connection, you can’t take payments using Shopify.
Upgrade Your Business
Payment processing is essential to running a successful business. Having an effective retail POS will ensure your customers can easily pay for your product.
When choosing the POS system that’s best for your business, consider your market and what features you want.
Still have questions about POS systems? Since 1981, Tower Systems has been helping small businesses in Australia, New Zealand, and the Pacific Islands.
Book a free demo today to learn what our POS services can do for your business!
Tower Systems gift shop software @ Reed Gift Fair in Sydney
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We are grateful to be at the Reed Gift Fair in Sydney. We are 2 days in and we have met so many gift shop owners, newsagents and other local small business retailers. It’s a wonderful opportunity to show off our POS software.
Being the only POS software company here is a treat,
Our stand is in a good position, which is a bonus.
The mood of people at the gift fair is terrific, optimistic. People have an appetite for change. Very few talked about wanting things to be the way they were. They are looking ahead, evolving, planning business moves for the new normal rather than the old past.
We have had so many good discussions, useful discussions and what’s interesting is people are up for it, they are up for a chat to explore business. It’s this face top face that people have been missing and to be there at the first major show on this scale in 2 years is a joy, a delight and a wonderful opportunity.
We are glad to have invested the money to be here, to meet face top face with retailers.
What’s particularly interesting about this gift fair is that it has attracted a diverse mix of retailers, most of whom trade in retail channels we serve: jewellers, garden centres, gift shops, homewares shops, toy shops and newsagents. This has made the show even more valuable for us, which we sincerely appreciate.
Our Aussie made and supported POS software for local specialty retailers is software to love and here’s why …
- Local matters. Local retail businesses make a vital contribution to local cycling communities and families. Our software helps you leverage your localness, to genuinely differentiate your business from big competitors.
- You are a key asset. Only your business has you and your people. You can leverage you through our POS software, to easily share your knowledge in ways big businesses cannot match.
- You can bank on loyalty. Points don’t reward loyalty. What is a point worth anyway? In our local shop POS software, you have fresh loyalty tools you can bank on to drive a deeper visit value, bring shoppers back sooner and genuinely leverage their lifetime value opportunity.
- Service, service, service. Offering service and managing this for the benefit of your customers and your business can genuinely differentiate thanks to our smart management tools. You can bank on this difference.
- Not every shopper will walk, or rides, past your door. A smart and seamless connection between your software and a beautiful website can help you easily and with low overhead sell to people you will never meet.
Uploading supplier data is easy, as is sharing data with Shopify websites – through two-way traffic.
All of this has been on show at the Reed Sydney Gift Fair.
Insights from Shoptalk 2022
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We are grateful to have been able to attend Shoptalk 2022 live in Las Vegas last week, along with thousands of retailers and tech experts working with retailers. here is some of what we are prepared to share publicly in terms of insights:
Our transparent approach to selling our POS software
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Here at Tower Systems we follow a transparent and no-pressure sales process for our locally made and supported POS software for specialty retailers. It is a process that has been tuned over many years, a process that benefits from serving thousands of local small business retailers.
We made a short video recently in which we discuss our POS software sales process. Here it is:
We are here for the journey, to serve local small business retailers using our POS software, to help them run more successful, enjoyable and valuable retail businesses.
Tower Systems supports op. shops and charity shops and community enterprises with tailored POS software
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Local op. shops are part of the retail landscape across Australia. Run by churches, community groups and charities, these shops serve the vulnerable in our community while raising funds for vital local community projects.
Op. shops have unique needs when to comes to managing them. The needs are similar to those in charity shops and other community enterprise retail businesses.
Tower Systems is grateful to offer low-cost POS software for charity shops, op. shops and community enterprise businesses. This is software made for these retail situations, designed to help these community-focussed shops serve their goals, to fulfil their missions.
Charity and op. shops are unique and loved businesses, providing valuable service to the local community and to those supported by the charity. Here is some of what you can expect from the Tower Systems POS software for op. shops / charity shops / community enterprises:
- Easy shopper loyalty. While the software offers a loyalty points system, we have found the cash-off approach in our loyalty tools works better in local retail. People understand money. A receipt showing an amount they can save on their next purchase gets, usually, at least 20% of people spending more that visit.
- Manage inventory your way. You can sell by barcode, products code, department, category within department, price point. You can sell, measure and report at the level point appropriate to your needs.
- Easy to learn. We have found that in community enterprises easy to learn / easy to use really does matter. Volunteer turnover makes this essential. We can record training specific to your needs and make these videos available for future volunteers.
- Secure. You can lock down parts of the software to secure them for management access only.
- Check and balances. This software guides processes. It also provides hidden tracking so you can investigate should the need arise.
- Club / group marketing and support. Leverage clubs and community groups with offers and pricing just for them.
This Australian made and supported charity / op. shop POS software does much more than what’s on this list. See it for yourself, live and obligation free, to see if it could serve you and your business. We’d be glad to show it to all involved in the operation.
We started din this space many years ago with our first church shop software and it’s evolved since for bigger businesses in this space as well as for much smaller businesses. We are grateful to help these organisations in their commitment to community service.
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