Categorypoint of sale software

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

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

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

While technology has refined, the principles have not.

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

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

The cloud seems cheaper because there usually is no up front cost. Add up all costs over three years and a cloud based solution will in almost every case cost you more. This is not necessarily a bad thing. We mention it in case you prefer the cloud as a cost saving measure.

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

You get out of your software what you put in and not because of how you access it.

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

Tower Systems is hosting its next free weekly POS software training tomorrow: Loyalty Programs. What works best for you, This training continues our delivery of regular free training workshops for ur retail partners – providing not only training but business management context for the training to help retailers get the most from the opportunities.

We switch retailers from the VEND clouds based POS software to our POS software on the back of a more personal and engaged approach to user training, support and software enhancement.

Switching a business from VEND is easy once a business sees our approach to personal training, personal support, training videos, free training workshops, theft checks and comprehensive business management support.

Just as small business retailers focus on growing on the basis of local personal service targeted at their customers, so too does Tower Systems. Our phones are answered by humans 24/7. Our users have a direct say in software enhancements., Training is done in-store face to face.

These are valuable points of difference a VEND customer likes – based on what they say to us.

The other benefit is that the business knows exactly what they are up for cost-wise and they can use the software without having to pay a support fee if they choose.

If you are a retailer using VEND and want to consider an alternative, we can put you in touch with some who have made the switch.

A year ago we released this video to show how we use our own POS software in one of our retail businesses to track sales and grow the business. The video itself generated sales for us as engendered confidence that we’re not your usual POS software company: we use what we sell ourselves, we rely on it to grow our own retail businesses; we share insights from these experiences back with our customers.

Tower Systems has launched free POS software training opportunities for small business retailers through to August 26.

This new series of fresh training focuses on business outcomes for retailers using the Tower software.

Covering the why, this training helps retailers move beyond traditional use of POS software and into greater value.

The training is available for free to any Tower Systems customer. It can be undertaken from anywhere with broadband access and a phone. We cover the cost of the call for audio access anywhere in the world.

If your retail business turns over less than $2M a year you are not required to undertake a stock take. Click here for the ATO advice.

There are several ways to calculate trading stock. One way is to do a stock take. Our POS software can help any retailer undertake this. Another way is to track all goods inwards and all goods outwards (sold). Depending on your theft situation this leaves you with an accurate understanding of stock.

To check parts of your business, to see whether theft is an issue, you can easily do a spot stock take of part of this business. In a short time this can indicate whether a full stock take is necessary.

Offering a range of options in the stock take area, Tower Systems serves the needs of retailers with flexibility and compliance in terms of the tax office requirements.

We mention this today to provide clarity on what is required of retailers in terms of stock takes.

Of course, some from the lunatic fringe will say we are wrong. We are certain of our advice as we have spoken with the ATO directly as well as with a CPA. Our advice is sound. But we have a warning: this advice is appropriate if you use smart POS software properly. Our software is appropriate as it manages inventory on hand in a manner sought by the ATO.

The reaction to the latest mobile version of our POS software company website has been terrific.

Launched weeks ago, the new mobile website automatically loads when it detects website access via a mobile device.

being a technology company, how we represent ourselves publicly speaks to the relevance of our software and services to the businesses we serve.

The latest mobile website innovation is leading edge. It makes us proud.

All the functionality a POS software user could want is available from the website.

Mark Fletcher, the owner of Tower Systems, is in the UK for the Harrogate Home & Gift Fair 2015. This international fair attracts exhibitors and attendees from around the world.

We are participating by invitation by suppliers with whom we already partner on behalf of retailers see serve using our POS software.

One outcome from participation of the fair is expected to be more help through the Tower software for retailers selling products from suppliers at the fair.

Participating events like Harrogate provide valuable eye-opening opportunities.