The POS Software Blog

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

Categorypoint of sale software

Sunday retail management advice: being optimistic about small business retail

March 8, 2015

2 Min read

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In almost all data we get from small business retailers we can find reasons to be optimistic. It could be shopper traffic, basket depth, unit sales for a product category, comparative supplier performance or any number of other data points, researching business performance data provides us with insights which can encourage optimism.

Optimism matters in small business retail. However, it is not something to fake. We look for truth in the data and more times than not we can find reasons for hope and excitement for a business.

In one case recently we were asked to help a business doing it tough. In their data we found information about a segment of the business around which they were able to build a series of positive steps for further improving the business.

One step is all it takes to move a business forward and often in your POS software managed data you can discover what that next step could be.

Our job as a POS software company is to help uncover these opportunities, to show you small steps you could take to build optimism and for your business.

We often find optimism where business owners are not looking and even the faintest glint can be like wind in your sails.

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Free POS software training helps retailers improve productivity

March 4, 2015

1 Min read

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The weekly free POS software training opportunities offered by Tower Systems continue to attract retaill business owners and their employees who want to get more from their software investment.

Our outcome-focussed training is proving to be a hit with retailers as it offers practical advice without tech-jargon.

This session on productivity helps retailers where it matters: at the counter.

Tower Systems is grateful to wonderful customer support in participating in these sessions.

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Smart POS software helps retailers connect to web stores

March 4, 2015

1 Min read

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Retail is everywhere and smart retail management software helps retailers to embrace trading everywhere.

The Tower Systems POS software has a flexible webstore interface which allows for a common inventory file between online and high street presences of a retail business, linking two types of retail operations into a single and more easily managed single data view. This is important in helping retailers operating online and offline to efficiently manage their businesses and the inventory they hold.

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POS software on show at 2015 Melbourne Toy Fair

March 3, 2015

1 Min read

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The Tower Systems stand at the 2015 Melbourne toy Fair has been a hit this first day of the fair. Our Toy Shop Software is proving to be popular with toy shops and our POS software more generally is appealing to other retailers. As the only specialist software company integrated with Australian retailers and suppliers at the fair we are having a terrific time.

Toy retailers are loving what we have done already to serve channel specific needs.

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Sunday retail management advice: embrace being small in retail

March 1, 2015

1 Min read

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We’re a small software company compared to the size of software companies around the world. Sure, we serve close to 3,000 small business retailers, but we are small. We like it that way. Small is good. Small of focussed. Small is human and not a number. Small is enjoyably.

Too often we see businesses owners chasing growth, chasing big businesses. We don’t want to be impersonal or disconnected. As a small business we are closer to our customers and more aligned with their needs.

We think a small specialist software company like ours is more likely to be able to fully and usefully serve the needs of small business retailers.

Sure, we are growing. However, there is a difference between growing and being so big you can’t pick up the phone and speak with the owner about anything at any time – like you can here at Tower Systems.

Our retail management tip today: embrace small, it’s a good place.

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The new loyalty POS software loyalty paradigm is a game-changer

February 28, 2015

2 Min read

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Small and independent retailers love the new approach to loyalty on the Tower Systems POS software. At the Gift Fair in Sydney this week retailer after retailer was thrilled to see such a different yet highly manageable opportunity.

While our discount voucher shopper loyalty facilities are not new to our POS software, they are new to many retailers who have only ever heard about points based systems as the way to approach loyalty.

What is unique and valuable about the Tower Systems discount vouchers is the multiple data points at which the retailer can control the value of the voucher printed. The layering approach allows the retailer more control over value and redemption – thereby providing the business with more mechanisms through which to drive business performance.

One retailer told us that they attribute their 10% year on year growth to our discount vouchers and that to achieve this they have given away just over 1% of GP. What makes the facilities even more valuable is the reporting showing shopper behaviour in detail. This helps guide data point tweaking to drive outcomes.

Thanks to the trademarked Tower Advantage^TM, Tower Systems is delivering to retailers and unique and business valuable facility. Exclusivity has its own rewards.

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Smart POS software helps small retailers plan for Christmas 2015

February 26, 2015

1 Min read

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Small and independent retailers are using technology to plan now for a terrific Christmas 2015.

Retailers using the Tower Systems POS software have been busy planning for Christmas 2015, using their software to order for Christmas which is nine months away using data from Christmas which was not even three months ago.

At trade shows, supplier showrooms and conferences, smart reporting tools and computer tablet based real time access helps newsagents to use accurate data for business planning. This results in more accurate purchasing which, in turn, delivers more valuable financial benefits to the businesses.

Tower Systems backs the tools in its software with free training and advice which helps retailers have easy access to the performance data they need. The result is a better outcome for those engaged businesses.

This is another Tower Advantage^TM.

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New POS software stock files for retailers

February 25, 2015

1 Min read

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Tower Systems has tested and loaded the following stock files for retailers using its POS software:

Artwrap February 2015
Pandora Spring Summer 2015
Chocolatier February 2015 stock file

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What does the weekend look like for the POS software company

February 21, 2015

1 Min read

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Like many of our retail business customers, here at Tower Systems weekends are busy as we’re open for business and helping retailers to get the most out of our POS software. Take today, here’s what we are up to in our business today serving our customers:

Several of our team members are working at the Reed Gift Fair in Sydney
Staff are working in our retail businesses – using our software ourselves … walking in the shoes of our customers
Our help desk is open in our head office offering an personal office based service.
Our knowledge base is accessible for plain English searches.
Our online video training library is accessible for training you can access from anywhere.
Our after hours help desk numbers are live for 274/7 service from our expert team.
Our senior management escalation team is on hand to handle any escalation issues.

The help we will provide today, if it is like other Saturdays will include help with using the software, business advice, business performance analysis assistance and being a shoulder to lean on.

Saturdays are busy. We like it that way.

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POS software helps retailers hold suppliers to account

February 20, 2015

1 Min read

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Small and independent retailers can achieve better outcomes from suppliers by holding them to account for the performance of the products they supply.

Using the facilities in the smart POS software from Tower Systems, independent retailers can know for certain about supplier performance when meeting with a rep in-store.

If a rep says hey this is selling well you can in a few seconds have accurate data with which to be certain. Too often, sales reps use puffery to talk up their products with little evidentiary backing. Thanks to our nurturing of accurate data for independent retailers we empower them to focus on facts and not puffery when purchasing from a supplier.

Tower Systems backs the facilities in its software with advice and help for independent retailers – help way beyond the software itself.

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POS software company helps retailers compete with big competitors

February 18, 2015

1 Min read

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Small and independent retailers often feel overwhelmed by the size and power of big national retailers with which they compete. They feel they cannot match the might and power of their big competitors.

Here at Tower Systems we help small and independent retailers to take a structured approach to competition.

Thanks to facilities in our software, small retail business owners can show they businesses as competitive at key touch points without having to invest in expensive infrastructure. They can deliver personal service, add value and enhance relationships in ways that present their business as more connected and engaged than big competitors.

The best way to approach feeling overwhelmed by anything is to take small steps to confront the challenge or challenges. This is where Tower Systems can help, even outside what is traditional software company. Through our years in business including years owning retail businesses, we have experiences on which to draw to help independent retailers to position themselves differently to competitors and thereby to grow.

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POS software company offers help to retailers impacted by theft

February 17, 2015

1 Min read

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POS software company by Tower Systems helps retailers who have been hit by theft with investigative services that meet the needs of police and prosecutors.

Developed over years of work with law enforcement, our evidence gathering work can help provide certainty about theft perpetrator(s) and the possibility of conviction.

Better still, our work helps retailers prevent theft by employees and customers. This is where real savings can be made by retailers – in reducing theft.

People can be clever in their approach to stealing from retailers. Techniques used change. This is where our specialist services can and do help.

Tower Systems helps retailers in many ways. Our theft reduction work is particularly valuable.

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POS software company delivers on customer service

February 16, 2015

1 Min read

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POS software company Tower Systems delivers free learning opportunities to retailers and retail business employees using its Point of Sale software with a continuous program of free online live training workshops – covering topics often suggested by customers.

The regular availability of quality and interactive training is a genuine point of difference for Tower Systems. It is the company delivering on its promises and living up to its sales pitch.

When we promise something to our customers we deliver said Tower Systems Managing Director Mark Fletcher. We see companies saying they offer regular training yet you can’t find it listed anywhere, not even their customers know about it. Here at Tower, we know that actions speak louder than words.

The company’s online live training workshop schedule is listed on its website and regularly promoted to customers. Access is 100% free is Tower funding the platform including the phone call for voice access.

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Sunday retail business management tip: small steps matter

February 15, 2015

1 Min read

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We often see small business retailers focus on grand plans, big moves they intend to make to lift their business. Our experience is that many small steps deliver a better result to a retail business and for a lower cost.

Using our retail management software, retailers are able to uncover and nurture small steps to growth in their business.

Every retail business has small steps they can take to drive traffic, achieve a better margin from products, get shoppers purchasing more, reducing wastage, reducing theft and more. Each of these alone done in a step step strategic way will compound on the other and deliver a greater than the sum of the parts benefit to the business.

Beyond its terrific POS software, Tower Systems helps retailers to see what they may be missing, to understand the opportunities for growth through a small steps strategy.

Leveraging our own retail experience and our intimate knowledge of what our software cal do, we can help retailers to lift their businesses through co-operative partnership.

Not all POS software companies are the sale. We’re here to help.

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If you are comparing POS software for your business…

February 13, 2015

1 Min read

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If you are comparing POS software for your business, ask the companies you are considering to agree for each of the software packages to be compared in the same room at the same time function by function. There is no better way to see which system is faster easier to use and more suited to your specific needs than such a comparison.

Companies that are confident in their software will welcome such a comparison.

Companies with something to hide will say no. They will claim they don;t want to risk a competitor seeing what they do but that would be a smokescreen to divert you from the real issue.

here at Tower systems we welcome head to head comparison. We are proud of our software.

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Sunday retail management advice: cut employee theft in your shop

February 8, 2015

1 Min read

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

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

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

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

February 7, 2015

1 Min read

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

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

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

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

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

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

February 6, 2015

1 Min read

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

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

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

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

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

This is another example of the Tower Advantage^TM.

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Toy shop software helps Australian toy retailers compete

February 4, 2015

1 Min read

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Independent toy retailers can rely on the toy shop software from Australian software company Tower Systems to help them more successfully compete. Our software helps drive traffic, increase sales and improve business health.

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

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

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

This is all part of the Tower Advantage^TM.

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POS software customers love training

February 3, 2015

1 Min read

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

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

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

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

February 3, 2015

2 Min read

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

February 2, 2015

2 Min read

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Choosing the right POS software for your business can re-energise, refocus and redefine your retail business.

Choosing the wrong software can hold you back.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

February 1, 2015

1 Min read

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

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

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

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POS software users love easy access to training

January 30, 2015

1 Min read

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POS software company Tower Systems is thrilled to continue to lead in proving excellent and free training opportunities for retailers using its software.

This is actions speaking louder than words. We promise the training in our sales pitch and deliver year in year out.

Our training schedule is public as is data on the uptake – including additional sessions we schedule because of participant feedback and heavy bookings. This transparency is important as anyone can make a claim – it takes hard work to prove you’re living up to the claim

‘The training this year is focused more on business outcomes and less on the traditional how to you see with software training.

Independent and small retail business owners are loving the new outcome-focussed training. We are loving sharing it with our customers.

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POS software product categories help retailers gain different views of business

January 30, 2015

1 Min read

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Being able to analyse business performance from a range of views is vital to independent retailers. While most POS software products permit analysis by product department and supplier, too often they miss the opportunity for analysis by category.

In gift shops this is particularly useful where you may not replace a range with more stock from the range but, instead, find something else appealing to that shopper. This is where category level performance reporting is most useful.

Tracking sales of products that appeal to a cohort of shoppers provides a valuable of business performance that can guide better restocking decisions. It is especially useful at trade show time when looking for new products but products which appeal to those who have purchase other products from you.

The Tower Systems POS software provides multiple views of sales data to enable this type of analysis in small and independent retail businesses.

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