CategoryPOS Software

How people search online has changed fundamentally over the last few months. It is among the fastest change relates to consumer action and intersected with tech that we have seen. Here at Tower Systems we help retailers navigate these and other changes, too be relevant and to be more easily found in this changing world.

Our POS software helps local small business retailers to be smart in their engagement with data about what they sell, when they sell and to whom they sell such that them being found in online searches and conversations is more certain than is often the case elsewhere.

The place where customers seek information has undergone a rapid transformation in recent months. The scope of change is a fundamental shift in how consumers behave online, driven by technological advancements and impacting every aspect of their journey, from initial curiosity to final purchase. For small business retailers, staying ahead of this curve isn’t just advantageous – it’s essential for survival and growth.

At Tower Systems, we understand the challenges these evolving search patterns present. We’re dedicated to equipping local retailers with the tools and insights needed to not only navigate these changes but to thrive within them. Our approach goes beyond simply acknowledging the shift; we actively empower you to become more visible, more relevant, and ultimately, more successful in this dynamic environment.

You only have to look at our early and continues AI innovation to see the extent of accessibility we offer to smart help.

Our POS software is designed with this new reality in mind. We recognise that in today’s world, simply having a physical storefront isn’t enough. Consumers are online, actively searching for products, services, and information. They’re engaging in conversations, reading reviews, and making decisions based on their digital experiences.

This is where the power of data comes in. Our POS system acts as your central intelligence hub, meticulously capturing crucial information about your sales. It reveals not just what you sell, but when you sell it and, perhaps most importantly, to whom you sell it. This granular understanding of your customer base and their purchasing habits is the key to unlocking more effective online visibility.

Imagine being able to identify your most popular products, the times of year they see the highest demand, and the demographic profiles of your loyal customers. With this knowledge at your fingertips, you can craft more targeted online content, optimize your website and social media presence with relevant keywords, and even engage in more personalized online conversations.

Our software helps you move beyond guesswork and into a realm of data-driven decisions. Through understanding you can strategically position your business to be found more easily in online searches. You can participate in relevant online conversations, offer solutions that directly address customer needs, and build a stronger online presence that attracts and retains customers in this ever-changing digital world. We’re here to ensure that your local small business not only keeps pace with these fundamental shifts but leverages them to gain a competitive edge.

Let’s face it, the world of Artificial Intelligence (AI) can feel like a whirlwind. Every day, there’s another headline, another social media trend, another “expert” opinion. But amidst all the noise, something genuinely useful is happening for small business retailers right here in Australia.

The statement actions speak louder than words is so true. Let’s explain. But first, let’s show you there AI tools in our POS software in action:

Forget the science fiction; we’re talking about practical, down-to-earth AI tools that are saving time, cutting costs, and helping retailers make smarter decisions, faster. At Tower Systems, we’ve been working with AI in our POS solutions since mid-2022, and we’ve seen firsthand the real-world benefits for our customers.

Think of AI as a helpful assistant, one that can take on some of the tedious but crucial tasks that eat up valuable time. Our AI-powered POS software, designed specifically for Australian specialty retailers, offers a range of features that make a real difference:

• Boost your online presence: Need compelling product names and SEO-friendly descriptions? Our AI can generate them in seconds, helping you get noticed in online searches.
• Simplify paperwork: Say goodbye to manual data entry. Our AI can convert PDF supplier invoices into import-ready electronic files, saving you hours of admin.
• Stay competitive: Want to know how your prices stack up? Our AI can compare prices locally, helping you identify opportunities to improve your profit margins.
• Engage your customers: Create fresh, relevant blog content with just a few clicks. Our AI can generate publishable blog posts based on your product data, and even publish them for you.

These are just a few examples of how AI is making a tangible difference for retailers. We’re not talking about futuristic promises; these features are available right now.

The real power of AI lies in its ability to save time, improve decision-making, and accelerate your business. We’re constantly exploring new ways to enhance our AI capabilities, and we’re excited about the future.

At Tower Systems, we’re passionate about supporting local small businesses. We understand the challenges you face, because we’ve been in your shoes. That’s why we’re committed to providing you with the tools you need to succeed.

If you’re looking for a POS solution that leverages the power of AI, we encourage you to do your research. Don’t just take a company’s word for it; ask for a demonstration and see the AI features in action.

We’re confident that our AI-powered POS software can make a real difference for many local small retail businesses. If you’d like to learn more, please reach our: sales@towersystems.com.au. We’d be happy to show you how AI can help you thrive in today’s competitive retail landscape.

Okay, that headline Reports are dead in smart POS software does sound dramatic. Our POS software for special small business retailers has more than one hundred reports. The thing is though, there is more immediate and profitable value delivered from our insights, a smart time-efficient approach to helping local small business retailers thrive.

While some POS software companies say go run this report, read that and gain this knowledge, or insights, in our Tower Systems POS software we have our Insights Dashboard that provides insights at your fingertips without you having to run reports.

Better still, our retailers have access to our Tower Systems POS software Visual Deck, a go anywhere on any device platform with up to the moment insights on your business performance. Again, no reports required.

This is smart retail management, time saving retail management, profit-focussed retail management. This is the Tower Systems POS software solution.

We first released our visual insights solutions years ago. We have regularly enhanced these ever since. Today, what we offer in this space of reports-free retail; business insights is best-practice, smart and, again, profit-focussed.

Gone are the days of spending hours wading through reports. Who has the time?

Some POS software companies push reports so they can push their business coaching services, for which they charge. Others push reports because the software is designed boy software people rooted in the past.

Our approach to small business retail insights forms from our lived experiences working in retail, being on the shop floor, being short on time, being in local retail competitive situations. We saw the need and delivered solutions.

The Insights Dashboard in our Tower Systems POS software, one of the report-free solutions, instantly displays business performance insights and retailer will find valuable.

There is no report to run. No work to collate and interpret data. The insights are there, immediately, answering 6 key business questions:

1. What’s working?
2. What’s not working?
3. What am I missing out on?
4. Is theft an issue?
5. What sells with what?
6. When am I busiest?

Retailers love these insights, especially that they don’t haver to run a report to access them.

Our Visual deck offers Instant Insights, Anywhere You Go

1. Real-Time Updates – Sales data is refreshed within minutes, keeping you up to date with the latest trends.
2. Cloud-Based Access – Monitor your store’s performance from any device, no matter where you are.
3. Customisable Dashboard – Track what’s important to you with personalised tiles displaying key business insights.
4. Data-Driven Decision Making

With the Visual Deck, you get clear, visualised data to help drive smarter business decisions, including but not limited to: Month-on-Month Performance – Compare sales trends from recent months to the same period last year. ABC Inventory Analysis – Identify your most and least valuable stock with intuitive grading. Trending & Declining Products – Spot hot sellers and underperforming items at a glance.

So, yes, reports are a thing of the past for small business retailers. If your POS software company is promoting reports, ask why they are rooted in the past when there are smarter, time-saving, profit-focussed solutions available today.

We appreciate the opportunity to welcome Epos Now customers to the Tower Systems POS software and our valued customer community.

We believe our Tower Systems POS software offers a compelling alternative to Epos Now, particularly for Australian businesses. Here’s why:

• Australian focus: Our software is developed and supported in Australia, incorporating retail terminology familiar to local businesses.
• Comprehensive functionality: We are confident that a detailed comparison of features will demonstrate the extensive benefits offered by Tower Systems.
• Local specialty retail expertise: Our software is tailored to the unique needs of Australian local specialty retail channels, providing targeted functionality rather than generalised features.
• E-commerce integration: Tower Systems integrates seamlessly with popular platforms such as Shopify, BigCommerce, WooCommerce, and Magento.
• Flexible terms: There is no lock-in contract. In this area alone we feel we are a good alternative to Epos Now.
• Direct engagement: We do not employ commission-based sales agents, ensuring a direct and transparent relationship.
• Respectful approach: We prioritise a respectful and informative approach, allowing retailers to explore our software at their own pace. We will not engage in spam or persistent follow-ups.
• Real-world insights: While we haven’t used Epos Now directly, we can connect you with verified retailers who have transitioned to Tower Systems, allowing for open and honest peer-to-peer discussions.
• Informed decision-making: If you are considering Epos Now, we encourage you to thoroughly compare software functionality and carefully review the contract to ensure it aligns with your business needs. Take your time and explore other POS solutions to make an informed decision.
• Established and trusted: Tower Systems is proud to serve over 3,000 independent retailers across various specialty retail sectors. We are a stable and established company dedicated to supporting local businesses.
• Transparent comparison: We welcome a detailed, function-by-function comparison with Epos Now. This type of analysis is crucial for determining the best fit for your business. We understand that our software may not be suitable for every retailer.

We are grateful for the opportunity to demonstrate the benefits of Tower Systems POS software as an alternative to Epos Now and assist you in making the right choice for your business.

If you are looking for an alternative to Epos Now, consider Tower Systems. We’d love to find out if we could serve your needs.

If you are a happy Epos Now customer, keep using it. If you are looking for an alternative, Tower Systems is ready to expose with you your business needs.

Here is a video of another session recorded a few days ago in which we demonstrate AI tools in our POS software:

We are grateful to our POS software development team for providing us with software at the forefront of AI engagement for small business retailers.

When it comes to AI in POS software, actions speak louder than words.

This week we are hosting two AI in POS software Zoom sessions on in which we will demonstrate current AI tools in our software. Bring your questions too. We will offer examples of how AI Is saving time, feeding better business decisions and helping retailers make more money.

• Monday March 17 2pm (Melbourne time). https://us06web.zoom.us/j/82996597162?pwd=UC9fiZ5EXbJpf1QMzpaX6poacNb6Hh.1 Meeting ID: 829 9659 7162 Passcode: 687889
• Wednesday March 19 2pm (Melbourne time). https://us06web.zoom.us/j/83348801103?pwd=PWmU98sP132o4x4cQIpaxRqkbhdWNz.1 Meeting ID: 833 4880 1103 Passcode: 308206

Anyone is welcome. The sessions will be recorded.

The openness of these sessions speak to our transparency as a company. We don’t like to put up roadblocks for access to us and what we offer our customers and prospective customers.

The use of AI in small business retail is evolving rapidly. Having offered our first AI innovation in mid 2022, Tower Systems is a genuine innovator in service of small business retail in Australia.

Housing these sessions is another example of our approach of show, don’t tell. By demonstration what our software offers today we are showing using anonymised real retail data how our the Ai integrations in our POS software serve the needs of our customers.

You’re welcome to join us.

Call 1300 662 957 (0800 444 367 – NZ) or email sales@towersystems.com.au to arrange your own one-on-one demonstration.

Welcome to another of our explainers of topics of interest.

What are POS systems? POS systems are a combination of specialist software and specialist hardware tailored to help retail businesses operate.

Using a POS system you can transact sales, manage inventory, gain business performance insights and harness facts vital to making good business decisions. A POS system is vital for any retail business that wants to be successful. It is hard to do what a POS system does manually.

Let’s go back a step though. When we use the term POS we are referring to Point of Sale. POS is the common term.

A POS system is typically located at the sales counter of a business. That said, it could be a tablet computer, a phone or some other device being used portably in the shop running software designed for retail businesses.

A POS system is different to other computer software and hardware in that it is designed for retail businesses.

Costing only a couple of hundred dollars a month, a good POS system can typically be paying for items in saved time, reduced mistakes and better decision making from day on in any size retail business.

A modern POS system streamlines the checkout process, offering various payment options, including contactless and mobile payments, which significantly reduces wait times. Beyond the transaction itself, these systems often integrate loyalty programs, allowing businesses to track customer preferences and offer personalized promotions. This not only fosters customer retention but also provides valuable data for targeted marketing campaigns. In essence, a well-implemented POS system transforms the point of sale from a simple transaction hub to a dynamic tool for enhancing customer satisfaction and building lasting relationships.

Tower Systems offers POS software which, when combined with computer hardware, makes for a good POS system. Tower serves a range of retail sectors with software tailored to the needs of these sectors. Our POS soften is proven, well established. It’s been chosen by thousands of retailers.

Our software is  user-friendly, ensuring staff can quickly adapt and maximise its potential. Regular updates keep it current with evolving industry standards and customer expectations, ensuring a robust and reliable platform for your business.

We’re here to help local specialty retailers with good software backed by good local support.

The price of a POS system in Australia includes the cost of the software, the cost of computer hardware as well as any associated costs, such as payments costs.

Some POS software solutions force you to use their payments platform, locking you into their costs for this, which can be higher than traditional banking payment solutions.

Here at Tower Systems, you can rent our POS software with pricing transparent. At the time of writing, the monthly rental price ranges from $195.00 through to $246.00. These prices include GST.

Tower does not lock you on a payments platform – you should choose the one you prefer for your business, the one with the lowest cost if you like.

Tower Systems runs on a range of hardware. Your current hardware may suit.

So, if you have good hardware, your Tower Systems POS solution could cost $195.00 a month. That’s our answer to the question of How much does a POS system cost in Australia?

If you do have this question – How much does a POS system cost in Australia? – we recommend you be clear about your needs, ensure you only consider software that serves your needs. be clear too about the payments processing requirements of your business. If you are concerned about payments costs, be sure to know for sure what the various POS companies you are considering may think about you using payments platforms other than what they require.

If you are asking the question How much does a POS system cost in Australia?  we think you are starting with a good question. Knowing the cost of a long term relationship up front for your business is a good starting point even when the decision itself is not necessarily about dollars.

Ultimately, the true cost of a POS system isn’t just the upfront price, but the ongoing value it delivers to your business. By offering flexible software rentals, hardware compatibility, and payment freedom, Tower Systems empowers you to control your expenses and optimize your operations. We encourage you to contact our team for a personalized consultation, where we can discuss your specific needs and demonstrate how our POS solution can provide a cost-effective and efficient solution for your Australian business.

Helping local retailers, independent retailers, small business retailers shine is core to our mission here at Tower Systems. We love seeing local retail businesses thrive for when they thrive their community thrives. This is what local small retail is all about: community.

Our Tower Systems POS software helps local retailers shine in a bunch of ways including:   

• Tailored for specialty retail: Our POS software is designed specifically for independent and specialty retailers, offering features relevant to various retail niches like fashion, gifts, toys, and more.   
• Empowering tools: The software provides tools and training to help retailers thrive, focusing on profitability and efficiency.   
• Streamlined processes: It simplifies time-consuming tasks like stock management, ordering, and sales tracking.   
• Enhanced customer experience: Features like self-checkout options and loyalty programs help retailers compete with larger businesses.
• Accessible support: Tower Systems offers one-on-one training, a comprehensive knowledge base, and easy access to human support.   
• Focus on local: The company prioritizes serving local businesses and understands the importance of community.   
• Continuous improvement: Tower Systems regularly updates its software based on customer feedback and industry trends.   

Best of all, we help local small business retailers be local by sharing local knowledge, helpful product information considering the local situation, supporting local community groups and being personal in service in the business, through the POS software.

This ability for retailers to support local community groups is a differentiator for us. Imaging leveraging all the members of a local community group to support your retail business and to support their community group all at the same time. This is a true engagement with and for the community, through your local retail business. And, this can all be done through our POS software.

By focusing on these areas, Tower Systems helps local retailers improve their operations, enhance customer experience, and ultimately shine in their communities.

We believe that technology should empower local retailers to strengthen their connections within their communities, and that’s what we strive to deliver.

The best way to encourage local retailers to support your local business is to actively be local. In our POS software we offer plenty of ways you can do this, genuinely, for mutual benefit.

This video is on a customer meeting we hosted yesterday at Tower Systems. See the latest AI tools integrations in our POS software and watch as we engage with customers and prospects answering quetsions and exploring the benefits of AI tools in our POS software.

Already in 2025 we are seeing change in retail as well as in our space of retail management software.

Retail businesses are evolving beyond what is traditional. This is where flexible POS software can play a terrific role. Tower Systems helps retailers with this transformation by providing data, insights and actionable opportunities.

Our POS software has evolved beyond what is traditional for POS software, all in service of local small business retailers.

We offer features designed to streamline retail operations and enhance customer engagement. These include:

• Seamless data conversion: Easily migrate from existing systems, ensuring a smooth transition and minimising disruption to your business.
• Import supplier invoices. This is easy, consistent and reliable.
• Flexible POS integration: Choose from a wide range of payment processing providers to meet your specific needs.
• E-commerce integration: Integrate with popular platforms like Shopify, WooCommerce, and Magento to manage online sales and orders seamlessly.
• AI-powered features: Leverage AI integrated tools to automate tasks like generating product descriptions, importing invoices, and conducting price comparisons, saving time and reducing errors.
• Improved customer experience: Provide personalised product recommendations and efficient order processing to enhance customer satisfaction.
• Enhanced decision making: Access real-time data and insights to make informed decisions about pricing, inventory, and marketing strategies.

We showcased the very latest in POS software at the Reed Gift Fair in Sydney this week. Visitors to the Tower Systems booth saw the latest POS Software AI Tools in action using real data from a thriving retail business from which we had permission. We are grateful for the opportunity to be at Reed this year, continuing a long tradition for us.

If you’re looking a new POS solution for your local retail business let’s talk. We’d love to understand your needs and to see with you whether our POS software could help.

It starts with you and understanding your needs though. Next, our sales crew will show if our software can help. Call 1300 662 957 or email sales@towersystems.com.au.

Tower Systems is a trusted partner for local and independent small business retailers seeking to thrive in the digital age. Our software features, seamless integration, and unwavering commitment to customer support help us empower businesses to deliver exceptional customer experiences and drive growth.

We are loving being at the Sydney Reed Gift Fair, a major national trade show that started yesterday.

As the only software company here, we are representing well, showing off our AI enabled POS software for independent small business retailers. Already we have made plenty of new contacts. The first day was terrific.

Now, we are into day two and we’re up and running.

Our POS software software can help retailers save time, make more money, and run their businesses more efficiently.

each of us representing Tower Systems and our POS software at the trade show worked on our pitch.

We’re not just selling software; we’re offering a complete retail transformation.

In our pitch, we highlight the core benefits for retailers. We explain how data conversion is seamless, meaning they can easily transfer their existing customer and product information without any headaches. We also showcase the smooth e-commerce integration, which effortlessly connects their online and in-store operations. But the real showstopper? Our AI-powered features in our POS software. These intelligent tools are a game-changer, helping retailers make smarter decisions, optimise stock levels, and personalise customer experiences like never before.

We emphasise how our software empowers retailers to save valuable time. Automated tasks, streamlined processes, and intuitive interfaces free up their staff to focus on what truly matters: providing exceptional customer service. And, of course, we show them how to make more money. Improved inventory management, targeted promotions, and data-driven insights contribute directly to their bottom line. Ultimately, we’re giving retailers the tools they need to run their businesses more efficiently and effectively.

The Reed Gift Fair is the perfect opportunity for us to connect with potential customers, demonstrate our software’s capabilities, and showcase how we can help them thrive in today’s challenging retail landscape. We’re confident that our innovative POS solution will resonate with retailers looking for a modern, powerful, and, importantly, easy-to-use system. We can’t wait to hit the show floor and share our passion for retail technology.

We are here at Reed Gift Fair ready to connect, demonstrate, and inspire. Our POS software can be the key to unlocking retail success for many different indie local retail businesses.

Come and see us – we’re excited to share our vision for the future of retail.

We were asked this question recently and thought it might be useful to share our response here.

We have never used Lightspeed and have never looked at their software. We can’t comment about software functionality in comparison with ours. Nor can we comment about a customer service comparison between them and us.

What we do know about Lightspeed is what they themselves have said publicly.

They push Lightspeed Payments. This gives them a percentage of each transaction in shops using their software. If you add this percentage to their software rental cost you can figure out the total cost of ownership. Also, as you grow your business, what you pay for Lightspeed, through their payments platform, increases as it is a % of each transaction.

Here at Tower Systems we do not have any requirement as to payments platform. You can choose the platform that best serves your needs. We think this can be a terrific money saver.

Lightspeed targets businesses turning over US$500,000 a year.

Here at Tower Systems we have no retail business revenue target for customers we serve. Our focus is on local small independent retailers in specialty niche markets.

Lightspeed serves many large customers. We think these BIG businesses will capture more attention from Lightspeed as the company considers software enhancements.

Here at Tower Systems we only serve local small business retailers, all customer voices are equal.

The best way to see how our software stacks up against Lightspeed is by comparing it. We’d be happy to show you what our software can do. If Lightspeed is a better solution for your business we will wish you all the best. If Tower Systems is a better solution, we’d love to welcome you as a customer.

Ultimately, the best POS software for your business depends on your specific needs and priorities. While Lightspeed focuses on larger businesses and revenue-linked payment processing, Tower Systems prioritises small, independent retailers in niche markets, offering flexibility in payment processing and ensuring all customer feedback is valued equally. We encourage you to explore both options and compare their features, pricing, and support to determine which system best aligns with your business goals and operational requirements. A direct comparison, including a demonstration of Tower Systems’ capabilities, will allow you to make an informed decision and choose the POS solution that will contribute most effectively to your success.

You can reach Tower Systems at 1300 662 957 or sales@towersystems.com.au.

Here’s a short 10-minute video we made yesterday with our Reed Gift Fair 2025 pitch:

We are grateful to lead with an ever  growing network of POS software integrations with other leading applications and partners, making our POS software an even more powerful tool for small business retailers. We understand that running a business efficiently is key, and these integrations are designed to do just that – saving you time, reducing keystrokes, and minimizing errors.

By connecting your POS system with other essential services, you can streamline operations and focus on what matters most: your customers. From accounting and e-commerce platforms to payment gateways, marketing tools, and even inventory management systems, our integrations open up a world of possibilities.

What do these integrations mean for you?

• Increased efficiency: Automate tasks and eliminate manual data entry, freeing up your time and resources.
• Reduced errors: Minimise the risk of human error by seamlessly transferring data between systems.
• Enhanced functionality: Extend the capabilities of your POS software by connecting it with best-in-class solutions.
• Improved customer experience: Offer a seamless and convenient experience for your customers, from checkout to loyalty programs.

Explore our expanding ecosystem of integrations:

We’re constantly adding new integrations to our platform. Below is a snapshot of our current partners, showcasing the diverse range of solutions available to you. This list is current as of today, but keep an eye out for updates as we continue to expand our network!

We gained some terrific insights from attending Spring Fair in Birmingham this year and while most of those insights are for our in-house consideration we share here some general observations.

Seeing retail trends from overseas before they hit locally is an advantage for sure.

Talking with retailers far from our latch can help us see retail through a broader lens.

Listening to supplier challenges can help us enhance the software to better serve them too.

Being away can help you see more clearly what’s local to you.

Spring Fair 2025 delivered in these ways and plenty more. There was innovation to see and some terrific ideas to considers a result of the experience. It’s the conversations that are most beneficial.

We appreciate the opportunities trade shows bring, whether they’re as an attendee or exhibiting. We always discover opportunities that can benefit our customers as well as us.