We’re helping plenty of local small business retailers offer their customers loyalty rewards the understand.
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Small business retailers local easy access to POS software help on a Saturday
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Tower Systems is proud to provide live POS software help desk support on Saturdays as a standard part of our comprehensive support coverage. This service has been an integral part of our offering for many, many years, and there are no extra charges associated with accessing our support, including on Saturdays.
Our Saturday support is delivered by our dedicated help desk team, offering full service assistance, not a limited on-call arrangement.
Here’s what some of our small business retail customers have shared about the value of our Saturday POS software help desk support:
“Saturdays are when I get time to work on the business. Your availability means I can get the help I need then, rather than waiting until Monday.”
“One of the reasons we chose Tower Systems was because we were tired of waiting days to get in touch with support for our previous software.”
“I appreciate that I can call on a Saturday and speak to a real person who listens to my non-technical explanation and provides assistance, right then and there.”
“Our weekend staff aren’t as familiar with the software, so their ability to call your help desk allows us to have a smoother weekend operation.”
“Software issues don’t adhere to Monday to Friday office hours. Having access to your help desk outside of these times is incredibly beneficial for our business.”
“It’s what small businesses value – local support that’s easily reachable when we need it.”
“I’m always delighted when I email a non-urgent question on a Saturday, expecting a Monday response, and instead receive a reply or even a call on Saturday. It’s fantastic.”
We take pride in offering a level of after-hours POS software help desk access that is truly distinctive. While the majority of our customers may not require it frequently, its availability and ease of access provide crucial support when needed, setting us apart and demonstrating our commitment to our customers.
A less effective approach to Saturday POS software help desk support is through offshore call centres. We believe this does not offer the same level of understanding and service.
All members of our Tower Systems POS software help desk team possess in-depth knowledge of our software, understand the nuances of local retail, and can converse in a way that resonates with local business practices. They are skilled in engaging in meaningful conversations rather than adhering strictly to scripts.
Ultimately, we recognise that Saturday POS software help desk support is a genuinely valuable resource for local small business retailers.
Tower Systems releases now POS software update
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Ten days ago we released another PSO software update delivering terrific facilities for our, local small business retail customers. This latest update to the Tower Systems POS software contains more enhancements suggested by users of the software through our exclusive, transparent and customer-driven Software Ideas platform.
Launched a world first in the POS software space by Tower Systems in 2009, Software Ideas provides a transparent and structured approach to suggestions by the Tower Systems user community.
The Software Ideas service we launched in March 2009 inspired by the What Would Google Do? book by Jeff Jarvis continues to deliver benefits to our customers and to us. This year alone, we have released a raft of software enhancements which have been put to us through Software Ideas. We have more in the pipeline too.
User submitted ideas plus those we create for ourselves as well as changes requested by supplier partners make up the broad and valuable mix of enhancements we deliver in our Point of Sale software in every update and every update makes our software more valuable.
Software Ideas remains unique in our marketplaces. It’s a best practice approach as it puts our customers first.
Our continued release of software enhancements that have been first suggested through Software Ideas shows the value of the process not only to customers of tower Systems but to us as well – through the extension and enhancement of our Point of sale software product. it demonstrated genuine and tran sparent cooperation.
Every idea is costed and evaluated. Every idea is open for customers to vote on and comment on.
The list of ideas live at Software Ideas is considered for each software update package we create.
This is is true collaboration between a software company and its customers. We’re proud, years on, to be able to point to the valuable two-way success of Software Ideas.
Tower Systems is a vertical market software company serving local and independent small business retailers in specialty retail channels: music repair businesses, stockfeed businesses, teddy bear shops, repairs shops, gunsmiths, jewellers, garden centres, bike shops, gift shops, toy shops, newsagents, bookshops and more. We make what we sell.
Visual Desk: real time insights for local small business retailers
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The Visual Deck is an advanced reporting platform designed exclusively for Retailer users.
First released by Tower Systems ten years ago, this business intelligence platform for local small business retailers helps these businesses thrive thanks to immediate access to business performance data and smart insights.
It provides near real-time sales and business insights that you can access anytime, anywhere – no need for remote access to your store. Customise your dashboard to focus on the key metrics that matter most to your business and generate weekly and monthly performance reports to keep your operations on track.
The Visual Deck with our POS software sends an email weekly and monthly outlining business performance across a range of key performance indicators for the business. The visual representation of performance makes understand the health of the business easy and the decision opportunities even easier.
We have dramatically cut the time needed by retailers to access data, understand it and make decisions based on it. The emails weekly and monthly is another way our Tower Systems POS software is helping small business retailers run more enjoyable and valuable local retail businesses.
This cloud-based platform is accessible from anywhere. It provides live access to retail business performance KPIs, helping small business retailers better understand what is happening in their businesses.
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?
Instant Insights, Anywhere You Go
- Real-Time Updates – Sales data is refreshed within minutes, keeping you up to date with the latest trends.
- Cloud-Based Access – Monitor your store’s performance from any device, no matter where you are.
- Customisable Dashboard – Track what’s important to you with personalised tiles displaying key business insights.
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.
The value proposition of Tower Systems POS software if you’re considering going with Square POS
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Here at Tower Systems we dedicated to providing independent small business retailers in specialty channels with POS software that delivers exceptional value and comprehensive functionality.
Value is the key here. To us, value means software back by service that helps local small business retailers run profitable businesses they enjoy. So, value to us is a financial measure as well as an emotional measure. The two go hand-in-hand.
Since our software is sometimes compares to Square POS, we thought it might be helpful to offer a comparison between Tower Systems POS and Square POS, focusing on essential cost considerations and the distinct features that differentiate our solution and since costs play into value.
Understanding the total cost of “Free” POS Systems
While Square POS is often presented as a “free” solution, retailers need to consider all associated operational costs. From what we can see, Square’s primary revenue generation is through transaction fees applied via their integrated EFTPOS processing. For businesses with significant transaction volumes, these fees can accumulate substantially. Our observations indicate that these integrated EFTPOS rates can be notably higher than rates a retailer might secure independently. We consider these processing fees a direct business expense, irrespective of whether the merchant or the customer ultimately bears them.
Demonstrable cost advantages with Tower Systems
Our analysis suggests that the majority of retailers utilising Tower Systems POS, coupled with a competitively sourced EFTPOS rate—which we’ve seen as low as half the cost of Square’s integrated rate—can realize annual savings ranging from $3,000 to $5,000 compared to using Square POS. This financial benefit arises from a combination of potentially lower transaction processing fees and the inclusion of valuable features within our standard software package.
- Integrated loyalty program: Tower Systems POS includes a fully integrated loyalty program at no additional charge, a feature that Square POS offers only through a monthly subscription. The Tower loyalty solution has been proven to drive incremental sales.
- Dedicated local support: We provide round-the-clock support, ensuring our customers have access to assistance whenever required. Based on available information, Square’s support hours may be more restricted, and direct human interaction can be less readily accessible.
- Seamless integrations: Tower Systems offers smooth integration with widely used accounting software such as Xero and popular e-commerce platforms like Shopify, streamlining business operations and saving valuable time.
- Customer-driven enhancements: Our software evolves continuously based on feedback and feature requests prioritized by our user community.
- Personalised engagement: At Tower Systems, we are committed to offering personalised service. Our experienced team is available to discuss your unique business needs and provide a tailored software demonstration. We aim to assist you in identifying the optimal POS solution for your business, and if that is us, we are dedicated to providing comprehensive support. We are proud to actively support the local small business retail sector.
For us, it all comes down to value. At Tower Systems you matter. We only serve local small retail businesses. Every customer is treated the same. We answer the phone. We personally respond to emails. We’re a small company, you know the service is personal.
Helping small business retailers demonstrate relevance in a cost of living crisis
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Tower Systems is grateful to help many local small business retailers demonstrate relevance in what so many news outlets call a cost of living crisis.
Families finding cash tight appreciate unexpected cash they can spend. Cash means more than loyalty points. We all understand the value of a dollar. Plenty of us can’t explain the value of a loyalty point since businesses set their own value for these – that’s why businesses love points over cash.
Hundreds of local small business retailers choose the loyalty option in their Tower Systems POS software that offers cash for spending in the next visit to the shop. It’s a smart move, easily understand, absolutely appreciated by shoppers.
This facility for include a discount customers can apply to their next purchase is part of the awesome discount voucher facilities in our POS software. It’s been out now in our software for 12 years.
Originally developed for garden centres where shopper visits vary and can be seasonal, we have retailers across many retail channels engaged and benefiting from using the discount vouchers.
Our easy to setup and flexible to run discount voucher loyalty program is a game-changer for businesses using our POS software.
You can be up and running in a couple of minutes.
Typically, around 20% of vouchers are redeemed. Guys are more likely to redeem in that visit while girls tend to return within seven days to spend. You can set your own rules around accrual, and redemption. You can use levers you can pull to guide shopper behaviour.
Customise Your Rewards
- Name it Your Way: Call them discount vouchers, Thank You Gifts, Bonus Bucks, or whatever suits your brand.
- Flexible Rules: Set your own rules for voucher value, redemption, and expiration.
- Tailored to Your Needs: Our support team is ready to help you set up and customise your program in minutes.
Proven Sales Success
- Increased Sales: Our customers have seen impressive sales growth up to 12% – by actively using discount vouchers.
- Customer Satisfaction: Shoppers love the simplicity and transparency of a direct reward, often preferring it to points-based systems.
- Competitive Edge: Gain a significant advantage over competitors by offering a unique and rewarding shopping experience. Big businesses have nothing like this.
Drive Customer Loyalty and Sales
- Encourage Repeat Business: Reward loyal customers and bring them back sooner.
- Attract New Customers: Attract new shoppers with enticing offers and promotions.
- Boost Impulse Purchases: Incentivise additional purchases at the checkout counter.
We love hearing stories of success with retailers in this space.
What we do:
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Demonstration: software for firearms dealers and gunsmith businesses
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Software for coin dealers helps them in-store and online
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Tower Systems makes point-of-sale (POS) software for a range of specialty retail channels, including coin dealers. This software is terrific for shops as well as online businesses and businesses that do both.
Our Aussie made and supported POS software has features that perfectly suit the needs of coin dealers:
- Serial number tracking: Keep meticulous records of every coin that comes with a serial number.
- Enhanced security levels: Protect your valuable inventory and customer data.
- Age verification: Ensure compliance with age restrictions for certain coin purchases.
- Online store integration: Seamlessly connect your physical and online sales channels.
- Detailed product descriptions: Capture rich information about each coin, including historical and numismatic details.
- Free access to international barcode lookup: Easily find and manage barcodes for your inventory.
The Tower Systems coin dealer POS software also allows you to:
- Use extended product descriptions: Record comprehensive details about each coin, including its history, condition, and any unique features.
- Track sales by mint: Analyse the performance of different mints and identify sales trends.
- Track sales by licence: with plenty of mints producing products under licence this horizontal tracking can be useful.
A significant benefit of Tower Systems POS software for coin dealers is the streamlined handling of secondhand goods:
- Track secondhand goods: Monitor the journey of each secondhand coin from the moment it enters your store.
- Manage consignment items: Easily track coins held on consignment for other collectors.
Selling at local coin markets and other coin related events markets is a breeze with our Retailer Roam option:
- Sell from anywhere: Process sales effortlessly at markets and other off-site locations.
Check out www.mintconshop.com.au to see a Shopify site we created that is connected to our Tower POS software. We help make managing online sales easy. The POIS software manages all inventory, feeding data like product descriptions and product i8mages to the website.
See how our coin dealer POS software may benefit your business. Tell us what matters to you. If we think we can serve your needs we will say so. If we can’t do anything you explain to us, k we will say so. There’s no obligation and no pressure – we understand that every coin dealership is unique.
Here are some of the ways our POS software can help you leverage the unique aspects of your coin dealership:
- Rare visit loyalty: Nurture relationships with collectors who may visit infrequently by offering targeted loyalty programs.
- Pre-orders: Easily manage pre-orders for coins that are not yet in stock, securing sales and fulfilling customer requests.
- Professional valuations: Generate professional-looking valuation certificates for your customers.
- Second-hand goods management: Track and manage secondhand goods with ease, ensuring accurate records and efficient inventory control.
- Connecting buyers and sellers: Leverage your database to connect collectors with specific interests.
- Group marketing and support: Easily target specific groups and clubs with tailored offers and pricing.
- Product care information: Share valuable product care knowledge with your customers to enhance their collecting experience.
- Serial number tracking: Maintain accurate records of coins with serial numbers.
- Anniversary marketing: Celebrate collector anniversaries with personalised offers and promotions to foster long-term relationships.
Our Australian-made and supported coin dealer shop POS software offers much more.
Schedule a free, no-obligation demonstration today and discover how it can help you streamline your operations and grow your business. Call 1300 662 957 or email sales@towersystems.com.au.
Low-cost fast-track Shopify web development opportunity for local small business retailers
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If you want a website for your business, and fast, this is for you:
LIMITED TIME OFFER: Low-cost fast-track Shopify web development offer.
Fixed price $3,990.00 (inc. GST)
If you know what you want to sell online; have a logo; have straight forward requirements; offer reasonably easy to ship products; want to go live within a month. This proposal is for you.
In the pre-start assessment, we will assess whether you meet the above requirements. If you do not, we reserve the right to not proceed.
The goal of this project is to deliver you a website you can use to start selling online, to gain experience and that you can maintain with minimal technical knowledge. This is a fast-track option, to help you get online quickly.
The terms and conditions at www.towersystems.com.au apply.
Here’s what’s included in the $3,990.00 fixed price:
- Qualification meeting (up to 30 mins): Bring to this over the phone meeting: your logo, about us text, contact text, home page text/images, details (including images) of the products you want to launch with.
- 1hr consultation & planning including theme selection.
- 1hr support training & Tower Systems Retailer POS software setup to train you on setup of products with product descriptions and images in Retailer for linking to the website.
- 10 hours of Shopify store setup by our specialist web developer: Setup pages using the content you supply: Home – you provide images and text. About Us – you provide the text. Contact – you provide the details. One standard product page layout. Blog – you to write about the products you sell, to drive traffic.
- Setup structure using your available product feed: Up to 25 menu links.
- On completion – up to 2hr Shopify handover training
Costs not included in the quote.
- Domain & Email – you’ll need to set these up. It’s straightforward. Register with Crazy Domains or similar.
- Theme purchase – if you prefer to not use a free theme.
- Shopify plan & transaction fees.
- Website plugins you require.
Limits to the proposal.
Our goal is to have your website live in 2 weeks. This depends on how ready you are. We will hold the project for no more than 2 months total. If either additional time is required, or if unresponsive, the site is handed over, as is.
Important note.
A website is a hungry beast. It requires work almost daily to drive traffic and win sales. It will only be as successful as the attention you provide it. This proposal offers you a website that is a good starting point.
Interested?
Please email: sales@towersystems.com.au. They will want to see that you have a logo; have straight forward requirements; offer reasonably easy to ship products; want to go live within a month.
ACCC to crack down on surcharges in retail
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Local small business retailers need to ensure that they are surcharging correctly as the ACCC has said it will act.
After years of inaction on card surcharging, the ACCC a week ago warned small business it is cracking down with potentially considerable fines.
The move comes ahead of the Reserve Bank of Australia’s preliminary findings on the Review of Merchant Card Payment Costs and Surcharging expected by mid-year, and after both the RBA Governor Michele Bullock and ACCC Chair suggested there may be no legal grounds to stop the high blended rates charged to small businesses.
Here’s an issue some small business retailers may find. Some have their software platform funded through their payments costs and they pass all of these on to their customers. This means their customers are being surcharged for payment costs and POS software access costs. This is likely viewed y the ACCC as outside was is acceptable.
The other aspect that may concern some is the disparity in payments costs and, therefore, surcharges. Consider two retailers in the same type of business, in the same town. One chooses a payments platform that costs them .7% and the other chooses a payments platform that costs them 1.5%. The second business has a surcharge double of the first. This business could get the lower costs payments but is too lazy to negotiate access to it. That results in their customers paying a higher surcharge than they otherwise might.
The ACCC said it is monitoring business compliance, and may take appropriate compliance or enforcement action. Our point in writing abut this today is to draw it to the attention of local small business retailers.
The maximum pecuniary penalty for breaches of the prohibition against excessive payment surcharges is: $2,135,430 (6,471 penalty units) for corporations; $427,350 (1,295 penalty units) for individuals
Where the ACCC has reasonable grounds to believe that a business has charged a payment surcharge which is excessive, it can issue an infringement notice: $19,800 (60 penalty units) for corporations; $198,000 (600 penalty units) for listed corporations; $3,960 (12 penalty units) for individuals.
While Tower Systems is payments gateway agnostic, we do offer our customers access to a low cost gateway. This saves them a ton of money.
AI tools in small business retail software a game-changer
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Forget the POS software of yesteryear focussed on cash register replacement and reporting. That is so old, useful, but old. The world has changed.
While some still rely on those unique to local small business retail functions, plenty of retailers are leveraging artificial Intelligence tools embedded in our Tower Systems POS software to make faster decisions, better decisions, more profitable decisions.
Tower Systems released the first AI integration in its POS software in 2022 and has updated it every few months since. The latest AI enhancements, released two months ago, are the biggest yet. Retailers tell us they are a game changer.
AI innovations are engineered to drive operational efficiency and enhance sales revenue for local small business retailers, to improve their competitive position. Here are some of the AI tools retailers are loving today:
- Optimised product listings: AI-generated, SEO-friendly product descriptions, enhancing online visibility and driving consumer demand.
- Strategic content marketing: Streamlined creation of engaging blog content, amplifying product awareness and customer engagement.
- Data-informed pricing decisions: AI-powered price comparison tools, enabling retailers to maintain competitive pricing strategies.
- Efficient inventory management: AI-driven stock forecasting, minimising stockouts and maximising sales potential.
- Operational streamlining: Reduction of administrative overhead, allowing retailers to focus on sales and customer service.
Retail is changing rapidly and big retailers plus online retailers are leveraging AI daily to compete in a mare targeted way. The exclusive AI tools released by Tower Systems help retailers meet that competition.
Strategic advantages include:
- Increased product discoverability: Enhanced online product visibility through SEO-optimised content.
- Improved retailer operational efficiency: Streamlined inventory management and reduced admin costs,.
- Data-driven sales strategies: AI-enabled price comparison and sales analysis, facilitating informed decision-making and sales growth.
- Reduced stock depletion: Accurate inventory forecasting, ensuring consistent product availability and maximising sales opportunities.
- Strengthened retailer partnerships: Provision of advanced technological solutions, fostering long-term collaborative relationships.
By equipping local small business retailers with these sophisticated tools, Tower Systems is committed to nurturing local retail success.
We have been to the National Retail Federation conference in New York, the UK Spring Fair in Birmingham and Shoptalk in Las Vegas this year and have seen first-hand what many other POS companies are offering and are confident in what Tower offers Aussie small business retailers.
Retail is changing rapidly because of AI and Tower Systems is equipping retailers to benefit from this.
We are grateful for all the mums in local small business retail
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As you’re out shopping for Mother’s Day, it’s likely you’ll encounter a mum working in or running a shop, juggling work, the business, family, home and more. Plenty of mums we see in local retail are mentors to others in their business. Plenty are champions in their local community. See them. Celebrate them. Appreciate them. #Local #SmallBusiness #retail #grateful
A real-time view of inventory available for in-store and online for small business retail
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While big retailers in 2025 wrestle with a whole of business real-time view of available inventory, Tower Systems small business retail customers rely on what we have now offered for 10+ years.
Fashion shop POS software: designed for your success
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Streamlining repairs management for jewellers, bike shops and others doing repairs
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Managing repairs can be challenging for businesses offering specialised services. Jewellers, bicycle shops, farm supply businesses, pool service providers, and irrigation specialists are some we have worked with in offering repairs management tools.
Our specialised retail POS software incorporates comprehensive repairs management tools meticulously designed to streamline these intricate processes, irrespective of whether repairs are conducted within the business or outsourced to external providers.
Initially developed to address the specific requirements of jewellers and bicycle shop operators, these features have since been embraced by a diverse spectrum of our retail customers.
Our repairs management software boasts a range of key functionalities tailored to the unique needs of various specialised industries:
- Jewellery: Facilitates the efficient management of both jewellery and watch workshop repairs, alongside the precise tracking of time-sensitive manufacturing projects.
- Bicycle shops: Offers comprehensive management of bicycle and tricycle repairs, coupled with a streamlined process for handling warranty returns.
- Garden centres: Enables the effective organisation and management of landscaping service workflows, ensuring smooth project execution.
- Firearms stores: For managing gunsmithing and equipment repairs, as well as an efficient system for processing warranty returns.
- Pet Shops: Facilitates management of specialised installations, such as intricate aquarium setups, ensuring accurate scheduling and completion.
- Irrigation businesses: tracking product repair and care.
Beyond these industry-specific applications, the repairs management tools within our POS software extend beyond basic tracking to offer comprehensive operational management capabilities, providing versatile tools for job management, workshop control, and enhanced overall operational efficiency.
From the initial receipt of a repair job, the system provides meticulous tracking of its progress and facilitates consistent and timely communication with the customer throughout the process. This ensures transparency and builds trust. Furthermore, the software enables precise tracking of both labour and resource utilisation, leading to accurate billing and efficient inventory control.
For businesses that utilise external providers, our system offers efficient management of repairs outsourced to contractors or suppliers, including the seamless handling of warranty claims. To optimise internal operations, the software also provides real-time tracking of repair staff actions, contributing to efficient service delivery and resource allocation.
Integrated customer communication is a cornerstone of our repairs management system. Automated customer notifications via SMS or their preferred communication method are triggered upon repair completion, ensuring prompt updates and enhancing the customer experience. The system also facilitates seamless payment processing through a variety of methods, including cash, EFTPOS, and various digital payment platforms, offering convenience for both the business and the customer.
By streamlining the entire repairs process, Tower Systems’ software significantly improves communication, enhances operational certainty, and ultimately empowers businesses to deliver a professional, efficient, and personalised service that fosters customer loyalty and satisfaction.
Our commitment to continuous improvement is reflected in the collaboration with our customer community, including firearms stores, bicycle shops, and other specialised retailers. Customer feedback is key to our development process, ensuring that our software remains a relevant and powerful tool for the specialised retail marketplaces we serve.
POS software embedded dispatch management tools tailored for Australian small business specialty retailers
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Successful dispatch management is important for local specialty retailers. Getting the right products delivered on time at the best price and with all paperwork in order is challenging. Garden centres, produce businesses, feedstock businesses, landscaping businesses – all of these and similar businesses with dispatch needs understand the challenges.
We are grateful to the many local small business retailers with dispatch needs who have helped us evolve the dispatch management tools in our POS software.
The dispatch management tools in our POS software empower retailers to manage the dispatch of sold products within their business efficiently and effectively, all in one place.
Retailers can easily manage the scheduling of their in-house vehicle assets, ensuring optimal utilisation and resource allocation. The system allows for the straightforward allocation of specific dispatch jobs to designated vehicles, providing clear accountability and organisation. Furthermore, the software enables real-time tracking of dispatch completion, offering valuable insights into delivery progress and potential delays.
Beyond vehicle management, our tools facilitate comprehensive management of dispatch orders at both the individual customer level and other relevant organisational levels. Retailers can gain a clear and consolidated view of dispatch activities by vehicle, allowing for efficient route planning and workload balancing. Additionally, the system provides the ability to view all outstanding orders for a specific customer assigned to a particular vehicle, enhancing customer service and delivery coordination.
To ensure a smoother and more accurate dispatch experience for customers, and to maximise operational efficiencies, our software incorporates robust address validation capabilities. This feature helps to minimise delivery errors and associated costs. Recognising the dynamic nature of local deliveries, the system also offers dispatch route options for use by drivers. Importantly, it empowers drivers with the flexibility to manage their dispatch sequence based on their invaluable local knowledge and other pertinent factors, optimising delivery routes in real-time.
The dispatch management facilities embedded within our Tower Systems POS software are robust, field-tested solutions that have been embraced and lauded by our valued customers. We deeply appreciate the collaborative journey we have undertaken with these retailers, whose invaluable feedback and insightful suggestions have directly shaped the evolution of this software, ensuring it truly meets their on-the-ground needs.
It is not commonplace for POS software to delve so deeply into such a specific area of operational need. However, for businesses such as garden centres, farm supply stores, produce retailers, landscape businesses, and others with in-house delivery operations, these integrated dispatch management facilities offer a workflow management solution and time-saving efficiencies that are genuinely appreciated and impactful.
Developed entirely from the ground up by our dedicated in-house POS software development team, these dispatch facilities represent true innovation for specialty retailers with mid-sized dispatch operations. We are, understandably, very proud of what we have achieved in this domain for our local small business retail partners. This is comprehensive software tailored to address the very specific and niche requirements within selected specialty retail channels. This focused approach embodies the very essence of Tower Systems’ mission – to serve the unique needs of these specialised marketplaces.
At Tower Systems, we take pride in creating and supporting the software we offer. We are committed to providing our retailers with an ever-evolving POS solution that meets their current needs and anticipates future demands in the specialty retail marketplaces we serve. Our integrated dispatch management tools are a testament to this commitment, providing a powerful and tailored solution for Australian specialty retailers.
A self-checkout POS software solution made for local small business retailers
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Tower Systems offers innovative self-checkout point-of-sale (POS) software designed to cater specifically to the needs of local small business retailers. This POS software solution empowers these businesses to provide a convenient self-checkout option for their shoppers in various scenarios where it can significantly benefit their operations and customer experience.
There are numerous situations where implementing self-checkout can be advantageous: during peak trading hours, offering a self-service lane can dramatically improve customer throughput, reducing queues and enhancing overall efficiency. Similarly, for businesses operating in larger premises or those wishing to provide service in areas away from the main sales counter, a self-checkout terminal offers a practical and flexible solution for customers purchasing single items or those seeking a quicker transaction.
The Tower Systems self-checkout POS software provides customers with an easy to use experience. They can effortlessly scan their items, proceed to payment, and receive a digital or printed receipt. The system also offers the flexibility for customers to scan their items, save the sale temporarily, and then finalise their purchase at the main counter if they prefer, providing a hybrid approach to the checkout process.
Importantly, the self-checkout POS terminal seamlessly integrates with existing retail operations. All established special prices and catalogue pricing are automatically honoured at the self-service terminal, ensuring price consistency across all sales channels. Furthermore, the self-checkout system offers the same loyalty program facilities that customers can access at the traditional sales counter, allowing them to accrue and redeem rewards regardless of their chosen checkout method.
This powerful software solution is available for a modest per-site monthly rental fee, offering exceptional value and flexibility. Retailers can scale their self-checkout capabilities as needed, as the rental fee remains consistent regardless of the number of self-checkout terminals they operate within a single location.
To facilitate seamless transactions, the software requires integrated EFTPOS capabilities. You can use Tyro or any of the major banks (through Linkyl cloud), ensuring compatibility with the major banking networks and providing retailers with reliable and secure payment processing options.
Getting started with the Tower Systems self-checkout POS software is easy. Upon initial setup, retailers are guided through an intuitive configuration process that includes the ability to load their own start-up and sale close images, allowing for brand personalisation and a consistent customer experience. Retailers retain complete control over these customisation options.
Please note that the self-checkout computer and stand options are available for separate purchase directly from Tower Systems, ensuring retailers have access to fully compatible and reliable hardware solutions to complement their software investment. This comprehensive offering allows local small business retailers to embrace the benefits of self-checkout and enhance their service delivery.
Here are our answers to frequently asked questions:
Is there a camera? What we have created is self-checkout POS software. It’s not integrated with a camera. We have left the choice of a camera up to each retailer to consider.
Could I run this in a pop-up shop? Yes, you could. All that is needed that the self-checkout is network connected to the main software.
Could I run self-checkout and nothing else? No, you need the base Tower software to manage the back end.
Is there anything that I might want as a retailer that the self-checkout software does not do? It does not do customer quotes or invoicing to a customer.
What if I want to use it for a couple of months of the year only? Easy. Rent it for those months and then suspend the rental costs until it is needed again.
Can I test it to see if it suits? Rental is so cheap it’s costs little to try.
Can I run this on a regular computer? Yes.
The POS screen appears to be in portrait more. Is that all you offer? No, you can run it in landscape as well.
Can I suspend a sale and finish it at my traditional sales counter? Yes, a staff member can suspend the sale so it can be completed at the counter.
We are helping the local Aussie newsagent transform their business
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The local Aussie newsagent is alive and well in towns and cities across Australia. Tower Systems is grateful to serve more than 1,700 of these businesses with newsagent management software.
A newsagent today is not what we may think of when we hear the term newsagent. No, a newsagent today can be a clothing shop, a jeweller, a bike shop, a garden centre, and more. These businesses have evolved, and they continue to evolve to be more relevant than ever, serving their local community in ways not imagines a few years ago.
The local Aussie newsagent is a fighter, in service of their local community, and Tower Systems is proud to serve these businesses.
The purpose of every newsagency / newsagent business is different. The notion of us all being the same and having the same focus is old-school. Years ago, when newsagents were primarily agents, being a hub in the community made sense. Following deregulation and the dilution of the value of being an agent, the commercial value of being a community hub, too, diluted.
What is the future of the local Aussie newsagency? It’s bright for those who look beyond tradition and embrace change.
Tower Systems is helping newsagents transform by providing access to smart newsagency software that has embedded AI tools to help these retailers act with confidence, to see beyond what they see themselves.
Newsagents have moved beyond the traditional: For more than five years, print media products have not been valuable traffic generators for newsagents. While for sure that are people buying the daily paper or their weekly magazines, those shoppers are not the valuable shoppers that make money for newsagents. Indeed, thanks to basket analysis in our Tower Systems software and tracking loyalty offer engagement, magazines especially are the impulse purchase if a shopper has bonus loyalty dollars to spend.
Why plenty of newsagents are thriving.
Many newsagents have transitioned their businesses to sell high end gifts, sought after collectibles and other products people will drive and hour or two to source. We have newsagents doing well with books and others doing well with coffee. Many newsagents have websites that reach people way beyond their local area. Some, too, with websites that have nothing to do with their newsagency businesses.
Streamlining secondhand goods management for Australian small business retailers
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Tower Systems offers comprehensive secondhand goods management facilities as an integral feature within our specialised retail point-of-sale (POS) software.
Initially designed to meet the specific needs of jewellers, the application of these features has broadened considerably, supporting a diverse range of retail channels, including businesses exclusively dealing in secondhand items.
As the secondhand retail landscape has evolved, so too has Tower Systems’ understanding and ability to cater to the nuanced requirements of retailers in this sector.
The secondhand goods management facilities in our POS software simplify and enhance the business processes needed for success with secondhand goods. Through the integration of advanced technology and streamlined procedures, we empower retailers to navigate the complexities of the secondhand market with confidence and efficiency.
From the initial purchase or consignment of an item through to its final sale and shop floor management, our software provides precise tracking of each used product, guaranteeing robust data integrity. These facilities are instrumental in assisting retailers to meet their regulatory obligations concerning the tracking of secondhand goods, a particularly significant aspect of today’s business climate. By automating and centralising record-keeping, our specialist POS software saves valuable time for business owners, eliminating the need for cumbersome and potentially error-prone manual processes. This meticulous data integrity proves invaluable, especially in the event of potential disputes or audits.
We understand the critical importance of adhering to regulatory requirements within the secondhand goods sector. To this end, we have taken considerable care to ensure that our secondhand goods facilities meet requirements mandated by authorities such as NSW Police, widely recognised for their advanced standards and provision of integral guidance in this area. Our software is designed to facilitate seamless compliance, providing retailers with peace of mind and reducing the administrative burden associated with regulatory adherence.
Our secondhand goods management features extend beyond basic tracking and reporting. They incorporate tools to assist with valuation, condition assessment, and the management of repairs or refurbishments, catering to the diverse nature of pre-owned merchandise. The system also supports flexible pricing strategies, allowing retailers to implement discounts, markdowns, and special offers as needed to optimise sales and inventory turnover.
By leveraging the secondhand goods management facilities in our POS software, retailers can enhance operational efficiency, improve data accuracy, ensure regulatory compliance, and ultimately drive business growth within this dynamic and increasingly important sector of the retail market. Our commitment to ongoing development and customer collaboration ensures that our software will continue to evolve and adapt to the changing needs of secondhand goods retailers across Australia.
Artificial Intelligence embedded in POS software helps local small business retailers move smarter, faster
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Here at Tower Systems we are seeing Artificial intelligence embedded in POS software help local small business retailers move smarter, faster.
We released our first POS software embedded AI tools in mmid 2022 with our most significant Artificial Intelligence advances released earlier in 2025.
I am shocked at what I can get done in a day now, one retailer told us. This is a game-changer for my shop, another said. I am discovering opportunities I’d have missed previously, another said. I love it, a retailer in their mid seventies said.
The Artificial Intelligence tools now embedded in ur Tower Systems POS software are practical and success outcome focussed for our local small business retail customers. Using them is like choosing the pen you wish to write with, they are everyday tools designed to save time and to get you to the best possible decision for your business.
Leveraging the very latest LLMs from OpenAI and Google, the AI tools in our POS software provide our retailers with options hitherto unavailable.
Our AI POS software empowers retailers to optimise their online presence by generating compelling product names and Search Engine Optimisation (SEO) ready descriptions. They simplify administrative tasks by effortlessly converting PDF supplier invoices into import-ready electronic formats. Retailers can also leverage AI for price comparison, identifying opportunities to improve profitability and stay competitive.
One customer told us recently that they now do in five minutes work that previously took them three hours. This is work they had to do twice a month, delivering a saving a at least six man-hours a money. This is senior staff work that costs $38.00 an hour. The business is saving $228.00 a month or $2,736.00 a year from this one Artificial Intelligence facility alone. That’s real money in the bank for the retailer.
The core advantages of our AI tools are time savings, improved decision quality, and faster decision-making. We are committed to ongoing research and development, with exciting enhancements on the horizon.
We love hearing stories from our customers on how they are benefitting from the AI tools embedded in our POS software and we are excited for the stories that will come as we deliver more in this space.
Helping local small business retailers efficiently run profitable businesses is our goal here.
Sell how it suits you
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Small business retail advice: how to reduce the cost of customer theft in your shop
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Theft by customers hurst retail businesses financially and emotionally. Often, it is this second cost point that can har the business more as it can negatively impact on the mindset of business leadership.
Having a plan to mitigate against customer theft is key to reducing the cost on the business. This starts with knowing what is being stolen.
the cost of theft can be seen in your business profit and Loss as well a discrepancies revealed from stock take work. First, understand the problem. next, develop a plan.
- Ensure all staff know about the problem.
- Spot stock take weekly. Record the number stolen somewhere for staff to see. This sets a target for all.
- Place a portable work table near the often stolen products and move most there such as product pricing, invoice checking or other tasks that could be easily done on the shop floor.
- Ensure you have camera coverage of the location.
- Place the stock so there are no blind spots that make theft easy.
- Try other locations and see if theft declines.
- Watch the location or stand from outside your business to see how shoppers interact with it.
- Act based on your business data.
- Involve the police if you get any actionable evidence.
The alternative is you complain about the problem and do nothing and that is not good management. Theft is something to be managed.
Consistent and unaddressed theft can erode the very foundation of a retail business. It can foster an environment of distrust and suspicion among staff, potentially leading to decreased morale and a less positive customer service experience. Implementing a proactive and data-driven strategy, as outlined, not only serves to minimize losses but also cultivates a more secure and confident atmosphere for both employees and honest patrons. This commitment to managing theft demonstrates responsible leadership and contributes to the long-term sustainability and reputation of the business within the community.
We helped a retailer discover regular theft in their shop and develop a plan for reducing this. The benefit in the first year was $20,000 returned to the business bottom line. In their case, people were stealing because they thought no one was noticing. No one was noticing until we said, hey look at this in your business data.
Our POS software can help local small business retailers reduce customer theft.
Small business retail advice: how to cut employee theft in your shop
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Theft in retail businesses presents a persistent challenge, often remaining undetected until long after the event has occurred. This lag in discovery frequently stems from an underestimation of the problem’s prevalence, particularly when considering the possibility of employee theft.
Tower Systems helps local small business retailers detect and deal with employee theft.
Our POS software meticulously tracks alterations to transactions, including deleted items, cancelled sales and more. This valuable data is typically stored within a secure, less obvious section of the software, separate from standard reporting functions.
In roughly one out of every ten instances where we have accessed concealed transactional data for a retailer utilising our POS software, we have uncovered indicators of potentially dishonest activity. By carefully analysing this data in conjunction with supporting evidence such as closed-circuit television (CCTV) footage and employee rosters, patterns of suspicious behaviour and individuals of interest often emerge, sometimes with clear visual confirmation of misappropriated funds.
While we will not divulge the specific keystroke patterns that can signal fraudulent activity – information that has been rigorously tested and accepted in court proceedings where we have people who have served as expert witnesses for the prosecution – we urge retailers to actively engage with the theft detection and mitigation capabilities embedded within their POS systems. Take the time to understand these features and integrate them into your operational practices. Importantly, maintain discretion regarding your monitoring activities.
A common, yet potentially counterproductive, approach some retailers adopt is to implement stringent system lockdowns, aiming to minimise opportunities for theft. While the intention is understandable, individuals determined to steal will often find ways to circumvent these restrictions. Furthermore, excessively restrictive measures can inadvertently complicate the very detection processes you need in place.
Instead of creating an overly fortified environment, we advise against excessive POS software restrictions. Granting employees reasonable access while diligently monitoring their activity – guided by your POS software provider’s recommendations on leveraging the system’s data – offers a more effective strategy for identifying potential issues.
The financial consequences of undetected employee theft can be substantial. In our experience, the cost of individual theft cases has ranged from $5,000 to a staggering $245,000. In each of these instances, the proactive utilisation of the hidden data tools we have described could have facilitated earlier detection, thereby significantly mitigating the financial and emotional toll on the business and those associated with it.
Thank you for taking the time to read this. It is often the case that the topic of theft only gains traction when its impact is felt personally. However, by proactively engaging with the tools at your disposal, you can take meaningful steps to protect your business and your livelihood.
Small business retail advice: the best place to manage your inventory data and retail business settings
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The needs of a physical shop are different to the needs of an online business and the best place to manage the settings for your physical shop are in software designed to manage your physical shop.
Smart POS software links seamlessly with any of the awesome website solutions out there. The POS software manages the shop, its inventory and its physical shop management settings and it leaves the specialist web software to manage online sales – feeding data both ways thanks to integration.
To try and run your physical shop with software designed for running a website could, we think, result in a cumbersome solution that costs time and results in other impediments to the business.
Trying to force a website-centric system to handle the intricacies of a brick-and-mortar store is like trying to fit a square peg in a round hole. You’d likely end up with a clunky, inefficient setup that adds unnecessary complexity to your daily operations. Think of it this way: a chef needs specialized kitchen tools, not just a Swiss Army knife, to create culinary masterpieces. Similarly, a physical retailer needs purpose-built POS software to truly thrive.
We have been serving brick and mortar shops for decades with software that has evolved to serve the changing nature of physical retail. We’ve also served physical shops with online stores too. The needs of the two types of retail can have similarities. In our experience, the settings are different as is the workflow and other aspects of business operation.
Choosing software made for your needs, your specific tarp of customer interface: physical, online or a mix of both will deliver a more efficient and valuable outcome for your business. We serve physical and online and this is another thing that makes Tower Systems a useful partner.
By selecting software tailored to your specific customer interface – whether it’s the tangible experience of a physical store, the digital realm of online sales, or a seamless blend of both – you’re setting your business up for greater efficiency and ultimately, more value. It’s about having the right tools for the right job, allowing you to focus on what you do best: serving your customers.
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