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The POS Software Blog

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

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The best advice for local small business retailers today

November 7, 2022
2 Min read
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There is a ton of advice out there for retailers, especially local small business retailers. A lot of it, like this post, is unsolicited, not sought out. Some of it is paid for.

This advice we share today is practical, everyday, suitable for any time of retail business but especially focussed on and curated for local indie small business retail – the businesses that are usually family owned and run, the businesses competing with big businesses in the trenches daily.

Let’s get to it. Here is our practical advice that we know works in any situation.

  • Make every day your pay day. The value of your business today is what you make today, not what you dream of selling it for in the future. Make every decision on that basis.
  • Chase new traffic, new customers, new business, fresh eyes every day. The more reasons for which you attract shoppers, the more sustainable your business.
  • Convenience is not a future for indie retailers. Convenience retail in Australia is owned by big businesses with deep pockets, which which you cannot compete.
  • Location does not matter as much as it used to – if you have a good online strategy.
  • Don’t be your barrier to success. Too often I see local small business retailers decide against something for their business that will work.
  • Size doesn’t matter. Some of the most successful newsagency businesses in Australia today are small. Size is irrelevant.
  • Location dosen’t matter. Some of the most successful newsagencies in Australia are regional and rural.
  • The shingle doesn’t matter. The newsagency shingle is irrelevant to what you can achieve.
  • Only you can save you. No supplier, no association can save your business, only you can.
  • Choose to be a retailer, not an agent. the two are quite different. One makes you the driver of your success while the other tethers you to the success of others. Agents take a clip or a percentage from a transaction while retailers make their own success. Agents could be parcel pick-up places, lottery shops, businesses providing a service on behalf of other businesses.

These are headline tips designed to get you thinking about your business. They are designed to be challenging and disruptive. They come from our retail experience and the retail experience of plenty of our POS software customers.

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Best practice security advice for small business retailers from Tower Systems

November 5, 2022
4 Min read
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What happened to Optus, Medibank and Harcourt in recent weeks could happen to any business. Cyber attacks are on the rise, because data has a value. Understanding the value of data is the key to investment in its security.

Our Tower Systems POS software company prepared and published advice to its 3,000+ customer community. I share this advice here as it could be useful to any retailer or business owner.

There are things you can do in your business to better protect it from attack. We put together this advice for our POS software customers and share it here with you. Here is our advice:

Security is important for any business and it is important that you protect your business as best you can while still allowing the business to operate efficiently. This is not just for the security of you business and customer data but to provide protection against malicious attacks such as ransomware. 

Below we will list the things you can do to ensure your computers are as secure as possible.  However, some of these restrictions may not be for suitable for all businesses. You will need to decide what is your best approach while being aware of the risks associated.

Windows Usernames and Passwords

The easiest form of security you can enable is having each computer require a username and password to access it.  The passwords should be changed every couple of months.  A drawback of having usernames and passwords is that you need to ensure that all staff are aware of the passwords so that access is not hampered.

Windows Active Directory via AzureAD or Similar

An option for an additional layer of security (over and above standard windows usernames and passwords) is to implement a domain network where staff logging in are authenticated by a Windows Active Directory service.  This option has a not-insignificant cost associated with it. It also means that you will need to allocate staff individual accounts and they would need to use these to access your system.  Implementation of this may also have setup ramifications for your POS software. 

Remote Desktop

If you are not using Windows Remote Desktop (RDP) this it is highly recommended that you disable this service in Windows.  If you are using this service then ensure you have a very strong password that is updated regularly. The preferred option for RDP is to use this via a VPN however if this is not possible access should be limited to specific IP addresses.   Additionally, when this is used in conjunction with an active directory service, like the one mentioned above, this adds an additional layer of security.

Backups

Our recommendation is to use a cloud backup service that incrementally backs up your entire PC.  Consider adding a cloud backup service to any computer that stores any valuable data, not just your server.  It is imperative that the service you use has both a local and a cloud copy for easy disaster recovery.

Browser Passwords

While saved browser passwords are very helpful, it does open a risk should your PC be compromised.  Our suggestion is to not save passwords, especially for accessing any service that stores sensitive data, like bank login etc.  Consider using a password manager such as LastPass or 1password to help you remember passwords.

Emails

Once of the biggest security risks in your business is email.  Only open attachments and click on links in emails that you are sure are from known senders.  Check email addresses as well as the sender’s name. If it sounds suspicious, it probably is.

People Remote Connecting to your Computer/Network

Be careful about who you let take remote control of your computer, ensure they are from who they say they are.  If you are suspicious, terminate the call and call the representative back on a publicly available number.

Don’t use out-of-date Software, Hardware or Operating Systems.

Keep your systems up to date by ensuring you are running versions of software, operating systems and hardware that are still supported by their manufacturers. Make sure that any updates to software, especially Windows security updates, are loaded as soon as possible.  This will ensure that you are not susceptible to any vulnerabilities have been patched by the supplier. 

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More newsagents migrating to newsagency software rental model

November 4, 2022
3 Min read
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The newsagency software rental option launched by Tower Systems in late 2019 is now the preferred newsagency software access approach in the channel. We say this based on new rooftop acquisition compared to the old-school approach.

Under this more modern and financially appropriate model, the capital cost is spread over the years of the use of the software rather than through a bulk up-front cost.

There is no credit check and no long-term lock-in contract. Newsagents who sell their business or close can stop paying and that ends the licence. This is one aspect of what newsagents like.

The other aspect newsagents like is that of being part of a large community of newsagents. With more than 1,700 newsagents using this software it is, based on user numbers, the industry standard. Working together, Tower newsagents have been instrumental in setting standards all newsagents benefit from today.

The latest version of the Tower newsagency software was released late in October 2022. This delivered more enhancements that benefit newsagents and other retailers using the software.

Included in the $185.00 (inc. GST) a month rental fee of the Tower Systems newsagency software is:

  • Software access on as many computers as you run in the business. There is no per transaction cost, no extra terminal cost and no EFTPOS fee levied by Tower Systems.
  • Run in the cloud or on a desktop or tablet computer. You choose what’s right for your circumstances.
  • Unlimited licences – on an many computers as you want.
  • Help desk access, helping you get the most from this software.
  • Software updates as released.
  • XchangeIT access for magazine invoices.
  • Direct link to Shopify for online selling.
  • Direct link to Xero for easy accounting.

Working with community groups.

Using this software, newsagents are able to work with local schools and community groups to offer fund raising opportunities that benefits people in those communities as well as the groups themselves. The approach in the software has been found to be a useful way for newsagents to address the vexed issue of community groups asking for donations.

Mitigating employee and customer theft.

The Tower newsagency software and the team at Tower have been instrumental in newsagents dealing with theft in their business. Early identification of theft is possible with the software thanks to hidden, owner accessible only, tools. These tools have been key in helping police and prosecutors deal with people who have stolen from newsagencies.

In one newsagency, $35,000 worth of theft was uncovered and recovered for the business thanks to the Theft Check service offered by Tower Systems. In another newsagency, long-term systematic theft by a manager helped remote owners confront theft that had cost the business several hundred thousand dollars.

In addition to software tools, Tower Systems offers newsagents theft mitigation advice, including a suggested Theft Policy for a business, which has been found to be key in reducing the opportunity for theft in a business.

Software rental is the future.

These facilities, theft mitigation, newsagency supplier connectivity and more are core to the $185.00 a month newsagency software rental from Tower Systems.

The rental cost is an immediately deductible expense. There is no credit check. It is easy to setup. Many newsagents have embraced it already this year.

You can find out more at www.towersystems.com.au

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Christmas marketing tips for local small business retailers

November 3, 2022
8 Min read
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Yeah, it’s odd for a POS software company to offer Christmas marketing tips to retailers because … we are tech people and not retailers. That may be true for some.

Tower Systems has owned and run retail businesses since 1996.

We are not your usual POS software company. We actively share marketing tips with our customers. Here are some Christmas marketing tips for retailers that we hope some find useful, or at least inspiring to you to develop your own.

Today, we offer low cost and no cost Christmas marketing tips for retailers ideas to help create a different Christmas experience in your business.

  1. Sell cards, wrapping paper and tape. These items work in every kind of shop.
  2. Make it easy. People often talk about how hard Christmas is. Be the local business that makes it easy. The ways to do this are with easy Lay-By, free wrapping, better shop floor help, guide buying advice or tips on perfect gifts no one else will think of. Consider making Christmas easy as being a key part of your messaging.
  3. Host a party. To preview Christmas, say thank you to shoppers and support a local cause. Do it when the shop is closed. Limit numbers. have some drinks and food. Have fun. Celebrate.
  4. Use video. To promote products on social media.
  5. Offer impulse purchase of often forgotten lines. At the counter, with newspapers, next to weekly magazines.
  6. Offer help. For kids and others who ,may find choosing a card or writing a card difficult.
  7. Visit nursing homes. With some gifts and cards for easy shopping.
  8. Be thrilled people are in your shop. Your personal smile or greeting is something they may not see in a big business where employees are less invested in each shopper and where the owner is usually thousands of kilometers away.
  9. Make the giving easy. If people purchase items from you to send somewhere else. Offer a one-stop shop. Save them the trip to the post office.
  10. Make the shop less about Christmas. Consider pulling back on the Christmas visual noise. Go for something simple, muted, respecting the season but making a calm statement. Consider declaring the shop a Christmas carol free zone – not because you hate carols but because you want to help customers take a break.
  11. Help people rest and recharge. Create a Christmas shopping rest and recovery zone. Offer free tea, coffee, water and something to eat. Encourage people to take a break in your shop – without any obligation for them to spend money with you.
  12. Let your customers help each other. Setup a whiteboard or sheets of butcher’s paper, yes keep it simple. Get customers to write gift suggestions under different age/gender groups. For example: Girls 18 – 25, Boys 55+. Encourage your customers to help each other through their suggestions.
  13. Make price comparison difficult. If you sell items people are likely to price compare with other businesses, package them so price comparison is not easy. Put items into a hamper as a perfect Boy 8 to 12 bundle for example. Or offer the item with pre packages services if appropriate for an item.
  14. Less is more.  The stack em high watch em fly mantra can be wrong. Indeed, it is often wrong in retail. Shoppers can be store blind because a shop is too full or a display is too busy. Consider creating simpler less cluttered displays and window promotions. Draw attention to what you want people to see by promoting that one thing. Every time someone asks if you have something that you think through should be able to find easily – take it as a challenge for you to address rather than a commentary on a facility of the customer.
  15. Change. Christmas season in your shop should evolve. Major change weekly is vital for people to see what you have that they could buy.
  16. Be socially engaged. On Facebook, Instagram, twitter and elsewhere, be the calm voice, the person people enjoy reading or seeing photos from. Provide entertainment this Christmas rather than the usual retailer shrill of come and shop here!
  17. Be community minded. Choose a local charity or community group to support through Christmas. Consider: a change collection tin at the counter; a themed Christmas window display; promotion on your social media pages; a donation to their work; a collection point for donations from customers.
  18. Facilitate sharing stories. Find space in your shop for customers to share their Christmas stories. It could be a story wall inside or in front of the shop. This initiative encourages storytelling by locals and better connects the business with the community.
  19. Award a prize at a local school. Fund a year-end prize at a local school. Attend a school assembly to award the prize. Work with the school leadership on a prize appropriate to your business.
  20. VIP preview. Host a VIP shopper preview night when you show off your Christmas ranges ahead of being available to the general shoppers. Respect and reward your local shoppers with deals and the opportunity to preview ahead of others.
  21. Leverage Christmas traffic. Encourage the Christmas shopper traffic surge in after Christmas. Give them a reason to come back. A coupon promotion or a discount voucher on receipts could be the enticement to get shoppers back in-store. Note: the Tower POS software produces discount vouchers to rules you establish.
  22. Become a gallery. Work with a school, kindergarten, community group or retirement village to bring in local art for people to come and see through Christmas. A small space commitment can drive traffic from family and friends of those with art on show.
  23. Dress the shop. Fully embrace Christmas. Create a Christmas experience such that shoppers know they have stepped into somewhere special this Christmas. Go for more than some tinsel and a tree. Fully embrace the opportunity.
  24. Make your shop smell like Christmas.
  25. Send cards. Send Christmas cards early in the season to suppliers, key customers and local community groups. This connects you with Christmas. Invite all team members to sign each card.
  26. Host a Christmas party. For shops nearby. You are all in the season together – let your hear down before things get crazy.
  27. Ensure you have gifts targeted at occasions. For example: Kris Kringle, by price point and by recipient. Make it easy for people to know what they could give.
  28. Stocking stuffers. At your counter always have one or two stocking stuffers for impulse purchase.
  29. Offer gift vouchers – for someone to give when they are not sure what to give.
  30. Be local. Ensure you have a selection of locally sourced products available for purchase. Make it clear in-store that these products are sourced locally.
  31. Tell stories. On your Facebook page, talk about what is important to you at Christmas. Personalise the season and deepen the connection with those who could shop with you.
  32. Offer a free gift. Bulk purchase an item to offer those who spend above a set amount. For example, spend $65 and receive XX where XX may have cost $5.00 but could have a perceived value of $20.00.
  33. Keep it fresh. Every week make significant change to your Christmas displays and promotions to keep your offer fresh.
  34. Share Christmas recipes. Each week for, say, four weeks, give customers a family Christmas recipe. This personalises Christmas in your business, creates a talking point and makes shopping with you different to your bigger competitors.
  35. Free wrapping. Sure, many retailers offer this. Make your offer better, more creative and more appreciated.
  36. This is essential in any business. Manage it through your computer system with strict rules.
  37. Work the floor. Increase time on the shop floor. Be present to manage shopper flow and to facilitate purchases.
  38. Christmas is crazy busy I most retail situations. Give yourself and your team members sufficient time to recharge so the smile greeting shoppers is heartfelt.
  39. Keep a secret. If yours is a business selling gifts a partner may purchase for their loved-one, create some mystery with a closed off display for the shopper to see the products.
  40. Free assembly. If you sell items that require assembly. Offer to do this for free.
  41. Free delivery. Offer free Christmas Eve delivery for items purchased for kids for Christmas.
  42. Sell training. Leverage the specialist knowledge you have in your business by selling as gifts places at classes you run sharing your expertise.
  43. Hold back. Don’t go out with everything you have for Christmas all at once. Plan the season to show off what you have as the season unfolds. This allows you multiple launches.
  44. Share a taste. Regardless if your type of business, bake a family recipe of Christmas cake, Christmas pudding or Christmas biscuits and offer tastings to shoppers on select days. This personalises the experience in your shop.
  45. Offer hampers. Package several items together and offer them as a hamper. Time-poor shoppers could appreciate you doing this work for them. We have seen this work in many different retail situations.
  46. Buy X get Y. Encourage people to spend more with a volume based deal. Pitched right, this could get customers purchasing items for several family members in order to get the price offer you have. Use your technology to manage this.

Christmas is the perfect time to plan for next year. It is the time to do everything possible to leverage bonus Christmas traffic to benefit your business through next year.

Feel free to share these Christmas marketing tips with others.

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Yes, we have a public holiday for a horse race

November 1, 2022
1 Min read
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It’s Melbourne Cup day today, which means everyone working in or with our head office in Victoria is having the day off for the public holiday. But not to fear, our POS software help desk is open, serving our local indie retailer customers.

If you have a punt, we hope you win. Otherwise, have an awesome Tuesday!

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A mental health plan is important in local small business retail

October 28, 2022
3 Min read
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As employers, as retailers and as small business owners, mental health issues are often not far away from any small business retailer. The challenges confronting retail businesses today add to the challenges already there.

Sometimes, we don’t know we are experiencing a mental health challenge while other times it’s obvious and on show for all to see.

How we confront mental health challenges is important for us, our business and those presenting with issues.

While we are not trained professionals in the area, our years of working with small business owners confronted by challenges to their mental health have helped us develop some guiding principles.

  1. Mental health is not easily measured or understood. One’s health is not outwardly obvious.
  2. Judgement cannot be part of how mental health is viewed or dealt with.
  3. Action is essential to improve your situation for doing nothing will achieve nothing.
  4. While taking the first step to confront mental health challenges can be difficult, it is relieving and rewarding.

Your GP is an excellent person to speak with. Explain to them how you feel and how this impacts on your life. Ask them to prepare a Mental Health Treatment Plan. This is a government recognised plan. It can usually be prepared in a single double visit to the GP. This plan is the trigger to you gaining Medicare supported access to a psychologist for an initial number of visits, which can be extended depending on your situation.

Some people can feel a visit to a GP or psychologist is not warranted in their situation. While the medical professionals are the best to determine this, there are other resources you could explore:

Beyond Blue has published Heads Up a useful resource for small businesses on issues relating to mental health in the workplace. This is a good starting point for learning more. In the resource there are links to other resources that can help.

Finding mental health resources for small business owners dealing with mental health issues is not as easy as it is finding resources for managing the workplace for better mental health. It’s tough running any business and sometimes things can feel overwhelming. This is where networking can help as a first step, talking with others.

Small business owners feeling challenges within themselves need to treat themselves as employees and use the resources available such as:

We will help and support in any way possible. We would be glad to talk confidentially about individual situations.

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POS software for knitting shops helps serve the joy of knitting

October 27, 2022
3 Min read
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Using our POS software for knitting shops, knitting retailers can expect to build more enjoyable and valuable connections with knitters thanks to the community nourishing tools in the software.

From encouraging knitting club members to handling the sale of special orders to managing the stock control for and sale of kits of wool, patters and more as a single item through to selling by fractions, measure and length, this POS software for knitting shops serves them well.

This POS software for knitting shops does so much more. Indeed, here are answers to some of the questions we have been asked about our POS software for knitting shops:

Can I sell by measure? Yes.

Can I sell by fractions? Yes.

I often sell at events outside my shop. You can use a version of our software made for remote selling.

Can I offer a special price to members of a club? Yes.

Can I market to members of sewing and crafts clubs? Yes. You can tag customers as belonging to a club and target market to club members.

Can I track sales to club members to rebate the club as a fundraising opportunity? Yes.

Can I promote local clubs and groups on receipts? Yes.

Can you pass on patterns and other documentation? Yes, you can load files, images, documents or PDFs for products (information sheets, advice) and have them automatically included in emailed receipts.

Can I do this by text or email? Either, we support both.

Can I look-up historical buying records for a specific customer? Yes.

Can I create a quote for a customer and manage this? Yes.

Can I track / manage quotes? Yes.

Can the software track special or one-off orders for customers? Yes, from the moment the order is placed.

Can I group items together to sell in a pack or bundle? Yes, it’s easy to create packs using the software.

Does the software track product serial numbers? Yes. You have a couple of different ways you can do this.

I sell some items by colour, size and style, can the software handle this? Yes.

Can I integrate the software with my suppliers? Yes. We have many customers importing stock files and invoices. If you want to provide a supplier a data feed of sales of their product, our software can do this too.

Does the software connect with my website? We partner with Shopify, Magento and WooCommerce and offer direct links to these.

Can I email receipts? Yes.

Can I track where my customers come from? Yes.

Do I have to pay for software on additional computers in my business? No.

Does the software handle LayBys? Yes.

Can I connect with my EFTPOS terminal? Yes. We have a direct link to Tyro and through Linkly we connect to all major banks.

Can I use my existing hardware? Yes, as long as your hardware meets our minimum standards.

Can I use my existing data with the software? Yes. We’d like to check your data to be sure. We will advise what can be safely brought across.

Does it integrate with Xero? Yes.

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Tower Systems supports The Donation Dollar and encourages the good it offers local communities

October 25, 2022
4 Min read
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The Donation Dollar is a wonderful initiative, helping Aussies engage with and support local charities and community groups. We are proud too circulate Donation Dollars in our own shops and our Mint Coin Shop and to help retailers engage with the opportunity.

Here is the press release from The Royal Australian Mint with details:

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THE WORLD’S FIRST DONATION DOLLAR CONTINUING TO REMIND AUSSIES TO GIVE DURING THIS NATIONAL TIME OF NEED

With $6 million coins currently in circulation, The Royal Australian Mint is urging Aussies to check their change, pockets, and coin jars to find a Donation Dollar and donate.

9:01AM Monday, 5 September 2022, AEST – International Day of Charity (September 5th), marks the two-year anniversary since the Royal Australian Mint (the Mint) released the world’s first Donation Dollar: a one-dollar coin designed to be donated.

Since its 2020 launch, the Mint has released an impressive 6 million Donation Dollar coins into circulation, with over 2.9 million Aussies reporting* to have found one in their change. The goal is to continue circulating Donation Dollars until 25 million are released, including an additional $5m to be released this year. If every Australian donated a Donation Dollar just once a month, it has the potential to raise an additional $300 million annually for those who need it most.

New research released from the Mint has revealed that over half of Aussies (63%)* who have found a Donation Dollar coin proceeded to donate the coin, resulting in an estimated $1.9 million donated* to charities and people or businesses in need.

Assistant Minister for Competition, Charities and Treasury, the Hon Dr Andrew Leigh says this initiative aligns nicely with the Government’s goal to increase giving by 2030.

“Australians are naturally generous, but sometimes in our busy lives, charities can be forgotten. The Donation Dollar is a tangible reminder of the importance of giving back. These coins make that ask: if you find one, donate it, and if that feels good, then take the next step in supporting Australia’s community builders.

“The Albanese Labor Government has an ambitious agenda to rebuild and reconnect communities. After decades in which rates of joining, volunteering and participating have waned, we want to build a stronger sense of civic society.

“The Australian Government has set a goal to double philanthropic giving by 2030, and to strengthen the community sector. By donating to support local charities, each of us can help shape Australia into a fairer and more connected country,” said Dr Andrew Leigh.

The innovative concept has remained a much-needed helping hand throughout the ongoing global pandemic and the resulting financial pressures. There are various ways in which Australians choose to donate their coins such as giving to charity (19%)*, a homeless person (19%)*, someone in need (14%)* or giving to a struggling business (11%)*.

Research has found the preference for cash rose throughout the COVID and lockdown period**. This has resulted in an increase in Donation Dollar circulation, therefore the opportunity for Australians to give to those in need is more prevalent than ever – not just in times of crisis, but all year round, in smaller amounts, more often.

Royal Australian Mint CEO, Leigh Gordon, said:

“We know through our findings that the more aware Australian’s are of the Donation Dollar the more likely they are to go out, find one and donate one*. Which is why on International Day of Charity wepage2image1461101168

are reminding Australians of the potential positive impact.

“The unique Donation Dollar coin features a green centre with a gold ripple design symbolising the ongoing impact each donation makes to those who need it most. Once received in their change, a Donation Dollar can be used to donate wherever cash donations are accepted. We encourage Aussies to double check their change, pockets, car consoles and saving jars for the Donation Dollar. The power lies in the hands of the receiver to decide where their coin will make the most impact. For example, they can donate it to their charity of choice, to a struggling business, or to anyone in need.”

Charities can find out how they can benefit from Donation Dollar by visiting www.donationdollar.com.au. Australian businesses can show their support for the initiative by downloading “accepted here” signage from the website.

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POS software co. Tower Systems launches free online marketplace for local indie retailers

October 24, 2022
3 Min read
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Tower Systems has launched www.findit.com.au, a free marketplace for local indie retailers, like jewellers, bike shops, toy shops, pet shops, garden centres and newsagents.  Listing products on FindIt is free for Tower Systems customers – and that;s 3,000+ local small business retailers.

The goal for FindIt is to help customers looking online for items local retailers sell, to drive traffic to their local shop.

“We have built FindIt because of the growing importance of being online to in-store retail, and because some retailers are challenged with creating and running their own website. This is a no cost / low cost solution to help you be found online”, commented Mark Fletcher, CEO of Tower.

Retailers can choose to sell through FindIt, or just list what they have available in-store. If they do sell through FindIt, there is a fee of 10%. This covers Tower for credit card fees and Afterpay fees once that is live. It also covers us for credit card fraud claims. Retailers choose whether to sell through FindIt or not. Again, to list products and have your shop found is free

The FindIt website is hosted on a large secure and fast server in a remote data (offsite in Australia) centre. The Tower team is also doing the backend SEO work to raise the Google profile.

Customers will land on the website from Google. As the ranking of the site increases, products on FindIt will list in Google results. Customers will be able to add items from multiple retailers to a FindIt basket in a transaction.

The FindIt website confirms the order to the customer and provides the retailer with a recipient created tax invoice. Retailers will be able to go to their FindIt vendor panel to download a picking slip.

Retailers choose the price of what they sell – it can be their web price or their retail price. In the Tower Systems POS software, retailers choose whether a product is listed online.

The image for a product will be the first image loaded for a product. If a retailer has a better image than the first one loaded by another retailer, it would take a manual process to change it, a process not currently in place. The same applies to descriptions.

The tech connects products by barcode. If a retailer generates their own barcode for an item already on FindIt, it will treat that product as a new item.

The price will be the retailer’s price – yes, multiple retailers on FindIt could result in different prices for the same item.

The product description is the key. Our advice on this is to try and think about what someone is likely to type into Google.

Retailers will have the option to be either freight free or charge. If a retailer has product dimensions and have selected to charge freight, the Australia Post plug-in we have will calculate a freight charge. Retailers will also have an option, on their vendor page in FindIt to set a flat freight charge if you wish.

Retailers can connect with FindIt by emailing orders@findit.com.au.

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Why Saturday POS software help desk support matters to local small business retailers

October 22, 2022
3 Min read
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Tower Systems is proud to offer live POS software help desk support in Saturdays.

We have offered this for many years as part of our everyday support coverage. There is no extra charge, no penalty charge, no time call charge for our support, including our Saturday POS software help desk support.

This is real help desk support, offering full help desk services, not someone with a pager or someone out and about on a Saturday taking calls on their mobile phone.

Here’s some of what small business retailers tell us they like about having access to our POS software help desk, in their own words:

  • Saturdays are when I get time to work on the business. You being there means I can get the help I may need with that rather than waiting for Monday.
  • One reason we switched to you was because we were sick of waiting days to talk to someone with our old software.
  • I like that I can call and a human answers the phone on a Saturday and that the non technical me can explain my problem and be listened to and helped, on a Saturday.
  • Our weekend staff team done;t know the software as well and them being able to call you helps us have our weekend.
  • Software questions happen when they happen. Not being restricted to Monday to Friday office hours is a wonderful help for our business when it comes to calling your help desk.
  • It’s what small businesses like – local support that’s easy to access when we need it.
  • What I love is when I email a question, not a vital questions, usually something have forgotten how to do, and I email it on a Saturday expecting a response on Monday and I get a response on Saturday, sometimes even a call. It’s wonderful.

We are proud to offer a level of outside of usual hours POS software help desk access that is unique. The majority of our customers will rarely use it, but when they do, they need it, and that it is there for them and easily accessible, it is a differentiator, and that matters to us … and to them.

The cheap way to offer Saturday POS software help desk support us through an offshore call centre. It’s not the same.

All our Tower Systems POS software help desk team members are skilled in our software, they understand local retail, they can speak to local ways of doing business. They can engage in a conversation rather than requiring you to go through a script.

Yeah, Saturday POS software help desk support really does matter to local small business retailers.

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12 steps to cut employee theft in any retail business

October 20, 2022
2 Min read
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Employee theft in retail tends to cost more than customer theft. It is also the type of theft in retail that is less likely to be uncovered and accurately costed.

Here are 12 steps to cut employee theft in any retail business:

  1. Scan everything you sell.
  2. Spot stock take items in high demand.
  3. Use your POS software to balance at the end of shift every day.
  4. Have a security camera over each register.
  5. Check GP by department. If GP is falling outside what you expect, research it further.
  6. Have a no employee bags at the counter policy. This makes it harder for them to hide your cash.
  7. Beware employees who carry folded paper or small notepads. These can be used for them to keep track of how much cash is in the register that is theirs – i.e. not rung up in the software.
  8. Beware of calculators with memories at the counter. One retail business employee used the memory function to track how much cash had to be stolen prior to balancing for the day – cash from sales not rung up.
  9. Do spot cash balancing. Unexpected checks can uncover surprises. One retailer needing to do a banking during the day uncovered a $350 discrepancy that lead to discovery of systematic theft.
  10. Setup a theft policy. Put this on a noticeboard in the back room. Get staff to read it and sign up to it.
  11. Do not let employees sell to themselves. If they want to purchase something make them purchase it from the other side of the counter.
  12. Be professional in your management of the business. The more professional your approach they less likely your employees will steal as they will see the risk of being caught as high.

Of course, there are more than 12 steps you can take. These are, in our opinion, the best. We say this based on years of experience helping local indie retailers, especially helping to reduce employee theft.

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Tower Systems integrates POS software with Centrepay from Services Australia

October 19, 2022
3 Min read
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We are proud to share that our Tower Systems POS software integrates with the Centrepay facility operates by services Australia.

Centrepay is free and voluntary service to pay bills and expenses as regular deductions from Centrelink payments.

We were approached by one of our customers to facilitate the easy handling to payments made to them via Centrepay. We made some software changes to facilitate this, hence what we can an integration with Centrepay.

People can shop, make their purchases, select Centrepay as the payment method, and once the business received funds from services Australia and the payments file, our software imports this and handles the Centrepay payments.

This is a wonderful time saver for the retailers that take Centrepay as a method of payment.

There is no charge for individuals to use Centrepay, and businesses cannot charge a fee to use Centrepay. The Centrepay facilities added to our software have been included at no cost to our POS software customers. We are grateful to have delivered this enhancement at no cost. It benefits those opting-in and the businesses that serve them.

The Services Australia website provides excellent details on Centrepay:

What Centrepay is

Centrepay is a free bill paying service. Use Centrepay to arrange regular deductions from your Centrelink payment.

You can start, change or stop using Centrepay whenever you like.You can use it for your regular bills and other ongoing expenses, such as rent, electricity and phone.

You’ll need to give us permission to pay your bills using part of your payment.

You tell us:

  • who you want to pay
  • how much you want to pay them
  • which Centrelink payment you want the money to come from.

We take money from your payment before you get it and send it to the businesses you want to pay.

You can only use Centrepay to pay a business that we’ve approved.

You can find a list of businesses that use Centrepay in your area. Enter your location into the find a business or organisation search tool. It’ll show you a list of businesses near you.

We take out your Centrepay deductions from your Centrelink payment last. Other amounts we’ll deduct first are:

  • participation penalty amounts and non-payment periods

  • weekly payment amount, if you get your payments weekly

  • urgent and advance repayment amounts

  • debt repayments

  • child support payments

  • tax deductions

  • amounts directed to your Income Management account

  • government housing rent deductions as part of the Rent Deduction Scheme.

Tower Systems is proud to have developed Centrepay payments support in its POS software and completed all necessary compliance checking and beta testing prior to release to all our customers.

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More free new owner POS software training from Tower Systems

October 18, 2022
1 Min read
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Tuesday next week, October 25, we are grateful to hose another free training session for new owners of businesses with our POS software and new customers who recently installed our POS software.

With many new businesses joining us each month, we are finding these new user / new owner workshops to be a good way to help people connect, and to help them discover gold in their businesses through using our POS software.

Each session is open to any Tower customer, located anywhere. You don’t need to have our software running on the tablet, phone or computer on which you connect to the training session.

Our next session is Tuesday at 11am Melbourne time.

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POS software helps local firearms dealers serve their customers and meet regulatory requirements

October 18, 2022
3 Min read
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The Firearms dealer POS software that we make and support here at Tower Systems is all about accurate selling, good record keeping, regulatory compliance and business enjoyment.

We have been serving firearms dealers for many years and are grateful to their advice and support as we continue to evolve this POS software made for them.

Our firearms dealer software offers easy tracking of sales, accurate management of stock, EFTPOS integration to speed sales and reduce fraud, age / ID checking when you need, a loyalty solution ideal for unique firearms dealer needs, easy bundling of products, handling special orders, a Shopify link for online selling and more.

A new release of this software is out now.

In a retail channel with regulations that vary by state and territory, our on the table offer to our firearms dealer customers is that we will evolve the software to help them serve changing regulatory needs. The most recent example of this is our engagement with the Police in one state where new regulations are being considered in relating to tracking the sale of ammunition.

For an obligation free demonstration of this software for firearms dealers, please call 1300 662 957 or email sales@towersystems.com.au.

Here are some common questions we are asked by firearms dealers about our software:

  • We sell some products that are age-restricted. Can the software handle this? Yes, you can require age verification prior to purchase.
  • Does the firearms dealer software have a loyalty program that does not rely on capturing and storing customer details?
  • We are not in the business every day, can I track results and manage it from elsewhere?
  • Can the software track special or one-off orders for customers? Yes, from the moment the order is placed.
  • Can the software track serial numbers?
  • We offer some services. Can the software track the sale of these?
  • Can we manage selling second-hand items?
  • We carry some items on consignment, can the software handle this? Yes, the software can also report on consignment goods sales.
  • Can we group items together to sell in a pack or bundle? Yes, it’s easy to create packs or bundles using the software.
  • Can you pass on product care and other documentation? Yes, you can load files, images, documents or PDFs for products (information sheets, advice, notices) and have them automatically included in emailed receipts.
  • Can we integrate the software with suppliers? We have many customers importing stock files and invoices.
  • Does the software connect with our website? We partner with Shopify, Magento and WooCommerce and offer direct links to these.
  • Can we email receipts?
  • Can we track where our customers come from?
  • Do we have to pay for software on additional computers in our business?
  • Does the software handle LayBys?
  • Can we connect with our EFTPOS terminal? We have a direct link to Tyro and through Linkly we connect to all major banks.
  • Can we use our existing hardware? Yes, as long as your hardware meets our minimum standards.

This software costs $185.00 a month to rent. You can cancel at any time. There is also a cost-effective training package to help you and your staff learn how to use the software for success.

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Free retail management workshop: selling outside your retail shop

October 14, 2022
2 Min read
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Join us online for a free workshop this Monday, October 17, at 10:30am Melbourne time in which we will explore with you how, when and where to sell to people who will never shop in your shop.

We will share experiences:

  • Selling interstate.
  • Selling overseas.
  • Dealing with fraud.
  • Packing and shipping.
  • How to sell what you don’t have in your shop.
  • Pre-selling.
  • Payment methods.
  • Marketing, including Google image advertising.

We will also cover factors that may mean online is not for you.

In addition to the group websites my business has created for retailers in the newsXpress marketing group, we have single-store online shops connected to three of our retail businesses, each in a specialty niche, each attracting good business. We’ll take you under the hood to see what that looks like and explain how any retailer can do this.

This is not a sales or marketing event. It is pure business advice you can go use any time that suits.

https://us06web.zoom.us/j/86896859959?pwd=aFdTdGNuSXZvOUxuL1pFUWpya0FzQT09
Meeting ID: 868 9685 9959 Passcode: 877510

Online is here to stay, and sales from online are growing. Our goal with this session is to provide information so you can make informed decisions about online.

While the session will be recorded, we will decide after the event whether we release it.

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POS software for produce, rural and farm supply businesses helps with dispatch management

October 13, 2022
2 Min read
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In our Aussie made and supported software for produce and farm supply businesses we offer access to dispatch management tools that we developed in association with these businesses.

Successful dispatch management is all about local specialty retailers. managing the assets, ensuring accurate data and making this available in a seamless and workflow supportive way for

Using these dispatch management tools, retailers can efficiently, and in place, manage dispatch of products sold within their business. The facilities include:

  • Scheduling of in-house vehicle assets.
  • Allocating dispatch jobs to those vehicles.
  • Tracking completion of dispatch.
  • Management of dispatch orders at the customer and other levels.
  • Seeing a view of dispatch by vehicle.
  • Viewing orders by customer on a vehicle.
  • Address validation to ensure a more accurate dispatch experience for customers and to ensure efficiencies.
  • Dispatch route options for use by drivers.
  • Driver management of dispatch sequence based on local knowledge and other factors.

The dispatch management facilities within our Tower Systems POS software are robust, on the ground proven and loved by customers of ours. We are so grateful to have had customers walk this path with us, guiding us, suggesting ways the software we were building could be more valuable.

It’s not often POS software goes this deep in a niche area of need. For garden centres, farm supply businesses, produce stores, landscape businesses and others, rob just dispatch management facilities integrated with the POS software offer a workflow management solution and time efficiency to love and appreciate.

Made from the ground up by our in-house POS software development team, the dispatch facilities are true innovation for specialty retailers that have mid-size dispatch operations.

You can probably tell, we are proud of what we have achieved here for our local small business retail partners. This is comprehensive software made for very specific, and niche, needs in selected specialty retail channels. This is what Tower Systems exists for – to serve the needs of selected specialty retail channels.

Tower Systems makes what it sells. We support it too, offering our retailers ever evolving POS software to serve needs today, and needs as they evolve for the specialty retail marketplaces we serve.

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