The POS Software Blog

The POS Software Blog

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

Latest stories

The best way to automate inventory management with a Shopify POS solution from Tower Systems

September 17, 2022
3 Min read
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Tower Systems partners with Shopify to offer an automated inventory management solution from the Tower Systems POS software, seamlessly through to Shopify for easy online sales.

This is a POS solution made for the local small business retailer selling in a shop and selling online.

Thanks to the seamless and direct Shopify integration, this POS software from Tower Systems can help local small business retailers save time, cut mistakes, and attract new shoppers online as well as in-store.

This is a solution that was created ion the shop floor by working retailers. It’s not a geeks solution. No, this is real world, a perfect Shopify POS solution we think.

Any small business retailer knows how important it is to keep track of inventory. That’s why a Shopify POS solution from Aussie Tower Systems can be such a valuable tool. With our solution, you can automate your inventory management so that you can always be sure that you have the products you need in stock. Here’s how it works:

Our Shopify POS solution integrates seamlessly with your Shopify store. That means that all of your inventory data will be automatically updated in real-time, so you never have to worry about whether or not your records are accurate.

In addition, our solution provides you with comprehensive reporting features so that you can always be aware of your inventory levels. With our reporting, you’ll be able to see which products are selling well and which ones aren’t moving as quickly. This information can be extremely valuable when it comes to making decisions about what products to restock.

Finally, our Shopify POS solution comes with built-in alerts that will notify you when your inventory levels are running low. That way, you can always make sure that you’re prepared for customers’ demands.

If you’re looking for a way to streamline your inventory management, a Shopify POS solution from Tower Systems is the perfect solution. With our solution, you can automate your inventory management and take advantage of powerful reporting and alert features. Contact us today to learn more about how our solution can benefit your business.

Too often, businesses rely on manual methods to keep track of their inventory, which can lead to errors and inefficiencies. The good news is that there are now automated inventory management solutions available that can take the headache out of keeping track of your stock. In this blog post, we’ll take a look at one such solution—the Shopify POS system from Tower Systems—and show you how it can help you streamline your inventory management process.

If you’re looking for a way to streamline your inventory management process and make your business more dependable, more valuable today and into the future, the Shopify POS solution from Tower Systems is definitely worth considering. With its real-time inventory tracking capabilities, integration with eCommerce platforms, and barcode scanner, it has everything you need to keep on top of your stock levels— freeing up valuable time to focus on other aspects of running your business.

We’re not a high pressure software company. Take your time. Watch any of our free and easy to access online demonstrations. Or, ask us for a one-on-one demonstration for your specific business. There is no obligation.

We love learning from retailers what they need. It helps us grow as a company.

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Game shop software Q&A

September 16, 2022
3 Min read
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Here are answers to some of the questions we have been asked about our Game Shop POS Software over the years

When you are ready, we’d love to show you our Game Shop POS Software and through that show you answers to other questions you have.

Does the software handle club member pricing? Yes, this can be a great marketing tool, getting local community or other group members support the business and fundraising at the same time.

Can I track sales to all members of a game club? Yes.

Can I manage second-hand goods with this software? Yes, you can track the details of the seller and maintain accurate records.

Can the software manage special orders for customers? Yes.

Can I pre-sell items? Yes.

Can I group reporting of sales by licences and other categories? Yes, in our software you can use tags for this.

I have multiple shops, does the software handle this? Yes.

Can I sell gift cards for my business? Yes.

I sometimes sell away from the shop at events, can the software do this? Yes, our Retailer RoamTMoption manages selling from anywhere.

Does the software have a facility for encouraging infrequent shoppers to spend more? Yes, it’s proven to work well at achieving this.

Does the software produce WAS / NOW price labels? Yes.

Does the software manage time-based catalogue pricing? Yes.

Can I include product use instructions on the receipt? Yes.

I have similar items from several suppliers. Can I compare suppliers? Yes.

Does the software handle LayBys? Yes.

Can you reach back out to customers based on past purchases? Yes.

Does the system handle account customers? Yes, you can setup and manage customer accounts.

Does the system produce invoicing and statements? Yes, these can be printed or emailed.

Can I manage stock by colour, size and style? 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.

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.

Find out more at www.towersystems.com.au/game.

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Charity shop op. shop POS software Q&A

September 15, 2022
3 Min read
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While we serve many charity / op. shop retail stores in many different situations, we know this every shop is unique, with its own requirements. Our goal is to offer charity shop software that is as useful as possible, while being affordable for these tight budget businesses.

Here are answers to some of the questions we have been asked about our Charity / Op. Shop Software over the years.

When you are ready, we’d love to show you our Charity / Op. Shop Software and through that show you answers to other questions you have.

Does the software support community group member pricing? Yes.

We work on behalf of several local charities. Can we track purchases by their members as a fund raising tool? Yes.

We have a lot of volunteers, is the software easily learnt? Yes.

We report to a board, are there good checks and balances? Yes.

Do we have to barcode everything we sell? No.

So when we don’t sell by barcode how do we track what we sell? You decide the level of reporting you want and that determines the best sales tracking approach.

Can we compare the performance of different categories of what we sell? Yes.

Can we report on sales by product type so we can understand the categories that sell? Yes.

Does the software produce WAS / NOW price labels so we can show what something would cost in a regular store? Yes.

Our manager is off-site. Can they access the software from there? Yes.

Does the software support a loyalty program? Yes, there are several loyalty options that work in different situations from infrequent shopper visits to regular shopper visits.

Can we set a quantity purchase price for items? Yes.

Can we bundle items together, like into a hamper, and easily sell that? Yes.

Can the software handle tracking sales to group members to calculate a rebate for the group?Yes.

Can I include product care instructions on the receipt? Yes.

Does the software track where I have stored a box for an item? Yes.

Does the software handle LayBys? Yes.

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.

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.

Find out more at www.towersystems.com.au/charity.

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How well does your POS software connect to Shopify?

September 10, 2022
3 Min read
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We won more new retail customers this week for our POS software because of our beautiful and trustworthy Shopify link.

Our software packages for jewellers, garden centres, bike shops, gift shops, sewing shops, toy shops, pet stores, firearms dealers, newsagents, produce and farm supply businesses, knitting shops, game shops, vape shops, adult shops, music shops, antique shops and charity / op. shops like to Shopify through a direst Shopify link.

It’s a two-way link.

We are a proud Shopify partner.

Our Tower Systems POS software manages the inventory, the text, the images, the videos. Plus, in-store, it transacts the sales. Shopify manages the sales online. And, Shopify and our tower Systems POS software sync – so you always have accurate stock on hand data.

Our Shopify connected POS software is helping many local retailers safely, efficiently and accurately sell online.

We won the business this week from the new clients once they compared the operation of ur link live to what they had using other POS software. This direct comparison resulted in quick decisions given the importance of online sales for their businesses.

I can’t believe how much better this is. You are going to remove a massive pain point for us. The time it’s going to save!

We were thrilled to hear this.

Okay, we know our POS software Shopify integration is good because we use it ourself in a couple of gift / homewares related retail businesses we also own. But it is wonderfully validating when someone using other POS software, well known POS software, shows us where we shine.

We felt pretty good.

But we’re not resting on this. We continue o tune there Shopify integration, just as Shopify themselves tune their own platform. This is what good software companies do. Change is daily, and important.

If you run a physical store and you sell online, the Tower Systems POS software and Shopify integration marriage could be the productivity and performance move you have been looking. We;’d be happy to show it to you free, without obligation. You can make up your own mind.

We are a no-pressure POS software company. Ask for a demo and we’ll give it to you. We won’t call or chase you. We trust local small business retailers to make business decisions in their own time. The last thing they need or want is sales people chasing them.

Now, if you have 50 minutes or so, you could watch this video from one of our Tower Systems POS software experts and one of our own Shopify experts. It’s packed with free advice you could find useful:

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Discovering the beautiful Tufted Titmouse at our POS software company

September 10, 2022
3 Min read
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It’s fascinating what you learn working with specialty retailers. While we like birds, except swooping magpies, we’d never thought much about the Tufted Titmouse. That is, until we saw this adorable ornament in the Hallmark Keepsake range.

It’s a product item in our POS software and being sold online, too, through a website we created.

It caught our attention as our advice on keywords helped it be a Google page 1 find for people looking for the Hallmark Keepsakes as well as bird lovers interested in the Tufted Titmouse.

Bird lovers are especially interested since this is the 18th in the series of birds by Hallmark.

https://myornaments.com.au/products/the-beauty-of-birds-tufted-titmouse-hallmark-keepsake-ornament

We get pretty involved with our customers – as much as they want, with the usual POS software help and support as well as business advice on how to leverage the software at attract new shoppers and encourage existing shoppers to spend more.

It’s why we love working with local indie small business retailers. It’s personal. #Grateful #ShopLocal #SmallBusiness #Happy #Weekend

These Hallmark Keepsakes are beautiful Christmas ornaments. Crafted with care.

Our roles are to provide the software for the shop and there website for online sales. By providing both and ensuring they are seamlessly integrated we are able to help the retailer to sell in-store and online with surety and certainty. The two-way data flow between the website and Tower Systems POS software save time, improve data accuracy and offer a comfortable shopper experience.

Our POS software manages the images and product information – allowing these to flow to the beautiful Shopify site that we created. It saves so much time for the retailer.

If you go too the My Ornaments website you can see a large range of products – the data for which flow from our POS software. Look at the data that flows across for the Tufted Titmouse product:

Add nature’s splendour to your holiday celebrations with this handsome Tufted Titmouse Christmas tree ornament. Gem details and metallic gold embellishments pair with a dangling holly branch, sure to delight bird enthusiasts.

  • Key Features: 18th in the Beauty of Birds Keepsake Ornament series.
  • Additional Details: Artist crafted by Edythe Kegrize and Emma Leturgez-Smith. Plastic Christmas tree ornament.
  • Includes: One 2022 Keepsake Ornament in gift box for easy gift giving, preservation and storage.
  • Ornament Size: Approx. 3.57 x 7.07 x 9.16 cm
  • Product Code QXR9063

All this, plus the photos, and videos too if that is available for any product.

The integration between the Tower Systems POS software and Shopify sites is something we are proud of and grateful to provide to many indie retailers.

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Garden centre software helps local Aussie garden centres serve their local community

September 8, 2022
6 Min read
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Local garden centres play a vital role in helping locals feed their family, create gardens that attract and nurture bees and wildlife and add colour and delicious scents to the local surroundings.

Garden centres are places of learning and encouragement, wonderful places where we can discover so much and be encouraged to grow food that is delicious and healthy. They are vital to local communities.

Here at Tower Systems we make software for garden centres that helps them in their mission. We’re an Aussie POS software company making garden centre POS software for Aussie garden centres.

We gratefully serve large and small garden centres, in the city and country, in0-store as well as online. The diversity in our garden centre retailer community is considerable. But, all or customers are local businesses. We don’t sell to big corporations, massive operations. This local and small business focus has served us well for many years, helped us focus on needs more relevant to our customers.

Here are some of the garden centre specific benefits garden centre owners and managers tell us they love about our software:

  1. Repotting. As plants grow, so does their value. We help leverage this.
  2. Selling fractions of an item. For example, 1.5 metres of something.
  3. Selling by weight.
  4. Handling and tracking customer special orders.
  5. Easily offer plant care information on receipts.
  6. Hazardous goods management.
  7. Pricing model flexibility – allowing you to give discounts in flexible ways.
  8. Weatherproof labels.
  9. Marketing to customers based on purchases.
  10. Loading electronic invoices from suppliers.
  11. An automated link to Shopify, Magento and Woo including images.

Garden centres can rent our garden centre POS software for $185.00 a month. This offers them:

  1. Australian developed and supported garden centre POS software for garden centres.
  2. Unlimited computer licences for your location.
  3. Software updates as we release them.
  4. Easily sell online from your POS software. Shopify / Magento / Woo link.
  5. Xero link. Easing bookkeeping costs and streamlining accounting.
  6. Our OzBiz link. This helps you link to MYOB through OzBiz.
  7. Tyro link – safe, fast and easy EFTPOS link for streamlined sales.
  8. PC Eftpos link. This offers easy EFTPOS processing for the major banks.
  9. Easy buy now pay later options with Zip Pay and Humm.
  10. Support – help desk access.
  11. Training – unlimited one-on-one training over the phone.
  12. User documentation. Access to our searchable knowledge base.

This garden centre software continues to evolve, too, thanks to regular software updates. These updates are available to all customers with access included in the low rental cost.

Here are answers to some of the questions we have been asked about our Garden Centre Software over the years

When you are ready, we’d love to show you our Garden Centre Software and through that show you answers to other questions you have.

Can I sell products by weight with this software? Yes.

Can sell at fractional quantities? Yes.

Can I handle re-potting, a plant that is larger now is worth more than when it was smaller? Yes.

Do you have weatherproof labels for items outdoors? Yes.

Can I include plant care information on receipts? Yes.

Can the software handle selling products by colour and size? Yes.

Can you manage quotes? Yes, you can create quotes and then turn them into sales if they proceed.

I sometimes sell away from the shop at an event or on the road. Can the software do this? Yes, our Retailer RoamTM option manages selling from anywhere.

Does the software handle garden club member pricing? Yes, this can be a great marketing tool, getting local community group members support the business and fundraising at the same time.

Does the software track frequent shopper purchases, like what you see in coffee shops buy 9 and get your 10th free? Yes.

Can the software report on frequent shopper purchase items we give away, to get a supplier rebate? Yes.

Does the software have a loyalty facility? Yes, there are several options – you can choose the one that works best for your needs.

Does the software let me manage my own time-based catalogue pricing? Yes.

Can I sell gift cards for my business? Yes.

I buy products in bulk and re-bag them to retail size. Can the software handle this? Yes.

I buy several products in bulk to mix to create my own brand of feed. can the software handle this? Yes.

Does the software produce WAS / NOW price labels? Yes.

Can you reach out to customers based on past purchases?  Yes, you can select customers for marketing past on a range of criteria, including past purchases.

Does the system handle account customers? Yes, you can setup and manage customer accounts.

Does the system produce invoicing and statements? Yes, these can be printed or emailed.

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.

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.

This is a total package garden centre software rental solution including garden centre software, updates, help desk support, supplier invoice imports and knowledge base access.

There is no extra cost for more terminals, no fee based on transaction or sales volume, no high-cost EFTPOS rate.

To get you started, there is a comprehensive pre-installation data conversion and prep process, 2 full days of onboarding including one-on-one training, and first-time user priority support. This package is priced in addition to rental.

Tower Systems serves more than 3,000 local small business retailers in a range of specialty retail settings. This is our thing: helping local small business retailers thrive.

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Newsagency software helps Aussie small business newsagents compete in a changing retail world

September 8, 2022
5 Min read
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While retail continues to change apace, the scope and speed of change for retail newsagents is greater for theirs is a marketplace surrounded by change.

There is print media disruption, lottery purchase disruption driving core changes. But it’s more than that.

Tower Systems helps Aussie newsagents with the Tower Systems newsagency software packed with facilities that help newsagents navigate changes, attract new shoppers and help existing shoppers love the business even more.

If you appreciate up to date newsagency software, easy access to live software support, free training and time-saving and mistake-reducing supplier links, Tower Systems could be the software company for you.

With more than 1,700 newsagents using this newsagency POS software it is backed by the industry support and resources key to help ing it continue to evolve, and this matters in a retail channel where change is everywhere.

This locally made and supported software for newsagents offers plenty, including:

  1. Exclusive greeting card reporting Embedded in our software is category / segment level reporting that newsagents are using to grow card sales 25% and more. That’s money in the bank.
  2. You can bank on loyalty. Our fresh and successful approach to loyalty can help you drive a deeper basket and bring people back sooner.
  3. Safe decisions make for a better P&L. From data feeds from suppliers through to Xero, we help you nurture data for the safe decisions.
  4. Not every shopper will walk past your door. A seamless connection between your software and a beautiful website can help you sell to people you will never meet. We develop websites for newsagents.
  5. Easily accessed personal service. A key reason 4 times more newsagents have chosen Tower than any other software is customer service. We are here for you, with you, every day.
  6. Current software. Current technology. Fresh, current design.

What newsagents need in their software now is fundamentally different to a year ago. You need software that is evolving from a company strong enough to support you when you need it.

We do all the important newsagency stuff in our newsagency software like XchangeIT, links with Nine (Fairfax) and News and Are Direct and XchangeIT. We have worked with TLC/Tabcorp on changes they wanted to implement as well as with GNS, ACCO, the federal government cashless card, greeting card companies and a raft of others.

We handle unique needs too such as website integration, more supplier connections and awesome marketing tools through which you can differentiate your business and attract new shoppers.

Being able to expand into new product categories can help you attract new shoppers and grow overall business GP%. Our experience in multiple specialty retail channels helps leverage opportunities.

Being able to sell from anywhere is critical. We have seen newsagents grow their businesses by engaging at local markets and on the road. Our new and exclusive Retailer Roam product is portable POS software made for this. It’s in the Apple App Store now.

Being able to get customers spending more and bringing them back sooner is also critical. Our discount voucher solution, launched in 2013, is now used in hundreds of newsagencies with many success stories. Better than points and easily understood by shoppers, this loyalty solution is next gen.

Being able to reduce dead stock is vital. This starts with buying better, which flows from fact driven conversations with suppliers.

Being able to cut labour costs without cutting revenue is essential. Our data insights help you do this with confidence. Our newsagency retail experience using our own newsagency software in our newsagency businesses offers you practical advice.

Tower Systems serves more newsagents than all other POS software companies combined. It’s not a brag, even though we know it might read that way. We are sincerely grateful to the many who have switched to us already in 2022. Their faith in us is genuinely appreciated.

Even though we are big, our service is personal. Our customers get to know our team members and like that they can speak directly with us, including our leadership team.

As you work on your business to make it more valuable to you, we’d love to help. Our connections to the newsagency channel go beyond our software. We own the newsXpress newsagency marketing group and we own and run three newsagency businesses ourselves. We walk in your shoes.

The Tower Systems newsagency software costs $185.00 a month to rent. For on as many computers as you need in the business – no extra cost per computer.

Beyond the software, here are features of a relationship with Tower Systems…

  • We are local. Local matters in local communities. Tower Systems is Australian owned, developed and supported. Call us and a human answers the phone.
  • Our training is personal, in your business. We think people learn better from face to face training.
  • Unlimited free training.Long after you install the software, ask for free top-up training and all we will organise it.
  • New customer care. All new customers have a separate specialist team with which they connect, to ease settling-in.
  • Customers guide our software enhancement. We offer a transparent, democratic, process for guiding software update content.
  • Newsagency business specific. This software is developed for your type of business.
  • In the cloud or in-store. You choose where the software runs.
  • Rent or buy. You choose how to acquire and fund the software.
  • We help with business performance analysis and theft checks, services where we take a deep dive into your data and provide confidential insights.
  • Every customer has the direct contact details for our leadership team for easy and safe escalation of any query.
  • No pressure. You buy when you are ready.
  • Retail group engagement. Groups and members of groups have opportunities for group level customisation website sales and more.
  • It’s personal. Retail is personal. This is why we prefer to train you in your shop. Yes, we said this above. We say it again as it is a differentiator.

Tower Systems is not an average POS software company. We are a small business, indie business, focussed POS software company developing software in Australia and New Zealand for Australian and New Zealand based specialty retailers.

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Why locally made POS software is a better solution for local retailers

September 8, 2022
2 Min read
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If you choose POS software for your business that is made overseas, sold by an overseas company or supported from overseas, how will that go when you want to talk with someone about your situation?

Local businesses, like local POS software companies, understand local needs. They have local context. they are more likely to be easily contacted. They serve your local business needs.

We had a customer recently contact us with a business question that was not directly related to our software. One off the folks in our company with recent retail experience was able to have a conversation with them, live and in the moment, that helped our customer make progress on an issue worrying them. This type of off-book service and help is what local POS software companies can do.

But, most of all, a local POS software company is likely to care more about your business and this is what matters most … that they care. caring flows from understanding.

No offshore POS software company can understand your needs or care about your business in the overall context of their business.

We had a customer switch to us last month because they were tired of their support queries not being responded to. They had to put each query in writing, which did not work if the query was urgent and business impacting.

Here at Tower Systems, we are local. Our customers can call us, email us, send a message through our website or contact us via the socials. We are here, real, contactable and accessible. We are also available to our customers through Zoom meetings and other group chat platforms – making ti easy for our customers to connect with us where it suits them the most.

Whole comparing software products is important, comparing the contact points and methods of contact are important. You need to go with a tech partner that can prove themselves as reliable in the way you need them to be. If could be that an overseas company ticks those boxes. The key is to know what you want and then go with the company that best serves your needs.

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Stop Letting Competitors Rent Free in Your Head: Tips to Get Ahead

September 7, 2022
3 Min read
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Do you find yourself constantly wondering what your competitors are doing? Are you always worried about what they might be planning next? If so, you’re not alone. Many business owners let their competitors occupy too much space in their heads. This can lead to a lot of wasted time and energy. In this blog post, we will discuss some tips that can help you get ahead of the competition and stay focused on your own business goals.

First, the most important focus for any local small business retailer is their business for it is only this over which you have control. It’s like the serenity prayer, sort of – control what you can control and worry less about that over which you have no control.

You can’t control your competitors. Who cares if they copy you, or offer something cheaper than you, or claim some unique thing? Who cares?

Control what you can control.

Second, it’s important to remember that your competitors are not your only focus. You should also be thinking about your customers and what they need and want. If you’re always worrying about what your competitors are doing, you’ll lose sight of what’s important. Keep your customer’s needs at the forefront of your mind, and you’ll be more likely to succeed.

Third, try to stay ahead of the competition by being proactive. rather than reactive. This means that you should be constantly innovating and looking for new ways to improve your business. Don’t wait for your competitors to make a move before you do something yourself. By being proactive, you can stay one step ahead of them at all times.

Finally, don’t let your competitors rent free space in your head. If you’re always thinking about them, you’re not focusing on your own business. Instead, focus on what you need to do to be successful. Keep your eye on the prize, and don’t let anything or anyone distract you from your goals.

If you can follow these tips, you’ll be well on your way to getting ahead of the competition. Just remember to keep your customer’s needs in mind, be proactive, and stay focused on your own goals. With a little hard work and dedication, you’ll be sure to succeed!

Doing regular check-ins with yourself will help ensure that competitors are not taking up too much space in your headspace. Checking-in allows you to recenter yourself and your business goals. It can be as simple as taking a few deep breaths, drinking some water, or going for a walk. Checking in with yourself will help ensure that you are staying focused on what’s important.

We hope that these tips have helped you and that you feel more prepared to get ahead of the competition. Just remember to keep your customer’s needs in mind, be proactive, stay focused on your own goals, and do regular check-ins with yourself. With a little hard work and dedication, you’ll be sure to succeed! Thanks for reading!

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Point of Sale Systems for Small Business Australia

September 7, 2022
6 Min read
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retail pos

More than 97% of all Australian businesses are small businesses. The number of small businesses continues to rise despite recent challenging conditions.

Many of these businesses are in the retail sector. Small and medium-sized enterprises make up 96% of the retail sector in Australia.

Retail in Australia is highly competitive. One way you can give your business an edge is with your point of sale (POS) system. Retail POS can help you manage your inventory, employees, and customers more effectively.

Learn more about retail POS and how to choose the best system for your company.

What Is a Retail Point of Sale System?

A point of sale system is the hardware and software that let you process transactions and accept payments. Modern POS systems go beyond managing payments, though. They can help you analyze sales, manage inventory, and store customer information.

The newest point of sale tech provides a single source of truth across many facets of your business.

Retail POS Hardware

To accept payments in a retail store location, you’ll need POS hardware. Hardware can include:

  • Computer monitor and/or tablet
  • Cash register
  • Barcode scanner
  • Card reader
  • Receipt printer
  • Cash drawer

Your business may also need specialized hardware. This could include a scale for selling products by weight or a label printer for ticketing items for sale.

Look for a system that accepts many types of payments. Your business is more competitive if your customers have payment options beyond the standard cash, credit, or debit cards. Gift cards and mobile payments like Apple Pay are some other choices to consider.

If you’re planning to use hardware and software from different vendors, check to ensure they’re compatible.

Retail POS Software

POS software is the operating system that lets you process sales. It helps you manage your store, products, customers, and staff. A modern POS system for retail optimizes your ability to sell in-person and online.

On-Premise POS vs Cloud POS

Retail POS software can either be installed in-house or cloud-based. An on-premise system works through your internal network. This type of legacy POS stores your data on your local database.

It doesn’t rely on the internet. However, it can be expensive to implement. It’s only accessible from the terminal(s) where you installed it.

A cloud-based system uses remote servers. You can access the software over the internet from any compatible device. The system can sync your data in real time.

Cloud solutions are scalable as your business grows. They can be more cost-effective. They rely on the internet, though, so a stable and reliable internet connection is essential.

POS Payment Processor

A retail point of sale system includes the hardware and software to help you accept payments from customers. The actual payment processing is a separate service.

Some retail POS systems bundle payment processing into their service package. You may also have the option of adding it as an extra feature. Otherwise, you’ll need to find a third-party processor compatible with the system you want.

What to Look for in a Retail POS System for Small Business

Every retail business has its own specific requirements for a POS system. Before you start looking at POS for retail, take some time to determine your company’s needs. This will help you avoid paying too much for a system with features that aren’t relevant to your operations.

Ease-of-Use

Retail businesses often have high employee turnover. Choosing a POS system that’s intuitive and easy to use is especially important. Employees should be able to use the software effectively soon after training.

Sales Reporting

Retail POS can generate sales analytics to help you make better business decisions. The software can create reports based on factors like:

  • Products sold
  • Employee sales
  • Total retail amount
  • Net profit or profit percentage

A POS system that presents data in an accessible way will be more useful. A finer level of detail can give you better insights.

Inventory Management

Robust inventory management capabilities help you track products more efficiently. You know when you need to order a certain product or if a product has excess inventory on hand. Retail POS should have features like:

  • Digitally scanning and counting products
  • Creating product variations like size or color to manage stock
  • Identifying items with unique serial numbers
  • Tracking inventory levels in a multi store environment

Good inventory management helps you meet your customers’ expectations. It helps combat retail theft.

Customer Relationship Management

A retail POS system can help you track your customers’ data with customer relationship management (CRM) features.

For example, you can attach a transaction to a customer and track the customer’s purchase history. CRM capabilities simplify your email marketing. Some retail POS systems let you create a loyalty program.

The right POS system lets your store associates personalize the in-store experience for customers.

Employee Reporting and Staff Management

Your employees have a very large impact on the success of your store. Retail POS software lets you see who your top performers are. You can see any employees who may need extra coaching.

Other staff management features include:

  • Creating and modifying employee schedules
  • Emailing schedules to employees
  • Tracking employee hours

You can stay on top of this important part of your business activity more easily.

Integrations

Point of sale technology should integrate seamlessly with your other business systems, like accounting and marketing. It should integrate with your e-commerce site. Integration ensures that your applications share data automatically.

Retail POS integration with your enterprise resource planning (ERP) program is a high priority. It lets employees access back office functions like replenishment and inventory reports.

For example, an associate could see that an out-of-stock item is due to arrive in two days. The associate can put the customer’s information into the system, set the product aside when it arrives, and notify the customer that it’s ready for pick-up. You can capture more sales.

Customization

You can tailor retail POS to meet your needs. You can set limits on what data store associates can access. You can restrict employee access to certain tasks. For example, you may decide that only store managers have authorization to give refunds.

The top retail POS systems will give you customization options regarding system features as well as employee access within those features. These types of controls are another tool for combatting retail theft.

Tower Systems Retail POS

Retail POS can bring many benefits to your business. You can better manage your inventory. You have a better management system for customers and employees.

A retail POS system from Tower Systems is a personalized solution for your business. We specialize in helping small and independent retailers in Australia, New Zealand, and the Pacific Islands. We design our retail POS systems for the specific needs of your industry and your company.

Schedule a free demo today to see if Tower Systems POS software is the right fit for your business. We look forward to getting to know you!

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Helping new POS software users settle in with our Tower Systems software

September 6, 2022
1 Min read
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A vital role within our POS software help desk team is the one that helps new POS software customers after they are trained.

This is a one-on-one role, a high-interaction role, something personal, something guided for each specific customer.

It’s a free service for our POS software customers. It kicks in the moment the structured training is complete, once a business live using our software.

Our new customer support person is there for our new customers with personal service, easy to access service, service targeted to the more unique needs or new POS software customers.

We are grateful to offer this unique point of difference in addition to our regular training and regular help desk service.

We know that the first few months using new software can be tricky for some. For those who need it, we are there, providing extra help, guidance and answers … to help them land on their feet, stable and happy in their choice for Tower Systems and our POS software.

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When a retailer calls for help with their POS software, they want to chat with someone, they want to chat with a human, and not be confronted by a wall of inhuman tech

September 5, 2022
1 Min read
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Here at Tower Systems, we provide human based customer service for our POS software. That is, humans answer the phone, and they chat. There is no script. No agents. No set or questions to go through.

We are grateful to win business because of our human based customer service, that it is relevant, locally based, and staffed by people with lived experience working in small business retail.

Too many software companies only want customer to email them, or fill-in a form, or navigate their way through an AI driven phone system … anything to avoid having to talk to their customers.

There is no substitute for human interaction with retailers. We learn from this and that helps us provide better POS software, and better customer service.

Retail is a people business. I makes sense that a business like ours supporting retailers is, also, a people business.

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Always look at the POS software you are considering prior to making the decision to go with it

September 2, 2022
2 Min read
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There is a trend among POS software companies to get you signed up without looking at the software, their chasing a rooftop without first ensuring that the software and the retail business are a good match.

Here at Tower Systems, our preference is to demonstrate the software to you – once we understand your business requirements and what you personally want to achieve from POS software. It really does start with understanding your needs because it’s possible we are not a good fit for you.

Every one of our prospective customers has access to a personal live demonstration of the software. We do this at a time to suit. And, we record the demonstration and provide a copy of the demonstration to the prospective customer for them to share with others in their business.

We also offer access to pre-recorded demonstrations of the software. These are on our website and can be watched by absolutely anyone – without the need to login.

But, it’s the personal one-on-one demonstration that works best, that offers conversation about business needs and the exploration of these needs through the software itself. It is best to show an answer to a query rather than telling – anyone can tell, showing shows the real solution.

Anyone considering the Tower Systems POS software has access to a live demonstration without obligation or cost. Indeed, they have have 2, 3, 4 live demonstrations because we want to ensure that anyone choosing Tower Systems POS software makes an informed choice, a choice based on certainty that our POS software is a good fit for the needs of their business.

if you are considering POS software and the supplier is not keen for a live demonstration with you, if their approach is sign up and see if you like it, we suggest you pause and consider whether this approach serves your needs.

What is it you want? That is what matters most to your business. Signing up and using software through trial and error makes it harder for you. It makes you discover for yourself. It shows you what to expect from the POS software company down the track.

Here at Tower Systems we prefer a more personal approach, an approach that is rooted in the personal service we provide.

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Tower Systems: the Aussie POS software company offering easy to access human delivered support

September 1, 2022
3 Min read
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We won another customer this week because of our easy to access human based support. Someone considering our software pretended to be a customer and called us, and we answered and had a conversation.

I can’t believe I got to speak with a human straight away. We laughed a little when they said that. Seriously, the company I used for my POS software now does not take calls. I have to log a ticket using their form, and then I have to wait for them to get back to me.

We understand that retail businesses can encounter challenges that need a response straight away.

Here at Tower Systems we make it easy for any of our customers to reach someone on our help desk, someone in management, or the leadership team – direct, live, and quickly.

Human contact is key in retail, and it is key in retail POS software support.

While our customers can send us an email, lodge a ticket or do other things they can easily call – we have state based contact numbers, a NZ toll free number as well as mobile numbers for direct and easy contact.

Big businesses structure themselves for consistent service of big volume and while that may work in some situations, when servile local small business retailers, specialty retailers, personal and direct human based support is key, and here at Tower Systems we understand that.

In our regular customer email we share direct contact details with our POS software customers:

Contact points and key information.

SUPPORT
  • The BEST way to ask for support: log your query 24/7 direct at our website, where you can also search our knowledge base.
  • Help Desk Mon-Fri 7am – 6pm AEST and Sat. 7:30am to 3pm. 
    • VIC (and national): 03 9524 8000.
    • NSW: 02 8556 1600
    • QLD: 07 3136 6888
    • SA: 08 8121 3366
    • NZ: 0800 444 367 & from a mobile: 9281 1974
  • After hours support for SYSTEM DOWN: 0418 554 963 or 0419 842 334.
  • Email: support@towersystems.com.au for non-urgent questions.
  • Website: www.towersystems.com.au

MANAGEMENT

SALES

ACCOUNTS
 
SUPPORT ESCALATION
If you feel we could have done better in a customer service situation: 
  1. Email csm@towersystems.com.au with a subject of: Escalation.
  2. Please outline your concerns and provide as much detail as necessary. 
  3. If you have multiple points, please number each.
  4. Please name the Tower team members involved and reference any ticket numbers if applicable. 
Our Customer service manager will investigate and come back to you.
CHANGE OF OWNERSHIP FORM
 
YOU SET YOUR OWN SUPPORT TICKET PRIORITY
  • P1. System down. The most urgent call we can get. 
  • P2. Urgent. We will deal with the call ahead of all others except P1.
  • P3. Return call goal 4-6 business hours.
  • P4. Non urgent question. Goal of returning a call in 24 hours.
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Online, what matters more: you, or what you sell?

August 31, 2022
2 Min read
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Too many small business retailers focus on their business name ahead of what they sell when designing a website for their shop.

The online shopper cares more about outcome. In this video we share exampled of this, evidence of this:

While brands will tell you their brand is what is searched for, shoppers can be broader than brand in search. You only have to look at keyword variations around a brand or some other keyword to understand this.

We hope this business from Tower Systems is helpful in your planning for online.

If you want revenue from online shoppers, our advice is that you seek it from multiple channels: your own website, websites connected with your marketing group, social media and more.

How, when and where people shop has fundamentally changed. This was happening long before Covid. But, Covid, has sped things up.

A challenge when it comes to online is trust. Plenty of people and businesses make claims. Ask for evidence supporting any claim. Their response to you asking for evidence could indicate a simple mistake, deliberate misleading or ignorance … it could also provide evidence that their claim was accurate, which would be ideal.

Online is like to gold rush era of the 1800s in Australia. It’s a rush with people of varying skills and experience our there, in the rush. take care to make informed decisions.

And, yes, it is vital you join the rush. Too much business today is transacted online for you to not engage. Engage now and expect to sell to people you’ve not sold to before.

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