The POS Software Blog

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

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Web development for small business retailers

March 19, 2021

2 Min read

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Local small business retailers are benefiting from the local web development that we offer here at Tower Systems. Our POS software connected web development is tuned to the needs of local retail businesses in Australia and New Zealand.

By doing our web development locally and within our own POS software develop0ment community, we are able to deliver a more whole of business solution, something tuned to the needs of the physical and online businesses.

Our web development work is done in Shopify, magenta or WooCommerce. Our customers can choose, which is often done based on the types of needs they have.

Here is a list of what we deliver in our fixed price web development solution for local small business retailers:

Pre development consultation. This will cover what is needed from you, the data, decisions and more. This is thorough and very much driven by your needs.
A live Shopify site as per the facilities and functionality outlined in this document – see below, including pre-development consultation. As the site evolves, there will be discussions by email and phone to ensure that the site is meeting the expectations you laid out at the start. The development, previewing and further enhancement of this is an interactive process involving you and following your needs.
Shopify theme choice. Included in the price is the selection of a paid-for theme up to the cost of US$250.00.
Shopify link. The Tower Systems Retailer POS software to link with Shopify. This link transfers to the Shopify site the following data points for each inventory item:
1. SKU
2. Name
3. Qty
4. Web Description
5. Web Price
6. Department
7. Category
8. Images
Up to 2 hours of personally tailored hand-over training once the site is live, so you can be confident administering the site yourself.
Three months of phone-based assistance (but not software changes) following delivery of the site.
A comprehensive pre-prep / handover document that provides support, written training and guidance on your next steps. This is the same for all our Shopify site customers. i.e. it is not document written especially for you.

Developing beautiful websites is something we are proud to offer here at Tower Systems. Helping local small business retailers transact online is wonderful and fulfilling. The joy they experience from their first sales is a thrill for them and for us, too.

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Fast track website development for small business retailers

March 18, 2021

2 Min read

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Tower Systems offers a fast track Shopify website development solution for small business retailers, to help them get up and running quickly should that need be important to the business and those involved with it.

Our fast track Shopify website development approach is considered and structured.

We introduced the fast track option in early 2020 in response to the surge of Shopify site requests from businesses dealing with the Covid impacted world.
Fast track is all about getting a good and useful site up and running quickly.
Going live fast depends on you knowing the focus you want for the site and having the data setup in your business ready to flow.
Getting your data sorted is 100% the key. This means descriptions, pricing and images. We guide you on what has to be done.
Making a site pretty later is all about us making it look visually more appealing when you are ready, within the first year.
We can have you live in days. It all depends on how ready you are. We will only go with Fast Track is you advise us to in writing.
Don’t overthink it because a website is not a destination.

Our preferred approach is our usual structured and well thought out Shopify website development approach. While that takes longer and involved more interaction with those working in the business up-front, the result is more complete, more whole of business. Fast track is about speed to going live with a view to doing some of the nice things later.

What a business does in terms of speed of going live with a Shopify website integrated to POS software is up to them, dependent on their needs.

By offering a fast track option we provide our customers with a choice. We will serve to their preference as to speed of going live. Either work, all the work is done, all the commitments are fulfilled – the fast track option is all about timing.

Shopify website development is all about commercial outcomes for small business retailers. This is our focus regardless of the approach taken. We are keen to help our small business retail customers win new business with our Shopify websites connected to our POS software.

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Small business retailers beware POS software comparison websites

March 17, 2021

2 Min read

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Do a Google search for POS software and most likely ad from several POS software comparison websites will list first.

Do a search for Tower Systems in Australia and, again, most likely ad from several POS software comparison websites will list first.

These Marketing companies are paying for the POS software and for the Tower Systems keywords.

There is no law against it. But … and it’s a big but … there is a law against misrepresentation.

If a software comparison website claims they have done the research for you, if they claim to offer to suggest to you the best businesses, if they pitch anything indicating any research into the products they list, ask for the evidence, ask for proof of the research they undertook not only of the companies they recommend but the companies they do not recommend.

Tower Systems has not been evaluated by any POS software comparison website. They have not seen or used our software, they have not experienced our training. They have not experienced our support services.

No POS software comparison website can speak with authority as to how Tower Systems may compare with any other POS software company in the marketplaces in which we offer our specialty retail POS software:

Bike shops.
Jewellers.
Pet shops.
Gift shops.
Toy shops.
Newsagents.
Garden centres.
Produce businesses.
Farm supply businesses.
Homewares businesses.
Fishing and Outdoors businesses.
Firearms dealers.
Music shops.
Bookshops.
Fabric businesses.

… and more.

Having looked at POS software comparison websites, we can’t see any we recommend, any we would trust to provide valuable help or guidance as to this software or that.

In our opinion, the comparison websites are merely marketping platforms paid by software companies to effectively advertise their businesses.

We suspect this is why some POS software comparison websites pay for keywords that match the names of successful POS software companies.

Our advice: be curious, ask questions, ensure that any claim as to research undertaken has actually be undertaken.

Tower Systems is a local POS software company making POS software for specialty retailers in New Zealand and Australia. We research each retail channel in which we operate thoroughly to ensure that our specialty retail POS software is specialty in function.

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Small business retail advice on making your website successfully work for you

March 17, 2021

2 Min read

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Having a website for your retail business is terrific – as long as the site is terrific. That means serving a need, being easily found, being enjoyed and integrating seamlessly with your business.

Here at Tower Systems, we develop websites for our POS software customers. Websites that integrate with your POS software.

To help you consider what your retail business website could look like and could be used for, here are some suggestions that we and our customers have found useful for those considering a website to engage with …

Look carefully at competitor sites online locally and overseas as it is beneficial to see what someone else is doing.
Only use unique images. If you use supplier supplied images, they may be on other sites and Google will know this. Google likes fresh content.
Write your own product name / title. Use search keyworks in the name. Google likes fresh content.
Write your own product description and think about what shoppers search for.
Do not load everything. Too much stock makes a site hard to navigate.
Consider using a website name that is different to your business name. Online can benefit from a different brand to your in-store situation.
Be open to additional sites. You may make more money from having multiple.
Support the site with active social media. A Facebook page with a name the same as the web name.
Promote the site with an email monthly at least, through MailChimp or similar.

Too often we see small business retailers think their website needs to reflect an online version of their shop. While that may be okay, it may not be the best business move. Sometimes, exploring a new category of product or service online could be a soft and good way to explore expanding the business without disrupting the existing in-store business.

A website connected to a retail business can be a good way to explore the expansion or evolution of the retail business. Tower Systems as its webstore team can work with you, helping you to explore options and opportunities that may align with your current business and the goals you have for it and for yourself.

This is where an engaging and consultative approach could work to help you walk to an online solution that is more nuanced and enjoyable to your personal and business needs.

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POS software connected websites developed by Tower Systems for small business retailers

March 16, 2021

3 Min read

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We are grateful to be expanding out portfolio of websites for small business retailers, helping them to transact online.

Here are some of our recently completed POS software connected websites:

www.backobourkecollective.com.au
www.inspiretasmania.com.au
www.brindabellastockfeed.com.au
www.heavensabove.com.au
www.loavesrobe.com.au
www.masterjewellersonline.com.au
www.chitchatgifts.com.au
www.eidsvoldrural.com.au
www.forevergiftsandmore.com.au
www.funporium.com.au
www.goulburnstationery.com.au
www.rehfisch.com.au
www.merimbulaextra.com.au
www.morganpark.com.au
www.nextragiftsorange.com.au
www.northsideproduceagency.com.au
www.pamperedpetz.com.au
www.www.paperplayonline.com.au
www.parkesnewsandgifts.com.au
www.rivercitypets.com.au
www.smithstreettraders.com.au
www.sprengersruraltraders.com.au
www.hefeedshop.com.au
www.shop.newcastle.edu.au
www.toyworldcanberra.com.au
www.toyworldwauchope.com.au
www.reasureboxgifts.com.au
www.uncletomspps.com.au
www.warragulpetemporium.com.au
www.welbygardencentre.com.au
www.wollongongbikehub.com.au

If you are interested in a POS software connected website, please reach out to our sales team: sales@towersystems.com.au.

Included in our fixed price local retail business website development package, we will create a Shopify site for you.

For ease of reference and clarity, below is a numbered list of all work and tasks included in the above quote and work you will have to do. This is the complete list.

Shopify account. We would use our development account until such time, as we deliver the live site to you. Once this has occurred you will need your own Shopify account and we will transfer the site to you. At this point you will need your own Shopify account.
Template / theme selection. We will step you through template / theme selection options. You will have free choice over any theme available at themes.shopify.com. Many templates have no cost while some have a cost, paid to Shopify. We will also fund the purchase of a paid-for theme up to US$250.00 in value if that is the theme you want.
Overall design to be applied to the template selected to customise the look and feel of the site. The design process is not priced to be a back and forth process. We would consult prior to doing the customisation. We will listen to your brief and provide a design. Minor adjustments can be made within the quote but any diversion from the original brief would add to the cost.
The site will have the following base elements created for you
1. Including text (which you are to provide), images, button. We would also include a location map.
2. Home page links to any business accounts you have for: Facebook, Twitter, Instagram and Pinterest.
3. About page. Your text, describing you and your business.
4. Privacy Policy page listing a policy we have – that you can modify.
5. Terms and conditions page: terms and conditions that you can modify.
6. Contact us page showing your contact details as well as an enquiry form.
7. Configured Product Page showing the images and details about products.
8. Shopify Chat setup, if you want chat turned on.

The setup of loading of products into the site via a live link to the Retailer software. We would need you to have this data in Retailer ready for export.
Interfacing to one or both payment gateways: Stripe and Paypal.
Interfacing to both of Humm and Zip. You will need to create the accounts with them. Afterpay is an additional $500 and you will need to create an account.
Training of your nominated person in the management of the site. This is done over the phone and should take no more than two hours. We would suggest two sessions of training for appropriately skilled people.

We have many moe websites in our portfolio and new sites launching every week.

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Retail business advice: disaster planning today can save you tomorrow

March 12, 2021

5 Min read

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No one wants to plan for disaster. It’s a negative activity, easily put off for more happy and optimistic pursuits. The reality is that most business owners will confront some form of disaster at some point in their business life. This advice is far-reaching, designed to act as a broad list of steps you can undertake to be prepared. Do it all or some, but do something … otherwise when you need good planning you will not have a plan on which to fall back.

Too often, the need for good disaster planning is realised after a disaster has hit the business. Our retail business advice here offers business and computer related advice which is designed to mitigate the impact of a disaster on your business.

Insurance Protection

Insurance coverage is vital to helping a retail business overcome any type of disaster. In addition to ensuring that your insurance policy covers all disaster situations of concern to you, including flood, theft, water inundation, fire, earthquake, riot—be sure to carefully read the policy, ensure that your insurance policy / policies cover payouts for the following:

‪Business interruption. The amount should equal your anticipated gross profit for whatever period you choose to be covered.
Data recovery. Including the hiring of experts to recover data from backup sources or the manual entry of data which cannot be automatically recovered. It needs to ensure that you are covered to the point of recovered data being useable in transacting business.
Lost stock. This is stock stolen, lost from the business.
Damaged and unsaleable stock. This is stock which is water damaged, scuffed or dented and which will not attract full price.
Dated stock. This is stock that you cannot sell by the due date.
Many policies require explicit statement of glass coverage.
Temporary trading premises. Business interruption may cover this. Ensure that it is explicitly stated.
Key person injury and/or death. This will usually be a separate policy. Depending on the disaster, coverage may also be available through the overall business policy.

Ensure that the value of stock, fixtures and fittings covered by your policy is an accurate reflection of the real value of these items. Talk with your insurance company about the best approach to track this on an ongoing basis.

Insurance brokers can provide access to assessors who can advise on the appropriate level of insurance for your situation.

Use your Point of Sale system to track all stock movements in and out. The stock on hand in your software should be your coverage.

Ensure that your insurance policy protects for the seasonal nature of your business

Data Protection

Business data is one of the most valuable assets of the business. Like insurance, the value is often not understood until you need what you do not have. Retailers who are serious about protecting their business data in the event of any disaster follow these steps:

‪Backup your business data every day, at the end of the day, without fail.
1. RECOMMENDATION: use a cloud based backup service that undertakes the backup as the day unfolds without you having to every do anything to cause a backup to be taken.
Maintain a separate backup for each day of the week. Consider a separate backup for the last day of each month.
Remove the backup medium, usually a USB stick, from the business premises each day – outside the business property.
Store the backup in a safe, dry place.
Check the usefulness of the backup by restoring and checking the data.
Store original business software in a safe off-site location.
Check the backup every three to six months – to make sure the backup is actually backing us current data and can be read. A backup you cannot read is a waste of time and money.
Change your passwords regularly.
Do not share passwords widely.

Disaster Planning

Here are broader suggestions on planning for a disaster in your business property.

‪Keep off-site copies of: Business contracts and agreements; employee contact details, business account and other passwords, insurance details, recent photographs of fixtures, fittings and stock.
For records you cannot easily copy or that may change as the trading day unfurls, consider having a go bag ready for you to grab if there is a risk to the premises such as a bushfire.
Maintain a register of all employees in the business premises at any time.
Prepare and place in a prominent place an evacuation plan.
Maintain a professional grade OH&S compliant first aid kit. Have this checked regularly.
Regularly maintain all fire extinguishers – check with your local fire brigade about this.
Ensure that the business premises is safe and maintained to the local building codes and OH&S regulations.
Have a trained first aid officer in staff. Your local St Johns or similar will be able to provide training.
Use government resources such as the emergency planning kit at the federal government website: http://www.business.gov.au/business-topics/templates-and-downloads/emergency-management-template-and-guide/Pages/default.aspx

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Retail business advice: finding confidence in a fog out doubt

March 11, 2021

3 Min read

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Retail can be tough. It is easy to lose your mojo, to lose your confidence. Here are things we have found nurture confidence. We share these here not as mental health experts but as business colleagues, talking with friends …

Know your business. This starts with knowing your business data, respecting it and basing decisions on the data. This provides a foundation for changes that are right in and for your business.
Take small steps. Sometimes, confidence fades or can be a challenge when the task ahead or the changes to be made appear too big. Break them down. Focus on the next step. Take that one step. Cheer the result. Next, take the next step.
Know you are not alone. No matter what change or challenge you face, there are people who can and will help. Put your hand up. There is no shame in this.
Focus on the destination. Where do you want to be as a result of a change in your business, new products or a new marketing initiative. Focus on the destination and ignore the barriers you create in your head. Often, the barriers are only there because you allowed yourself to see them.
Facts encourage confidence. Facts such as evidence of success of others and evidence of success in your own business underpin confidence. The key is to look at the facts, to focus on them and not the possible barriers you can create.
Hire confident people.
Let go of people who are not confident, who talk change down, who are negative at their core.
Play confident music in your office and in the shop.
Dress with confidence.
Know that a failure is always a success. Every change you make in your business is a success because you either make more money, enjoy your business more or learn what not to do next time because it did not go as planned. There is only upside from change.

A lack of confidence is not easily overcome. We understand that and do not seek here to be glib about it. Lack of confidence in anything is a serious challenge, yet one to overcome for the future of the business, personal achievement and the benefit of all who rely on the business.

Rather than investing time in the fog of a lack of confidence, our advice is to look out beyond the fog, to take small steps … forward.

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Retail business advice: how to reduce the impact of shoplifting in your retail business

March 10, 2021

3 Min read

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Theft by customers costs a typical retail business on average between .7% and 2.2% of annual product revenue. While this can vary by type of retail business, the band of .7% to 2.2% are considered a reasonable guide in costing this to the business.

Things you can do to reduce customer theft in your business …

Greet customers as they enter and leave. Make eye contact.
If you have a security system, have a screen on the shop floor in plain sight showing that it is on and filming.
Have a notice at the door indicating that you have video surveillance.
Be wary of people in bulky clothing, anyone constantly looking behind or around them, any group of shoppers, anyone distracting attention of staff members, someone looking for too long at an it or someone who is uneasy with an offer of assistance.
Make a mental or written note of the description of anyone fitting patterns noted in 2.
Have a policy of reporting suspicious behaviour to the most senior staff member in the shop.
Consider asking the suspicious person to leave.
If you are successful in catching someone, let your local newspaper know and post it on Facebook – without identifying the person.

If you suspect that theft has occurred:

Immediately you are aware of a theft, call the police. Make a clear and concise report.
Note down everything you can remember including date, time, description of the person(s) involved, what they looked at, your notes about seeing them entering, what they looked at, what they took and that they left without paying. Get all staff involved to make noted without referring to each other.
If you are comfortable, considerer approaching the person (only after point 1) and saying you think they may have an item they did not pay for. Invite them back to the shop to resolve the matter. If you decide to do this: approach them from the front in a non-threatening way, do not touch them, say something like: Excuse me, I’m with newsXpress XXX, could I speak to you about the merchandise in your coat/purse/bag? Would you please accompany me back into the store? If they run, don’t chase them.
If they accompany you back to the store, invite them to show you their bag, coat, purse or anything where your goods could be hidden. If it looks like you made a mistake, apologise and let them go. If the goods are found ask what they would like to do about it. If the goods are not found and you remain suspicious, ask them to wait for the police.

If the person left the store with no opportunity for you to speak to them, consider carefully what you may do with any video footage or photos. While the law varies state to state, police and lawyers advise retailers against publishing photos of videos, especially if there is an accusation that the person identified committed a crime. Such publishing could be used to have the case withdrawn. When you speak with your local police, ask their advice on this.

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Online Easter gift pack helps local retailers expand the reach of Easter

March 9, 2021

1 Min read

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The Easter gift pack being sold through a local retail business connected magenta website we developed is proving popular with Easter shoppers this year.

This gift pack bundle uses smarts embedded in our POS software that enable and manage product bundling into a pack or hamper, tracking sales and facilitating easy picking and packing of the Easter gift pack opportunity.

This clever POS software tech / Magento website integration developed by us here at Tower Systems is another way we are helping small business retailers to reach shoppers beyond their local areas.

We are proud to help local retailers in this way.

Since we are retailers too we help our retailers appropriately leverage our POS software for best advantage in-store and online … whether it be with a Magento, Shopify or WooCommerce website connected to our POS software.

The online Easter gift pack opportunity is another way our POS software is helping connected retailers to make the most of the Easter retail season.

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Retail business advice: how to assess gross profit by floorspace in your retail business

March 9, 2021

3 Min read

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While there are plenty of retail performance KPIs you can use to assess the performance of your retail business, what we outline here is simple and easy … a good starting point for people not sophisticated when it comes to grad school business KPI analysis.

This advice outlines one of the first assessments we undertake when asked by the owner of a retail business to review the performance of a business. The approach we outline here provides an understanding of the return being achieved from floor space allocation. With retail space usually costing between 11% and 15% of revenue it is usually the next highest cost outside of the cost of stock itself.

Spend half an hour on what we suggest here and the result should be a different view of the performance of your floor space allocation. This is not advice you will get from your accountant or from reviewing your P&L or computer reports. It is designed to be practically helpful in managing your business.

Please follow these simple steps.

Take a blank sheet of paper, ideally A3, and roughly sketch out the layout of your shop, marking in display units, wall shelving, the counter – everywhere you have product.
The floor plan layout should also include your back room if you have stock there.
Colour-shade the layout by department. For example, shade all areas with magazines in yellow, all floor space for gifts in blue etc.
List the departments on the side of the floor plan.
Calculate the percentage of total space taken by each department. This does not need to be accurate to two decimal places. List this next to each department you have listed.
Use your POS software to report on gross profit earned by each department over the last year.
Calculate the percentage of total gross profit contribution earned by each department and list this next to the floor space allocated to each department.
Circle in blue those performing the best and in red those performing the worst. A best performing department will typically be responsible for a significantly higher percentage of gross profit than percentage of space allocated whereas a worst performing department will be contributing a percentage of overall gross profit considerably lower than the percentage of floor space allocated.

Once you have the marked-up floor plan with the space percentage and percentage of total gross profit, think about your floor space allocation.

The above steps do not take into account product size and the average gross profit percentage from each dollar of revenue for a department.

The objective of the analysis is to provide you with fresh insights you could use when considering floor space change.

You can take the analysis a step further by looking only at one department and analysing performance by category.

This advice is an example of the practical small business retail management advice provided buy Tower Systems in its assistance to indie small business retailers. Beyond the POS software we help retailers run more valuable, successful and enjoyable businesses.

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Retail business advice: choosing the POS software that’s best for your business

March 8, 2021

2 Min read

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How do you choose the POS software that is best for your retail business? Here is our advice based on years helping small business retailers.

Note, while we are a POS software company, our advice here is not specific to our product. rather, it is general and couple apply to any retail business considering POS software.

There is no short-cut or easy way to choose POS software for your retail business for if you do take a short-cut it is likely to hurt you. It’s kinda like the carpenter mantra, measure twice, cut once. For choosing POS software for your retail business, research, research again before you decide.

This is not something to outsource. It is your business, you need to own the decision.

Technology knowlkdge is not required. If a POS software company representative speaks in tech speak tell them to stop. It is likely they would do this to dazzle you into a possibly wrong decision.

But let’s take a step back. before you can start the process of choosing the right POS software for you business you need to know what you want and what all those in your business who will use the software will want from the POS software. Get your requirements right first and your process of selection from there will be easier for you and better for the business.

So, let’s get is a list of what we think you need to do to choose the right POS software for your retail business …

Own the process of choosing the right POS software for your retail business yourself.,
Know what you want.
Be sure of what you need.
Prioritise these list. And, yes, they are two lists.
Keep conversations away from tech jargon.
Take your time.
Look at the software.
Talk to others using the software.
Get claims made by any POS software company in writing or recorded – so you have a record. A good POS software company will want to do this for you.
Make a decision when you are ready.
Don’t be pressured by a pricing deal.

Choosing the right POS software for your retail business is something to approach seriously, in a structured way and with the needs and wants of you and your business paramount at all times.

Remember, you are choosing a relationship with tech ology and not the person selling it to you.

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Thank you for shopping local this Easter

March 6, 2021

1 Min read

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How to spot an out of touch out of date POS software company

March 5, 2021

2 Min read

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Here are some tips on how to spot a POS software company that may be out of touch or out of date and thereby maybe not ideal for consideration for serving your business.

Nameless / faceless. POS software businesses that do not provide public-facing access to the names and contact details for their leadership team demonstrate a lack of faith in your business in our view. Retail is personal. The service of needs of retailers its personal. Here at Tower Systems you can see who we are and tap into our contact details easily, quickly. If you are looking at a POS software company and can’t see authentic photos and genuine leadership team contact details, wonder about their commitment to personal service.
Fake sales people. Some POS software companies use fake names for sales people. They use a cartoon type image to represent them, too. This should be a warning sign. Not using real names and real images or videos may reflect rapid turnover of sales people. That’s a warning sign right there. You want your POS software sales person to stand by what they sell. they do this by being themselves and sharing their real contact details.
Clip Art. if you see that on a POS software business website run, run fast! It’s so 1980s, so out of date … leaving you to wonder if their software is out of date.
Free software. You’re in business right?! You understand that businesses need income to exist. Free is not a sustainable business model.
Are they on a list of the best? Check it out because it may be a list they paid to be on. If a few clicks you can soon discover this.
Fact check. Let’s say, for example, they claim to a partner with, hmmm, Microsoft. You can soon see if this is true. If they are not such a partner you then know they have made an inaccurate claim on their website. Is that what you want from a PSO software company.

We share these tips today as a reminder that not all POS software companies are the same. Do your research. Start with what you need in your business and then focus on the best software that serves your business needs. remember, you are in control. Choose what you want, what you know is right for your business.

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… like having a shop and not telling anyone …

March 4, 2021

1 Min read

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Beware the con of POS software comparison websites

March 4, 2021

2 Min read

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There is a con online that is duping small business retailers. The con is POS software comparison websites … that they do not compare software.

Too often POS software comparison websites do no comparison at all. They will accept any POS software business to be listed through them as long as that business agrees to the fees charged by the comparison website. It really is that simple. Pay the bucks and your business is put forward as one recommended as worthy of consideration.

There is no comparison done by POS software comparison websites. They are an ad platform that POS software companies pay to be listed on.

We know this from first hand experience being signed up to a POS software comparison website for a short time. They didn’t;t compare us, check us out, look at our software or do anything that could be considered an assessment of our suitability.

POS software comparison websites do not comp0are POS software.

Sure, you enter responses to some questions – this is only so they can provide their customers, the paying POS software companies, more information about your needs.

POS software comparison websites are an ad platform plain and simple.

Look at the POS software listed through them and you may not be seeing all of the software options that could be suited to your specific business needs.

There is no substitute to thorough research. You owe it to your retail business to do that. This is why we recommend against using a POS software comparison website – they restrict the businesses pitched to you. They do this without really understanding your business needs.

POS software comparison websites do not compare software, certainly not in our experience at least.

Our opinion is that if your business is serious about its POS software you need to do your own research, create your own short.list and do the work of looking at the software yourself. This way you are pursuing the outcome that is most appropriate to your own business needs, based on your own work and focus. We are certain this approach will give you a better business outcome.

Buyer beware. That POS software comparison website that says it has done the work for you and done the comparison and found the best of the best may have done none off those things.

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Web development for small business retailers in Australia

March 3, 2021

2 Min read

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Tower Systems offers local professional POS software connected web development services for small business retailers in Australia.

Our web development work is done locally, by people you can speak with, people who will understand your business and its needs. This matters because too often web development work is sent offshore and that’s not good for the local narrative or for local IT jobs.

Our web development work is done primarily for small business retailers using our POS software and through this and our web development services connecting to Shopify, Woo Commerce or Magento websites.

Finding the right web developer for your retail business can be a challenge. Our advice is …

Do your homework.
Ask plenty of questions.
Speak to those doing the development.
Understand how and when you pay.
Look at recent developed sites.
Be sure to understand how the proposed website would connect to your POS software
Get everything agreed in writing.

All of our web development work is done on the basis of an agreed quote. This quote is prepared following a consultation with your about the needs of your business.

Our fixed price quote includes an outline of the work to be done and the outcome delivered for the quoted price.

Key to successful POS software connected web development for a retail business is having a complete understanding of everything that is expected to be delivered with the resulting website. It is essential this is known from the outset.

Since all of our website work from sales through to development and support is done out of our Australian based offices, we provide a local perspective and context for all we do. This delivers better outcomes for locally focussed businesses.

Our web development work is done from scratch, for each specific business. This takes care and time and is built on a thorough understanding of the business needs.

We are grateful to the many different retail businesses that we have helped already to bring them online. Every new site we develop adds to our experience and that helps us to continue tis evolve our approach and the outcomes we can deliver. This is a fascinating part of our work, something we love.

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6 reasons to love our Pet Shop software for local Australian pet shops

March 2, 2021

2 Min read

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This is pet shop software made and supported locally for local pet shops. Here are our 6 reasons to love our Pet Shop software for local Australian pet shops.

Love your shop as much as you love your pets. Here are 6 ways this pet shop software helps you achieve this.

Easy small wins. The one-percenters make a business. This pet shop software is packed with one-percenters, helping you to small wins in efficiency, add-on purchases, smarter buying and more.
Healthier pets. Pet owners will love your reminders about a treatment that is due. They will also love that you treat their pets as a member of the family. You will love that this software makes it easy.
Hands off. Every keyboard click has a cost and could be a mistake. Look at your last Kongs invoice and reflect on the time it took to process. Imagine importing an accurate electronic version in seconds.
Standing out from the crowd. While dog breeds are judged to a set of strict standards, in retail being different matters. When it comes to loyalty, we help you stand out, be noticed and be loved.
You are the difference. When it comes to pet food and other items that make up the bulk of your revenue, standing out from the crowd can be a challenge. The thing is, you and your people are the difference. This software helps you shine a light on that.
Not every shopper will walk past your door. A smart and seamless connection between your software and a beautiful website can help you easily and with low overhead sell to people you will never meet.

Our Pet Shop Software costs a few dollars a day to rent. The is for access from as many computers as you have in the business, updates, support and additional training.

There is no long-term contract. You can cancel at any time. There is no finance application.

This pet shop software is made for local pet shops to help them compete with the big retail businesses as well as the massive online competitors. It helps local pet shops shine a light on what iOS unique about their offering. This is pet shop software make to serve local pet shops every day.

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5 reasons we love our Toy Shop POS software for local Australian toy shops.

March 1, 2021

2 Min read

5

We love our Toy Shop POS software and here’s why. In fact, here are 5 reasons we love our toy shop software …

As retailers ourselves, we’ve owned and run retail shops in the toy / collectibles / gift niches since the late 1990s, here are 5 reasons we love our software:

Local matters. Local toy shops make a vital contribution to local communities and families. Our software helps you leverage your localness, to genuinely differentiate your business from big competitors.
You are a key asset. Only your business has you and your people. You can leverage you through our toy shop software, to easily share your knowledge in ways big businesses cannot match.
You can bank on loyalty. Points don’t reward loyalty. What is a point worth anyway? In our toy shop software, you have fresh loyalty tools you can bank on to drive a deeper visit value and bring shoppers back sooner.
The unseen can reveal opportunities. Knowing for sure what sells with what, knowing how suppliers compare knowing return on investment and return on floorspace … knowledge is power.
Not every shopper will walk past your door. A smart and seamless connection between your software and a beautiful website can help you easily and with low overhead sell to people you will never meet.

Local toy shops are vital in local communities. We are committed to helping you run a more enjoyable and successful business.

Our Toy Shop Software can be rented for a few dollars a day. This offers access from as many computers as you have in the business.

There is no long-term contract. You can cancel at any time. There is no finance application.

We can help you bring across existing data. Plenty of MYOB Retail Manager users have found this helpful.

Locally made and supported and able to be run in the cloud or on the desktop, this toy shop software is made to serve locally owned independent retail businesses. It is designed to help local toy shops actively and successfully compete against the chain stores and the online posters. This toy shop software empowers local and helps to make them great in a. competitive retail world. This is software that can make a genuine and positive difference in the success experienced by a local toy shop.

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Retail marketing tips for Easter 2021

February 28, 2021

2 Min read

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Easter is what each store makes of it in retail. Each retailer decides through their engagement whether this is a big or not so big season.

Our advice, based on working with retailers across a diversity of business settings, is don’t get caught up in tradition, think about easter 2021 as one of connection. This can broaden your focus and provide a more useful pathway to sales success.

Here are some ideas to get you thinking what easter 2021 could be in your retail business…

Have fun. No matter what you do, make sure it involves fun, active fun.
Promote connection. Easter is a good this for people to connect with people nearby and far away. help them do that.
Do good. Collect for something during the season. Given the animal theme of so much Easter product, maybe a local animal shelter.
Have fun give rabbits a discount on a set day or days. Give a doubt to everyone who presents as a rabbit. Promote it widely – get the local paper in for a photo. Make the discount worth it for them dressing up.
Invite a wall of stories. If you have a wall available, cover it with paper and invite your customers to write or draw what Easter means to them. this makes the season more interactive.
Make a giant papier-mâché egg with things you sell (old newspapers, coloured paper, paint). Go big, I mean really big. Taller than a person. Let the kids paint it. Make it a local thing for people to come see.
Have an Easter Egg hunt for over 70s. Egg hunts are usually for kids but those over 70 will have a different recollection of the season from when they were kids. Cater to them with a hunt in your shop for tasty eggs.
Respect the season. Easter means different things to different people. Respect this outside of the fun you may have. Be sure about your greeting and that it is appropriate. Maybe include a nice message on your receipts.

Easter is considered by many in retail to be a small season. I see it as full of opportunity and primed for fun in the newsagency. Chase year on year growth.

easter 2021 is an opportunity to guide connection. Our advice is be part of that opportunity.

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People matter at our POS software company

February 27, 2021

2 Min read

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What’s happening this afternoon in our POS software business is a good example that people do matter in our line of work.

Our help desk is open, calls are being answered by a human based in hawthorn Victoria. Our customers are getting to speak with real people who know our software and understand local retail. Today is a regular Saturday for us.

That our customers can do this without going through a call centre or a computerised phone systems that gets you pushing button after button. They can also reach us through a private Facebook page, a customer engagement area of our website or through other social media platforms. We make POS software customer service access easy.

We know that being accessible is key to a good customer service experience … from pre sales to sales to installation to training to support to accounts queries. This is why we are so accessible, even on a Saturday afternoon.

A good way to compare POS software companies is to see how many names, mobile numbers and email addresses you can find on their website. If they have faith in what they do they will list plenty, especially of their leadership team. If they are not sure of what they offer they will guide behind general details and no or few names.

On our website, prospective customers can watch videos of our team, too, videos in which we talk about our software and show parts of it. No cartoons here. rather, we publish real people from the business, real members of our team speaking to what we offer and how it may be of service. This is important as authenticity is key from a POS software company.

Now, to be sure that contact is easy, here is some of what we include in every customer email and newsletter …

MANAGEMENT.
- CUSTOMER SERVICE MANAGER: csm@towersystems.com.au.
- CHIEF OPERATING OFFICER. Gavin Williams. 03 9524 8000. Email gavinw@towersystems.com.au.
- CEO: Mark Fletcher. 0418 321 338. Email: mark@towersystems.com.au.
SALES. Please call 1300 662 957 or email sales@towersystems.com.au.

We make contact easy and direct. It’s a key first step in any good POS software customer service experience. This is especially true and important for local retail POS software.

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Whimsey – reaching for the stars

February 27, 2021

1 Min read

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Proud this is us …

February 26, 2021

1 Min read

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Proud this is us …

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