Before we get into our advice, we note that backup is one of the most least considered activities in a local retail business, yet it is one of the most vital for the business.
The time backup of your data matters most is when it is business critical.
The best way to backup is in the background, seamlessly, to the cloud, with a safe local backup and a backup to the backup … and a tech approach that allows easy restoring to a moment in time.
This approach to backup is best as it does not require human trigger or action, it happens, in the background, as you trade, and after.
Tower Systems customers can backup the way they choose, the way they prefer. This includes choosing to use another external commercial backup service. There is no requirement that Tower Systems customers use the Tower Systems backup service.
The safe Cloud backup service
The Safe Backup service from Tower Systems is a cloud-based incremental backup service to help you store your valuable data more efficiently and with greater security. Using the specialist backup software created by Storagecraft, our service backs up your entire MAIN computer to your in-store NAS (a local storage device). These backups are then uploaded to a secure cloud location.
There is no need for a daily backup. There is no need for you to remember to backup. The processes is automatic once setup.
What does it cost?
If you are using Windows 8, 10 or 11 the cost is $50 per 30 days.
If your main computer is using Windows Server edition, the cost is $100 per 30 days.
The cost of the 2TB NAS drive is $450. This includes our Setup and Configuration support, and delivery to your business.
There is also the option to backup a second computer in your business if you would like that done.
If you are not sure what you need please ask at support@towersystems.com.au.
Once you have completed the sign-up process we will send you the NAS. When you receive the NAS device please contact Tower Systems bookings to arrange a suitable time for setup and configuration of the service. This takes 15-20 minutes to complete and requires your computer to be restarted. Once setup, your cloud backup service is up and running.
If you go to Google and search for us, for Tower Systems, you are likely to see an ad from Compare POS quotes, a website run by a company called Comparison Advantage.
Comparison Advantage is paying Google to run an as with our name, Tower Systems, in the headline.
To a small business owner, this could look like a link to a website about Tower Systems.
We are concerned that the Comparison Advantage www.compareposquotes.com.au Google ad appears to pass itself off as related to us. It is not.
This situation sucks in that here we have a company, Comparison Advantage, paying to get their ad in front of people looking for us, for Tower Systems.
Their website claims to offer comparisons of POS systems, for business owners looking for POS systems. The thing is, you are only listed at www.comparisonadvantage.com.auy if you pay Comparison Advantage to list with them. There is no assessment by them, no value add, other than them paying Google to list their Tower Systems related ad.
Good businesses win customers on their own merits, not by jumping the queue and paying to come up as a search result when someone is searching for something else. This is what sucks about this. Of course there will be people with deep pockets who want to trade off the good name and success of others. It’s what the world is like.
All we can do is to continue to build and support POS software that local small business retailers like and use. we are grateful to our thousands of customers for their support.
As for Comparison Advantage and their www.compareposquotes.com..au website, we hope click on the ad and then not choose any of the products they offer. Eventually advertisers will withdraw and the company will have to find another way to make money. Making money on the back of the hard work of others is poor form in our opinion.
One of the main drawbacks of using comparison websites like www.compareposquotes.com.au from Comparison Advantage is that they often only display a limited number of options. This means that shoppers may not be aware of all the options available to them, and they may not be able to find the best deal for their needs. Additionally, some comparison websites may only display options from certain companies or providers, which can bias the results in favor of those companies.
If you found us by looking for us, thank you, welcome, we hope we can help.
Individually, these strategies work. Done together, the profit value compounds.
Chase new customers. Serving the same customers is likely to give you the same results. Every day, do something to attract new customers through: a brilliant and different window display, engaging social media posts, a community group connection, a club member fundraiser.
Maximise gross profit percentage. Buy at the best price you can. Be engaged in how you price what you sell. Every cent matters. Rounding up to .99 is a good start. Pricing based on the value you offer is more important than trying to compete with the cheapest. You’re worth it.
Drive a deeper basket. Be smart about what you place where in the shop in pursuit of people buying more. At you’re counter and at the busiest points in the shop, make adding things to the purchase easy. Look at what people buy with what and use that to guide product placement. Use smart loyalty tools to disrupt shopper behaviour.
Our Aussie made and supported POS software can help with these three strategies, and more. We help our 3,000+ local retail customers run more successful, enjoyable and valuable businesses.
Find out more:
www.towersystems.com.au
1300 662 957
sales@towersystems.com.au
Tower Systems is not your usual POS software company. We own and run retail businesses where our software is used to maximise value. When we suggest ideas and opportunities too our POS software customers, we have tried them ourselves. We walk in the shoes of our customers in a way that is rare in POS software businesses.
This matters in local small business retail as practical advice matters more than theory. It’s kind of like show, don’t tell. We show how our software works in our diverse portfolio of retail businesses and have done now for more than 26 continuous years. Like we said, we are not your usual POS software company.
In addition to advice and support in how to use our POS software, we provide insights based on customer data for those customers keen for this. Our business analysis and advice services are all part of what we offer here at Tower Systems.
Local retailers were quick to respond to the Covid pandemic and the needs of the local community who could not go far from home.
In our work with thousands of local retailers we saw many pivot, or adjust, to the new situations brought through Covid. It was wonderful seeing local small business retailers respond, and to see their customers respond, too.
March 2020 heralded in a new era of shop local, in part because we all had to. Today, early in 2023, many local retailers are benefiting, and continues using to lean more into serving local shopper needs.
2023 can be a year of shopping locally. The community benefits. The planet, too, benefits.
We know form our work with a variety of local retail businesses that there is a diverse mix of products available, many of which have been locally sourced, from gifts to homewares to food. These local businesses have brought to town more products and services than ever. It is a joy to be part of what is helping local retailers service their local communities in this way.
We all have a part to play to make 2023 a wonderful year for the local community.
So, what can you do to support local businesses in 2023? Here are a few simple steps:
Shop at local stores and markets. Make a conscious effort to shop at locally-owned businesses rather than online or chain stores. This includes everything from groceries and clothing to home goods and gifts.
Buy local products. Ask where it’s made. Preference locally made products. Your query can encourage local retailers to stock more local.
Use local services. This can include everything from getting your hair done at a local salon to hiring a local plumber or electrician.
Share the love. Tell your friends and family about the great local businesses you’ve discovered and encourage them to shop local as well. You can also leave reviews online or share your experiences on social media to help spread the word.
And, like. Each time you like a social media post by a local business, it is cheer for them and the more they feel those cheers the more able they are to help your local community.
Part of our role here at Tower Systems is to provide local retailers with tools on which they can rely to serve local shoppers. We only serve local specialty retailers. And while we for sure benefit when you shop local, you benefit too in many ways.
Join us in making 2023 a strong shop local year, for your community.
Here at Tower Systems we make POS software local retailers, specialty retailers, local shops that serve the local community. To us, local is Australia and New Zealand. We are grateful to serve over 3,000 local small business retailers with our POS software across both countries.
And, local community is key … and here’s why …
Shopping local matters to the local community for a number of reasons, some obvious, some not so obvious.
Every dollar you spend locally helps to stimulate the local economy. This is especially true if you shop at locally owned businesses.
When you shop at a locally owned and operated business, the money you spend tends to stay within the community, rather than making its way to corporate offices elsewhere.
Your dollars spent locally are supporting local jobs, local suppliers, and local tax revenues, local infrastructure. This can have a ripple effect throughout the community, as the increased economic activity can lead to more opportunities for businesses to thrive, which in turn can lead to more jobs and further economic growth.
Shopping local also helps to preserve the unique character and culture of a community. Local businesses are often an integral part of the fabric of a community, and they can help to define its personality and sense of place. When you support local businesses, you are helping to keep these cultural touchstones alive and ensure that the community retains its distinct character.
In addition, shopping local can be more sustainable and environmentally friendly. Local businesses tend to have smaller carbon footprints and are often more committed to using environmentally friendly practices. By supporting these businesses, you can help to reduce your own carbon footprint and contribute to a more sustainable local economy.
Finally, shopping local can simply be more convenient and enjoyable. Local businesses often offer a level of personal service and attention to detail that can be difficult to find at larger chain stores. Plus, shopping at a local store can be a more engaging and enjoyable experience, as you have the opportunity to interact with the owners and employees and learn about the unique products and services that they offer.
Local is community. Yes, we get that reads as a cliche. It;’s true, tho. Local is community. Thriving local shops are able to help the community thrive and in a local thriving community, you thrive.
It its the circular nature of the local community that benefits all in it and all who rely on it.
The Tower Systems team is grateful to serve local retailers.
Have an awesome 2023. May you and your local community thrive!
We are grateful for the support and loyalty of our customers.
We are grateful for the opportunity to serve you and are committed to providing the best possible products and services in the coming year.
We are excited to see what 2023 will bring and are eager to continue working with all of you to create a better future together. We hope that the coming year will be filled with success, happiness, and prosperity for everyone.
Most of all, we hope your dreams for 2023 are fulfilled
From all of us at Tower Systems, we wish you a happy and healthy new year. Thank you for being a part of our journey and we look forward to continuing to serve you in the future.
Point of sale (POS) systems are part of a $22 billion industry. They’re a core part of business that entrepreneurs and corporations alike are able to take advantage of.
If you’re going to understand POS systems, you need to know the cost and other features that can help you get the right fit. These tips are helpful for companies that are interested in POS systems but want to learn more.
How Much Do POS Systems Cost?
Most companies that use POS systems do so on a subscription basis. You’ll be able to pay a monthly fee to get access to the best POS systems on the market.
For the big name companies, you can expect to pay between about $30 and $200 per month for the service and technology.
In addition to the price, you need to understand the features and other details that can make the decision clearer. Some things to consider include:
Focus on POS Systems That Handle Inventory Well
If you’re trying to purchase a POS system, you need to make sure that you’re handling your inventory correctly. Scope out the systems that will keep track of your inventory in real-time so that you can make changes on the fly.
The software should come with an inventory management system that lets you create item numbers, barcodes, custom tags, and other details. Figuring out these details will give you autonomy over the way that you run your store.
Getting up-to-date inventory reports can help you figure out how you want to switch gears, and can steer you toward promotions and discounts that can be favorable.
Consider the Way it Handles Payments
The way that a POS system handles your payments will make a big difference. When your system has multiple options for debit and credit cards, cash, Apple Pay, Bitcoin, and others.
These systems need a clean and organized way to send receipts. Today, POS systems are helpful because they can send digital receipts immediately to let customers know their totals.
The more options you provide your customers, the easier it’ll be for you to accept and retain business.
Choose a POS System That Helps With Marketing
The POS system that you choose should also help you improve your marketing. They are great for opt-ins, since customers can choose to have their receipt sent to an e-mail address or smartphone for SMS confirmation.
When customers choose to opt-in, they can also get marketing information sent to them that lets them know the news and happenings of your store, and any promotions or discounts that your business is having.
If you’re shopping for a new point of sale system, you should calculate how much extra you will pay for these features so that you can include them as part of your plan.
The system can also integrate with your blog and social media pages so that you can leverage traffic and customer sales.
Take Advantage of the Analytics
Ask the manufacturer or vendor about any analytics technology that the POS system comes with. These systems will highlight in raw detail how well you did and what things you can fix and improve on.
They generate reports that you can use to help you set and hit goals in a timely manner. The best POS systems will come with these sorts of features integrated.
Check out the tools that the POS system comes with so that you can use them to your advantage.
Consider Your Company’s Current and Future Priorities
When you’re trying to choose a POS system, make sure that you’re prioritizing your company’s needs first. This lets you set benchmarks for what you need so that your POS system subscription fulfills these needs.
Some companies might be looking for a POS system mainly because they need to upgrade from a traditional cash register system. You might also be dissatisfied with your current POS system and looking for a new and better model.
There are also POS systems that might be better suited for the type of business model you have. Weigh these issues so that you’re clear on what’s best for your company now and in the future.
Study the Entire Pricing Model
Finding out how much you’ll pay for a POS system is one thing, but you need to also browse the entire price sheet and agreement to see what works best for you.
Consider companies that are transparent so that you don’t have any discrepancies about the fees that you’re going to pay.
Focus on Customer Service
Take the time to find a company that also provides stellar customer service. This will help you know that anytime there’s an issue or discrepancy, your downtime will be limited.
Read through the reviews that people have left about the POS system and choose one that has speedy assistance and plenty of resources. They should also have an extensive network of users that you can compare notes with so that you can learn how to get the best results from it.
Invest in the Right POS Systems
Start with these points when you’re trying to find POS systems that will work for your business. Knowing how much these systems cost and the types of features they come with and it’ll help you find the right fit.
Tower Systems can assist you when you’re looking into the service that you need. To book a demo or ask questions, contact us for more information.
It’s 11:12 am here at the Tower Systems office, December 23, and it’s quiet. It’s quiet because our local small business retail customers are busy with the last-minute Christmas sales rush.
This is typical for the last week day before Christmas. The phones are quiet, and our customers are busy. We love it.
We’re here, of course, for any who need assistance. But thanks to robust POS software they’re in good shape, trading happily.
Already we know that Christmas 2022 has been a terrific season for local small business retail. Sure, there have been some challenges, but, many retailers we have spoken with are happily up on last year and in 2019 – the pre-pandemic benchmark year.
We are taking the opportunity for some housekeeping, getting some things ready for early 2023. Already we can see it’s going to be a terrific year, which excites us. There are some wonderful tech advances coming down the line from within our own tech. kit and from outside as well.
We think 2023 will be a year of leaping forward on several tech fronts in local small business retail.
In keeping with tradition, we’ll close our help desk for Christmas very soon, leaving our after hours network up and running, serving any urgent needs.
Tower Systems helps local small business retailers run more enjoyable and successful retail businesses. Through this work, and our own retail shops, we have developed a kit of advice that local small business find helpful. In that kit are these 8 ways local retailers can feel better about their retail shop:
Celebrate your achievements: Take time to celebrate your successes and the progress you have made as a small retail shop. This can help to boost your confidence and motivate you to continue working hard.
Focus on your strengths: Identify and focus on the strengths of your small retail shop, such as your unique products, personalised service, or community connections. This can help you to differentiate yourself from larger, chain stores and capitalize on your competitive advantages.
Seek support and advice: Reach out to other small business owners, industry experts, or local organisations for support and advice. This can help you to learn from others, gain new perspectives, and find solutions to challenges you may be facing.
Invest in your employees: Invest in your employees by providing training, development opportunities, and a positive work environment. This can help to foster a sense of engagement and commitment among your staff, which can benefit your shop in the long term.
Prioritise customer satisfaction: Make customer satisfaction a top priority and focus on providing exceptional service to your customers. This can help to build customer loyalty and positive word-of-mouth, which can be valuable for your small retail shop.
Connect with your community: Build connections with members of your local community, such as other small business owners, community organisations, and local events. This can help to foster a sense of belonging and support for your small retail shop.
Take care of yourself: Remember to take care of yourself and prioritise your own well-being. This can help you to maintain a positive outlook and stay motivated and energized in running your small retail shop.
Stay positive and persistent: Keep a positive attitude and stay persistent in the face of challenges. This can help you to remain focused and determined, even when things are not going as planned.
This list is just the beginning. there are so many ways, so many opportunities to love your retail business. We are grateful for the opportunity to help through our POS software and through our advice.
We are grateful for the opportunity to participate in a study buy a leading university in Australia into work from home and how it is playing out for businesses and employees. The questions are thoughtful, and encouraging insights of our own as we contemplate aspects of what is the new normal that we had not considered before.
When Covid began we immediately moved to a work from home model for all employees who wanted it. As an essential business’s we could keep the office open, and we did with a skeleton team.
Now, almost three years on, the office based team remains small, with only those who want to be here. Everyone else, the majority of our Tower Systems team, works from home in situations they prefer in terms of commute time, time management and local community connections.
We are careful to not encroach on non-work time and have a number of processes in place to ensure this does not happen.
With some colleagues saving three hours a day commute time, the family benefits as well as the individual. It’s terrific.
We have invested more in tech infrastructure to facilitate a good work from home experience. Cloud based applications make it easy for our colleagues to collaborate, which, as a software development business, is important. This investment will continue as new tech support platforms emerge.
At the office things have changed too. We have re-purposed space to create hot desks for those who do want to come in for a few days. Plus, we have created purpose-built broadcast facilities to serve the easier production of the digital content we publish, as well and for the video calls we use for team meetings, POS software demonstrations and more.
The university study is looking at a range of interesting topics related to work from home, from the business and individual perspectives. It’s an interesting study in that it is being undertaken without any commercial connection or agenda. we think this matters because much of the noise about work from home until now has been shrill ‘news’ from landlords and other property connected spokespeople.
We are just one of many businesses participating, and we are sincerely grateful for the opportunity.
There are several steps you can take to encourage better staff engagement in your retail shop. Some strategies you may want to consider include:
Communicate openly and regularly: Communicate openly and regularly with your staff about the goals and objectives of your shop, as well as any challenges or opportunities that may arise. This can help to keep your staff informed and engaged in the work of your shop. Openness is absolutely key as it builds trust.
Provide opportunities for growth and development: Provide opportunities for your staff to grow and develop, both personally and professionally. This can include training, mentoring, and other forms of support that can help your staff to build their skills and knowledge. If people see they can grow with the business, they are more likely to support it.
Recognise and reward achievements: Recognise and reward the achievements of your staff, both individually and as a team. This can include public recognition, awards, or other forms of recognition that can help to motivate and engage your staff. Being noticed is a valuable motivator.
Encourage collaboration and teamwork: Encourage collaboration and teamwork among your staff, and provide opportunities for them to work together on projects or initiatives. This can help to foster a sense of community and belonging among your staff. Ask for ideas, listen to them, use them. This sits at the heart of employees owning the business goals.
Create a positive work environment: Create a positive work environment that is supportive, inclusive, and respectful. This can help to foster a sense of engagement and commitment among your staff. Have fun, make sure coming to work is something to look forward to.
By implementing these strategies, you can encourage better staff engagement in your retail shop and create a more positive and productive work environment.
Tower Systems makes POS software for local small business retailers. Daily, we get to talk with retailers, listen to their challenges, and provide advice. We often do this based on our own experience owning and running our own shops. these are places we test our software, and where we put into practice the advice we provide others.
There are many ways to promote your local shop in the local community. Some strategies you may want to consider include:
Use social media: Use social media platforms, such as Facebook and Instagram, to share information about your shop, including new products, special offers, and events. This can help to attract new customers and keep current customers informed about what’s happening at your shop.
Participate in local events: Participate in local events, such as festivals, fairs, and community gatherings, to showcase your shop and its products. This can help to raise awareness of your shop and build connections with members of the local community.
Partner with other local businesses: Partner with other local businesses, such as restaurants and cafes, to cross-promote each other’s businesses. For example, you could offer a discount to customers who show a receipt from one of the other businesses.
Offer special deals and promotions: Offer special deals and promotions, such as discounts or free gifts, to attract new customers and encourage them to visit your shop.
Reach out to local media: Contact local media outlets, such as newspapers and radio stations, to let them know about your shop and its products. They may be interested in featuring your business in a story or mentioning it in a news segment.
Offer dual-benefit transactions where you give a portion of each sale to a local community group. Your Tower Systems POS software can track and manage this for you.
Provide use and care advice automatically for products purchased and through this encourage word of mouth thanks to you going above and beyond what is traditional.
Be locally aware in your interaction with shoppers in the business: know about local events and support them.
Offer a community noticeboard in your shop.
Support the local community and it will support you.
By implementing these strategies, you can help to promote your local shop and increase its visibility in the local community.
Tower Systems is grateful to serve thousands of local retail businesses. In our POS software we offer ways you can better connect with and support the local community and this is key to gaining their support in your business.
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