The Retail Blog

POS Software systems evolved from mechanical cash registers in the early 1900s’. The early systems were little more than hand cranked making change cash tills that produced a “Z” Tape. The cash register “Z” tape was a journal that gave you a broad overview of the day’s transactions. The “Z” tape did not give you a lot of in depth information, but was the start of departmental reporting and exception reporting.  ProphetLine POS Software still produces a similar report that gives you a five second overview of your store activity.  Some functions and ideas are still relevant and have stood the test of time. 
The first computer-based POS Software systems were introduced in 1973 by IBM, which were large mainframes with proprietary client/server software.  That same year was also the beginning of UPC/EAN barcode readers and in 1986; IBM introduced PC-based POS Software systems.
I guess the point of this blog is that most of the POS Software ideas have been around for a long time, it’s the speed and how you use the information gathered that is important and is it affordable to small retailers. Retailers need to do what they do best, which is be on the floor selling, and not be confined to a computer in the back. Your POS Software should do more than just simple point of sale tasks and fully integrate all the essential store functions. Even small retailers can now expect fully integrated accounting, inventory management, open to buy forecasting, customer relation management (CRM), integrated credit, debit gift card service, rentals, and small business financials. Because of this wide range of functionality, today’s POS Software is truly your full functioning Retail Management System.

A simple hi, how are you, what can I help you with will go a long way in making a sale.  I was running out of toner for a laser printer in my office and on an impulse, went to Office Depot to purchase one.  I couldn’t find the product number I needed and couldn’t find anyone that could help me, even though there were plenty of employees in the store.  I went back to my office, logged in on Amazon and made the purchase.  I know it wasn’t a large sale, but it was an easy sale if someone would have asked, can I help you?  

When retailers don’t simplify their technology needs, they will limit the motivation and creativity their employees need to grow the business.  If the employee task becomes difficult and unmanageable because all the applications don’t work well together, the software implementation will fail.  Empower employees with technology that will make their work rewarding, easy to accomplish and watch the bottom line grow.  An example of this would be, a good customer walks in and you go to the point of sale station and immediately have all that customer’s past purchases, preferences and buying habits in front of you.  This is impressive and will create a simplified one-on-one selling experience. 

ProphetLine POS/Inventory Management Software is a complete package that manages all crucial tasks seamlessly from front to back.  The next time your employees complain the POS Software and store technology is to complicated, maybe they are right.          

If you are not currently involved in a gift card program, you need to start.  It’s one of the fastest growing segments in retailing.  Click this link back to ProphetLine’s Blog to read more.

Donald Trump can have a new slogan this year.  Now that Plutoed has been voted in as the word of 06, Trump doesn’t have to say “You’re Fired”; he can say “You’re Plutoed”.  I’m not sure how much relevance that will have in Disneyland, with a Pluto working there, but it is a nice change around the office instead of hearing you have been demoted, you’re Plutoed. I hope all you retailers have a Great and Happy New Year and avoid being Plutoed. 

“The internet is not something you just dump something on. It’s not a truck. It’s a series of tubes. And if you don’t understand, those tubes can be filled and if they are filled, when you put your message in, it gets in line and it’s going to be delayed by anyone that puts into that tube enormous amounts of material, enormous amounts of material.” –Senate Commerce Committee Chairman Ted Steven (R-AK), explaining the workings of the Internet during a debate on net neutrality.  If only POS Software was this easy.

It’s not easy being a small retailer in these day and ages.  It takes fortitude, vision and good timing.  I tell everyone the reason I was a small entrepreneur was because no one would hire me.  A general business major with a background in golf is not the most impressive resume.  I was over qualified for some positions and under qualified for the good positions.  It took a little luck, good timing and hard work to make a go of it.  I salute all of you that have made the decision to be on your own and fight the big box retailers.  From all of us at ProphetLine POS Software/Retail Systems, Have a great holiday season and a prosperous New Year. 

I have a sign on my office wall that says; everything comes to he who waits, as long as he works like hell while he waits.  A small business person has limited resources to compete with the big box retailers and hard work, finding your niche markets and out hustling your competitors is the only way you can make it.  It’s interesting that Best Buy is expanding their Geek Squad, because they realize that service is the only way they can obtain a good growth factor.  Adding more services to your business will separate you from the crowd.  Have a great Holiday Season. 

If you are interested in retail technology, then New York in January is the place to be.  Everyone that’s anyone will be there showing their product line at the NRF Big Show.  From POS Software to gift card solutions, there is something for everybody.  If you need a free expo pass, give me a call or email and I’ll make sure you receive one.  They are normally a $100. value and you want pay a dime, what a deal.  The show is January 15th and 16th at the Jacob Javits Convention Center.  bob.brown@prophetline.com or call 800-875-6592 x 310

All customers are not created equal and data gathered with quality POS Software can provide you with valuable information on which customers are profitable and which ones only do business with you when there is no other choice or a sale.   The bottom line is the need to understand your customers and the way you promote to the different customer groups. 

The most valued companies have one thing in common over their lesser rivals: customer groups that create more business.  Whatever your size company, it’s your customers and their willingness to purchase more through your targeted marketing efforts that contribute to a better bottom line.  It’s by building and nurturing a base of loyal customers that the most profitable companies separate themselves from the pack.