FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS about CHOOSING an EPOS SUPPLIER
It is all very simple when you know how, but at first there are lots of questions that come to mind, these are typical ones
How do you pick the right supplier?
Answer:Before you buy anything decide amongst yourselves what business problems you are needing solutions for i.e. your requirement. On the requirement prioritise into must, need, and wish , and then turn this into a document to ask potential suppliers to respond to called an it ( invitation to tender). Decide what saving you could get if these problems where overcome and set a budget to provide them.
How do I choose the right one?
Answer:You wont be the first person in your industry to have these issues so ask other retailers who they use for their system, does it work and would they recommend them. This is better than wildly surfing the for suppliers as there are a lot of different providers out there with answers for different markets. Consider all factors, such as retail software, technical support, service after the sale, point of sale hardware, and integration with accounting packages or other business software you use.
How do I find epos suppliers?
Answer: There are trade shows across the country for general retail as well as for specific retail industries. Visit these trade shows and there is a good chance you find several epos suppliers there. Do not try to cover evaluating their system on the stand , have a quick look and a quick ballpark price , this should let you know whether you want to see them. Most epos suppliers will be happy to give you a free demo of their system at your request, so ask them to come to you shop and show you. They will also get a better understanding of your business and what you need.
How do I choose a vendor?
Answer: Talk to the various epos suppliers as talking does not cost a thing, and you'll learn a lot about retail software and point of sale systems in the process. As well as their system you also need to consider their location, areas of expertise, and number of years in business. Do they offer extended support hours and they will also be able to handle your business growth. Most importantly, choose a company you trust and develop a good client supplier relationship. The company you choose will be responsible for keeping your business developing and your tills running , so checkout their expertise in your in market sector and their ability to offer support and training, as well as program fixes and improvements using remote dial in over broadband .
Why do I need so many reports?
Answer: It is important to have a choice of developed reports, and you don't need to many as quite often you can see what you want on screen without physically printing the report out. Extremely useful is the ability to provide the same report data in excel so that you can modify it yourself.
What type of database should I choose?
Answer:Any retail software package with inventory management and reporting features will have some underlying database. This database is where all of your items, customers, and sales history are stored. You should only choose a database based on Microsoft SQL due to the integrity of the data and its ability to handle large volumes of data. This database can then be accessed by excel and crystal reports as well.
Why is scalability important in retail software ?
Answer:A scalable retail software package will grow with you as your business grows. Choose a retail point of sale system that can readily accommodate additional users, additional workstations, and additional stores. If history is a concern, make sure that the retail system you choose can store years and years of data.
Do I need a software support service?
Answer: Yes. When you purchase new retail software, you get the latest software release that's available on the date you purchase it. As new features are added to the retail software in subsequent releases, only those users with active support contracts will receive those updates. And no matter how good the retail software is, it may have a few bugs in it all. Your support service will provide you with product updates, new features, and bug fixes for as long as your support service is active. Support services also encourage software companies to continue to invest resources in improving their retail software.