No two businesses can be run in precisely the same manner. There are too many aspects that influence the particular enterprise, such as demand, customer trends, and competition. That is why, when it comes to point of sale, or pos, software, there is more than one to choose from. The software used in a modern point of sale system can be tailored to suit a particular sector. Electronic point of sale, or epos, technology allows such features as stock control and pricing to be altered in order to suit whatever the demands may be, ensuring that epos solutions exist for every business. When it comes to larger chain stores, the needs are expanded but the availability of multi store epos solutions means they too are amply catered for. A jewellery shop, for example, is run very differently to a corner shop. Such a business involves selling items of high value but of very specific design, as well as offering repair services and a returns system. Indeed, precision with a vast amount of small items is an integral part in being successful. Diamonds need to be accounted for, with different sizes, carats, cuts and hues, with an organised approach especially necessary in the case of alteration or even custom designing. But that is only part of it. Because of the fluctuating prices in gold, silver, and precious and semi precious stones, the value of specific stock lots can vary. This means an inventory system capable of identifying the lots that have arrived at one price against the lots that have arrived at a different price. This can be provided by a detailed fifo, or first in first out, stock system that ensures each unit is sold at the correct price. Fashion boutiques, however, need a variety of different features. With many boutiques boasting multiple stores spread across a city or country, there is an acute need to communicate information between branches. This invariably means they need software that can share details on respective store stocks, as well as the overall stock at a central warehouse, if there is one. They may also need to share information on special offers, individual store promotions, and the projected sale prices of individual items once the item is out of season. So, a bikini may be in season in the first quarter of the year, with prospective purchasers seeking swim suits for the summer holidays. But, by the time the end of the third quarter arrives, and autumn is approaching its end, they can be promoted in the summer sales. Shoes, meanwhile, may be featured during a seasonal sale, but revert back to their normal price at the end of the sale period. That information can be programmed into the system, allowing the prices to change automatically, without fear of staff members forgetting and revenue being lost. The hospitality industry will have different needs again, with a trace not just on special offers but on room availability also. Special offers can be particularly confusing for staff, as rooms are available to purchase for low prices at certain times from certain websites. This means that the cost of a room can vary dramatically depending on where and when an individual actually booked it. There are also cleaning rotas, details of room repairs or equipment faults to keep track of, and an overall system that can cope with the catering needs of room service, one or more restaurants and one or more bars. This is not to mention the stocking and usage of mini bars in each room. For each of these aspects, the particular software must be able to present, organise and track every little detail. It is true that pos software has to deal with a lot more than one might expect. However, the best software is highly sophisticated, capable of dealing with intricate details. Whatever the particular needs of a business sector, there are electronic point of sale, or epos, solutions to suit each one of them. It stands whether the business is a single store or guest house, requiring a single system software, or whether it is a chain or group requiring multi store epos. Most importantly, the result is the same, making management of less hassle and keeping customers pleasedand coming back. Kathryn Dawson writes articles about Sparkstone, offering some of the leading ecommerce and multichannel solutions for retail and commerce sectors around the world. Sparkstone has decades of professional retail, programming and ecommerce experience and can deliver a first class solution, whether you have a single store or fifty outlets. Contact Sparkstone today to see how their pos software, epos solutions or multi store epos can help your business to thrive.
Related Articles -
pos software, epos solutions, multi store epos,
|