by Stacey on March 5, 2010
In the beginning of February we featured a POS review of a new web based point of sale software called Cashier Live. This week the company’s announcement of the launch of their web based Pharmacy POS is our first roundup feature. The next feature is the announcement of NewLeads new and innovative “show order system” also known as SOS. Our third featured article is an easy to follow report tutorial created by TechRepublic for QuickBook Point of Sale users. The last two articles that are featured in this weeks roundup have to do with small retailers using social media. You’ll see that the numbers prove this is a marketing technique your small business needs to be using and what social media site is most successful for small retail businesses.
1. Cashier Live Launches Web-Based Pharmacy Point of Sale – Cashier Live has announced they have secured their SIGIS certification which is a first for a SaaS point of sale application which means pharmacies can accept FSA (flexible spending account) cards. The low subscription price for Cashier Live’s Pharmacy POS is sure to draw many businesses owners looking for a way to comply with the new regulations and keep it within budget.
2. NewLeads Offers a Point-of-Sale Ordering System – This new and innovative show order system (SOS) is going to be a big hit with small retailers that attend trade shows. New Leads unique point of sale system allows merchants to scan or looked up items, take orders or perform a checkout, the reseller information is attached the order, securely enter credit card information (either swiped or manual entry) and automatically print invoices or regular receipts.
3. How do I create and memorize reports in QuickBooks Point of Sale? – This is a great visual tutorial provided by TechRepublic. If you’re a user of Quickbooks point of sale and you need to know how to create and memorize reports, grab a pen and paper then start learning.
4. Adoption Of Social Media Doubled Among SMBs – Small retailers are staring to jump on the social media bandwagon according to a new study by The Center for Media Research that states the number has doubled in the last year. The author gives an interesting take on which sector of small businesses were including in the jump.
5. Social media for retailers: Focus on Facebook – This article featured at the Retail Customer Experience speaks for itself the minute you visit the site. As many of you may know we offer many articles from this excellent retail website and they too have embraced social media. Take a look at their new engaging look while you read about why your small retail business needs to be focusing on Facebook.
by Stacey on February 12, 2010
One of the easiest ways to run your small retail business is to know your point of sale. That means everything form software, hardware, applications, troubleshooting and more. Being knowledgeable and having the right resources will help you maintain the level of efficiency you need to have with your point of sale system. This weeks first featured article actually came from a press release but that it would be an excellent point of sale resource similar to our Wizard of POS site. Our second article focuses on a mobile point of sale application that was tested by a small businesses owner and comes highly recommended. As we roll into our third article you will read about Radiants Systems new employee theft deterrent application. The last two articles in this weeks roundup reflect on your small retail online presence, tips for your business blog and how online pricing should be handled.
1. New Online Magazine Launched for Point of Sale Industry - Expert Retail Knowledge and Breaking News on Pointofsale.com – PointofSale.com is a new website directed at giving information to business owners and small retailers about various POS topics. This online magazine covers many topics such as hardware, mobile products, specialized retail software and software for various niche retailers.
2. Leave The Credit Card, Take The Cell Phone – Marketing director of Wallace Oil, Rachel Wallace has a review of a new mobile point of sale payment solution that is affordable for small retailers. This service called Bling Nation is a mere $40 a month but could save thousands in the long term.
3. Radiant Systems Announces Launch of Widely Adopted Employee Theft Deterrent Application – Radiant Systems may be trying to redeem itself after the major security breach that is making headlines. They are introducing a new application that promises to deter employee theft.
“Aloha Restaurant Guard has been the most impactful application to our operations that we have installed since Aloha POS,” said Jim Nichols, owner of Nichols restaurant in Marina Del Rey, Calif. “We discovered that more than 40 percent of our employees were stealing, and in one instance with a single person, the overall theft equated to a loss of $10,000 per year.”
4. How to Use Your Business Blog for Brand Evangelism – If you don’t already have a blog for your small retail business, create one according to these great branding tips. If you currently have a blog for your small business, hurray, just tweak what you have to help build your brand and bring in new customers. The Noobpreneur has some expert advice on what will work to get your blog noticed.
5. The pros and cons of concealing product prices online – Some great advice on how to decide if you should display the price of a product or service online. This is a great article that features a panel of retail industry experts called BrainTrust
by Stacey on February 7, 2010
Emerging technology is once again the focus in this weeks roundup. As a small retail business you need to embrace the new technology that is available in order to create a loyal young customer base. These new applications and ways to market your business are the future which will be the norm for future generations. This week we feature another new mobile point of sale application that can be used with an average POS and a customer’s mobile phone. Next, JcPenny is joining the mobile coupon realm from a different approach which may prove very profitable. We then touch on a different form of technology, websites. This is something that every small retail business should have in place to reach customers online in some way. Our fourth article is the reason why you as a small business owner need to be embracing and using these new technologies. Last we end the roundup with some tips for bookstore owners to compete with the new digital books on the iPad.
1. FaceCash: a simple, elegant mobile payment application – FaceCash is a new mobile POS application that can be run on a computer with an internet connection and barcode scanner. Payment processing is done through the FaceCash program for a fee lower than the traditional credit card networks. Users load their FaceCash account (much like PayPal) and they can use a barcode on their mobile phone to pay for their purchases.
2. J.C. Penney to launch mobile coupons – JcPenny is joining stores like Kroger, 7-Eleven and Tom Thumb in offering mobile coupons. They are testing a different 2D type barcode but it’s sure to prove effective considering the average paper coupon redemption rate is 1% and for mobile coupons it’s 15%-25%.
3. 8 Reasons Why Your Small Business Needs A Website – This is a must read and study hard type of article posted at Noobpreneur.com. It’s advice meant to reach small business owners that still believe the internet will not improve their business. Grab a pen and paper, take notes and start implementing your start to reaching customers online.
4. Why Generation Y isn’t buying your products – If the article above did not convince you that you have to embrace technology I guarantee that this one will. This article is written from the perspective of a real 23 year old consumer. He reveals some very important insight into the mind of generation Y and how to better understand their buying habits plus how to market to them.
5. What the iPad means for booksellers – The announcement of the new iPad might have some bookstore owners a bit weary but don’t worry you have the overall true experience of read a good old fashion book. The iPad offers digital copies of books through a service called iBook that delivers a close to real experience as you can get with technology. These tips for bookstore owners will help you remind your customers of the true experience of reading a book like taking it to a sandy beach, reading in the tub and passing it along when you’re done.
by Stacey on January 29, 2010
Combining point of sale and digital technology gives you the new and modern small retail business. Many retail establishments are far behind when it comes to new technology which with the high cost and the many available options makes this understandable. The issue arises when the customer is looking for their favorite retailers to implement the new technology options because they fail to realize the overall picture of the small business owner. This weeks round up will help bring new ideas for improving every aspect of your small retail environment allowing you to retain loyal and happy customers.
1. In-Store TV Works! So Say We All! – A report released by Nielsen suggests that through the use of DOOH (digital out-of-home) media increases sales up to 33% at the point of sale.
“These results are a clear call to retailers to increase their use of DOOH formats in the future. The results are important for us because they promote acceptance of our industry – an industry still in its early stages.”
2. ZigBee adds retail services to the mix – ZigBee, a non-profit organization traditionally serves energy management and the electronics industry has announced it will begin serving the retail industry. The goal of the company is to bring a new standard to the small retailer experience from the point of manufacture to the POS.
3. Digital Receipts, Now Please! – This is a short piece that is very easy to relate with on both the consumer and retailer end. The mass amount of work, space and time that paper receipts require. Going digital would be a great idea and Intuit is already working on it. Read more about this perfect solution for everyone involved.
4. Study: Loyalty programs are failing to connect with customers – Loyalty program have become very popular and consumers love them but this study shows how they may be failing to connect in the right way. This must read information article will help you attain deeper engagement and personal contact that will help make your small retail loyalty program a success.
5. Five great uses of social media at retail – It’s never too late to jump on the social media bandwagon to connect with your customers. This article features five retail businesses that use social media effectively to gain consumer trust. This does not just involve site like Twitter and FaceBook but also gives ideas on search friendly and content sites.
by Stacey on October 27, 2009
The release of TranZfinity’s new mobile point of sale solution is the first review on our roundup this week. It’s important to education yourself on new POS technology in order to be successful when making decisions for your business. We then go into a few ways that social media can help your small retail business which is a must read to be prepared for the Holiday shopping season. The peak-end rule is an interesting concept for transforming your customer service it’s definitely an eye-opening article. We end the roundup this week with two features on Holiday sales but from different spectrums. How the flu may affect sales and some tips for increasing your sales this season.
1. TranZfinity Launches New Mobile POS Solution for Global Markets – The new mobile point of sale solution is called Myztro. The concept is using an existing mobile with Myztro and a secure mobile POS application you can move freely and perform secure POS transactions from anywhere. At this time it only supports pre paid cards but will eventually support other payment options.
2. Social Media and Your Business – A few simple ways that you can start gaining a web presence for your small retail business. The article gives a short background on why you need this and suggestions to get started.
3. The ‘peak-end’ rule: Can it transform your customer experience? – This was by far the most interesting piece I read this week. I had never heard of the peak-end rule so it immediately sparked my attention. As I was reading it all made sense to me and it was very easy to see myself in that situation as a consumer making it an important article for all small business owners to read.
By “peak” we’re not just talking about the most enjoyable or positive moment or aspect of the experience; peak in this case refers to the moment that is either the most positive or negative.
4. Study: H1N1 flu could have a big impact on holiday retail – The thought never crossed my mind but when I read the headline it makes total sense. This is something that could have a huge impact on the small retailer during the Holiday shopping season. That’s why it will be so imperative that you establish an online presence with your business. A TIP from me to you (as a consumer): Maybe you could give out free samples of hand sanitizer or antibacterial wipes. 
5. Brighter Outlook for Holiday Retail – On a lighter note the Specialty Retail Expert gives a more positive outlook on the Holiday retail season. Plus she adds five suggestions for increasing sales during the shopping season.
