Underutilized Features of Point of Sale Systems – Part 2

Posted on by ccsretail

Inventory Management is the second of five underutilized features of Point of Sale Systems, according to James Bickers, editor of Retail Customer Experience.com.  Inventory Management functionality allows integration of inventory management at work in the back office with the front-of-the-house.  This gives managers a current view of what’s selling, what’s needed, and the opportunities that are being missed.  It allows quick recognition of items that are in stock, what the top sellers are, and how quickly the top sellers can be replaced.

Having Inventory Management can mean the difference between surviving in a "down" economy and having to close shop.  Can you afford to be without it?

We’d be happy to supply you with further information on Inventory Management features available with our POS Software.  Call us at (425) 672-4806 or email us.
 

Underutilized Features of Point of Sale Systems – Part 1

Posted on by ccsretail

From humble beginnings as cash registers used only to ring up purchases and store cash, modern Point of Sale Systems are capable of storing and using enormous amounts of information.  Although much of this stored information can be used by business to increase sales, many of these software features are being underutilized.

James Bickers, editor for Retail Customer Experience.com, cites five features of POS Systems that retailers should use more.  The first of these is Suggestive Selling.

If you’ve ever purchased an item on the Internet, you have probably seen a pop-up message that says something like, "If you liked this, you might also like these."  Then you are shown pictures of similar products.  The retailer hopes that you will add more items to your order, increasing the amount of your purchase. 

The same type of thing can be done in a retail store.  A screen reminder of items that may be needed with the item being purchased (add-ons) can be shown when the sale is being processed.  The employee can then remind the customer of a product that might otherwise have been missed.  These are both examples of Suggestive Selling – a very effective method of increasing sales.

Are you maximizing your profits by utilizing Suggestive Selling on your software system?   We can steer you in the right direction to make this happen!  Contact for further information by phone at (425) 672-4806 or by email.

My next blog will present information on the second of five underutilized features of many Point of Sale Systems.  Be sure to read it!

 

Good Reasons to upgrade to Passport Version 12

Posted on by ccsretail

Some good reasons for considering an upgrade to Passport Version 12:

  • Version 12 will have full Windows GUI (Graphical User Interface) for all applications.
  • Screens will be tabbed instead of having to resort to entering though multiple screens to find or change something.
  • To change data, you click on the “EDIT” button.  All edited data for a record on the current screen can be saved from an individual tab, or by clicking on the master “SAVE” button.
  • The GUI Screens will have drill down capability from master file records, to see detail such as: Vendors – Open Item, Vendor History, including distribution detail for individual documents.
  • Users will also be able to toggle between the old style and new style screens by using the ALT – F12 Command.

Please contact the CCS Sales Department for more details on these new features.

Maintaining Your Windows PC

Posted on by ccsretail

Many users of PC’s may not understand that a computer is a high-maintenance device that demands much more routine care than the usual household appliance.  Many users are unwilling or unable to spend the time and effort required to learn some of the elementary knowledge about how computers function.

There is no question that many PC’s users would benefit greatly from just a little basic knowledge on the subject. From my experience there is considerable reluctance to acquire the desirable basic knowledge.

The following are a few basic things that I feel are good basic knowledge for all PC users whatever their technical background may be. A little preparation will go a long way.

Updating anti-virus protection
Most PC’s come with an anti-virus program. Many users fail to keep their virus definitions updated.  All the major anti-virus programs come with an update feature that should be used regularly.  The major companies no longer provide unlimited updates, but they have started charging after one year’s use. Be sure to renew your subscription when its time to renew.  Your software should remind you when it is time.

Updating anti-spyware protection
Anti-virus programs are insufficient to guard against all malware types. You need sypware protection as well.  Like anti-virus anti-spyware will need to be updated regularly.  Some of the newer version of anti-virus software come with anti-spyware also. It is recommended that you change your protection software to include both anti-virus and anti-spyware.

Preparing for, and managing, disasters
Some common disasters include:

  • Unfortunately, hard drive failure is not all that uncommon. If this occurs, everything that is on the drive can be lost. Sometimes a recovery service can still extract the data. This can be very expensive. 
  • If you do get a virus, a lot of your disk may be wiped out, corrupted, or too damaged to use.  
  • Botched software installations, system crashes, or just plain carelessness, can lose valuable data. 

Ideally, the whole system should be backed up to some external storage device. At a minimum, this should include files such as passwords, favorite places, and address books. Financial and tax records, important documents, correspondence (including e-mail), and any other personal data that has value should be included, as well.

Back these up to some place other than your hard drive.  I prefer an external USB drive.  They are inexpensive, ease to use, and come in a variety of sizes.

Using Windows System Restore
Restore does not replace a regular backup procedure.  The Windows XP accessory System Restore is a valuable tool that can remedy many common problems.  This may be the starting point if you suspect your problem was caused by system updates.  Windows automatically creates a restore point before installing updates,

There is plenty of information on the Internet, and in the Windows help system, about the Windows System Restore utility. All PC users should learn it’s uses.

Disk Maintenance
Making sure that your hard drives are healthy is an important part of maintenance. The Windows command line tool chkdsk should be run monthly to check file structures, folder structures, and disk sectors.  You can request the next boot sequence to include a chkdsk, from the Windows GUI interface.

Windows XP does not seem to need defragmenting as much as previous versions of Windows did, but regular maintenance should still include a Disk Defragmentation monthly

File Maintenance
A certain amount of file housekeeping will help your system remain efficient and stable. Windows programs use a lot of temporary files. These can accumulate at an alarming rate. In particular, the Temporary Internet Files and Temp folders can build up quickly. The Windows Disk Cleanup utility is a great tool for keeping the temp folders clean.

As always if you need help with maintaining your PC or Server feel free to email us or call the CCS Support Department at 1-800-672-4806. We can help with some of the task involved in maintaining your computers.

Have a Great Weekend
-Bryan

 

Favorite Ways To Boost Sales – Part 3

Posted on by ccsretail

This is part 3 of a 3 part series on how to boost sales with more ideas for you to review and implement. I know I’m repeating myself here, but it is always important to give yourself as much of an advantage as possible over your competitors. For some shoppers, price is the only factor they consider, but many customers will appreciate the service, attention to detail, and quality goods you offer.

Today, I’m listing a third set of ideas to help boost sales.

1. USE BAG STUFFERS. Stuff bags with a schedule of events, a coupon good for a following visit or an invitation to an open house. Use an open house to start a new season off with a bang. Maybe give a discount on different items every hour or two (Think Amazon and their Deals of the Day). Whatever you decide on, make sure your Company name, address, website, and phone number are featured prominently.

2. COLLECT NAMES AND ADDRESSES – STREET AND/OR EMAIL. Knowing who your customers are allows you to contact them during the rest of the year. It doesn’t always have to be a sale. Offer a class or tell them about something you’ve done to enhance their experience when they visitor.  Just send a "we’re thinking of you" note during a holiday. (Of course it never hurts to mention something special they may want)

3. DECORATE YOUR STORE. It can be as simple as a display of seasonal merchandise at the front of the store – Flags and bunting mid-summer – Scarecrow in the fall. The point is to make your store a place people will remember and will want to come back.

4. REPEAT CUSTOMERS. Make your regular customers feel special because they are! Don’t let them get lost in the crowd.

5. WEAR GOOD SHOES. Enough said.

6. EAT WELL – DRINK LOTS OF WATER – GET AS MUCH SLEEP AS YOU CAN. The more you can implement these habits, the sharper and more "on top of things" you’ll be. This will go a long way to ensure your success.

                                               MOST IMPORTANT OF ALL  –  SMILE

Integrating your systems

Posted on by ccsretail

In today’s computer world there are many choices of software and hardware platforms to run you’re business.  Just as there is no one solution that is best for all companies, often there is no one solution that is best for all facets of a single company.

Possibly one part of your company is best suited to a Windows application, while another is best suited to a UNIX/Linux application.  Even if you have only one platform (such as Windows), different applications are usually needed for the different aspects of the company, .  The challenge comes in, when information from one of these platforms, needs to be used on the another platform.  That is where system integration is needed. 

For example, the Counterpoint Point-Of-Sale solution is an excellent choice for store fronts, and catalog sales.  It does an excellent job of providing support for selling your product. It is highly configurable.  However, you also need an accounting package, and Counterpoint does not have a built-in full accounting feature set.  It does, however, integrate seamlessly with many full accounting packages, such as MAS90, Sage Business Works, and Quickbooks.

On a more complex level, the UNIX/Linux operating systems are very strong in many areas. They are very often a good choice for part of your companies computer needs.  Of course, such things a file structures are completely different between the UNIX/Linux and Windows worlds.  There are many tools that can be used to make data on UNIX/Linux accessible to Windows and vice versa.  A properly integrated system makes it transparent to the users as they move between completely different platforms throughout the day.

Achieving seamless integration takes a thorough understanding of the different platforms, and the tools that are available.  We have done numerous cross-platform integrations. We have a complete understanding of the issues that arise, the tools that are available, and how to help you get the most out of your computer systems.  Contact us for help in integrating you systems.
 

More on Increasing Sales

Posted on by ccsretail

Do you want to increase sales?  In an article by F. John Reh of About.com, he suggests that all you need to do to make this happen is to make it easier for the customer to buy!  Sounds simple, doesn’t it?  Consider using some of the methods recommended below.

  • Reduce the length of time that a customer waits in line.  Paperwork, re-stocking shelves and counting items can wait until slower times.  Add extra cashiers during peak hours.
  • Keep your promises to customers.  If you promised a call-back when an item is back in stock, do it!
  • Use the right technology to cut steps and speed up processes.  For example, if customer information is kept up-to-date in your POS System, it can be accessed quickly with just a telephone number to find previous purchases or to redeem loyalty point.

Is your software doing all it could be doing to help make it easier for customers to buy?  We can help you find answers to your questions.  We’re here to assist you at (425) 672-4806 or by email.

Investing in Training Classes

Posted on by ccsretail

When you are contemplating POS Software Training Classes for you and your employees, it’s important to look at the advantages as well as the cost!  Below are listed ten of the benefits that you may not have considered.

  • Increased productivity – With appropriate training, it takes less time to do the job.
  • Reduction of costly, time-consuming “clean-ups” – Knowledgeable employees make fewer mistakes.
  • Decreased need for constant supervision – Less need for repeated questions.
  • Reduction of workplace stress – Internal friction lessens.
  • Increased customer satisfaction  – Employees present a better interface with customers.
  • Increased job satisfaction for employees – Doing the job right instills pride in product and service, and empowers employees.
  • Decreased absenteeism – Those who feel good about their job show up for it!
  • Increased employee retention – Satisfied employees stay with the job longer.
  • Increased loyalty from employees – By investing in them, employers show employees that the company expects them to be a part of the organization’s future.
  • Increased value to the company as a whole – You’re known as a good employer and this attracts better candidates for employment.

Training Classes provide a great return on your investment!  Our classes are designed to help you and your employees learn how to use your software in the most effective way.  Call us at (425) 672-4806 or email us for more details.

Some Good Reasons For Having Proper Documentation

Posted on by ccsretail

Some Good Reasons For Having Proper Documentation:

Lack of proper documentation of hardware and software configurations, infrastructure,  policies and procedures can lead to some real problems.  Increased stress, wasted time, and an increase your support costs may suffer. 

Here are some good examples of what can happen without proper documentation in place: 

  • Technicians have to go back and recreate the original configurations from scratch:  this can mean a difference in hours or days instead of a few minutes.
  • Access is denied to critical areas because no password or security information was available: having to reset a router to the factory defaults because no one has a password for it.
  • Users enter large numbers of items incorrectly, creating  issues with processing, history, valuations, and sales:  this requires considerable time to correct wrong costs, prices, descriptions, and improperly assigned categories.
  • A clerk assigns an unlimited A/R credit limit to a new customer with extremely bad credit.
  • A user accidentally purges all of your inventory or sales history:  this is detected for months, a backup not done before the purge,  the data may be permanently lost.
  • Down time – not having the right details at hand could result long periods of downtime, or only partial functionality of your systems. 

As they say "time is money", so it may be costing money in more than one way.  If you are unsure about how to go about any of this, please review some of our website documentation on these topics or call the CCS Support Department for assistance.

 

Spear phishing

Posted on by ccsretail

The term phishing refers to an attempt to acquire sensitive information such as user names, passwords and credit card details.  Phishing is typically carried out by e-mail or instant messaging.  It often directs users to enter details at a fake website whose look and feel are almost identical to the legitimate one.

Spear phishing is a more targeted type of phishing, that targets a specific organization, seeking unauthorized access to confidential data.  The apparent source of the e-mail is likely to be an individual within the recipient’s own company and generally someone in a position of authority.

Typically, the spear phisher will get the email address of a someone in the company, such as someone in management, or the network administrator.  Emails are then sent to people in the company, purporting to be from this person.  Typically they ask for user names and passwords, or for you to click on a link that downloads spyware, or a virus.

The success of phising lies in the email coming from a person the recipient knows, and trusts.  The body of the email is crafted to support the validity of the request.  So, even though an email claims to be from your network administrator, you need to verify that it is authentic, before you divulge any confidential information.

Email us for more help in securing your system against this threat.