Selecting the Right Retail Software Solution That Does Everything you Need

Author: Candy Ross

Maybe you've heard some retailers say that at one time--way back when--they used a pencil and paper as a method of tracking inventory? Times have changed, yes, but just how far have retailers gone to make the advancements they need to keep up?

Systems administrator Ken Sweeney has been around retail for over ten years and witnessed the antiquated methods of tracking inventory. He is responsible for the technology of one of the leading sports and entertainment presenters in the world, AEG Merchandising. Before the installation of a modern day retail point of sale system in 1997, the only methods for tracking inventory and keeping income and products organized were kept with pencil and paper.

It took considerable research to find a technology solution suitable for the needs of AEG. After using retail service provider One Step Data, Sweeney was able to make the right choice for his company.

But do retailers really know what they need without help of a service provider?

Today's retail point-of-sale technology needs to have certain key features that allow flexibility, as well as total functionality for the retailer.

* A system that is scalable. It needs to scale smoothly from a single store to a chain of stores. It needs to be deployed with a stable and scalable database.

* A system that is easy to learn. It needs to have an architecture that is familiar to employees and easy to use.

* A system that is integrates with other applications. It needs to operate on a platform that allows users to move easily from one application to another, and ties information together without manually re-entering it.

* A system with dynamic inventory control. It needs to have superior inventory data structures that preserve inventory history.

* A system that provides easy analysis and reporting. It needs to provide unlimited custom reporting capability and allow users to get the reports they want, how they want it.

* A system that is easy to customize. It needs to support unique retail methods, adaptable to fit changing needs.


The future of retail technology needs to exist in today's technology. There have been many advancements however many software solutions require constant upgrades to stay current with changing needs.

The most cutting-edge retail technology breakthrough is the recently released Retail Teamwork™. It's the first all-in-one retail solution built on the Microsoft Dynamics platform and delivers real-time reporting.

According to a news article in Women s Wear Daily, The real-time sales reporting capability of Retail Teamwork brought one sports store in Mesa, Arizona a 25 percent increase in sales over the holiday season. The new integrated retail system boosted sales at this $14 million company. "It gave us an edge we were never able to have," said Just Sports owner Kevin Palmer.

Another software solution One Ste Data offers is Retail Pro®. This software has long established itself as the standard in store management software for retailers and has been the leading inventory control /POS system for small to medium sized retailers.

Kenco Retail Shops (DBA Famous Brands) had switched from using a cash register to the modern day point of sale system Retail Pro when owner Ken Sanchez could not keep up with managing inventory. Kenco opened its first store in 1992 is now a 12 store women's, men's and children's apparel chain located in the New York metropolitan area.

In the beginning, owner Sanchez managed his stores the "old way" by using cash registers and eye-balling the inventory. Our business had grown to a level where we could no longer keep up. We needed a system that would give us the ability to quickly and accurately replenish our inventory," explained Sanchez.

When you think of a retail management system, think "total control." That means you need a system that puts you in control of your inventory and prices, helps you manage trends, and provides you with tools to build customer loyalty.

It's the only way to stay ahead of the game.





For more information, visit www.onestepdata.com.

About the Author:

Candy Ross is a contributing technology writer for One Step Retail Solutions’ publications.

Article Source: http://www.articlesbase.com/technology-articles/selecting-the-right-retail-software-solution-that-does-everything-you-need-104867.html

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Software Discounts And Savings

Author: Peter Gilbert

Many students and faculty receive software discounts and savings from the particular purchasing program their college or university program has purchased a license for. These deep discounts are made because the software manufacturers understand that colleges and universities need to have the latest software to stay competitive with the learning curve required in business applications and software in the real world.



The software discounts and savings can be seen if a price comparison is done between the regular prices offered to the general public and the software discounts that are given to students, and further savings offered to educators and college institutions.



The price differences shown at one academic software retailer showed that the academic savings were $132.95. When you add those savings up to a college that has over 3000 students, then you can really see the savings! If the college had to purchase the same software at the commercial price, the software would have cost them $579.95. A single academic copy would cost $199.95, with the academic site license priced at $67.00 per license.



To be eligible to receive such software discounts and savings, students must prove that they are eligible by completing an online account and faxing proof of identity through college student identification cards, class schedules, or a letter from their respective college institutions that states you have a right to this type of software discounts and savings.



For teachers and faculty, the application and approval process is almost identical. They must be enrolled in an academic faculty position, and must send their faculty photograph identification card, and a verification letter from the school officials or they can choose to use a pay stub from the university or college that they work for as an alternative to this letter. The biggest requirement that must be made on the manufacturer software level is that some form of photo identification must be provided.



Students are required to learn several computer programs that they will use to complete their daily assignments and their nightly homework assignments. All of the programs that the student uses can be purchased at student discount prices. These software discounts and savings will add up to a lot of money over a two or four year college degree program.



The academic software manufacturers are known by the names of Adobe, Corel, Macromedia and Inspiration. The software discounts and savings that are provided to students and faculty by these software manufacturing companies are well-rounded and will keep the school up-to-date in licensing requirements for the multiple software programs they need to use to educate their classes with.



To qualify for an academic site license, which comes with each software program, the verification process is done for all people that are in school and are in grades from Kindergarten to Grade 12. These grade school software discounts and savings are then passed on to the college level, and only to accredited institutions. This licensing verification process ensures parents and alumni, that their college and university is not using pirated software to teach their children with.

About the Author:
Peter Gilbert writes about GoToMeeting Coupons, Anonymizer Promotion and Software Coupons

Article Source: http://www.articlesbase.com/internet-articles/software-discounts-and-savings-133861.html

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