Web-enabled software modules have resulted in the point-of-sale function truly coming of age with instant access for management to a host of information at head office, regional, branch and individual store level.
"Point-of-sale information available quickly throughout a retail operation is of immense management value," says Bernard Ford, Sales Manager at Softline Lorge, the national and international ACCPAC accounting software reseller and solutions provider.
"Web-enabling technology allows remote access by management, staff and customers to a spread of information and functions within the retail sales environment. Two new Web-enabled modules from ACCPAC, known as eCRM and ePOS, along with ACCPAC`s embedded `i-connect` technology have resulted in a truly mobile portal that benefits the chain store and customers."
Ford explains that in a national retail chain, for example, remote branches can now have access via a standard ePOS workstation to customer information, inventory levels, sales history and other pertinent detail, whereas before access to information was limited to rudimentary POS functions such as sale, credit limit and stock price lists.
"Now, with the interaction offered by the ePOS and eCRM modules, customer details can be viewed and edited, orders placed at other locations can be tracked, stock levels at other locations can be viewed, purchase orders placed, the human resources self-service facility accessed and important follow-up information can also be logged directly into the eCRM module. With some chains, customers can also place their weekly shopping orders online from their home PC.
"The Web-enabled central storage of this data allows instantaneous access to sales information by management. The value of this information cannot be overestimated. It indicates stock movement for timely re-stocking, helps to control shrinkage and allows for trends analysis to be carried out on all sales information to identify fast and slow-moving lines, peak sales periods and changes in consumer habits or preferences."
Ford adds that the `connect anywhere` technology of the Internet has allowed accounting and ERP software system developers to release Web-deployable suites of products covering most line-of-business applications such as inventory, purchasing, sales orders, debtors, creditors and general ledger.
Share
Softline Lorge, a company in the JSE-listed Softline group, is the leading and largest reseller internationally and in SA of ACCPAC accounting software and business solutions. A team of professionals offers collective skills for added value services that provide accounting and business software solutions to meet the unique requirements of a company. Solutions are provided on a turnkey basis. Services include software installation, custom-designed software development, needs analysis, system configuration, training and assistance, implementation management and ongoing support and advice.
Editorial contacts