In your retail business, does the business management software reach from goods receiving all the way through to the point of sale? If it doesn't, you could be missing out on the opportunity for better management through automation.
That's according to Andre Wiid, HansaWorld SA sales and channel manager. He says a better point of sale (POS) system is one which is entirely integrated with all other aspects of in-store management systems.
“Complete integration means the ability to accurately and automatically gain an instant view of the goods on hand, sales performance and stock holding, whether in a single store or across multiple sites,” he notes.
However, Wiid says most retailers, especially smaller operators or independent outlets, tend to operate with isolated, disconnected POS systems, which have no connection to goods receiving, warehousing or the general ledger. “That's something which HansaWorld is changing, with a complete system designed to run on inexpensive, standard hardware, and which creates a connected solution for managing every aspect of the store,” he notes.
It is these points - integration and affordability - which make this system a highly viable option, Wiid continues. “Additionally, for those companies which have several outlets, HansaWorld POS provides equal performance whether it is online or offline; it does not depend on the network or connectivity to the back-end server, which characterise multi-site operations, to function. That means should any interruption to connectivity occur, every outlet continues working as usual; when connectivity is restored or a server crash rectified, the system synchronises itself.”
Coming back to complete integration with back-end systems, he says this helps alleviate the challenge of finding skilled personnel. “It is necessary to complement good managerial staff with the support of automated systems, which introduce best practices which make it easier to run an efficient business,” Wiid notes. “Live data means the ability to know what is happening in store or across a group of stores, directly feeding into stock management, replenishment and providing for a more lean supply chain with optimised stockholding patterns.” It also means opening up the possibilities for growth, since standard processes across multiple sites support effective management of the enterprise.
Probably the most eye-opening feature of the HansaWorld system is that it can provide for eight to 10 users at the point of sale with an investment of as little as R5 000 to R8 000 in hardware. “It runs on almost any hardware, even that considered obsolete, and on any operating system, whether Linux, Mac OS or Windows, without the requirement for any additional software,” Wiid notes. “That is by design; a fast, integrated POS solution that does not require expensive hardware.”
While it is an extension of the HansaWorld Enterprise ERP solution, which is suitable for companies that range from under 10 users all the way through to businesses with hundreds of users, Wiid says the POS system can also run as a standalone solution. “It is a flexible and highly affordable solution, which brings advanced functionality to retailers, helping you to run a more efficient, more profitable business without requiring a substantial investment in hardware and software,” he concludes.
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