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We have developed a comprehensive guide to retail point of sale (POS) systems. These systems include functionality for both checkout at the point of sale (POS), as well as back-office administration. High-volume retail operations may be interested in reviewing our touch screen POS guide. We have also developed a number of specialty retailer guides for jewelry store software, furniture store software, apparel software, wireless and cellular POS software, consignment software, restaurant/bar POS software, and grocery store POS software.
Some companies may need a stand-alone retail inventory management system, without point of sale (POS) functionality. When assessing a new system, it is critical to determine which features are important to your retail segment; for example, a retail clothing store will need a point of sale (POS) system with an inventory matrix for sizes and colors, while a grocery will need a POS system to track perishable items with sell by dates.
CRM applications for retailers helps automate business processes related to interactions with customers. Most programs include modules for sales force automation, marketing management and automation and customer service and support.
Many of the retailers we work with use a stand-alone accounting package like QuickBooks or Microsoft Dynamics. However, other retailers realize the benefits of an integrated suite of retail point of sale (POS) and core retail accounting applications. You will find a comprehensive profile of these systems in our retail accounting systems buyers guide.
More and more retailers are selling across channels; that is, on the web in addition to their "brick and mortar" stores. The inevitable challenge these retailers face is managing accurate inventory as purchasing occurs both at the point of sale in stores and on the web. In our retail e-commerce systems buyers guide, we profile retail point of sale (POS) systems that include an integrated e-commerce component.
Retailers managing stores with one or more warehouses will often need a retail WMS to track the movement of inventory. These systems will help automate the ordering, tracking, and distribution of inventory from the warehouse level to the store level. Most systems will support barcodes and/or RFID and work in conjunction with point of sale (POS) systems.
Merchandise planning systems help retailers optimize their purchasing processes. Too many retail business owners rely on personal experience to decide what to buy and when, often resulting in not having enough product, not ordering at the right time, or paying too much. Retail merchandising/purchasing systems (sometimes referred to as "open to buy") integrated with point of sale (POS) systems will take into account historical sales figures, seasonal sales trends, and past purchases from suppliers to help retail stores buy the optimal amount of product.
