| Q.
I only have one retail store. I'd like to use a computer and software, but don't know if a Retail Point-of-Sale System is a good fit. Also, can I use my laptop PC?
A.
Yes. Our POS software can run on any Windows-based computer — laptop or desktop — provided it meets the minimum requirements for installation and operation.
The SmartRegister can run at just one store or at multiple stores. As a matter of fact many of our current Clients started out with one store and in part becase of the information that they got from the SmartRegister they to grew to two or more stores. There is no requirement to have multiple retail stores before purchasing. The software, however, is designed to scale should your retail operation |
| Q.
I am a growing retailer with six stores, 20 employees and about $10 million in sales. Can I use Microsoft Retail Management in more than one store?
A. Yes. one of our sofware systems, Microsoft Retail Management, offers an application called Headquarters that allows retailers with a small chain of stores to centralize control of their Store Operations databases and reporting. For instance, if you had six stores and a head office, you would have six licenses for Store Operations (each store with its own database), and one license for Headquarters at the head office. Want to learn more? Click here to get help.
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| Q.
I currently use a cash register to track my sales and store cash. Does Microsoft Retail Management work with my cash register or do I need to replace it?
A.
Our Smart Register software does not run on traditional cash registers. Instead, this easy-to-use software application is installed on a Windows-based computer with point of sale peripherals attached via the available ports on the computer. (It does not run on Apple computers.)
So you'll need to replace your cash register with computers, which are low in cost, easy to use, and reliable. When used with our software, they allow retailers to do much more than they ever could with a cash register, manage time-consuming tasks efficiently, and help increase profits as a result. Like an electronic cash register, Smart Register is used by cashiers or sales associates to ring up orders and tender sales, but it also provides much more. |
| Q.
Other than the software, what other equipment will I need to purchase?
A.
At a very minimum, you'll need a computer with a standard keyboard, mouse and monitor. Most POS registers also have a standard 40-column receipt printer, a scanner to read barcodes, a cash drawer to store cash and various tenders, and a pole display to let the customers view and verify the item prices and transaction total.
Other hardware that is available for use includes full-page printers, scales, magnetic stripe readers (MSR), magnetic ink character recognition readers (MICR), signature capture device, PIN pads for accepting debit cards, touch screen monitors, and dual display monitors. |
| Q.
How long will it take me to learn to use Microsoft Retail Management and to teach my employees to use it?
A.
Based on reports from out clients and and our own experiences in training them, it generally takes anywhere from 15 to 30 minutes to train cashiers and employees. If they need to learn all the features of the POS, it could take a day or two of working with the system to get a good feel for it.
How quickly you and your employees learn they system may also depend on what kind of POS system you previously had been using. For example, if you were using a manual cash register and paper ledgers, then it may take a little longer. But the POS screens are easy to understand, and with practice will become second nature in no time. That is why certified partners (like us) are indispensable: They can walk you through the training, make it easy to understand and be available for follow-up questions. Overall, managers and store owners will want to take advantage of the many rich features that Smar Register provides. Partners say that a store can be up and running in a day. |
| Q.
What types of reports are available within the application?
A. Smart Register offers dynamic, robust, customizable reports, called Active Reports that give users insight into their sales, customers, taxes, orders, and more. Active Reports can be filtered, grouped and sorted by any field in the report window. Also, columns can be hidden or displayed to let users see only the data that matters to them. Reports can be exported to Excel, e-mail, HTML, XML, and other formats, too.
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| Q.
What types of transactions can I perform at the POS?
A. The POS application supports the following types of transactions: layaways, quotes, work orders, back orders, returns/voids, and regular sales.
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| Q.
Can the system automatically create purchase orders?
A. Smart Register can automatically create purchase orders at a user's request based on reorder information or sales history. Users can also build their own POs for specific departments, categories, suppliers, etc.
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| Q.
Is there a limit to the number of items, customers, suppliers, etc. that I can input?
A. Smart Register does not enforce any limits on the number of items, customers, etc. Provided there is enough disk space on the server, it can support an unlimited number of data entries.
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| Q.
What type of security is offered for Smart Register?
A. Smart Register offers extremely tight, flexible security within each product. Users have the ability to allow or deny access to any given menu option, window, button or field within the applications. There are as many as 31 different levels of security and they allow you to completely customize the security settings of your store. You have complete control over who has access to each kind of information.
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Q. What kind of inventory tracking does Smart Register feature? A. Among many other powerful features, Smart Register uses automated inventory tracking.
You can simplify manual stock counts with automated inventory tracking across one or multiple locations, using any stock or sales method. You can support most compatible inventory types, including standard, serialized, kit, assembly, matrix, lot matrix, voucher, non-inventory, and weighed. You can also quickly and accurately calculate how much inventory you need to replenish, and you can track storage of offline inventory, such as non-sellable or broken items.
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| Q.
Will my customers notice anything different at the register?
A. Yes. Your customers will be impressed with the level of detail that you'll now be able to provide them through Smart Register. They'll get immediate access to detailed product information, personalized information about their previous purchases and payments, and account information.
With quick information about customers' buying histories at your fingertips, you'll be able to generate copies of old receipts, and suggest relevant up-sells, sale items and volume discounts. Plus, by providing all of your employees with standardized POS tools that offer the immediate access to detailed product information, you give your customers consistent and personalized information. |
