When considering your POS options, there is a new choice you have to make: whether to use a traditional or a web-based point of sale software system. Wait a minute, an Internet-based POS system? What is it and how can it help your business? A web-based POS system runs on your Internet browser and is hosted by the vendor. In contrast, a standard POS system runs the software on your server.

So why should you shift to an online point of sale software system? First, vital data is stored on your vendor’s computer, Is your data more secure than if it was archived on your server? Some will argue that your data is protected and you don’t need to spend money on creating backups of your records or software. The host is also responsible for conducting maintenance tasks such as upgrades, backups and re-configurations, freeing up you or your staff for other tasks.

Second, you save money on both hardware and software. You don’t need to install any programs on your computers since all the software is on the vendor’s server. Web-based POS software also has lower hardware requirements than standard systems. You can run it on any computer that has an Internet connection.

Web-based point of sale software is also cheaper since you only need to pay a monthly subscription fee for its use rather than having to buy or lease an entire package of hardware and software components. The subscription also includes technical support, updates and maintenance.

If you have multiple stores to monitor, an online system allows you to access the data from all the stores. In a standard POS system, the data would be stored on the server of the individual stores and would still have to be collated. Web-based POS means you can access your data from any computer that has an Internet connection, hence it can easily be displayed off-site for conferences and trade shows.

Online POS can also help improve customer service by providing data on their preferences. For example, a certain item could be popular at a particular branch as opposed to other branches. The program would provide a signal that more of that item should be kept on inventory at that store. Also, if a customer is looking for an item that is not available at your branch, you could either direct him to another branch that has the good in stock or order it for him if he is willing to wait.

Web-based POS is also more secure than traditional systems. If your computer is attacked by a virus or breached by a hacker, your data is still secure. You merely have to bring in a new unit and connect it to the Internet and you’re in business again. Remember that the data is not stored on your computer but on the vendor’s server.

Of course, this doesn’t mean that you should totally ignore security precautions. You should still follow basic safety measures such as turning on your computer’s firewall, limiting access to the system, using anti-virus programs and most of all, never storing sensitive information such as customer’s credit card numbers on your computer.

So, it seems that web-based point of sale software is ideal for your needs. Of course, you should go for it but not before exploring all of your options and then deciding which system will generate the most profits and cost savings for your business.

POSitive Firearms Manager!

Positive software company has released, Firearms Manager for the gun store dealers,  this is a customized version of PRM (Positive Retail Manager) Pos Software for gun stores.

POSitive Firearms Manager with include ”bound book” section for the initial release and use the software created by the ATF to handle the electronic 4473 form. Our research has shown that this solution should be more than adequate for our target customers. Unlike othe gun software Our firearms software will include the full capabilities of PRM will be available, so PFM will be one of the most modern and flexible POS solutions available to gun stores.

POSitive Retail Manager is a sophisticated yet intuitive point-of-sale system built around Microsoft’s SQL, a robust and scalable database. SQL allows PRM to work with many popular third-party programs, such as Crystal Reports. Track customers and inventory, create invoices and purchases orders, print AR statements and process Accounts Payables, even manage a complete internet web store all from within POSitive Retail Manager!

 PRM contains many features designed to save you time and improve your business processes, including:

• Touch Screen support is built-in, including a full-featuresdTouch Screen editor
• Advanced Search rapidly finds customers and inventory when creating invoices
• Category Defaults make entering new inventory significantly faster than other POS systems
• Use Store Divisions to further refine your sales reports (for example, you might have a Retail Division and a Landscaping Division)
• Data can be exported to a variety formats
• Clerks can be trained within minutes to ring up an invoice and take tender

Recent Updates

PRM 5.3.3 Gold has been released, and is available in the Download Section.

The Gold release of POSitive Retail Manager, version 5.3.3, has been release on 7/16/2008. A full install and an update install are available in the download section.

If you are evaluating PRM for your retail business, the full install is the installation you should download. There is no time limit, only a limit on the number of records you can add (50 invoices, 50 inventory items, 50 customers).

This release fixes several issues and adds several new features, including:

• New Batch Conversion Options – “Place Balance Due On Customer Account”, “Convert In Stock Items Only”, “Auto-Print processed transactions”
• New “Launch Invoice On Start” option in Employee Settings
• Deleted Inventory Can Be Recovered – Deleted Items Manager under Inventory/Maintenance, Can Purge or Recover deleted items
• Support for WA State Location Based Tax, Can Import WA State Taxes, PRM now supports thousands of tax rates (if necessary)
• Simplified Purchasing Summary – When completing a PO, Summary Screen shows more information
• “Change Due” screen appears quickly! – Now shows BEFORE printing begins
• “Send To” button on Transaction Log – Handy for exporting to Excel
• Speed-Up Of Inventory Browses – PRM Automatically creates optimized indexes
• Image Dump/Image Import – Easily export all images from the SQL database, or import them
• Additonal stability enhancements and bug fixes

Belview Technologies has released a new series slim PC system – SP4800 in vertical markets.  This new series computer replaces the company’s current SP4400 & SP4200 series slim/booksize PC systems. 

Key features of this new computer system include:

• Compact chassis design (14.3” x 12.2” x 3.8”)

• Micro ATX form factor

• Support CPU from Intel Celeron 2.0GHz to Core 2 Duo 3GHz

• State of Art CPU cooling system

• 4 low profile PCI slots for add-on cards

This slim PC system was designed for POS, hospitality, self-service Kiosk, and other industrial use.  The standard configuration of this system starts from Intel Celeron 3.0GHz CPU, 512MB DDR2 RAM, and 80GB SATA Hard Drive.  Customer can choose the optional CD-ROM drive, floppy, or add-on PCI cards (in low-profile size) for their application.  As a value added solution provider, Belview will preload the operating system (Windows XP, WePOS, Windows 2000, etc.) per customer’s request. To reduce any downtime and protect your investment, the company offers optional up to 3-YEAR warranty coverage and Advanced Replacement Program to the customers.  

For POS/hospitality customers, Belview is also offering an economical POS bundle package, including

• SP4800 slim PC system w/ Microsoft WePOS system

• LM1560 15” Touch screen LCD monitor

• CD4141 cash drawer

Belview also offers a high-end industrial computer solution in this same chassis for the mission critical applications and environments.  It is empowered by Intel 965 system chipset and along with industrial grade components.  This is an excellent choice for those who are looking for reliable industrial grade computer at more competitive price.