Wonder how other retailers got started with a POS system? See the stories of Bay Area store owners and Business Cents, joining forces to make it happen. Each story featured gives you a preview of the conversion process, including comments from local merchants.
You’ll learn how each firm:
- researched and chose their best POS option
- accomplished the system setup
- handled any bumps in the road
- now saves time and money with a POS system
Joy Goldberg, purveyor of designer shoes and accessories, teamed up with Business Cents to manage her inventory. Her QuickBooks Point of Sale system was up and running before the store’s grand opening.
Even as a “technically challenged” user, Joy can query the system and see what’s in stock, which styles sell best and which vendors make her most profitable. No wonder she’s smiling.
The client
Item, a designer shoe and accessory store at 1102 Magnolia in Larkspur, brings big city style to Marin.
The challenge
Find and install an affordable, easy-to-use point of sale and bookkeeping system. System must allow the “technically challenged” store owner to actively manage her inventory and retrieve sales and vendor information on the spot.
The solution
- QuickBooks Point of Sale Pro with QuickBooks Pro integrated bookkeeping
POS computer and administrative work station - Business Cents consulting, system recommendation, installation and training
The result
- Easier, quicker and more accurate inventory management
- Lean staffing because POS system fills in as third employee
- Instant access to vendor and sales reports – which items sell best and which have the highest margin – so owner Joy Goldberg can order strategically and maximize profits
The staff of Collure and Susanna was overwhelmed. While their client list grew, so did their inventory. They spent hours manually tracking thousands of designer fabrics, lamps and home décor items.
The answer? A QuickBooks POS Pro Multi-Store system customized by Business Cents. Now the stores maintain an accurate, cost-efficient inventory. And it’s a snap to order and receive merchandise, tag items using the barcode printer and report quarterly sales taxes.
The company
Collure Studio 1106, interior design services, designer fabrics and trims at 1106 Magnolia in Larkspur
Susanna, gifts and home décor at 545 Magnolia, next to the Lark Theater in Larkspur
The challenge
Install a multi-store POS system for a growing company that can’t slow down during the process
Manage 8,000 inventory items in three locations – two stores and off-site storage
The solution
- QuickBooks POS Pro Multi-Store software integrated with QuickBooks Pro accounting
- Touch-screen monitors with credit card scanners
- Barcode printers and scanners
- Remote access for accounting and troubleshooting
- Business Cents consulting, installation, training and support
The result
- Save time and money by being in control of a large inventory
- Purchase merchandise based on reports that identify best-selling items and preferred vendors
- Quickly and accurately report quarterly sales tax
- Stay in touch with customers through in-system customer mailing lists
- Improved security and theft control
At American Soil & Stone, sometimes the first inkling they were low on granite paving stone or organic soil was when they ran out. Ouch — it hurts to send customers away empty-handed.
Business Cents set up AS&S with the QuickBooks POS system to monitor inventory and signal reorder time. And the linked bookkeeping and inventory software saves accountant Penny Rosen one to two days every month.
The client
American Soil & Stone, a landscaping materials supplier at 565A Jacoby Street in San Rafael
The challenge
Integrate industrial inventory management with QuickBooks accounting. Must identify reorder point to avoid lost sales.
The solution
- QuickBooks Point of Sale Pro integrated with existing QuickBooks Premier Retail accounting
POS workstations and administrative server - Bar code scanners and printers
- QuickBooks Merchant Services with integrated credit/ATM card swipes
- Business Cents consulting, system installation and training
The result
- Automatic, accurate inventory tracking
- Higher sales because material outages are prevented
- Save one to two full days of administrative time every month because of integration with accounting software