News & Events

Added: 30.01.2008
we are exhibiting at the ACS Show in July (Association of Charity Shops) 7 and 8 July at Keele Conference Park, Keele University, Staffordshire. More Info

Added: 01.12.2007
Maxa Solutions swings high with its launch of charity software. More Info

What is the difference between a cash register and a POS system?

A point of sale system is very similar to a cash register in that it allows you to make sales and cash is exchanged. However a cash register does not allow you to easily manage your stock, perform returns and exchanges, record employee timesheets, allow the use of barcode scanners or provide you with a suite of reports you can use to understand your system PC based pos software systems provide you with all of these functions. Most pos software systems allow you to connect multiple PCs together so that they can share data. Further to this, these systems typically have a separate program, called a backoffice or management program, that allows you to consolidate data from multiple stores into a single cohesive view of your business.

Why do I need an EPOS system for my business?

An EPOS system will give improved controls over many aspects of your business, including stock, cash management, purchasing. In turn the controls will provide efficiencies and increased profitability.

What features should I need in a POS system? What features should I want?

The features you require in your pos software are really a function of the type of business you operate and where you see your business heading over the next 5 years. Have a check list of the things you want to see and prioritise them before talking to any suppliers. Doing so will help you to stay focussed on what you want to see and not what the supplier wants to show you.

You should focus on the following key issues when evaluating different competitors:

• Basic functionality. You may be surprised at just how varied the basic stores operations can be. Look for ease of use and how long it takes to complete a transaction (sale, return, exchange, etc).
• Reporting is critical. Without good reporting you cannot make informed decisions about your business. Regardless of how well the data may be captured, if you cannot read or understand the reports you will still be blind to your business. Look for how easy it is to select specific subsets of information to report on and have a clear idea of what you want to know before looking at the software.
• Communications & Administration. This is an often overlooked feature during a demonstration. If you are going to have more than a single PC or a single store then you need to understand how the communications work. See the communications question below for a better understanding of the issues involved. You also need to think about the time required to perform day to day tasks such as purchasing, new product creation and accounting.
• Integration. Some POS systems include accounting modules, time and attendance and the like. Others provide integration features to allow you to use third party software of your choice. You should find out how easy it is to transfer data into and out of the point of sale system and determine how technically savvy you need to be to do it.
• Support. Try to determine how well supported you will be. Is there a free support period and what happens after that support period expires. Also training and installation services are usually not included in the price of the software and are critical in getting a system operational smoothly. They should be budgeted into any purchasing decision you make. Find out how often software updates are released, and wether you have the rights to new releases when they become available. If a subscription service is available consider the cost of the service against the benefits of remaining up to date.
• Extra Charges. Retail software providers usually charge either a site licence fee, a percentage of the sales you make, or a software maintenance fee. Find out what extra charges will be levied and what the charges are for.

How much training do I need to use CHARiot?

CHARiot has been designed with the user in mind, and is therefore very user friendly. Our software partner has many years of experience in developing software for the EPOS market, and with our input into the requirements for the charity retail market, the system provides easy-to-use screens with graphical interface. Training is straightforward for the user and performed in the minimum of time.

What is Windows Embedded for point of Service?

Windows Embedded for Point of Service is a version of Windows XP with Service Pack 2 optimized for retail point of service (POS) devices. The Windows Embedded for Point of Service platform is easy to use, includes technologies that enable present and future retail scenarios, and provides low lifecycle costs.