Season's Greetings from POS Solutions!

Our warmest seasonal holiday wishes to our valued readers and retail partners today. Thank you for the opportunity to serve you throughout 2024, and look forward to continuing to greater heights together in 2025.

We're Here to Support You

Our team is ready to help you with any challenges now. Your retail success is our priority, and we are committed to ensuring smooth operations so you can focus on serving your customers.

Thank you again for being part of the POS Solutions community, which is over 40 years old. It's been a long journey, and it appears now that we are the only software supplier from then still left for newsagents.

Some things take time; fun fact: It took a photographer three years of observation to capture this fateful moment when the moon aligns with the massive statue of Christ the Redeemer.

I wish you a joyful holiday season, health, and a prosperous New Year!

Warm regards,

Bernard
(Editor)

​

Our Black Friday Sale is Here and Can Save You Money!

Prepare to save big on essential POS equipment during our biggest sale of the year. Here at POS Solutions, we are thrilled to help our customers save significantly  - Limited Time Black Friday Offer.

Secure Next-Gen POS Systems at Low Prices

Now is a good time for us to offer you low prices, as many of our partners have excess stock they know they cannot clear out for months. They are keen to move, so we offer to pass some good savings on to you to help you and them. We tell them what we want: "Our Black Friday Sale is here, with limited-time offers and doorbuster deals!" That's why we worked with our suppliers to bring you some incredible deals for Black Friday.

I can tell you this: when this stock goes, it doesn't return at these prices.

Huge Savings on Computer Equipment

If you've been holding off on upgrading your computers and tech gear, now is a great time to take the plunge! We have deep discounts. See our newsletter for details.

Why Upgrade Now? 

Inflation and the Australian Dollar

This is the last chance to get such great prices on computer equipment. With rising inflation and the weakening Aussie dollar against the US dollar, prices are expected to increase next year.  The dollar does not look pretty now.

Improved Efficiency

Upgrading your POS system can lead to faster checkouts and happier customers, ultimately driving more sales. Stay ahead of the competition by investing in technology that supports long-term growth.

Secure your POS system before prices increase - Call us now.

It is the last chance to get such great prices on computer equipment.

Today is POS Solutions' official 41st birthday. I bought it 41 years ago, planning to revolutionise the point-of-sale industry from some guys who could not make it work on September 8, 1983. I remember it well—a young guy with big plans who thought he was so clever; I had a partner, and we both had the arrogance of youth. Our only business plan was that if others could sell Business Software, so could we and since we both knew Point of Sale, having grown up in our parent's shops and considering ourselves terrific programmers. We started in a small serviced office in St Kilda; when he dropped out, I moved the company to my bedroom. This became my office. 

Slowly, POS Solutions became a leading POS software provider for businesses across Australia and New Zealand. Soon, I took on another partner, Zac, a computer engineer. Our steady growth and commitment to excellence have made us.

Our Winning Formula

Our success over these 41 years can be attributed to two core principles:

1. Product Excellence: We have always invested in R&D and product development, maintaining a larger team of developers than our competitors. Our edge has always been our software.

2. Customer-Centric Approach: From day one, we've prioritised exceptional customer service. There is a saying, "You can get whatever you want if you give people what they want." We knew their success would be our success.

Happy birthday to us!

Forty-one years of POS Solutions.  From the failing software business, I brought but somehow we made it work somehow, so now we went from my bedroom to a boardroom. That's something! Thanks to everyone who's been part of this wild ride. Customers, staff, partners, readers here - you're all legends.

Here's to many more years of trying to stay ahead in this crazy tech world!

As this blog's primary writer, I'm thrilled to share this exciting news. This blog about POS systems for retail shops in Australia has had over 7,000 views in just 28 days. This remarkable engagement clearly shows that people interested in POS systems are finding our content and actively reading it.

Why Our Message is Hitting Home

Addressing Real Retailer Needs

Our blog post tackles the genuine challenges faced by retail shops. I know these pain points from my conversations with local retailers all too well. We're not just talking about POS systems; we offer solutions to everyday problems.

Clear, Jargon-Free Language

We've consciously tried to explain complex POS features in simple terms. As one reader commented, "Finally, I read a tech article that I can understand without a dictionary!"

Practical, Actionable Advice

Our blog describes our POS system and offers practical tips that retailers can implement immediately. This approach has struck a chord with our readers.

Wrapping Up

The incredible engagement with our blog post - 7,000 views in just 28 days - indicates that we're providing valuable information to people interested in POS systems.

A message from your POS provider

It's hard to believe that 2023 is almost over. 2023 just flew. Over 2023, we've worked closely with many retailers across Australia. We've enjoyed learning about you and appreciating your vital role in community communities. 2023 brought both challenges and rewards. While global issues impacted supply chains and consumer spending, I'm continually impressed by the resilience of Aussie retailers. Through innovative promotions, excellent customer service, and community building, you repeatedly found ways to welcome customers through your doors. Bravo for your hard work and successes over the past year!

In 2024, we look forward to continuing our support and helping your businesses thrive. 

What's ahead in the new year?

2024 opens up exciting possibilities. Perhaps you'll expand your product range, renovate your shopfront, or try new marketing tactics. Our POS systems are ready to help you achieve your goals through features like:

Inventory management to easily track stock levels and reorder times
Point of sale reporting for sales analysis and profit tracking
Loyalty programs to reward regular shoppers
Advanced analytics to spot trends and target promotions
Better EFTPOS
Ominimarketing 

We also have new time-saving upgrades ready to roll out in early 2024. Stay tuned for details!

Reader, we wish you the best in 2024 for you, your staff and your family

Here's to 2024!

Regards

Bernard Zimmermann

Editor

Here at POS Software, we truly value customers' feedback in our post-call Survey feedback. This helps us continuously improve your Customer support.  However, what is all too common is that survey responses have included requests for additional Follow-up support but no information for us to get back in touch with the request.

For example:

A customer completes a survey after a call with our support team. In the comments, they write: “I still need more help with this issue. Please have someone call me."

Unfortunately, we cannot follow up and provide further assistance without any name, phone number, email, or other contact details. We want to maintain your anonymity in surveys while assisting you further if needed.  See image above.

So, if you submit survey feedback indicating you require ongoing support, please be sure to include your Contact information:

• Your name - So we can reference previous conversations and access your account history
• Contact number or email - So our team can directly reach you to resolve your issue

By including these quick contact points in your survey feedback, our customer service team can efficiently follow up on your question or issue and ensure it is fully addressed.

Please know our goal is constantly improving our systems for streamlined follow-up requests, so our survey form is being upgraded. But for now, these extra details must be filled in to ensure we can resolve any outstanding concerns in a timely, personalized manner.

We appreciate you taking the time to help us help you better! 

PS - If you have been happy with our services and support, we would super appreciate it if you leave us a nice Google Review. This would certainly make our day! 

Optus outage impact

As of now, this massive Optus network outage has stretched past 12 hours, leaving millions of Australians and businesses disconnected. For retailers relying on Optus for their point of sale and EFTPOS systems, this extended outage has been nothing short of a nightmare.

Our POS System support teams have been inundated with calls from court clients seeking help running their stores. We have now been all hands on deck as we scramble to assist our clients from this failure.

For brick-and-mortar shops, having a working point-of-sale and EFTPOS system is their lifeline. Retailers rely on them to take payments, manage inventory and operate their stores smoothly. 

So when a major telco like Optus goes down, it directly threatens their ability to make sales and ultimately stay in business. This outage has severely impacted small retailers in the following ways:

• Loss of phone payments - Retailers can't take phone orders without telco services operational.

• Customer communications cut - Stores can't call or email customers about orders and stock.

• No Internet - Most business communications today are by internet

• Support is cut - Our support staff cannot dial in to help them.

• EFTPOS systems went down for some of our clients, which means their Revenue grinds to a halt - With no ability to take EFTPOS, stores can see their takings halved. 

Our POS Team Steps Up To Assist

Our POS support teams have been flat-out trying to fill the void.

Despite the endless influx of calls and inquiries, we've risen to the challenge to try our best to help retailers keep running through this outage. While we can't single-handedly fix Optus' faults, our support teams are doing everything possible to minimize the damage to affected retailers. 

Keep note of the Financial Impact

In our view, someone needs to commit to compensation. We hope that someone takes responsibility to compensates appropriately for losses inflicted by this catastrophic outage. If so, you will need to be able to substantiate your claim.

• Cost of the Outage
• Substantiate your claim

It's a public holiday here in Victoria tomorrow, so our interstate customer support team will take over tomorrow. Then, as on Monday, it is a public holiday in NSW, their interstate team will take over. The musical chairs we play in business. Our Victorian and interstate teams are outstanding, so we will provide the same excellent service our customers expect.

We understand some of you may need support today during the big game. While I recommend avoiding calling during peak times if possible, but if you need, we have staff ready to assist if you need us. We are doing our best under the challenging circumstances that public holidays inevitably bring. Please be patient and kind - we're all doing our best!

May the best team win tomorrow.

AFL Grand Final 2023 predictions and tips

It should be a good match; this AFL grand final between Collingwood and Brisbane is set to be an epic encounter. Both teams have shown stellar form and consistency and appear evenly matched. Collingwood and Brisbane finished first and second on the ladder with only one game between them, which is slightly in Collingwood favour. Both won their qualifying finals—the Pies did not do as well as Brisbane. The Lions have been recently winning more than Collingwood. The Lions' recent victory over the Pies is telling. Both teams have injury problems, of concern to Collingwood is that Moore's absence could really hurt Collingwood. Both have good finals experience but Collingwood is a bit more.

The Odds

Bookmakers have Collingwood as the clear favourite. That motivates me to go for Brisbane; I tend to go for underdogs. I have another reason for picking Brisbane; I am equal to the top on the NLNA NANA footy tipping on games but behind on points. I blame my team, Carlton's performance this year, for that situation. If I go for the favourite, I cannot win, but if Brisbane pulls an upset, then I have a chance.

The Verdict

It should be a really cracking contest. 

I am sure the best team will win!

Enjoy the big game; I know I will.

Today, we are now at four decades of stability, integrity and commitment to customers.

It marks a major milestone as POS Solutions celebrates our 40th birthday. It's incredible to think about the journey from those early days back in 1983 to now being a leading point-of-sale software provider across Australia and New Zealand.

From Humble Bedroom Beginnings to Industry Leader

I founded POS Solutions as a young, eager (maybe over-confident!) guy in my early 20s with no real business plan. However, I knew others were developing POS Software. I was confident. I felt I was so good, huh, to be 20 and know it all. I felt with my programming skills and my determination, I could do something even better than them.

It was the start of the journey that has led us to where we are now today.

Reaching 40 years in business is a remarkable achievement in any industry. Reflecting on our success, I'm incredibly proud of what we've accomplished with relatively modest resources compared to the more prominent players we competed with early on.

I vividly remember those early days of starting up in my bedroom, which doubled as our office! Yet, through sheer perseverance and commitment to being the best, we withstood the challenges that came our way.

Our Winning Formula - Care Deeply About Product and Service

Analyzing the key factors behind our POS Software success, it comes down to caring more than competitors in two core areas:

Product Development

We've always invested heavily in R&D and programming to improve and innovate our software constantly. Even now, we maintain at least double the number of developers compared to most competitors for any project.

This unmatched commitment to product excellence keeps our Point-of-sale (POS) Software at the forefront of retail technology. And it's why I'm so excited for the future. We have genuinely game-changing developments on the horizon!

Customer Service

Providing exceptional support has been central to our philosophy from day one. We prioritize service as a core value with rigorous staff training, satisfaction monitoring, and empowering employees to resolve issues quickly.

After 40 years, I still ensure we uphold the highest standards in helping clients. Our customers' success drives our own.

Celebrating the Past and Future

Today, we celebrate the past successes and lessons that have brought us here. But we also look to the future with eager optimism.

Through relentless innovation, we aim to help retailers achieve new levels of productivity and efficiency. We feel a profound responsibility to the community that has supported us over the past four decades.

To all our employees, partners and customers - thank you for being part of our journey. Here's to even more success in the future together.

This newsletter with our End of Financial Year sales details has been sent to all your clients.

If you need New Technology, you only have about two weeks to qualify for this year's taxation year. Also, this year's Instant Asset Write-Off only has 2 WEEKS left! Then the current $150k Instant Asset Tax Write-Off scheme will be gone. To qualify for this, the assets (technology) must be installed and ready for use by 30 June 2023.

We have a lot more then on this newsletter, as our suppliers have been offering us some good deals to move stock before the End of Financial year. 

To explore your options, click here.

It’s taking some getting used to as th͏is is the first King’s Birthday public holiday for me and most͏ Australians. After all my life havin͏g a Queen’s Birth͏day, takes some getting used to. I like how the ACT has solved thi͏s problem by calling the holiday the Sovereign's Birthday, which is more accurate, as our King's actual birthday is on November 14.

It ͏is lucky for us th͏at many states and territories in Australi͏a celebrate it on different days so we can switch people around. 

Although most of our clients are open today, often with reduced hours, we are still open for support. We know how important it is to keep your IT systems running smoothly and͏ securely, especially ͏during these challenging times.

If you ne͏ed any help with your busin͏ess IT needs, ͏please don't hesi͏tate to contact us. You can use our after-hour͏s ͏support line or send us an email, and we will get ͏back to you as soon as possible.

We hope everyone is having͏ a safe and ha͏ppy long͏ weekend!
 

We are writing this article to submit to a review site on our software. Reading it, I found it interesting how much the requirements for newsagency software have changed in the last few years.

Streamline Your Newsagency Operations with POS Solutions' Point of Sale System

Running a newsagency comes with its fair share of challenges. It can sometimes feel overwhelming to manage.

Here there is good news! POS Solutions, the leading provider of Point of Sale systems for progressive Australian newsagencies, has the perfect solution. It simplifies and enhances the management of your business. With our innovative and user-friendly approach, you can gain better control over your inventory, sales, purchases, and expenses, then give you accurate information. So allowing you to focus on what matters most—serving your customers and growing your business.

Efficient Inventory Management

One of the critical components of any successful retail business is effective inventory management. POS Solutions' Point of Sale system provides comprehensive tools to manage your inventory effortlessly. With features such as barcode scanning, automated stock tracking, and real-time inventory updates, you can say goodbye to the hassles of manual stock counts and reduce the risk of overstocking or stockouts. The system also offers advanced inventory analytics, enabling you to make informed decisions on product restocking, pricing, and promotions.

Seamless Sales and Purchases

The Point of Sale system from POS Solutions streamlines your sales and purchases processes, making transactions faster and more accurate. The system allows you to create customised product catalogues, set pricing levels, and even integrate with your e-commerce platform for a seamless omnichannel experience. Whether it's processing sales, accepting various payment methods, or managing customer accounts, the system simplifies the entire process, enhancing your customer experience.

Expense Tracking and Financial Reports

Keeping track of expenses is crucial for maintaining profitability. With POS Solutions' Point of Sale system, you can track and categorise costs all in one centralised system. Then it generates detailed financial reports, providing daily summary profit statements and sales reports, giving insights into your business's financial health. This valuable information lets you make data-driven decisions to optimise your operations and maximise profits.

User-Friendly Interface and Integration

POS Solutions understands that only some are tech experts, so their Point of Sale system is designed with a user-friendly interface. The intuitive dashboard and straightforward navigation make it easy for you and your staff to quickly adapt to the system. Moreover, POS Solutions' system integrates seamlessly with various hardware and software, including barcode scanners, receipt printers, accounting software, and more. This flexibility ensures you can customise the system to meet your business needs, creating a tailored solution for your newsagency.

Act now

The success of any modern newsagency depends on its ability to leverage cutting-edge technologies that enable efficient management of all aspects of the business. This is where POS Solutions comes in with its advanced Point of Sale (POS) system designed specifically for newsagents. This powerful tool allows you to easily track your stock levels, process transactions quickly and accurately, monitor expenditures, generate detailed financial reports, and more. Don’t get left behind by your competition – take advantage of the latest advancements in retail management and revolutionize how you operate your newsagency. Start enjoying the benefits of POS Solutions now!

Pos and inventory system for small business

If you are looking for a simple and effective way to manage your business and feel that the POS System you have seen is too complex, try our  Simple POS System Option. 

Our  Simple POS System Option is designed to make your life easier and your business more profitable. Here are a few of the features that make our  Simple POS System Option so great:

One information centre

Have all your business information in one spot (an information hub).

Easy-to-use interface

 You don’t need any technical skills or training to use our  Simple POS System Option. It’s intuitive and user-friendly so that you can get started right away.

Scalable to meet your needs

Our Simple POS System Option can grow with you as you can add more devices, users, or features as needed.

Flexible to fit your business

Many types of businesses now run our  Simple POS System Option can adapt to your specific needs. This is because it can be customised to your products, prices, taxes, discounts, and more.

Secure data protection

You can rest assured that your data is safe and secure with our  Simple POS System Option. We use the latest encryption and security technologies in Microsoft SQL, which is used today by many of the big banks. This protects your information and transactions.

How Our  Simple POS System Option Can Boost Your Sales

One of the main benefits of using our  Simple POS System Option is that it can help you increase your sales and revenue. Here’s how:

Accept payments faster and more securely: 

With our  Simple POS System Option, you can accept all kinds of payments, including cash, cards, digital wallets, and more. You can also process payments quickly and securely, reducing errors and fraud.

Look at the speed of transactions. How quickly can you do such transactions?

Manage your inventory and avoid stockouts or overstocking

With our  Simple POS System Option, you can keep track of your inventory levels in real time. You can see what products are selling well and which are running low. You can also reorder products automatically or manually, so you always have enough stock and save money on excess inventory.

Track your sales performance and identify growth opportunities.

With our  Simple POS System Option, you can access detailed reports and analytics on your sales performance. You can see how much revenue you’re generating, what products are popular, what times are busy, and more. You can also compare your sales by many methods, e.g., time or categories. This lets you identify and make better decisions to improve your sales strategy.

How Our  Simple POS System Option Can Boost Your Customer Satisfaction

Another benefit of using our  Simple POS System Option is that it can help you improve your customer satisfaction and loyalty. Here’s how:

Create loyalty programs

With our  Simple POS System Option, you can create loyalty programs that reward your customers for their repeat purchases. You can customise your loyalty programs to suit your business goals.

Conclusion

We hope you’ll consider our  Simple POS System Option for your business. 

If you want to learn more about our  Simple POS System Option, please click here.

For ANZAC Day our office is closed, but our after-hours and emergency support are running non-stop today. It is available both for urgent and standard calls. 

I am in the Office now if anyone wants to talk to me. 

Here is a picture of my Dad which was taken just before he went to fight in Lae in New Guinea in WW2. 

We know the importance of linking your shop to the many available systems. So we offer integration with a wide range of many well-known products so you can use these services within your existing POS system. For example have you considered an Amazon link into your system to sell your products. If so it is much easier if it is in your POS software.

We know the importance of linking your shop to the many available systems. So we offer integration with a wide range of many well-known products so you can use these services within your existing POS system.

These integrations are seamless. If needed, we can tailor our integration process to ensure a perfect fit for your business. Here are some that we do.

These are potent tools widely used today that can assist you in selling more, streamlining your operations, increasing your productivity, and increasing customer satisfaction if you integrate with our solutions. You will find them easy to use.

We at POS Solutions are dedicated to giving our customers the best support, system and service.

As a newsagent, running your business can be challenging and time-consuming. There are many parts to keep track of in your business. That's where our newsagency software comes in—it can help you cut costs, improve your bottom line, and streamline your operations.

We at POS Solutions provide a newsagency software solution tailored to the requirements of newsagents. Our product is intended to be practical. Permitting you to deal with all parts of your newsagency business from one focal stage without any problem.

All in all, what separates our newsagency programming from the different choices available? Some of the essential features and advantages are as follows:

Publication management: You can easily manage your newspapers and magazines with our software. Try modern AI to save time.

Inventory management: You can easily track your inventory with our software. Manage your inventory. We help you make better buying decisions.

Management of suppliers: Using our software to manage supplier relationships. You can easily import invoices and track payments.

Orders from clients: You can easily manage special customer orders with our software. Keep track of their progress and inform customers when their orders are ready for pickup.

Reporting and selling: An almost unlimited capacity to generate in-depth reports on sales, inventory, and customer data. Have robust sales and reporting features.

Yet, our news agency software's advantages continue beyond there. We provide extensive training and support resources to assist you in making the most of our software. You can access a comprehensive support team and after-hours support for urgent system-down queries. 

Our software seamlessly integrates with Shopify, Xero, and other platforms.

But don't take our word for it; here are a few endorsements from our pleased clients here:

Are you interested in learning more about the advantages of newsagency software from POS Solutions? Contact us immediately to learn more about our software here and see how it can transform your news agency's operations.

This is a talk I was supposed to give, but it never happened so enjoy. I stick by its conclusions.

Introduction:

Technology has changed the retail industry forever. Retail POS systems are becoming increasingly popular in retail. This is partly due to the rising demand for a streamlined and effective retail process. Our POS Solutions software helps retail businesses improve efficiency, reduce costs, and increase profits. This article will examine the advantages of our Retail POS software in greater detail.

For this talk, we will assume a financial model of a bookshop based on the ATO benchmarks here with a $500,000 turnover. I will use average figures for everything and assume a 1% improvement on each factor.

So the ATO benchmark book looks like this

Keep in mind that the profit is $17,500. 

Management of the Inventory

A crucial aspect of running a successful retail business is inventory management. Our Retail POS lets you deal with your stock effectively. It processes exchanges and track order information—Reorder points and purchase orders can optimised to your stock holding. You can check your stock levels and make informed restocking decisions with real-time inventory tracking.

Indeed correctly done, this will increase your sales by 1%, which is not much of an ask if you think about it. It will also positively impact other factors here. Since you are buying smarter, it should decrease your cost of goods by 1% and other expenses as much will be automated by 1%.

Sales Analysis

Tracking sales is another vital part of running a successful retail business. You can make better decisions with our POS software's detailed reports on sales performance. For example, you can follow items by season and current trends. Additionally, you can use customer behaviour data to encourage repeat business.

This would increase your sales by 1% since you buy more of what is selling in your shop.

Compatibility with Other Systems

Managing your company's operations is better because our Retail POS software is user-friendly. It can integrate with accounting software, e-commerce platforms, and marketing tools. These can save you time and assist you with staying away from blunders that might happen with manual information entry.

With better financial control, you should be able to reduce the Other Expense category by 1%. The e-commerce platform depends on your business direction so I will leave that one. Our clients that do run e-commerce platforms tell us that it is work, but it does pay its way.

Loyalty programs

Customers will be more likely to continue doing business with your company if you offer loyalty programs. With our POS software, you can create personalised loyalty programs based on customer behaviour. Consider running a points-based system where customers can redeem points with discounts or free products for each purchase. You can likewise offer selective limits, advancements, and contributions to your program individuals.

Using our Retail POS software to set up a loyalty program can help your business in many ways, including:

Improved Customer Satisfaction

Customers are more likely to stay with your company if you offer loyalty programs to encourage them.

Increased Spending by Customers: Compared to customers who do not take part in a loyalty program, those who do spend more on average. This is because they feel appreciated and valued by your company.

Enhanced Engagement with Customers

Loyalty programs permit you to draw in your clients more. With client information, you can fit well-defined offers for their inclinations and necessities.

Enhanced Customer Information Collection

With our Retail POS software, you can get purchase history information about your customers. This allows personalised marketing campaigns.

It is easy to estimate its value, as industry figures show that a good loyalty program is worth 1% more sales, although it can generate more work.

Management of Employees

Any business's success depends on having good management of its employees. You'll be able to better manage your workforce with the help of valuable insights provided by our software. It can track employee hours, sales performance, and commissions. So employee performance can be monitored. Top performers can be identified.

I will say 1% of Other Expenses, but it will be more.

Processing of payments

With our POS Solutions software, you can accept cash, credit/debit cards, and mobile payments. this makes it easier for your customers to pay for their purchases. The capacity to accept various payment methods has the potential to boost sales and customer satisfaction.

We have all experienced lost sales because the customer wants to buy something, but we cannot handle the proposed payment method. So 1% more in sales as it takes little to make such an increase.

Support and instruction

None of these benefits matters if you do not know how to use your Retail POS system. This is why we offer comprehensive training and support to ensure you get the most out of our retail POS system. Our client care is accessible 24/7 to help you at whatever point you want it. 

Free training is available in our offices or online with teamviewer or Zoom. So the cost to you here is zero.

Executive Summary

Putting these factors in, we get a 206% improvement. Here are the calculations.

I have yet to include some essential but non-financial elements like more control over your business. Knowing where you are and having an information hub in your business is worth much too.

Conclusion

Retail POS systems have gained popularity not because they streamline and optimise retail processes but because they increase profits, decrease expenses, increase efficiency, and increase customer satisfaction.

\

Email marketing 

In today's business environment, it is simple to fall prey to the talk of the many advertising platforms. Email marketing is the most effective marketing tool. The inbox provides the most personal connection you can have with your customer. Despite what you may have been told, email marketing continues to lead the way in marketing ROI. We are talking of 3600% ROI on investment.

This is why almost every organisation and, unfortunately, spammers use it. 

You will not get better advertising at this price.

Background

Years ago, MailChimp was a great option when we first looked for an email solution for our clients. It had many features that our customers need at a reasonable price. The free version was all that many of our clients needed. Many could run all their email marketing for nothing using it. Plus benefited from the many advanced features available in this plan; if more was needed, the paid plans were quite reasonable.

I confessed when I heard that a large tech company had acquired MailChimp, I was sure there would be problems. Big companies tend to pay inflated prices for these companies; unlike the founders, there tends to be little love for the product, and they need money to recuperate their costs. 

Did this make a difference here? I do not know. What I do know is the free plan over the years has dropped in offerings, and what you get for each plan is less, and the prices have gone up.

The free plan allowed a business to have 2,000 accounts, which was enough for most small to medium businesses. Now it has only 500 accounts. Even the smallest business would need about 1,500 accounts. That is about $40 a month now, with many functions missing; getting all the functions is about $525 monthly. 

Besides this, here are my added thoughts on MailChimp

> There have been security problems with MailChimp. They have been compromised several times in recent years, raising security concerns. For an SMB, this is a serious problem as our client list security is paramount.

> Over the years, it has gotten more complex, too complicated. This makes it more challenging to use.

> Over the years, I have not been happy with their customer support which is often little more than you have to work it out yourself. 

> They have a monkey as a slogan, and they use it everywhere. It was friendly and humourous years ago. After years, as the quote goes, "a good joke is like a fine champagne, but repeated too often, becomes a flat soda."

Even though some businesses would find MailChimp a good fit, and it is a sound system, we need to weigh the benefits and drawbacks. We are considering other options that might suit our client's requirements better.

So we are looking for an alternative to offer our clients.

Key features required

If you are looking, I suggest that these key features are required for an email marketing software program:

Managing email lists

The capacity to manage your email list, including the ability to import, segment, and clean it.

Creating an email campaign

A user-friendly interface for designing and creating email campaigns, with drag-and-drop editors and customisable templates.

Automation

the capacity to generate automated email sequences using triggers and subscriber behaviour.

Personalisation

The capacity to customise emails based on subscriber information like name, location, and previous purchases

Analytics

Email campaign performance in-depth analytics and reporting, including conversion, open, and click-through rates.

The A/B test

The capacity to test various email components, including subject lines and content, to improve campaign performance.

Deliverability

You need high deliverability rates and compliance with anti-spam laws to ensure your emails reach subscribers' inboxes.

Integrations

the capacity to connect to other tools for sales and marketing, like CRM systems and social media platforms.

Support

Reliable customer support, hopefully including email, phone, and chat support, to help you troubleshoot any issues you may have.

Please let me know your thoughts.

Yet again, I read an attack on POS Solutions as its prices are too low by a competitor.

I know the person involved well, and I spoke to him. Here I respond to these claims by a competitor about our software being inferior and our prices being too low.

POS Solutions refuted these claims. We defend our reputation for providing high-quality products and services at fair prices.

We feel this decision proves the higher quality of POS Solution's product, that we were chosen because our software was superior. In any case, it shows that our offering was better than theirs for our client. 

POS Solutions Denies Dropping Prices; it maintains its Focus on Fair Pricing for Quality Products

POS Solutions denied that we dropped our price ten times, as they claimed. We did not have to, as it was clear to the client that their offering was not in the ballpark with their prices.

The issue here was never a lower price but a fair price.

Continuous Price Review Ensures Competitive Pricing and Positive Customer Feedback

POS Solutions confirmed that we continuously review our prices to ensure we remain competitive in the market. They are proud of the positive feedback they have received from customers about the affordability of their prices. Only they complain about our prices being too low.

The Competitor's High Prices More Worthy of Questioning Than POS Solutions' Affordable Pricing

As this example shows, POS Solutions believes that the real question should be how they can justify their high prices rather than why POS Solutions offers affordable prices. Here they could not.

POS Solutions takes pride in our reputation for providing reliable and cost-effective solutions. We have been doing this for over 40 years and are committed to maintaining this standard for many years.

We always work to improve our products and services to meet our client's evolving needs.

Sales are the driving force behind a successful business. Measuring sales performance is critical for achieving growth and profitability. Yet, different companies need different systems to measure success. This is where POS Solutions Systems come in - with our customised sales systems tailored to each business's unique requirements.

Tailored Solutions for Unique Business Needs

At POS Solutions Systems, we understand that every business has specific needs. That's why we go above and beyond to provide tailored solutions that help you take control of your sales performance. Our customised sales systems provide seamless transaction processing. We also offer a range of advanced features to help you measure, track and evaluate sales performance.

Measuring Success with Advanced Metrics

Most point-of-sale (POS) systems fulfil basic transaction requirements but often fail to provide the necessary metrics to measure sales performance. Our customised solutions offer valuable insights into customer behaviour, preferences and sale patterns. By understanding your customer's needs and preferences, you can tailor your marketing and sales strategies to target your audience better. This results in increased sales and profitability.

Instilling Customer Confidence

In addition to tracking the number of sales and profit, our customised solutions also instil customer confidence by providing a seamless and secure payment process. Customers can feel confident that their payment information is safe. That they will receive accurate and timely receipts for their transactions. This level of customer confidence can help build long-term customer relationships, increasing loyalty and repeat business.

Conclusion

In conclusion, sales are the driving force behind a successful business. Measuring sales performance is crucial for achieving growth and profitability. At POS Solutions Systems, we recognise the unique needs of companies. We offer customised sales systems that provide seamless and measurable business performance. Our solutions let you take control and instil customer confidence. This helps you to build lasting relationships with your customers and achieve your business objectives.

So, if you're looking for a customised sales system that meets your business's needs, look no further than POS Solutions Systems.