A POS Solution For The Dry Cleaning Market
DCAL Computer Systems helps dry cleaners track their clothing inventory with a PC-based point of sale (POS) system and specialized software.
When it comes to laundry, DCAL Computer Systems cleans up. This point of sale (POS) VAR specializes in PC-based systems for dry cleaners across the United States. "It's a growing market," according to Darrell Potts, DCAL's CEO. DCAL (Bartlesville, OK) has 11 employees.
Ten years ago, one industry forecast predicted that by the year 2000, 85% of all dry cleaners would have automated POS systems. Potts says the dry-cleaning industry has been slower to adopt POS technology than the forecast suggests. Today, more dry cleaners are being run by second-generation family members who are computer savvy. These second-generation owners are willing to adopt technology to improve their business, notes Potts. According to the International Fabricare Institute, there are approximately 27,000 operating dry cleaning establishments in the US. The growth of the industry has slowed in recent years to 5% to 6% per year. Approximately half of all dry cleaners are using some computerized system to help run their businesses.
Scalable System Features Dry Cleaning Software
"Each dry cleaning business operates a little differently," says Potts. A dry cleaner may have one stand-alone POS terminal or as many as 15 terminals networked together. The type of services dry cleaners offer also varies. Services can include pick up and delivery and valet or hotel accounts. Potts takes these differences into account by having his customers complete a profile form. The profile outlines how the business operates. For example, what percentage is charged for late payments? Once the profile is completed, Potts programs the DCAL (dry cleaning and laundry) software to run according to the customer's needs. Other features of the DCAL software include cash drawer balancing; customer inquiry and history; employee productivity tracking; delivery accounts; inventory management and centralized accounts receivable.
In addition to DCAL's own software, the system typically includes an IBM-compatible Pentium processor with monitor, Rapid Transaction Interface, Inc. (RTI) ScreenKey keypad, Opticon bar-code scanner, American MicroSystems scanner wedge, Okidata printer, and Tripp Lite power protection device. DCAL offers an 800 line for telephone support and full service installation, training, software support, equipment maintenance and supplies.
How The DCAL System Works
Potts explains how the system works in a typical dry cleaning business. Dry cleaning clerks "mark in" customers' clothing by identifying the type of garment, the material, and the service to be performed. "Up charges" for special materials, such as silk, are added at this time. Without an automated POS system, the mark in is done by the clerks using paper forms and pens.
This process is simplified using the ScreenKey keypad, says Potts. For example, the clerk takes in a man's white shirt and a woman's silk dress for cleaning. The clerk simply presses the ‘clothing' key on the key pad. Choices for ‘mens' or ‘womens' are offered (these keys light up). The clerk presses ‘mens' and only men's clothing choices are offered. By continuing to ‘drill down' using the keypad, the clerk selects ‘shirt' and then ‘white'. The process is repeated for the silk dress by pressing the ‘dress' key then pressing the ‘silk' key when presented. All the items are totaled and listed on the POS monitor.
Software Tracks Clothing Inventory
Once the clothes are marked in, the DCAL software automatically assigns the customer a ticket number. A ticket, which includes a bar code, is printed. After the clothes are processed (cleaned, pressed, etc.), the ticket is attached to the bagged order. The bar-coded tickets are scanned when the clothes are "racked" (hung on racks). The DCAL software identifies customers' orders by ticket numbers and rack location. Orders are also scanned when customers pick them up. "By scanning the orders, the DCAL system identifies differences between computer inventory and physical inventory," says Potts.
DCAL System Benefits
The ScreenKey keypad, a newer addition to the DCAL system, has met with positive results from DCAL's customers. "It can be used in place of the 300-key keyboard we are using for mark in," says Potts. The 300-key keypad is color-coded and presents the clerks all the options at all one time. The ScreenKey keypad is programmable, providing a highlighted keyboard to prompt the clerk.
The ScreenKey keyboards are easy to use, involve minimal training, do not intimidate operators and provide accurate and efficient mark in data input, according to Potts. The ScreenKey keypad provides high- speed input and accuracy while minimizing required desktop space. Both options decrease training time and increase the likelihood that upcharges will be added in.
"Often upcharges are not added in because it is time consuming and more math for the clerk," says Potts. The system can pay for itself in increased upcharges alone, he adds.
Other benefits of the DCAL system include accurate inventory tracking, consistent pricing of services, and counter theft monitoring. "These are all concerns of dry cleaning business owners," says Potts.