Integrator Designs Customized POS System For Liquor Store Chain
By combining hardware, software, programming, and ISV (independent software vendor) applications, this integrator won a five-location POS project.
What if your customer was a tech-savvy entrepreneur who needed a POS (point of sale) system that could handle some unique challenges such as different taxation rates on different products? That's exactly what POS integrator UNI Consulting faced with Teddy's Liquors in the northern Chicago area. Not only did UNI have to design a system to address the basic operational needs of Teddy's, it had to build a system that met the marketing requirements of Teddy's owner, John Karavidas.
The need for a new POS system arose because of an aging (15-year-old) DOS-based POS system that was in desperate need of replacement. "The old system had no automation capabilities, and performance was slow," explains Jason Shah, co-owner of UNI. "The hardware was outdated, and the POS application was no longer supported. No new applications could be developed, and it was difficult, if not impossible, to grow the system to handle new locations."
Don't Underestimate The Value Of Cold Calling
UNI learned of the Teddy's project when on a cold call, co-owner Pratik Patel stopped in and introduced himself to Karavidas. It turns out that Karavidas had been researching Microsoft Dynamics RMS Store Operations software. UNI is a Microsoft authorized reseller, and Patel was able to step in and help. "We provided him with a basic demonstration of RMS," says Patel. "That demo went well, and Karavidas selected a single checkout lane in his main location to be used as a testing and development POS station."
At that time, UNI started on the first design of what would eventually become Teddy's POS system. "We tested and staged multiple configurations of the system prior to putting it into production," says Shah. "We tried various types of demo hardware to find the best fit for Teddy's needs. We did a lot of experimenting to get this system the way John wanted it." During the testing process, UNI set up an RMS file server so that Karavidas could transition his data from the old DOS-based software to RMS. "We performed a lot of the database conversion work for John, and we also helped him move some of his data from spreadsheets into the RMS system," continues Shah. "We had to include features such as the ability to assign different tax rates to different products. Because Karavidas took his time and allowed us to test everything prior to implementation, there were no surprises when it came time to put the system into production."
Once testing had concluded, and UNI landed on the combination of hardware and software (see sidebar on page 70 for complete system details) that fit Karavidas' needs, it was time to deploy the system across all five stores. To handle local transactions, each store got its own RMS file server. In all, UNI installed 16 POS checkout systems in the five locations. UNI chose Microsoft Dynamics Headquarters software to connect all five locations. Each store's RMS server connects securely to the headquarters via a DSL line. Microsoft Dynamics Headquarters collects all of the POS data from each location automatically. All of the testing and subsequent installation took place over a four-month period.
Use POS For Marketing
One of the unique features of this implementation is that Karavidas wanted the POS system to act as more than just a cash register. For instance, pole displays are typically used to show customers details of the transaction. UNI designed this system to show various promotions and messages from the Teddy's Web site on the pole display. However, Karavidas has taken this concept to the next level by selling pole display space to advertisers as well. Those messages are rotated along with messages specific to Teddy's. This is an innovative idea that VARs may suggest to customers to help offset the cost of their new POS systems.
In addition to the marketing capabilities, UNI spent time experimenting with ergonomic mounts for the POS equipment — a move designed to make the workstations comfortable for employees to use.
The results of this installation have been great for both Teddy's and UNI. Teddy's has eliminated downtime, increased the speed of transactions, and added new automation features. For instance, Karavidas now has the ability to make changes such as temporary promotional pricing or the adjustment of tax rates on different products at the headquarters and push those changes out to all five stores. Teddy's is also generating additional revenue by selling POS pole display advertising.
UNI made a profit on this sale and continues to get additional business from Teddy's as a result of this installation. More importantly, UNI designed a system that could be reproduced in other liquor stores. In fact, UNI has carved out a good niche in providing custom POS solutions for many liquor store chains.