Frequently Asked Questions.
What businesses is your software for?
We create and support software for independent specialty retail businesses, small businesses. These include jewellers, bookshops, garden centres, pet stores, bike shops, toy shops, gift shops, newsagents, music shops, produce businesses, fishing bait and tackle businesses, firearms dealers, computer shops, health food and zero waste businesses, fabric shops, sewing shops, trophy engraving businesses, plumbing supply businesses and plenty more.
Why don't you sell to big business?
There is a difference between the needs of small business owners and big business owners. We prefer to have many customers than a few big customers. We understand small business retail and we love helping small retail businesses flourish.
Does the software have Artificial Intelligence (AI) facilities?
Yes. Our first embedded AI tools were released in 2023. They have been regularly enhanced since then. Today, the AI tools offer workflow management benefits, time saving and opportunities to improve profitability from smart business insights. Almost all reports in the software have an AI insights butting which, when pressed, provides considered commentary on what the report shows - this is ideal for people turned off by pages of reports.
Does the software run in the cloud?
Yes, we have plenty of customers running it in the cloud. We also have plenty of customers running the software in-store, on their desktop. You choose what’s right for you.
Where are you based?
Our head office in in Hawthorn, Victoria - 3A Lynch Street. We’d love you to visit! We also have team members located interstate in Australia, as well as in New Zealand.
Who founded Tower Systems?
Mark Fletcher. In 1981. Ph: 0418 321 338 or email:
Who owns Tower Systems?
Vela APX owns Tower Systems. Vela is part of the Constellation Software Group, a publicly traded company headquartered in Canada.
How many customers do you have?
More than 3,500 businesses have signed up for our software.
Do you sell to big business?
No.
Do you sell to franchises?
No.
What language is the software written in?
Delphi.
What database do you use?
Nexus.
How can I find out more about your software?
You can see demonstrations of most of our products on our YouTube channel: https://www.youtube.com/@TowerSystemsPOS/videos Contact one of our sales people (
How often is your software updated?
Constantly. We usually release three major updates a year.
Do you offer software demonstrations?
Yes. Our demonstrations are one-on-one. That is, they are done with and for you, and anyone else from your team. Also, we record these so you have a record of what was covered.
Do you offer comparisons to other software?
No. We've not used either software and cannot comment from experience on how our software specifically compares to theirs. We are, however, happy to compare our software next to any other if you can arrange this.
What is in the updates?
The majority of enhancements are determined by our customers through a transparent suggestion and voting process that we call Software Ideas. We let our customers know in advance what is in an update and they can decide if they wish to go with that update.
Can I rent your software?
Yes, for as long or as short as you want. There is no lock in contract. You could use the software for 30 days, for example, and then stop.
Do I have to pay for software updates?
Updates are included in our software rental price.
How can I get support for the software?
You can access out chatbot 24/7. It’s in the bottom right corner of our website home page. You can call or email our help desk. Our comprehensive knowledge base is available online 24/7 as is our large library of training videos. Plus, we have a private Facebook group.
Do I have to buy hardware from you?
No. We have a hardware spec sheet that is freely available from our website.
Do I have to keep paying to access your software once I purchase it?
Rental is per month, rolling. Paying this provides access to the software. There is no lock in contract. You can cancel at any time and at the end of the month in which you cancel, it ends.
Where can I see your price?
It’s online, public, anyone can access it: https://www.towersystems.com.au/pricing.html.
Is software support coverage mandatory?
It's included in the rental price.
How can I tell how busy the help desk is?
If you log into our website, the first screen you see shows the current call queue as well as how many calls we have handled so far today. The fastest help desk response will be from the ChatBot on our website.
Do I have to pay a fee per transaction put through the software?
No. The only cost for the software is the monthly rental cost.
Do I have to pay to run the software on more terminals in my shop?
No. You can run the software on as many terminals in your location as you wish.
Your software is more expensive than other software I am looking at - why?
It could be that the other software you are looking at is not as comprehensive as ours. It could also be you have not been informed of the total cost of ownership of the other software. We think our pricing is fair based on what we have invested in our software and the comprehensive services with which we back our software. We believe in the maxim - you get what you pay for.
How can I learn more about your software once I have it installed?
All of our new customers have access to one-on-one training, our awesome video training library and our comprehensive knowledge base. Customers can have as many telephone based one on one training sessions as they want.
What does "off the shelf software" mean?
It means the software3 offered for purchase is sold as is at that point in time. Unless your contract states otherwise, no customisation is offered.
What if I want a facility that is not in your software?
If you already use our software, suggest it via our transparent Software Ideas facility. If you do not currently use our software, please outline your requirements to your sales person, preferably in writing.
Can I backup to the cloud?
Yes. We offer a safe and secure service for this?
Can I use the software for a pop-up shop or outpost?
Yes.
Can you convert data from other software?
Usually we can. Let us see your data first before we provide a certain answer for you. Some software products make it difficult to export data.
Do you sell through agents?
No.
Does the software offer scale integration?
Yes, we are NMI approved.
Does the software support sales by fractions?
Yes.
Does the software support sales by unit of measure?
Yes, by weight or length.
Does the software connect to online platforms for e-commerce?
Yes, our POS software directly integrates with Shopify, Big Commerce, Woo Commerce and Magento. Our software receives a feed of online sales and maintains up to data inventory data regardless of whether the sale is in-store or online.
Does the software support selling by colour, size and style?
Yes.
Does the software support table service for cafes and restaurants?
No.
Does the software enable us to suspend a sale mid sale and come back to it?
Yes.
Are loyalty tools included in the software?
Yes, there is no additional cost for this.
