NOTE: Yes, Tower Systems is a POS software company offering its software to local small business retailers. This advice, however, is genuine and not designed to guide you to us. We truly want you to choose the right software for your business, whether it is Tower Systems or now. Getting it right for you is what matters to us.

Choosing the right Point of Sale (POS) software is an important decision you will make as a small business retailer. It can make tens of thousands of dollars in a year, or cost that much.

The right POS system acts as the central hub of your operations, capable of boosting efficiency, informing strategy, and ultimately adding significant value to your business. A poor choice, however, can become a source of daily frustration and unnecessary cost.

This decision has to be yours. Don’t outsource it.

While many retailers focus on standard features and pricing, there are several often-overlooked factors that can differentiate a good system from a great one. This guide will walk you through a structured process for making your selection and highlight the crucial, yet subtle, points of comparison that can lead to a more successful long-term partnership with your software provider.

Foundational Steps: A Process for Success

A decision of this importance should not be rushed. Investing your time in a thorough evaluation process will pay dividends for years to come.

1. Define Your Needs: Before you look at any software, start by creating a written list of what matters to most in your business and for you. Separate the 'must-haves' from the 'nice-to-haves'. This document that you create will be your anchor throughout the entire process, keeping you focused on your core requirements.
2. Conduct Your Own Research: Use your list of needs to research potential software companies online. Take your time. Leading this research yourself ensures the outcome is aligned with your vision. Good software companies are transparent, making it easy to see features and pricing without forcing you into a sales call. Be wary of companies that are not forthcoming with their pricing structure.
3. Create a Shortlist: Aim for a shortlist of no more than three companies. These should be providers that your research indicates can meet your core needs and fall within your budget.
4. Book Focused Demonstrations: Reach out to your shortlisted companies and schedule a demonstration with each. To maintain control of the process, inform them you have 30 minutes and provide them with your key requirements to cover. This ensures the demonstration is relevant to you, not just a generic sales pitch. Ask for the session to be recorded so you can review it later, and take detailed notes.
5. Review and Reflect: After the demonstrations, take time in a quiet space to consider the options. If a clear winner doesn't emerge, don't hesitate to request a follow-up meeting. It can be valuable to ask for a support team member to join this call, as they are the ones you will interact with day-to-day.
6. Make Your Decision: Armed with your research, notes, and demonstration experiences, make the decision that feels right for your business. If no option feels like a perfect fit, it is perfectly acceptable to pause and reconsider your options.

The time you invest in this process is an investment. The right software can add thousands of dollars to your bottom line each year, delivering a powerful return on your initial effort.

Beyond the Basics: The Differentiating Factors to Consider

When comparing software, look past the feature lists to understand the philosophy and structure of the company you may be partnering with.

• Real-World Retail Experience: Does the software company have genuine, firsthand experience in retail? A provider that has owned or operated its own retail stores understands the practical, on-the-ground challenges you face. This experience often translates into more intuitive workflows and practical features that a purely tech-focused company might overlook.
• Customer-Driven Development: How are new features and software updates decided? Look for companies with a transparent process for customers to suggest enhancements and vote on priorities. A user-driven development roadmap ensures the software evolves to meet the real-world needs of its customers, not just the assumptions of its developers.
• Ongoing Learning and Training: Initial training is standard, but your learning needs will evolve. The best providers offer easy and free access to ongoing education long after the installation is complete. A robust library of tutorials, webinars, and guides is critical for your long-term success and enjoyment of the software.
• A Clear Escalation Path: In any long-term relationship, disagreements or service issues can arise. What matters is how they are handled. Ask potential providers to explain their escalation process. You need to be comfortable that if a standard support call doesn't resolve your issue, there are clear, accessible steps to get it addressed by senior staff.
• Value-Added Services: Does the company offer services beyond the software itself? Some providers offer business analysis services, where an expert can review your data and provide insights into your business performance. This can help you identify opportunities for growth that you may not have seen otherwise.
• Focus on Small Business: Consider whether the provider specialises in serving small, independent retailers. A company focused on your sector is more likely to understand your unique challenges and won't be distracted by the demands of a few large corporate clients. This ensures their focus remains on delivering value to businesses like yours.

Tailoring the Software to Your Unique Business

Every retail business is different. Ensure your chosen POS has the specific capabilities to handle what makes your business unique.

• Niche Specialisation: If you operate in a niche market (e.g., a bookstore, jeweller, or garden centre), look for software designed for or adaptable to your specific inventory and sales processes.
• Local Focus: If supporting the local economy is important, consider a solution developed and supported in Australia. Local support staff will have a better understanding of your market conditions, compliance, and consumer behaviour.
• Services and Repairs: If you offer maintenance or repair services, your POS software must be able to manage these jobs, track their status, and handle the billing seamlessly.
• Product Bundling: For businesses that sell bundled items or kits, the system must effectively manage these configurations for inventory and sales reporting.
• Customer Loyalty: Your ability to foster repeat business is crucial. The POS should offer a flexible loyalty program that you can tailor to what your customers will value most.
• Selling by Weight or Measure: If you sell products by weight or in fractional quantities, ensure the system has this capability built-in and is compatible with integrated scales.

Final Considerations

Once you've implemented your chosen system, success depends on your engagement. Embrace the training provided and be open to adjusting some business processes to optimise the software's effectiveness. Maintain strict data entry procedures, as the quality of your business insights depends entirely on the accuracy of your data.

Finally, view your relationship with your software provider as a partnership. Your feedback can contribute to the improvement of the product, benefiting your business and the wider community of users. The right POS software is more than a tool; it's a strategic asset that should reflect your business's identity and support its growth for years to come.

This has to be your decision

We see business owners outsource this decision to consultants, family friends and staff and later regret this. Only you know what matters most to your business. Spend the time. Do the work. Reap the rewards. Show our much the right POS software matters to you by showing up to consider, assess and make decisions.

Tower Systems is a POS software company specialising in specialty retail for independent small business retailers. We are not right for everyone who considers us. If we think we are not right based on the needs outlined to us, we will say so, and wish you all the best.