subject: How To Choose The Right Inventory Control Software Ror Your Retail Business [print this page] Inventory Control software sits at the heart of successful retail businesses, managing stock, guiding buying decisions, facilitative sales and tracking overall business performance.
From the back office or warehouse through to the sales counter and the shop floor, inventory control software is working in the background to drive the business forward and improve profitability.
Choosing the right software for any retail business, large or small, is a challenge and open to many pitfalls. Based on years of experience, here is a list of tips for choosing the right inventory software for any retail business.
* Make sure that the software does exactly what you need. While this may sound like common sense, many retailers do not discuss specific needs until after the purchase a system.
* Let employees participate in making the decision as they will use it.
* Make sure that the software works with your suppliers.
* review the reports available from any system and ensure that they will facilitate better quality business decisions.
* Ensure that the Inventory Control software works with your particular line of business. Some systems, for example, will not handle some lines of stock and it you cannot sell or manage lines then the value of the software is diluted.
* Look at how new stock items are added to the system. Is it easy? Can any employee do this? It is important that use is simple.
* What security is provided to ensure that management functions can be done only by managers?
* can you export data to other software such as any back office accounting system.
* Does the system link with EDI, electronic, files from your suppliers?
* Can you place electronic orders with suppliers?
* Does the system report on key retail ratios such as stock turn, return on investment and return of floor space?
Take your time researching the right Inventory Control software for your retail business. Make sure that it is a genuinely good fit. Paying more for better software will deliver a better financial return than spending less and not getting key business requirements met.
Talk to the principals of the software companies you are considering. My own software company, Tower Systems, welcomes that. I make access to our management and development teams available for anyone considering our software. I have found that openness works for all stakeholders.
A good software company will recognise that there is more value in a genuinely happy customer than many more unhappy customers. Choosing the right POS software is as important for them as it is for your business.
