What are the avantages of an EPOS system?
Increase efficiency and accuracy
EPOS systems are capable of boosting efficiency and turnaround through sheer automation and plays a key role in centralising your processes through add-ons and a range of third party and custom integrations. The software acts as a one-platform solution to access a range of tools ensuring that staff do not waste time navigating a multitude of different programs to manage and keep tabs on the business while eliminating much of the natural human error that comes with it. This includes automated inventory count; data that is synced to your reporting, forgoing any unnecessary rekeying of data and instead replacing the whole ordeal with the click of a button.
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Advantages of using an EPOS system include the uptake in efficiency on the grounds too; in equipping sales staff working with their own iPad tablet to manage orders and payments, your workforce is doing more, quicker and easier than when working through dated legacy till systems.
Streamlining communication
Hardware integrations are also part of the POS package such as kitchen displays used in restaurants and Cafes alike. A KDS is able to streamline communication between the kitchen and customer-facing staff and ensuring order accuracy while minimising the potential for human error. Any changes to orders are instantly and automatically communicated once entered into the system and the live updates ensure both the kitchen and counter are aware of real-time demands, guaranteeing transparency and efficiency all around.
Access to greater Insight
You can run off accurate real-time reports on sales, stock, profits and more, in a flash – one of the many advantages of using EPOS. This not only gives you a better understanding of how the business is performing at any given time but also ensures that business owners are able to make informed decisions based on accurate and easily accessible insight. This includes forecasts and projections around sales, stock and customer behaviour.
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One centralised database
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Your trade counter staff can be confident in the information they can access and ensure they deliver quality customer service. You can be sure that your inventory levels are accurate across all depots and your order processing is managed effectively, which means the sales data and company performance analysis you can extract from your ERP system is a true reflection of your business.
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Tighter stock control
Multi-channel selling is key for wholesalers and distributors to stay competitive but selling from a variety of channels can increase the risks of stock level and purchasing errors. A fully integrated EPOS system means your trade counter is working on the same single database as your ERP ensuring the stock information is always correct. This means that if you set up predefined stock measures to determine optimum inventory levels in your ERP software, those measures still apply when stock is allocated from your trade counter. You’ll reduce stock holding and ensure effective stock management to improve cash flow and importantly, allow your trade counter team to deliver great customer service with accurate up to date data.
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Improve sales opportunities
Data is the key to unlocking hidden potential and this is the same no matter what channel you’re using to make the sale. Arming your trade counter team with the data they need to close the sale, increase order value or ensure the customer returns will inevitable increase sales revenue. An integrated EPOS system will give staff access to customer data, previous order history, stock levels, latest promotional deals and minimum sales price to maximise their chances of closing a sale.
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The data you can retrieve from the sales performance is also a great way to increase sales opportunities, by understanding the busiest times of the day, the bestselling products and other sales performance indicators so you can make more informed decisions moving forward to improve efficiency and profitability.
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Improved customer service
All the above benefits will affect your bottom line but they’ll all also influence your customer service levels and allow you to exceed the expectations of your customers. Trade counter business can largely be based on recommendations and if your clients are happy, reviews are 5 star and your recognised as trusted suppliers, you’re existing customers will return, and new customers will visit.
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Providing a personal service give you an advantage over your competitors and an integrated EPOS system will enable you to view customer order history, make reorders and also present them with their special pricing so they know they’ll get the same service no matter how they shop with you.
